Chook Me!

Incubating chicken eggs?

I would like to get about 5 chicken eggs and hatch them. The thing is that my parents don't want to spend a lot of money on an incubator (like over 40) for something I would probly use once. Are there any cheap yet good incubators??? Also, when do hen's stop laying eggs?? I was looking on a website and they said they only sold them up to the last week of may and I really wanted to hatch them over the summer when I had time to watch and take care of them when I'm not in school. Another thing is, how long does it take for the eggs to hatch?? Also, if there is any other information you know about them that would be great.

Public Comments

1. Styrofoam incubators are cheap, for more info and incubation methods go to http://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html This is a great website for your chickwn worries and needs. http://www.homestead.com/shilala/Howlongtohatch.html This website is great for info about chicken egg timings. Plus, heres some information I have. There are some cheap styrofoam incubators that might cost around $40. You can try checking at your local farm supply store (Farm & Fleet, Big R, Rural King) or you can try online as well. When I was young, we were able to borrow an incubator from our local Extension Office. I don't know where you live, but you might try that...get in touch with a local 4-H group or FFA chapter that might have one you could borrow or know who to ask about getting a cheap one. Hens lay eggs from about 16 wks of age until about 60-70 weeks of age. Sometimes they might molt before then, so it is hard to say unless I know what breed you are interested in raising. Hatching eggs aren't shipped when it gets too warm outside. Otherwise the hatchability of the eggs may be reduced or they may not hatch at all. If you want eggs to hatch over the summer, try contacting a local farmer who has fertile eggs. You could also try the local Extension Office or search online for local suppliers. It takes 21 days for an egg to hatch, however we normally leave ours in the incubator for 22 days so they can dry off and fluff up. Eggs in an incubatore must be turned several times every day so the embryo inside doesn't stick to the shell membranes. This can be done by hand or you can usually purchase an electric automatic turner for the incubator. Also, you need to keep the correct humidity in the incubator. Usually, there are little "wells" or "holes" in the bottom of the incubator that you need to have water in. I know some people also use damp sponges along with the actual water. Hope this helps & good luck!! Chickens are great and fun to hatch & raise. Hope I helped!!
2. You can usually buy one of those styrofoam incubators for under $40. You can buy automatic egg turners to go in them as well, but that would probably put you over the price range, so you'll just have to rotate the eggs several times a day by hand. Most places don't sell hatching eggs after May because it is too warm to safely ship them after that, not because the hens stop laying. If the eggs are kept below incubation temps, they are fine through shipping, but if the temps get to where the embryo starts to develop, and then they get cool again, the embryo will die and the eggs will not hatch. It takes roughly 21 days for a chicken egg to hatch.
3. There are some cheap styrofoam incubators that might cost around $40. You can try checking at your local farm supply store (Farm & Fleet, Big R, Rural King) or you can try online as well. When I was young, we were able to borrow an incubator from our local Extension Office. I don't know where you live, but you might try that...get in touch with a local 4-H group or FFA chapter that might have one you could borrow or know who to ask about getting a cheap one. Hens lay eggs from about 16 wks of age until about 60-70 weeks of age. Sometimes they might molt before then, so it is hard to say unless I know what breed you are interested in raising. Hatching eggs aren't shipped when it gets too warm outside. Otherwise the hatchability of the eggs may be reduced or they may not hatch at all. If you want eggs to hatch over the summer, try contacting a local farmer who has fertile eggs. You could also try the local Extension Office or search online for local suppliers. It takes 21 days for an egg to hatch, however we normally leave ours in the incubator for 22 days so they can dry off and fluff up. Eggs in an incubatore must be turned several times every day so the embryo inside doesn't stick to the shell membranes. This can be done by hand or you can usually purchase an electric automatic turner for the incubator. Also, you need to keep the correct humidity in the incubator. Usually, there are little "wells" or "holes" in the bottom of the incubator that you need to have water in. I know some people also use damp sponges along with the actual water. Hope this helps & good luck!! Chickens are great and fun to hatch & raise.