Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[HENthusiastic]

HI.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that you shouldn't hatch eggs from youngish hens, but I cant remember how old they should be, or why. Does anybody know please? I have some Maran Hens and cockerels and I would love to hatch,but the hens aren't very old and the cockerels are not going to be with me for much longer, so its kind of now or never. Any advice please?

[tom123]

As the eggs are smaller when the hen is younger it can affect the growth of chicks inside. However, I have just hatched 8/8 chicks from eggs from pullets.

 

Go for it

[Redwing]

I have also hatched some lovely healthy chicks from Pullets eggs

 

When they first start to lay obviously the eggs are smaller but a couple of weeks in they should be ok to hatch

 

Legend has it that you get more boys from pullets eggs, not hatched enough yet to tell you if there is any truth in that yet

[HENthusiastic]

Thanks very much for your advice. I've now got mum sat on 6 lovely eggs from a variety of mums including my youngun.

Fingers crossed now for the next 21 days.

[Madchook]

I know I have read that pullets throw more boys- be interesting to see what you hatch

[craftyhunnypie]

I make sure all my birds are approximately 1 year of age before breeding from them - especially cockerels. I like to assess feathering, colouration, charateristics - everything before I breed - plus there is a stronger chance of hatching all cockerels with very young stock.

 

Emma.x

[tom123]

I agree with craftyhunnypie about cockerels, you can't tell what they are like until they are fully mature so it's best to breed from 1 year old plus boys