does it matter what time of year you hatch eggs?

[slrose24]

it seems spring is common but is it possible to hatch a successful batch in the fall weather of the northeast

 

[MeepBeep]

You can hatch any time of the year, the biggest issue is caring for the young in the cold, they need warm temps until they fully feather out meaning if you hatch them during the winter they are going to spend most if not all of the winter indoors with you or in a heated brooder outside.. Heating a brooder outside in the winter comes with it's own set of challenges...

 

[Sarafena1982]

I've done hatches all year round and I live in NE Ohio. But as MeepBeep said when hatching into winter expect some extra house guest ALL WINTER LONG. I love having the little ones inside during winter but can be a P.I.T.A having to clean them ALL the time due to smell.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are some comments from different people about that in this thread.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1019632/is-it-fine-for-hens-to-hatch-eggs-in-october

Whether you use a broody or brood them yourself it can be done and has been. I regularly brood chicks in a brooder in my coop in the middle of winter, not in my house at all. They go straight to the brooder in the coop from the incubator. The risks are higher because of the severe cold weather but that does not mean it can’t be done or that they have to be in the house all winter.