Do you prefer hatching with a broody or an incubator? And, are cockerals more common than pullets? If we hatch our own eggs, do we need to plan to hatch a lot more than we want to keep?
I've actually started to think about what we're going to do next spring. We plan to add 3 (city code max is 6 hens). I was thinking it might be kind of cool for the kids (and us) to watch the entire process. I'm not sure which would be the best way to go. From what I understand, our Light Brahma will tend to be broody, but the downfall with a Brahma might be that she'll be so big, she might tend to break eggs. As it is, she's already our clumsy one. I've also been looking at the Brinsea Mini Advance incubator. It holds 7 eggs - and has a clear top to see through.
Any thoughts/suggestions? Fortunately we have nearly a year to think this through.
I prefer incubators. I think this gives me a better hatch rate. It definitely gives me the opportunity to watch
And if needed I can intervene, although I usually avoid that. My thought is that if the chick cannot get out of its shell on its own, it is probably not going to be a strong healthy chick.
If you hatched 1,000 eggs you should be pretty close to 500 roos and 500 pullets. But if you hatch only 10, you could get a much less desirable ratio. 8 eggs *should* guarantee at least one of each sex. (Statistically speaking)
I use two incubators, both Styrofoam, both with fans. I have an automatic turner in one. Eggs go in there for the first 18 to 19 days, then I move them to the second for hatching. I set 14 at a time, usually every weekend. This means I'm also hatching out 14 every weekend (from 14 eggs I am averaging 11 chicks). I cannot seem to hatch them as fast as the Hispanics buy them (See why I need Spanish?)
I spent a bunch of time doing research before I purchased my incubators. I settled on the GQF Genesis (
http://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=77) I like the digital controls, and that it came pre-set. Plug it in and it gets to the correct temp. I added the automatic turner (
http://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=279).
This winter, I hope to build a cabinet incubator. My thoughts are to have drawers that pull out, with the bottom drawer the "hatcher". We'll see how motivated I am come November
Since it sounds like you only want to hatch once - maybe you could rent/borrow an incubator? Or keep an eye on your Craig's list - I've seen some pretty good deals there - just a month or so ago someone was selling everything you needed for 100 bucks - they had purchased it for their daughters science project, and were looking to move it along to someone with a similar need.
Sorry for the long post
Dave
)
