When To Incubate

[Madie'sOddFlock]

This was probably an odd way to title this, but I wasn't sure how else to.
I'm planning on starting to incubate February 1st and I'm not sure if the hens that I want to breed have started laying.
My question is: how long should a hen be laying before you start incubating their eggs?
Thanks,
Madie.

 

[RollTideChicken]

Do you mean started laying for the first time (pullet) or coming off a winter break (hen)? Most folks do not recommend hatching pullet eggs.

 

[wyoDreamer]

When my pullets first start laying, the eggs tend to be small and sometimes irregular. I get a "fairy" eggs with no yolk, I have gotten many eggs with 2 yolks, and even a normal size egg with no yolk. You want them laying for a little while at least, until the eggs they lay are consistent in size and quality.

 

[RollTideChicken]

Another thing is (if we are talking pullets) early on they don't let the rooster mount them. So even when you start getting eggs they are likely not fertilized.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I would plan to start incubating when you see the bullseye on the yolks of the eggs. Until then, enjoy your homegrown eggs.

 

[fire370]

As long as your pullet eggs are fertile, give it a go. I myself have no problems or worries with hatching them. Like somebody said above, some are totally against hatching pullet eggs. Never have figured that one out.