Do You Think These Eggs Are Dead?

[Kiki]

A significant percentage of hen eggs fail to hatch because of malnutrition in the rooster or in the hen or in both. This is usually indicated by chicks that die up to about the 18th day of incubation.

There are several micro vitamins, minerals, and other substances that MUST be prescent in the egg for the chick to have enough vitality to pip. There has to be a reason why mama hens sit on their just hatched brood for up to 72 hours post pipping. There is a reason and the reason is that pipping, unzipping, and hatching is a very strenuous activity that requires every atom of energy that a chick possesses. There is no room for error. Most chick fetuses that lack the needed energy will simply give up or quit before 21 days are up.

Free ranging, table scraps, meal worms, laying pellets, laying mash, or any other chicken food either holistic or commercial (other than a breeder chow) will not result in the highest number of live chicks and maybe in no chicks at all. You can take that to the bank.

All chicken food is a trade off between cost and effectiveness. At least 6 weeks of eating a diet of the best breeder formula available must pass before eggs can be saved for hatching and you can expect a great hatch rate. If you are operating a hatchery then the danger is that you and your family will slowly starve to death because of low hatchability coupled with high opperating cost. If you are a back yard keeper then the down side is more emotional than financial but make no mistake about it, the laws of nature will not amend themselves for your or my convince or our joint peace of mind.

. I love this post!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Has that hen ever been sick?

Well, not that I know of. I've had her for two years, but she was at a place before that that wasn't the best.....

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

A significant percentage of hen eggs fail to hatch because of malnutrition in the rooster or in the hen or in both. This is usually indicated by chicks that die up to about the 18th day of incubation.

There are several micro vitamins, minerals, and other substances that MUST be prescent in the egg for the chick to have enough vitality to pip. There has to be a reason why mama hens sit on their just hatched brood for up to 72 hours post pipping. There is a reason and the reason is that pipping, unzipping, and hatching is a very strenuous activity that requires every atom of energy that a chick possesses. There is no room for error. Most chick fetuses that lack the needed energy will simply give up or quit before 21 days are up.

Free ranging, table scraps, meal worms, laying pellets, laying mash, or any other chicken food either holistic or commercial (other than a breeder chow) will not result in the highest number of live chicks and maybe in no chicks at all. You can take that to the bank.

All chicken food is a trade off between cost and effectiveness. At least 6 weeks of eating a diet of the best breeder formula available must pass before eggs can be saved for hatching and you can expect a great hatch rate. If you are operating a hatchery then the danger is that you and your family will slowly starve to death because of low hatchability coupled with high opperating cost. If you are a back yard keeper then the down side is more emotional than financial but make no mistake about it, the laws of nature will not amend themselves for your or my convince or our joint peace of mind.

Wow. Thank ou for all this info!
The hen and rooster have a good diet as far as I know. They free range completely, and have layer feed and cracked corn. The rooster is a smaller standard chicken, and the hen is a bantam. Would this cause problems?
The hen came from a place where shebang taken care of properly or fed properly. But ive had her for two years now, so I wouldn't think she would still have problems.....