I have a question about breeding to receive a shiny pokemon: when is it decided that the hatching pokemon is a shiny? Is it decided when the egg is first laid, or once it is hatched? Any help is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

It's just random, Shiny Pokemon are VERY rare, For example, You have to hit 8.000 wild pokemon to get hit ONE shiny.

If you were planning to take almost enough steps to hatch, then save and keep restarting until you get a shiny, forget about it. I believe shiny-ness is determined at the same time as nature and such--when the egg is made, not when it's hatched.

Thank you, Taser, that's what I wanted to know. I wasn't sure if the shiny was determined at the same time as nature, or some other time. I was afraid of this, so breeding is not an easy way to get shiny pokemon...anyway, thank you for your help.