debbie26pet Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 hubby just rung me and asked instead of buying chickens, could we get or borrow a incubator nd buy the eggs fertilised and grow our own chickens? i def am as he hasnt taken any notice of it really till now. he was the children to start from scartch with there own little ones. what age if we did could they go outside? is it easy to do would do u put the chicks in once hatched? (we do have a indoor rabbit cage couldwe use this? or is it going plain mad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 It could be done Debbie - but for your first chooks, you really need to read as much sa you can on the subject. There is a thread on here about hatching chicks and try and get hold of some books. First thing to consider is what to do with any cockerels - 50% of your chicks will be cockerels, so will you buy a breed that can be sexed from hatching and cull the chicks, or grow them on to about 20 weeks and eat the boys? Once you've decided that, then go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 You have to think very carefully about what you would do with the cockerels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Snap Snowy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 oh hadnt thought about that and dont know if i go tthe heart to cull or eat them, are htey easy to sex? could we get some chiks that are young still need to be in the house to be kept warm? or do i just try put him of, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I can only echo that. I love hatching, but wouldn't recommend it to an inexperienced chook keeper, and as the others have said, you need to be happy about the fate of the boy birds that you hatch. It is far too cold to hatch at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 As to the indoor rabbit cage thats hwta I use as a brooder. Get reading Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 are they easy to sell on cockerals what age do they start talking been lookng on ebay hter is a place near me that sells fertile eggs, id love to do it but not sure on the culling them etc i wouldnt even know were to start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 No, cockerels are not easy to sell. You will have trouble giving them away! Most people want hens not cockerels. They start 'talking' at different ages depending on the breed. I think your best bet is to get day old chicks that have been sexed. Even then you could end up with a couple of boys The cockerels problem is the main reason I haven't incubated eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 You could hatch quail as the cockerels are easier to sell. But if it was chickens you wanted, i would go with that! I want to hatch some quail this year, but dad has other ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Hatching chicks is not to be undertaken lightly....it is a big responsibility and there is so much to consider as has already been said. Why not wait until you are more experienced and have picked up a bit of knowledge and expertise. Then you will get some enjoyment out of rearing your own chicks instead of worrying about them and where they will end up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Ooooh I always get a really serious vibe when reading threads like this If I where you, I'd get day old sexed chicks. That way you could get as attached as you like and not worry about having to re-home any. I have never hatched eggs, this year I would like to have a go at hatching quail eggs, or buying day old sexed chicken chicks. Like everyone has said, this is a subject that isn't to be taken lightly. But don't take it so seriously that you are constantly worrying, have fun. You have come here for advise, but its ultimatly your decision, don't let other people put you off what you really want to do (not accusing anyone here by the way) as many times, this has happened to me and I've regreted not following my heart (again, not talking about anyone on here.) So basicaly, talk it through with said family, do a bit of research, email a few farms that may be interested in any surplus cockerels and base your decision on that. Either way, we will all be thrilled with what-ever you decide Good luck. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie26pet Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share Posted February 2, 2008 hi thanks id love to do it but worried im not experienced it enough, or my cats wuld get them but then i think if i dont try, but worried ill take to much on arghhhhhhhhhhhh do i or not? what would i need if i got day old chicks? do they need a light? i got a lady who will supply shes askin us to go see them first, but i know if i go i want them and i no accomadation yet. if i got chicks i have the insoor rabbit cage i could use but dont they need light etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bantam of the Opera Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 isnt there a breed of chicken where they girl and boy chick are different colours at birth. im sur ei saw pictures or read that somewhere. just throwing an idea out. hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Day old chicks will need to be kept indoors under a heat lamp for a few weeks (not sure of the time) then gradually moved outside to acclimatise. So you will need a box, some form of lamp rigged to hang overhead and provide heat. And they do smell Have a look at this site: http://www.blpbooks.co.uk/articles/rearing_chicks/rearing_chicks_brooders.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 hi thanks id love to do it but worried im not experienced it enough, or my cats wuld get them but then i think if i dont try, but worried ill take to much on arghhhhhhhhhhhh do i or not? what would i need if i got day old chicks? do they need a light? i got a lady who will supply shes askin us to go see them first, but i know if i go i want them and i no accomadation yet. if i got chicks i have the insoor rabbit cage i could use but dont they need light etc Yup they would need a brooding lamp/heat lamp (you can get them from eBay) to keep them warm like their mum would. I have two cats aswell, I think you would just need to keep an eye on them. An indoor rabbit cage would be fine, you would need a heat lamp suspended above the rabbit cage, that would be moved up about two inches degrees each week, slowly weaning them off it, till they are about six weeks and fully featherd. Then they can go outside (weather permiting.) Everyone has to start some where and it looks like we will be hatching/getting day olds for the first this year so its a bit nerve wracking. Do what-ever you feel comfortable doing, if you would rather start with older birds, then do that, there is always next year . I would go and have a look at some older chickens and the chicks and ask a few questions, then see what you think. Good luck xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 And they do smell They also spread masses of dander about. It wafts all over the house. Read this **sticky**. It is full of helpful info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
