PoultryTalk.com

So it's early January and I know some of you already have your incubators up & running.

So what time of the year do you switch yours on & start thinking about hatching? What are your reasons for this?
Do you find with the breeds you keep it works better earlier in the year for some?

Please share your routines & reasons here...

I have not switched my incubator off, my RIR has been very active with his Light Sussex ladies so I have been incubating a few of those, luckily I have a basement to keep them in and plenty of indoor rabbit cages. I am today, as it happens, hatching my first 2 chicks from my Choc Bantam Orp x Black Bantam Orp, I have been putting eggs in from various breeds as they start laying to test fertility, I'm hoping at least one of these is a choccie. I think if you can bring the birds on somewhere warm and sheltered then why not.

Last year I hatched my chicks in mid-late summer but I understand that most serious breeders/exhibitors hatch their potential show birds as early as possible, January/February as this gives more growth time before the showing season. This year I intend to concentrate on rearing a flock of speckled sussex. Will be looking to hatch February/March.

Hi, my first eggs for the incubator have arrived today. Last year I didn't wash them before putting them in, but had a lot of trouble with them not hatching and dying in the shell just before they were due to hatch. Just wondering what you all think and what you all do.

I have a Light Sussex miniature cock and 4 hens together with 3 young chicks. This year I would like to hatch some chicks from my eggs and also some guinea fowl eggs but I do not really want to buy an incubator. Is it possible to rent a small incubator? I live in East Hampshire. Any help would be appreciated. Peter

Last year I started in march and did allright, So this year I put them in the incubator mid jan. just to see if I can start this early . I sell at a fle markit that starts up in the spring, trying to get some older birds to sell as I get more for them . I started with 80 eggs I will let you know how things are going as it happens. EGGANDI

My first chicks are hatching today. They are Buff Sussex from eggs I got off ebay. Hope they are not all cockerels!

I hatch as soon as I have enough eggs to justify turning on the incubator. However I expect a far higher number of cockerels from the early hatches (Jan/Feb) and Im usually right.

This year, 1st hatch due this weekend, which is 2 weeks later than last year.

Hi Joy T
Is there a reason why you get more cockerels from an early hatch?
Ginny