So why do you Hatch your own?

[ChickieBooBoo]

Its easier to get birds from breeders across the country, shipping eggs is easier then shipping chicks or adults

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
I try to sell as many roos as I can, the rest go to freezer camp.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Well, pretty much what I am doing is figuring out which breeds I really love. So I sell my breeds that I really don't want. They will live 10-15 years, and I am already middle aged myself.

I have sold at auction. The first time I sold at auction, I silently cried right there in the auction- tears in my eyes. I made a thread about how "I let my babies down by selling them at auction." I was too attached to them. And it is quite obvious that a lot of them would probably get eaten (not that I have anything against other people eating their chickens). I told myself I would not do that again.

But yesterday, I took almost 30 birds to auction again. And I feel better! No more overcrowding. Now I have room to hatch out more!

 

[joyous]

I like to drive myself CRAZY,

hatching chicks is fun, enjoyable , exhilarating and terrifying! I am so obsessive, and so afraid something will go wrong! It is still worth it!

 

[secuono]

I hatch my Japs because my dog killed most of them.
Hatch others to expand my flock.
And because it's exciting!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

To keep traffic to my webcams

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:

 

[Kat'sChicks]

Quote:
I have contacts with several 4H groups that come pick out birds to raise and show, and I sell all the eggs my girls can lay (when I'm not hatching, of course).
And what do you mean "You can't keep building more and more housing for everything"? Are you telling me that after 2 good sized coops, 2 A-frames, a mini coop and a recycled 8'X10' shed I have to quit adding to my village???????? Say it isn't so!!!!!!

Go check out the Hatch-A-Holics posts if you want some insight...LOL

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
I can't?

Oh. Well, darn.

I do this because I am addicted to hatching and the end result is approaching rapidly. I keep avoiding "that bridge" I will have to cross.

I hope to give away some. But without advertising. Heheheheee. Any local BYCers need chicks? I will raise 'em until you need 'em.....

 

[SarahIrl]

I hatched this year beause I could initially get eggs for breeds and colours I couldn't find as pullets. Then bought in a few birds here and there and ended up with mutt fertil eggs, so hatched those too. I have a couple of people I know who just love birds full stop and will take any excess I have. I do advertise my pure bred birds for small money, pullets more than roosters, and offer a hatching service from March to September. I take in your eggs, incubate and hatch them, doing all the daily checks, candling, picture any duds for proof when removing, and off we go. I charge about 20 euros for up to 24 eggs, and 30 euros for up to 40 eggs. Not bad for electricity, wear and tear, and my work candling and hatching, providing heat and first feeds. I will keep them up to 48 hours old, then they have to go. Lots of breeders here are very pushed for time or money to buy in equipment, and I invested in some good gear this year while I had the cash. I love hatching, but as it is sure to happen - if I hatch for myself no problems as such, for someone else my rates go way down. I do nothing different, but I always agree terms when setting eggs and don't change them. Even had a guy turn up out of the blue in a panic as his incy broke the same day he set his eggs and they had already got warm, disasterous hatch but that was down to them being scrambled in shipping to him. He never candled them first. I managed to save 2 from 9 and only one made it past pipping. Very sad.