unfertile eggs

[OEGB Beginner]

Hi , I am new to bantams and I bought a rooster and 4 hens of blues from a local breeder who shows them , one hen never lays an egg and the eggs from the other 3 never hatch under different hens . Is there a fix or do I need to start over ?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Welcome to BYC!

How old are your chickens, how good of setters are they, have you checked the eggs for fertility, and what are you feeding them?

Pictures?

 

[OEGB Beginner]

I am feeding just scratch , he said they were alll one year of age and I dont know how to check for fertility

 

[OEGB Beginner]

Welcome to BYC!

How old are your chickens, how good of setters are they, have you checked the eggs for fertility, and what are you feeding them?

Pictures?

I am feeding just scratch , he said they were alll one year of age and I dont know how to check for fertility

 

[SueT]

I am feeding just scratch , he said they were alll one year of age and I dont know how to check for fertility

Get some actual chicken feed. They aren't getting proper nutrition for laying eggs. Scratch is merely a treat and not complete nutrition. For a mixed flock w rooster, get an all flock feed such as Purina Flock Raiser, and offer oyster shell on the side.

 

[sylviethecochin]

You need to feed a higher protein feed. Scratch just doesn't have the vitamins necessary for chicks to survive in the egg. I recommend at least 18% protein feed for gamebirds. Scratch rarely has more than 10% protein, and unlike more complete feeds, it doesn't have any added vitamins or minerals.

What's happening is that your eggs are fertile, but they're dying about day 4 due to lack of vitamins.

This picture shows fertility:

 

[OEGB Beginner]

You need to feed a higher protein feed. Scratch just doesn't have the vitamins necessary for chicks to survive in the egg. I recommend at least 18% protein feed for gamebirds. Scratch rarely has more than 10% protein, and unlike more complete feeds, it doesn't have any added vitamins or minerals.

What's happening is that your eggs are fertile, but they're dying about day 4 due to lack of vitamins.

This picture shows fertility:

Thank you for the information !

 

[OEGB Beginner]

Get some actual chicken feed. They aren't getting proper nutrition for laying eggs. Scratch is merely a treat and not complete nutrition. For a mixed flock w rooster, get an all flock feed such as Purina Flock Raiser, and offer oyster shell on the side.

Will get some today ! thank you for the information !!

 

[SueT]

Good luck, I look forward to updates!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Get some actual chicken feed. They aren't getting proper nutrition for laying eggs. Scratch is merely a treat and not complete nutrition. For a mixed flock w rooster, get an all flock feed such as Purina Flock Raiser, and offer oyster shell on the side.

My roosters do quite well on layer feed. I fed all-flock for about six months, then caught Chester (My rooster at the time) picking oyster shell out of the container, and then I compared prices and said, "heck with it."