Why wait for Spring to hatch?

[FenrisMau]

We are pretty new at this still, so perhaps this is a dumb question.

My ancona duck hen has just started laying this week. I have drakes that are of breeding age and more than willing.

Why do folks always wait until spring to hatch?

 

[Kiki]

My guess is the weather. It's easier to raise babies in warmer temps.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

It really depends where you are from if you can hatch all year vs some of the year. The weather is the big factor, like where I from, Missouri, we never know how winter will be. Some winters can get down to -20 for weeks with several inches of snow and sleet causing it to be hard to keep younger birds alive and you have to keep the babies in the house longer until they have all their feathers. Also when raising birds through winter they tend to not be the best or the healthiest. I try to start hatching in February depending on if the weather is still freeze your butt cold. Most of the time breeding/hatching doesn’t start until April. I end my hatches in October to give my chicks the best chance to grow and put on some weight before winter. Like @Kiki said it is way easier to keep babies in the spring and summer. No worrying about babies smashing each other to stay warm. No freezing waters and no unhealthy babies.

 

[Yardmom]

Not everyone does wait, but older ducks are less likely to lay in the fall. The eggs gotten in the fall are not prime for hatching. Young ducks eggs are often not full sized and eggs at the end of the season for mature ducks might not be in prime condition.
My ducks have not gone broody during winter but my chickens have. Having to raise them inside would also be a downside for many .