Reasons for Poor Hatch Rate

[shellshocked]

These were not eggs from a hatchery. They came from baby chicks that we ordered last spring (got 'em in April). We started collecting their eggs 1st week of Feb. this year for hatching (collected for about 5 days). Some of the chicks were fully developed but did not hatch. Some eggs were not fertilized. We only collected our EE eggs (In the pen with an EE roo), and some BO eggs ( in a separate pen with a BO roo). We had 15 EE eggs & only one of those hatched. We also had 9 BO eggs and 4 of those hatched. I'll try some of the suggestions like bumping up the protein intake. We just started raising chickens a little over a year ago so I still consider myself a newbie. That's why I love this site so much. You guys are really helpful and informative. Thanks for the replies!

 

[al6517]

Ohhh Ok, well then I hope this will help. I have had fertility problems in the past with a prized show Rooster so I started at the begining with a good Bath and mite and lice treatment just in case, Then put them on a special diet that helped improvement in both his viality and his eagerness to top hen's, along with better lighting that's put's out more of a special light that increases Vit D. And it wasn't just upping the protein it was a combo of several things and more importantly things added to feed to improve the viability of the eggs enzymes and amino acids and the blood in the Rooster so that they developed in the egg better and reduce the chance of quiters. I have since been hatching more and of much better quality as a direct result of this, it made a huge difference but somewhat cost prohibative if you don't show or breed for super quality, but still worth it IMO for any breeding birds.

AL