It was suggested to me that part of my insufficient-fertility problem with my sussex eggs might be due to their fluffy undersides, and that I might try cutting back some of the fluff as is sometimes done with Wyandottes. Those of you who have actually done this, do you do just the hens or also the roo? Thanks, Pat
first may I state I hatched 3500 birds a yr for several decades my main breeding birds were cochin and cochin frizzle both were very heavy feathered breeds I NEVER liked cutting feathers the sharp edges of the cut feathers will come up to the roosters and they will flinch when mating PLEASE do this take each hen and rooster and softly slowly pull each feather in a 3 inch circle pull them out don't do this hard as you may pull out the flesh which I never did I had enough birds to make a 5gallon pail of feathers this allows more time from time you gently pul out the feathers to the time the need to pull them out again the use of this method made for good fertility also this may need you to use my grain method mix 1 gallon of wheat with 1/4 cup of wheat germ oil ( not blended) leave over nite and then mix in morning feed each adult bird 3 tbsp and do this one day a week for good fertility also on another day mix 1 gallon of wheat with 1/4 cup of cod liver oil mix good and feed in morning 3 tbsp per adult bird this is for good hatchability do not mix oils as one out does the other hopefully this will help you obtain good fertility and hatchability
