What do you do with them all?

[Peeps]

I have noticed over the years on this board that people hatch tons of chicks. What are you doing with all of them? I am going to hatch some chicks for the first time next week, but I only want maybe 6-10 chicks. (hoping I get that many out of 30 eggs) But if all of my chicks hatched, I would have to get rid of half of them. I already have 25 chickens I don't want 50! LOL I was just wondering what ya'll do with all those chicks?

 

[Vamp-A-Billy Princess]

Dont ask me. All 13 of mine hatched and I have 40 chickens now and am trying to figure out how to get polish eggs past my husband. LOL

 

[lilcountry]

They give the eggs or chicks to people they know that want some or possibly sell some, others I think keep adding to their flock! I dont know how they take care of so many either! What kind do you have in the bator?

 

[Dilly]

I have asked this same question and besides a few saying oh I love hatching, or I do so to replenish my stock, it is not replied to. In my reading of this list, there is a whole lot of hatching going on, some on a regular basis.
I think it is like an addition for some.
Seriously, for me to hatch some eggs in the future it will be when I have friends looking for babies, or I need more. My hubby bought me an incubator and it will probably not be used for a year, two or three even. He is like that, he sees or hears me express an interest and he tries to find ways to sneak me gifts. So here I sit with a Brinsea on it's way, and no idea of when it will ever be used.

I cannot imagine putting out the effort involved to bring life to a chick, only to sell or give it away on a regular basis. Time is too valuable and so is life.

Dilly

 

[speckledhen]

I don't hatch just to hatch. Heck, eventually, I'd run out of room to house birds. I am hatching now to add to my flock of girls who are aging and I've lost birds this year for the first time, so I feel justified in bringing along some new future layers. Once I pick the ones I want to keep from the spring hatches and sell the ones I don't, I'll be done for probably a few years, unless I do a custom hatch for someone wanting to pick up day-old chicks from me. Or, God forbid, I have some tragedy and lose alot of birds.

 

[ChickenWendy]

Well i hatched out some Polish & Silkies for myself. And I also hatched out a Pekin tonight as a matter of fact & i have 10 Cayuga duck eggs incubating as well as some of my "mutt" chicks from the 9 chickens i already have established. I have 9 in the backyard coop/run. I have 3 Barred Rock hens, 5 polish, 6 bearded silkies in a brooder box in my garage (they are 2-4 weeks old). I plan on adding at least 2 of the Barred Rocks to my flock as well as hopefully 3 of the polish (1 roo, 2 hens - if i get lucky on my ratio) and i want at least 1 roo silkie and 2 silkie hens also. I just think they are neat. As for the Pekin i wanted that duck for a pet which is neat that it is a solitary hatch today. and then 10 cayugas - well i plan on keeping at least 1 possibly 2 and then selling the rest.
I guess if you do so much you only get attached to a few. only a few stand out to me! but my kids pick favorites too. But i have friends who want some. but this is my last incubation for a while. it's a lot of work i think.

 

[pips&peeps]

My chickens are my business. I hatch alot of chicks as it is necessary to get quality birds to breed and show.

I also sell chicks, hatching eggs and started birds. In addition I donate to local poultry groups and 4-H kids.

You have to remember also that 50% of the chicks people are hatching are roosters and they are not necessarily wanted.

 

[Dilly]

It would have to be a business to hatch on a regular basis. The work involved and time. I agree with Wendy on that as well.

I wonder how many work this as a business. A hobby seems like more the norm on here and for personal use. You have to admit some posters have one going after another if not multiple hatches. Sort of like an addition.

Even to the point of trying new fangled ways to bator. Hate when the chicks die from such experiments. But that is just me.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I hatch to get the breed that I want...My hens are also getting older so its nice to hatch out yearly to add new pullets to the flock...I have had acouple orders for hatched chicks this year, so they leave as day olds...extra cockerals I find good homes for...

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

You also have to figure in the mortality rate. Lots of hatched chicks never make it to adulthood - whether because of illness or perhaps slaughter