Diet for good hatching eggs

[chrismahon]

Tim mentioned in a recent post that he switched to grower/rearer pellets for the parents when producing hatching eggs which reduced the number of 'dead in shell' chicks. This makes sense to me. Firstly rearers pellets have more trace elements and less calcium which should make the contents better nutitionally and the egg shell slightly thinner. Secondly layers pellets focus on yolk colouring and thick strong egg shells for human consumption neither of which are necessary in a hatching egg.

Does anyone else do this? Our brand of feeds is the Smallholder range. The protein level in both grower/rearer and layers is the same at 16%.

Apart from fresh greens anything else that breeders add to the parents' feed to improve hatch rates and strength of chicks?

 

[tygrysek75]

I have read somwere that if you give your cockrell oats grains it helps with fertility and for hens great for comming in to lay.I think you heve to force them to grow first and give them on the 3 day.I think I saw this on darkbrowneggs web page. http://www.darkbrowneggs.info/#/sprouting-seeds-for-feed/4544209526

 

[foxy]

Just candled my last batch in the incubator, and have just about 100% fertility using 3 different cockerels and various breeding hens.

Mine are all on Garvo breeders pellets and are on grass, I don't give anything else, bar occasional Apple cider vinegar and Oregostim in the water. They have a little scratch corn in the afternoons. These are all of my own breeding however, so all have been reared here.

I do believe that good fertility stems from good rearing of youngstock, and only breeding from a robust line. I believe what happens in their formative months can dictate their fertility later on so good rearing practice is essential. When selecting for breeding, It also is a good idea where possible to breed from older hens, they are proven healthy and resistant to envormental bugs and viruses, and if you are looking for a good egg layer you can assess their track record of egg laying abilty and quality.

Obviously this is not always possible, especially when purchasing hatching eggs, so whenever possible visit the breeder, have a look at their birds and ask loads of questions!

 

[Lordcluck]

I think fertility in stock depends a lot on the way they are kept. Birds with access to plenty of natural range will forage for themselves, and will have access to all manner of nutritious goodies that will maintain their fertility levels naturally, and they will often show very little interest in any layers ration that is offered as a result. Penned birds will depend on a basic diet of a balanced layers/breeders ration. Many of the leading brands of poultry feed were based on formulas devised for the commercial poultry industry, feeding high protein to birds laying unnaturally heavily. This may not be an entirely appropriate diet for other breeds, and so there are now layers/breeders rations formulated especially for home egg producers, show and ornamental poultry, Ex Battery hens etc etc .
Healthy birds maintained on a balanced diet, without to many supplements or treats are usually perfectly fertile. I have found in the past that inexplicable cases of cockerel infertility have responded well to the addition of Wheat-germ oil in their diet.

 

[chrismahon]

Well the fertility isn't an issue for me but the hatch rate is. The hens are laying well and no slackers. Just want to make sure the eggs are in best condition for hatching when Philcott gets them. They will be pencil date marked and kept in the cellar at 10 degrees. The oldest will be 9 days.

Unfortunately we can't get Garvo here.

 

[Lordcluck]

Ahh yes, my mistake, I misread the initial post, apologies. It would seem you have all the bases covered then chrismahon?! allowing for any Inherent genetic weaknesses affecting hatchability, and by Providing a good balanced diet to fit healthy and fertile birds with well formed eggs stored at optimum temp and duration before setting, all of which you are doing, I wouldn't have thought there is much more you could do to produce 'Hatchable' eggs?!

 

[Chuck]

Good health, stamina and maturity in the parent stock is the foundation. Any of the well balanced laying rations will be perfectly adequate as most of the pure breed hens are not huge layers. Also be very selective about egg shell quality. No porous shells and examine carefully for cracks. Set clean eggs which don't need to be washed wherever possible. Good shape to the eggs, no elongated or misshaped ones.