Best Time to hatch

[mandi plus five]

I was just wondering if you could advise me on the best time to hatch chicks, after our failed attempt with our broody, may possibly look into purchasing an incubator, I read in a previous post that L/F were better being hatched in the winter, is this correct?
We purchased our Orpingtons aged approx 5 months in April of this year, therefore they were hatched November, and they have been great, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mandi

 

[Tim]

Hi Mandi,

The best time is spring for any type of birds. This is when nature is on your side and the chicks will have the warmer summer months to grow up in. Daylight hours will be getting shorter then in the autumn as they mature which will stop them coming into lay too early.

If you hatch in the winter, it can be alot harder with cold weather and no fresh grass. Reduced daylight slows growth down and increasing daylight hours in spring can bring young pullets into lay too soon which risks problems such as prolapse. You can provide artificial lighting for them but as a beginner I would say it will be far easier giving them the right conditions by hatching in the spring.


Good Luck.

Tim

 

[Davidd]

Hi, yes, totally agree with Tim, great advice I hatch all year around most years but i do keep the chicks/growers inside with light and heat but spring is the best.
regards, David

 

[girlracer265]

i agree spring is best altho i'm naughty and still hatching a few now but the growers have the greenhouse and light over winter