Calcium Question.

[RickyWashburn]

Will added calcium in chicken food cause the strength of the egg to increase to the point that chicks have difficulty breaking through the shell at 21-22 days?

It seems like I'm having way to many chicks die in the shell at around the 21 day mark.

Is there a better feed available for the development of chicks?

 

[FridayYet]

Hi Ricky. Welcome to BYC!

The health of the parents (breeders) is very important to the development of chicks. A good food, minimum treats, clean water and a healthy environment can do wonders.

With so many late deaths, I'm wondering about how you are incubating. What incubator are you using and what settings? Do you check air cell growth? The reason I am asking is because some people incubate with too high humidity, so the air cells do not get big enough at the end and the chicks drown. Do you open the eggs afterwards? If so, how did the chicks look?

There are a lot of people here on BYC that can help you have better hatches. Glad you stopped in!