Waiting Period for New Laying Hens & Incubation of Their Eggs

[crazypolishchic]

How long after a hen first starts laying should I wait to collect her eggs to incubate? The first eggs are always small so I don't know whether to wait until the eggs are bigger to ensure a bigger, healthier chick or if it's ok to go ahead and incubate. My Speckled Sussex has been laying for about a week now.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, your instincts are correct. Do wait until they've laid a dozen eggs, perhaps two dozen, in order to have a better sized egg. The chicks produced tend to thrive much better.

 

[crazypolishchic]

Thanks for the reply!

 

[Pancholoco]

My pullets started to lay almost 3 weeks ago and I still getting small eggs.