Same Situation-More Dead Chickens

[CHlCK3N]

Last year I hatched two chickens. The rest didn't make it. The membrane was the problem. There isn't a vitamin deficiency, we made sure we feed bread and eggs.

This year, so far, 5 chicks didn't make it. Fully developed, but it's the membrane! Cracked them open, gorgeous little babies(4 black babies and 1 golden). The membrane was thick, and I had to use my nails to open it up. 5 or 6 eggs are left. Some are due today, a few are due in a couple of days.

I'm so upset! I don't know if it's the incubator, or us! We used the same incubator, Little Giant 9300 Still Air. Humidity is around 43-50% during first part, 63-70% through the last few days. Temperature is around 101-102.

 

[ChickNanny13]

What are you feeding your chickens? Are you feeding bread & eggs for vitamins?


Welcome to BYC!

 

[CHlCK3N]

What are you feeding your chickens? Are you feeding bread & eggs for vitamins?


Welcome to BYC!

Thanks! I feed them feather fixer. I often give them toast and scrambled eggs with a bit of shells in them.

 

[lazy gardener]

If I were you, I'd eliminate the bread altogether. Scrambled eggs would be fine. You might also want to get some multi vits into your flock starting about 2 weeks before you collect your hatching eggs. Are you checking the mill date on your feed? Seeing to it that the feed is not more than 6 weeks old? Older feed is lacking in nutrients. Have you calibrated your thermometers and your hygrometer? Still air bator?

 

[CHlCK3N]

If I were you, I'd eliminate the bread altogether. Scrambled eggs would be fine. You might also want to get some multi vits into your flock starting about 2 weeks before you collect your hatching eggs. Are you checking the mill date on your feed? Seeing to it that the feed is not more than 6 weeks old? Older feed is lacking in nutrients. Have you calibrated your thermometers and your hygrometer? Still air bator?

We haven't calibrated the thermometers and the hygrometer. The feed isn't old, got it from the store and poured it into the chickens' feed right after getting it.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If a grower is serious about hatching eggs then the breeding flock needs to be on a special breeder ration for at least 6 weeks before the first egg is saved for hatching. Also special attention should be paid to both roosters and hens to ensure that they are not fat. It also may be a good idea to swap out the roosters in the breeder flock from time to time to ensure that their sperm count and mobility is sufficient to get the job done.

 

[CHlCK3N]

If a grower is serious about hatching eggs then the breeding flock needs to be on a special breeder ration for at least 6 weeks before the first egg is saved for hatching. Also special attention should be paid to both roosters and hens to ensure that they are not fat. It also may be a good idea to swap out the roosters in the breeder flock from time to time to ensure that their sperm count and mobility is sufficient to get the job done.

I see. However, I do have a problem with chicken bullying and a bit of molting and I'm trying to fix their feathers. Is it bad to mix the two feeds together?

 

[21hens-incharge]

When I went a month ago to buy feed the store had feed milled in April on the shelves. Already it would have been decreased in quality.

 

[CHlCK3N]

When I went a month ago to buy feed the store had feed milled in April on the shelves. Already it would have been decreased in quality.

I see! Does it say the date where it was shipped or made?

 

[lazy gardener]

When I went a month ago to buy feed the store had feed milled in April on the shelves. Already it would have been decreased in quality.

That feed was 6 months old. I do hope you walked away. I think that if folks across the country immediately notified the corporate offices when they encountered old feed on the shelves, we as a collective group may be able to force change. If the consumer continues to accept and pay for crap, that is exactly what they will continue to receive. If consumers collectively made their voices heard, perhaps the practice of selling ancient, worthless, and potentially harmful feed might stop.