The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[NestingHillsSC]

I have had this problem too not knowing if it is the male or a female. I just did my last hatch of the season and 2/3 of the eggs turned out to be infertile. I am thinking that here maybe the heat has something to do with it because for over a month now we have been pretty much in the 90's  every day. I have been putting on the sprinklers I have set up in the pens. I'm even standing under them to cool off.

I don't think it's so much the heat. Could be but would think it would effact the brahmas more. But all good in that camp. Lol. Have brahma chicks coming out of the butt. Hahaha

 

[NestingHillsSC]

glad you had luck with the 14 eggs it had to work this as a hobby much lets a a high line breeding of good poultry and i have seen your pictures on your website you have some BEAUTIFUL birds and its been a long time for me and im just getting started again with RIRs I have some just for eggs and maybe some change up not sure of that just yet and I have a line up 3 of english strain that have not had there lines mixed up that came from a local breeder.Do you think it maybe your pullet?

Could be. She seems to get stressed quit easy. I do know the rooster is all over her. Haha

 

[desertmarcy]

Getting very frustrated!! Not sure if it's my cockerel or pullet. I'm having fertility problems. Had to throw out 4 out of 6 eggs at 2 weeks in bator for non-fertile. Checked the ones after 7 days and looks like almost all of the 7 eggs are infertile. It's not the condition feed etc. Because all my breeding areas are the same. And the pair of reds are the only ones having this issue. All other breeds I never throw out eggs for this. It's going to take me 5 yrs to get any type of flock with these.

I had this problem earlier this year with some of mine. I watched the male mounting and he seemed rather clumsy. I remembered @Matt1616 telling me on some breeds that are really fluffy, you have to trim the butt feathers because they are just not making contact when breeding. I'd never had to do that on a RIR, but I thought it was worth a try, and after I trimmed feathers on both sexes, I started getting fertile eggs.

 

[ronott1]

I had this problem earlier this year with some of mine. I watched the male mounting and he seemed rather clumsy. I remembered @Matt1616 telling me on some breeds that are really fluffy, you have to trim the butt feathers because they are just not making contact when breeding. I'd never had to do that on a RIR, but I thought it was worth a try, and after I trimmed feathers on both sexes, I started getting fertile eggs.

You do have to do this sometimes. Chickens have to make "contact".

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I'm not sure either if it is the heat. I do feed the birds FRM Show Gold Trio. I did change their feed from the Grower which is 21% protein to the Maintenance which is 12.5% protein. At the last show I talked to Matt's dad to see what they feed their birds during the summer months and he told me they feed the Maintenance during the summer and as show season gets closer and during the birds molt they switch back to the Grower. The worst fertility is with my Rose Comb RIRs and fair with my RC RIWs. I had very good hatches as far as my SC RIRs go.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
My Reds are Reese.

 

[cmom]

Quote: I guess I have heard this before but never gave it much thought.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

I had this problem earlier this year with some of mine. I watched the male mounting and he seemed rather clumsy. I remembered @Matt1616
telling me on some breeds that are really fluffy, you have to trim the butt feathers because they are just not making contact when breeding. I'd never had to do that on a RIR, but I thought it was worth a try, and after I trimmed feathers on both sexes, I started getting fertile eggs.

I'll try anything once. Hmm never thought of that. Never had this problem before.

 

[RIR-YELLOWLEGS]

Mine Mine

Could be. She seems to get stressed quit easy. I do know the rooster is all over her. Haha

are two difference family sets one set are 6 weeks old and then layer i got the english strain of RIRs from a local breeder thats all he breeds and this elderly gentleman is 82 years old didnt know about this english line yntil i went to his house it was something my hubby want to try at this time I like the USA RIRs better hint reese ,rademaker,and dont forget the older fogle line always has been a strong sturdy strain wish i could find and afford mohawk strain dont get me wrong im not kncking anyone strain of there RIR fowl as all of your birds on the web are BEAUTIFUL, i just love american bloodlines of RIRs and just my luck my hubby wants to try something different and my greatgrandmother use to trim the rear feathers of her breeding hens never knew why and now i do.

 

[RIR-YELLOWLEGS]

Could be. She seems to get stressed quit easy. I do know the rooster is all over her. Haha

you can be right anout stress you know some of them get syressed out easily and then otjer the dame thing doesnt affect them I just hope you can solve the issue as improving breeding is work and love of the breed.