Myth Busters, BYC style

[CapricornFarm]

There have been several studies done already, so it's not something that needs to be done unless someone wants to.

Well it is good to mention for the new people that don't know. Medicated feed is not going to kill ducklings or cause organ failure!

 

[JaeG]

I'd love to do some humidity experiments but I'm not set up for that sort of thing at the moment. I've incubated quail at 75-80% humidity the whole time with no affect on the numbers that hatch (I only get the very odd egg that doesn't make it). After some research it will be because I keep my temperature slightly on the high side (though it's not without the odd dip) to aid evaporation and because I only have a small incubator.
https://extension.psu.edu/science-of-incubation

The conditions eggs are laid in must affect how they lose water. Eggs laid in a desert environment would differ greatly to those laid in a rain forest environment. Our summer has been particularly hot and humid, so eggs that are laid in those conditions would surely be set up for an incubation period that reflects those conditions as well.

From studies it's the temperature that has a far greater impact on the developing embryo. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4189721/

This one is about incubating duck eggs and the conclusions are very interesting (if you can wade through all the academic language) and also looks at the growth of the ducklings after hatch and how the incubation humidity and age of the parents affected this:
https://academic.oup.com/ps/article/91/9/2390/1586298

And on a completely different topic I recently found this article to reassure someone who was worried because their chicken had swallowed something it shouldn't:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ne...eve-diamond-earring-swallowed-by-chicken.html

 

[casportpony]

Well it is good to mention for the new people that don't know. Medicated feed is not going to kill ducklings or cause organ failure!

The problem is that many people keep perpetuating the myth.

 

[JaeG]

The problem is that many people keep perpetuating the myth.

That is one problem with a forum such as this - heresay becomes gospel without anyone questioning the wisdom of that statement.

I'm glad to know the truth as trying to find unmedicated chick/grower crumbles is mission impossible in my little country.

 

[drumstick diva]

All this sounds like homework -

 

[CapricornFarm]

Actually, its interesting and kind of fun but hatching seems to take forever!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I have another batch of eggs saved up and the incubator is ready to go. This time i am going to clean 1/3 of the eggs with hydrogen peroxide diluted with an equal amout of well water. The second batch will be washed with only well water, and the third group will not be washed. None of these eggs are terribly dirty. I plan to wash them or not, and set them tonight. Guinea eggs again, i am going to end up with a lot of guineas i hope!

 

[lazy gardener]

Here's one for the myth busters: supplemental light: does it predispose hens to reproductive problems, or does it cause them to stop laying sooner? I don't know how you would set it up as an experiment. Perhaps gathering some already completed scientific studies.

Here's an other question which I'd love to see looked at: does music improve productivity in layers or weight gain in chicks, either layer or meat birds?

And an other one: does MHP system with the natural day/night cycles affect growth rate of chicks (meat or layers) and does MHP decrease likelihood of orthopedic issues or organ failure in Cornish Cross birds.

How do MHP raised chicks compare to heat lamp raised chicks in terms of POL?

 

[lazy gardener]

There are actually studies in place that have looked at this, but it bears looking at: Comparing viability of chicks reared on standard shavings which are changed often in the brooder compared to deep litter management in the brooder. Compare viability, growth rates, feed conversion rates.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Here's one for the myth busters: supplemental light: does it predispose hens to reproductive problems, or does it cause them to stop laying sooner? I don't know how you would set it up as an experiment. Perhaps gathering some already completed scientific studies.

Here's an other question which I'd love to see looked at: does music improve productivity in layers or weight gain in chicks, either layer or meat birds?

And an other one: does MHP system with the natural day/night cycles affect growth rate of chicks (meat or layers) and does MHP decrease likelihood of orthopedic issues or organ failure in Cornish Cross birds.

How do MHP raised chicks compare to heat lamp raised chicks in terms of POL?

All very interesting ideas. But i cannot hatch or grow out a bunch of chickens because i can't sell them. I may be able to talk hubby into some meat chix some time in the future.