Why hatch over getting chicks?

[Chicken Heir]

Just curious what the advantage to hatching in an incubator is over buying chicks. Seems like the eggs are more expensive than chicks, including sexed chicks, and the success rate of chicks arriving well seems greater than hatch rates. Again, just curious. I still plan on getting some eggs and hatching them. Seems like it would be interesting and fun to try.

 

[Barry]

If you can buy chicks for less than the price of a hatching egg, then buy chicks! There is something special about watching chicks hatch when all goes well, but it does not always go well.

 

[Knight Hawk Ranch]

One advantage is WAY less risk of introducing respirtory disieses into your flock.

But I guess the biggest reason is it is FUN and very addicting to hatch your own chickies.

Breeders do it to work on their own bloodlines within their flock.

 

[Wildsky]

I think lots of folk want certain breeds that are not as easy to just go out and buy.

I bought an incubator and hatched out one batch because I wanted pure Araucana chickens.

(I might break out the incubator again next year - I just have to figure out what color eggs I want so I can decide on the breed to buy

)

 

[americana-chick]

It is fun and you feel like you have acomplished something when they hatch, and you know where your chicks are coming from.

i prefer hatching chicks myself, it just feels rewarding to watch chicks hatch that you had when they where eggs.

~Bri

 

[Mahonri]

Next month will be the first time that I've hatched any of my own eggs.. and I'll be hatching out some good quality Wheaten/Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas.... at least I hope they look good.

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Some people go to casinos to gamble their money away....I hatch chicks....Can't help it, its an addiction.

 

[duckluck]

To try and hatch out better show quality birds than are usually available to buy, or in some instances, varieties that are hard to find.

 

[newduckie]

I just finished my first hatch,(with my own eggs, ) and got a 0 percent hatch. You would think that would make me see reason. But...... now it is a challenge!!! I just now set my second hatch, and HOPE to do better this time.

 

[newduckie]

I won't buy any eggs tho, till I get this down a little better. My goal is to hatch some ducks, geese and some silkies..