advice on hatching eggs

[Fear na gcearc]

Hi

Have a couple of Gold Tops due to clock - any advice on where to get hatching eggs at this time of year?

 

[chrismahon]

Very unlikely you will find any and fertility will be low as well. Breeders usually separate the cocks over Winter to give the hens a rest. It is also a bad time of year to be breeding because of the low temperatures. Best wait until Spring.

 

[Marigold]

I agree with Chris - you may well get a poor hatch if you set eggs now, and it will mean raising chicks in Dec-Jan, when they need extra heat and won't get enough light and Vit. D to grow well. Also, I think your two Gold Tops should be broken of their broodiness ASAP, (if that's what you mean by 'due to clock,') because at this time if year it's not good to put them under the additional strain of brooding a clutch. They are sure to come on again next Spring, and you'll get a better result if you wait until then.

 

[Fear na gcearc]

Thanks for the advice.

I think I will let them sit for a fortnight and give them hybrid chick or even some broilers.

My bantam gold tops reared broilers in the winter last year without loss.

But I won't seek out hatching eggs - unless I find some hatchery with some breeders under lights,