Bantam cochin egg fertility issues

[Adil_Ali]

I bought a trio of bantam cochin chickens. And the hens are laying eggs, and I have hatched a few of their eggs in the past (6), but the fertility is extremely low. Their age is about 3 years, and I feel like the problem isn't with the age, I think they face difficulty in mating. The male does not mount the hen properly due to the excessive amount of feathers, and odd shape of the bird and I feel like he always misses the vent. What can I do? I feel like artificial insemination would work; except the only thing is I have never done it before, and don't know anyone who does it. Any of you have any tips I could use?

Cheers
Shelby

 

[nicalandia]

I bought a trio of bantam cochin chickens. And the hens are laying eggs, and I have hatched a few of their eggs in the past (6), but the fertility is extremely low. Their age is about 3 years, and I feel like the problem isn't with the age, I think they face difficulty in mating. The male does not mount the hen properly due to the excessive amount of feathers, and odd shape of the bird and I feel like he always misses the vent. What can I do? I feel like artificial insemination would work; except the only thing is I have never done it before, and don't know anyone who does it. Any of you have any tips I could use?

Cheers
Shelby

Trim down the vent area. get rid of the excess feathers

 

[Chookwagn]

I have found with one of my trios is that I get really good fertility for the 3 months of spring and then it drops off sharply as soon as it gets to summer..... they get hot and can't be bothered mating

 

[MysteryChicken]

Trim down the butt fluff. It gets in the way sometimes.

 

[Adil_Ali]

A quick fix would be too trim down their vent feathers. But long term: if they can't breed naturally, should the be kept as breeders? I like to farm naturally and that includes staying away from any kind of AI. Do what you want, just my two cents.

yeah i am considering to auction em off if in the next month all eggs are still infertile, despite trimming feet and vent feathers, eggs will be going in the incubator in a week

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

A quick fix would be too trim down their vent feathers. But long term: if they can't breed naturally, should the be kept as breeders? I like to farm naturally and that includes staying away from any kind of AI. Do what you want, just my two cents.

 

[nchls school]

If the feathered feet have overly large feathering, trimming those might help too.

 

[Adil_Ali]

i

I have found with one of my trios is that I get really good fertility for the 3 months of spring and then it drops off sharply as soon as it gets to summer..... they get hot and can't be bothered matin

If the feathered feet have overly large feathering, trimming those might help too.

ill do that