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.
