When to incubate eggs from new layers?

[KellyHM]

I have 2 5-month-old Easter Egger hens and one 8-month-old EE rooster. The hens haven't started laying yet, but when they do I'd like to incubate some eggs. I was just wondering how long I need to wait after they start laying for the eggs to be viable. Will they be ready right away or do I need to let their systems get into the swing of things or a while?

 

[luvzmybabz]

Some people say you can set smallish pullets eggs but I have always waited at least 1 month of steady laying before setting, and even then I could definitely tell which birds can from pullet they are 7 months old now and there are still a couple same age that were smaller eggs and you can still see it, compared to the others.

 

[skeeter9]

I've hatched lots of eggs from pullets, and I always wait at least a month, too. The eggs/chicks will still be smaller, but the chicks mature to normal adult size - at least mine have.

 

[CindyS]

Yes, wait till the eggs are almost full size. They may be fertile right away but the chick inside is genetically programmed to be a certain size. If the egg is too small, the chick will grow too large and will not hatch or will have trouble hatching.

 

[KellyHM]

Thanks so much for the advice! Now, if they would just start laying eggs...