***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kassaundra]

It is my understanding that 2-3 weeks is the most time that they COULD still be fertile, but not sure how LIKELY they would be. You could get some fertile eggs to put under her though.

 

[Loriemarler]

Lorie,
I'm no expert. I'm a total newbie, to birds, of all kinds. But, in trying to read as much as possible, this is the best information I've found, on the subject.this

Thank you for that link. It really helped. Ok the eggs I collected from her this week are definitely fertile as compared to the pictures my oldest roo was born mid March could he have fertilized her?

 

[artsyrobin]

I took the last 5 eggs I collected from her and cracked them (making the kids breakfast) and they all look fertile to me but I am not an expert at all. I had the hardest time getting a good picture so this may be blurry still. All five had a ring with a small white dot in the middle

they sure are- see that bullseye?



i gave Solo the E along with the electrolites, at that point he couldn't stand, head upside down.... so i go outside to work on things, come in and he isn't in his nest(towel) that keeps his head propped upright, he is poking around pecking at things- still leaning to the right- my goodness!

 

[ktdeluxe]

For mealworms, try Mealworms by the pound from Boern, Texas. After a bit of research, I found them and ordered 11 pds (which is a lot since they are freeze dried!)

 

[Loriemarler]

Ok I just went outside to check on my "broody" and she was out free ranging so I guess she isn't broody after all but her eggs are fertile. Probably by my buff cochin roo.

 

[SharkmanDan]

Changing gears, for another newb question.
I tried switching to an all natural, whole grain, (@13.5%) and my egg production, seemed to have dropped. I went back to 16% layer crumbles and pellets, and production came back to the norm.
Suggestion at the feed store, was to try switching to ADM's PenPals 20% EggMaker pellets/crumbles, to help increase our egg production. Unfortunately, the day after we switched to it, we bought several new hens, and the breeder gave us two roosters with them. Some hens were already layers, some were at "that age" where they should start laying, anytime. All, were under 14 months old, at the time we got them, 2 weeks ago.
Since then, we've been averaging between 8 and 9 eggs a day. Previously, with two Australorp hens and a brown leghorn, we were getting about 15 a week.
Should the 20% feed, be helping? Am I just overspending? I'd really like for them to eat organically, but I want lots of good, fresh, wholesome, jumbo eggs.
What should my "feed strategy" be?

 

[Kassaundra]

Ok I just went outside to check on my "broody" and she was out free ranging so I guess she isn't broody after all but her eggs are fertile. Probably by my buff cochin roo.

She may be thinking about it, mine usually play around at it for a little bit before deciding to get serious about it.

 

[subhanalah]

Thank you for that link. It really helped. Ok the eggs I collected from her this week are definitely fertile as compared to the pictures my oldest roo was born mid March could he have fertilized her?

my cocjerel hatched 13 March and he's been fertilizing eggs for weeks.

 

[Loriemarler]

my cocjerel hatched 13 March and he's been fertilizing eggs for weeks.

That is good to know. I had no clue they were fertile that early

 

[artsyrobin]

Changing gears, for another newb question.
I tried switching to an all natural, whole grain, (@13.5%) and my egg production, seemed to have dropped. I went back to 16% layer crumbles and pellets, and production came back to the norm.
Suggestion at the feed store, was to try switching to ADM's PenPals 20% EggMaker pellets/crumbles, to help increase our egg production. Unfortunately, the day after we switched to it, we bought several new hens, and the breeder gave us two roosters with them. Some hens were already layers, some were at "that age" where they should start laying, anytime. All, were under 14 months old, at the time we got them, 2 weeks ago.
Since then, we've been averaging between 8 and 9 eggs a day. Previously, with two Australorp hens and a brown leghorn, we were getting about 15 a week.
Should the 20% feed, be helping? Am I just overspending? I'd really like for them to eat organically, but I want lots of good, fresh, wholesome, jumbo eggs.
What should my "feed strategy" be?

mine always do better on the higher protien- i give higher protien layer feed, and fermented feed