Mahonri's 3rd Annual, BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[NotAFarm]

We have 31 days until we set chicken eggs and 52 days until hatching! Be sure to add your location to the participant map (link in my signature) and check out post #1 to make sure your name is listed. If you haven't already, click on the green thumb on the lower right of post #1 to give Mahonri the "thumbs up". Kathy's holiday calendar contest is open now. Get a picture of your favorite chicken in a holiday themed photo and post it here! You can post up to three different photos!

 

[NotAFarm]

Thumbs up for this one!

I think this is a great idea! We could gather all the hints and secrets and share them!

Quote:

2. Mine is to be sure your breeder stock is healthy and fed appropriately for hatching.

from the link in my signature:
It is of basic importance to realize that hens can still produce eggs even though the dietary levels of vitamins will not allow the eggs to hatch.
The nutrient deficiencies most likely to give rise to reduced hatchability, unless adequate breeder supplements are used, are Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and some others of the B group (eg biotin), Vitamin E, manganese, zinc, phosphorus.
I feed a game bird breeder feed, made by Kent, during hatch season. It includes additional vitamins and minerals.

This is a great idea!

Quote the previous hints....and add yours to the bottom to keep all of them in one posting.


1. Oh ... here's one. Keep the oyster shell available at all time free choice. The hen can regulate her intake. Shell quality is really important because after about Day 10, the chick somehow takes calcium out of the shell to help build its skeleton! Wow! (I've lost the link.)
2. Mine is to be sure your breeder stock is healthy and fed appropriately for hatching.
from this link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatchability-problem-analysishttps://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatchability-problem-analysis
It is of basic importance to realize that hens can still produce eggs even though the dietary levels of vitamins will not allow the eggs to hatch.
The nutrient deficiencies most likely to give rise to reduced hatchability, unless adequate breeder supplements are used, are Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and some others of the B group (eg biotin), Vitamin E, manganese, zinc, phosphorus.
I feed a game bird breeder feed, made by Kent, during hatch season. It includes additional vitamins and minerals.
3. Don't forget your roosters when considering egg hatchability. Their lighting requirements and feed intake are just as important as the hens. A breeder told me that he increases his roosters lighting to 14 hours before putting them in their breeding pens in January (he lives north of me in WI). Those of you farther south may not have this issue.

 

[kathyinmo]

If anyone would like to share their "Hatchability Hints & Secrets," please do! It would be fun to set a record this year for Best Hatch Rate that will stand the test of time, that future Annual Easter Hatch-a-longs will strive to supersede.

1. Oh ... here's one. Keep the oyster shell available at all time free choice. The hen can regulate her intake. Shell quality is really important because after about Day 10, the chick somehow takes calcium out of the shell to help build its skeleton! Wow! (I've lost the link.)
2. Mine is to be sure your breeder stock is healthy and fed appropriately for hatching. from this link
It is of basic importance to realize that hens can still produce eggs even though the dietary levels of vitamins will not allow the eggs to hatch. The nutrient deficiencies most likely to give rise to reduced hatchability, unless adequate breeder supplements are used, are Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and some others of the B group (eg biotin), Vitamin E, manganese, zinc, phosphorus.
3. Don't forget your roosters when considering egg hatchability. Their lighting requirements and feed intake are just as important as the hens. A breeder told me that he increases his roosters lighting to 14 hours before putting them in their breeding pens in January (he lives north of me in WI). Those of you farther south may not have this issue.

 

[kathyinmo]

This is a great idea!

Did you give Spangled a Thumbs Up in post #906 ? What do they call it here? Reputation? Whatever it is....

 

[1muttsfan]

Maybe we need some chick pictures to whet our appetites (or drive us all to a frenzy)

 

[ThePigeonKid]

 

[thechickonthehill]

More of these coming this Saturday . . .




And a few of these . . .

 

[draye]

Is there a cut-off date to sign up?
I may join, depends on if I can sell the ones that I have in the 'bator now, 75 eggs. Gonna take them to the sale barn on the last Saturday of this month,except for the Polish that hatch.

 

[kathyinmo]

Is there a cut-off date to sign up?
I may join, depends on if I can sell the ones that I have in the 'bator now, 75 eggs. Gonna take them to the sale barn on the last Saturday of this month,except for the Polish that hatch.

No. There is no cut off date.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Quote:
LoL if I have enough eggs for two then I'll be hatching some of those too! Maybe a mix of those and EE's.