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Out of curiosity...

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by Plain Old Dee, Nov 13, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Nov 13, 2009 #1
    Plain Old Dee

    Plain Old Dee Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Oct 30, 2009
    Seminole, OK
    Is it too late in the year to start a batch of eggs in the incubator? Would any hens that hatch lay before next fall?

    Which is better - incubator or real mom for the eggs?

    I know nothing about baby chicks. We always bought adult hens. We had a couple hatch a clutch or two of babies, but there was a high mortality rate with the babies and only a couple lived to adulthood.

    I think I could cobble together a brooder out of an old play pen (saw one on this website that gave me the idea). I thought I might try raising some babies to increase the flock (I want LOTS of eggs - huge family to feed!), but don't know how cost effective it would be.

    Any thoughts?
     
  3. Nov 13, 2009 #2
    LauraSBale

    LauraSBale Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Aug 3, 2008
    Linden, Mich S/W of Flint
    as long as you can keep the baby's warm tell they feather out, i dont see why not,
    and you should get eggs by mid summer, from any hens that hatch out
     
  5. Nov 13, 2009 #3
    tomcio

    tomcio Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Sep 3, 2008
    I have a batch of layers growing up currently and coturnix eggs in the incubator. It's never too late to set a batch, so long as you can keep them warm enough until they feather out and gradually change their temperature as you put them outside (so not to shock their systems).

    I expect my batch of layers to start producing around January/February.
     

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