Chez
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Is it too late ...... to set another hatch?
I had twenty one chicks come out the incubator over the weekend. And it's sitting there now, looking at me.
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Cathryn
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Not if you have a (Christmas?) market for them. 
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Bebo
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I know people that hatch all year round. Have you got space for them if you end up having to hang on to what you've got until spring? If so why not.
Must admit I'm giving it a rest until early next year now.
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Helen M
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Re: Is it too late ... | Chez wrote: | ... to set another hatch?
I had twenty one chicks come out the incubator over the weekend. And it's sitting there now, looking at me. |
no  
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Castle Farm
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Yes. Clean up your inki and put it away untill spring.
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bodger
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As long as you can keep them warm and give them light, chicks hatched in the winter should grow. Its when they don't get the former that their growth rates suffer.
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welsh veg grower
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Think as bodger says if you have a space to keep them warm and with the light they are fine, I think the trouble is it costs more (heating lighting and feeding over winter) so they may not be as financially viable. But I think lots of the breeders do it so they are at POL in the spring when most people want to buy.
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Chez
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They are by the radiator in the kitchen and are nice and cosy atm. But my good sense is with Castle Farm. My temptation is because I've had such rotten luck this year with the faulty incy early on. If I stop now, though, I will be able to get *really organised* and start as soon as the cockerels get going in the spring ... 
I've had an 80% hatch rate this time, which I didn't think was bad at all, given the time of year and the fact that they had all had a 200 mile journey in the back of an Astra ten days before I set them. Bet they're all cockerels, though
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Ixy
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I'm with CF too - this is the worst time of year to hatch. Besides, its not long til the new year and then you can get going again - for now give the birds, the ground and yourself a rest 
...I do have a broody on 13 eggs atm but that's her idea not mine
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chicken feed
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its all about personal choice this time of year as others have already said it takes more time and cost to rear chicks so i usually take our stock cocks away from their girls until late january then have an early start with rested breeding stock.
having said that i have my incubator running at the moment with some of my mums (hens)   eggs in and have just cndled them today and it looks like 90% so fingers crossed.
good luck if you decide on another hatch.
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Chez
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Ooooh. If I put up a poll and it comes out positive, do you think I won't have to get a divorce?
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lottie
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I've been suprised that people are still buying hatching eggs ---but they are.
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bodger
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Soon be spring.
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woodsprite
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My bantie proudly paraded 18 freshly hatched chicks last week. Stupid bird.  but at least they're her responsibility.
I wouldn't hatch now either.
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Shan
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Ilike hatching at this time of the year as there are less issues with red mite!
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bring me sunshine
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My silkie went broody at the weekend. My only concession was to give her Pekin eggs, not the ones from the big girls.
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Castle Farm
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A Wyandotte bantam just hatched me 14 chicks..b******!
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Chez
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I have compromised: incubator sterilised and ready for next year and I'm going to build some more accommodation over the winter so I don't have the usual last minute panic!
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Ixy
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| Castle Farm wrote: | | A Wyandotte bantam just hatched me 14 chicks..b******! |
*gasp* you swore! quick, cover it up before the mods get their mallet out...! 
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bodger
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No thats not swearing. ************************************************ is swearing.
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Calli
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Have a batch of jungle fowl chicks newly hatched. They all sit on the eggs and chicks- cockeral included.....
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Helen M
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| Castle Farm wrote: | | A Wyandotte bantam just hatched me 14 chicks..b******! |
and how much for half a dozen of them
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Woodburner
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My young LS boy is not up to the job any more so I've (almost) gone off the idea of hatching any more this year. Got to check the silkie eggs before I can completely shelve the idea though.
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Castle Farm
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Hello Helen.
Up to a week old £2.50 each and £1 per week after that.
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VM
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Relieved to hear of compromise, Chez. Did wonder if Arvo would be get extra vote in poll. Would have been a bit sad to get divorced so soon after moving an' all.
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Chez
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Yeah, but I'm a *lot* closer to my mother, so it wouldn't be nearly so inconvenient if he legged it, screaming
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