What to do with "extra" chicks?

[quiltnchik]

Okay, so DH bought me my first 'bator today (an LG 9200 - I know, I know, but it was actually cheaper than the parts to make my own), and now I have a question, as I think I'm starting to make DH nervous...

I notice that most people on here with 'bators end up hatching, and hatching, and hatching... I was mentioning to DH how most had more than one 'bator so that they could use the second (or third) as a "hatcher," and he said, "Dear, I don't have a hatchery...." Soooo...what do you all do with sooooo many chicks? Do you sell them? Give them away? I know not all of you have unlimited space for chicks, but still hatch them, so where do they end up? Help me convince DH to "let me" hatch more than just a few!

 

[RHewitt]

Well you will end up with about 50 / 50 pullets and roos so if you want a nice laying flock it may take several hatches. I give my roos to someone that puts them in the freezer and I keep hatching until I get all the laying hens I want. I have sold a few hens and when I do I hatch a few more to replace them. Hatching is fun but after a few you hatchings you will settle down and the DH will be OK.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I am waiting for my third hatch to hatch on the 1. Right now we are rebuilding our laying and breeding flocks. When we have extras we generally take them to the auction. I don't know if I will restart the bator this time or wait. I think I will wait to see exactly what I have and what I still need.

 

[LilDucky85]

I have the LG and it worked GREAT! I even hatched duck eggs which can be harder with the high humidity they need. If you need to know anything about the LG let me know! I love my LG.

With my eggs 9 of 9 pipped! 8 out of 9 made it out of the shell!

After my first hatch I was exhausted. I didnt think I would do this for awhile and packed up my incubator. I wanted to enjoy my first owning ducklings (or any poultry). The thought crossed my mind as to when Id do it again someday, but I didnt have the urge to do it right away. I have enough work keeping up with my pooping machine ducklings. Then last week I unexpectedly acquired 6 rescued Mallard duck eggs. Here we go again! lol. I'm excited and ready to take on round two!

 

[FlashPointFarm]

You can advertise them on craigslist too, it will help fund your addiction.

 

[quiltnchik]

Quote:
Great idea! For now we live in an HOA, so there's only so much of a laying "flock" I can keep (maybe 4-6 hens).

My first batch of hatching eggs are coming tomorrow from the people who own the farm where I board my 2 horses, so the chicks will be going back as soon as they're a bit older (they've had a terrible time trying to raise chicks because predators keep getting them all, though I'm going to talk to them about making a protected area for the chicks, rather than letting them free range or keeping them in the barn). In fact, at least four of the eight 4-week-old chicks I have now will be leaving in a few weeks to go to the farm as well, though I might actually take 5 WL to them and keep one of the newly hatched "mutts;" haven't decided yet.

I do like the Craigslist idea, though, and will definitely present that to DH in my "defense," and I've also told him I'd give them away on Freecycle if needed. I just wanna' hatch some chicks!

 

[quiltnchik]

Quote:
Thanks LilDucky85! I've been reading the boards for hours tonight and have found mixed reviews on the LG, but like I said, the parts for a homemade 'bator were going to be more than I paid for the LG. I have it set up and running now and have adjusted the temp a few times trying to get things "just right." I think it will be fine once everything's set correctly and it has time to even out. I'm picking the eggs up from the farm tomorrow and have NO idea what kind of mutts I'll end up with, but I know it will be FUN to hatch them!

 

[MagsC]

Many members of my family live on farms so the ones I wont keep, thats where most of them go. But I HAVE given to people who needed a hand up and could use them and I have posted on craigslist as well.