Fantail Low Hatch Rate

[NYboy]

My Fantails are laying eggs that don't hatch. How do I trim their tails?

 

[kswaterfowl]

I've had indians for several years and there were years when I had no problem with fertility whatsoever, and other times when I could hardly hatch an egg. If you take you females and trim their tails back about half way, it should increase fertility. I've also taken some of the better males and trimmed their tails back too and gotten better fertility as well. Good luck...it takes some practice, but you should be able to figure it out the more you mess with them. Like I've said, some years I didn't have any trouble and didn't trim one bit. Personally I love fantails, but found other breeds that are easier keepers for us.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

I don't trim the tails on mine, and they do just fine. I think it's better to trim their 'butt fluff' around the vent, as that is the main culprit in getting in the way in birds. Fancy birds tend to have a lot of thick down near their vent, like Orpingtons and Cochins in the chicken world.