Breeding chickens is a great way to create sustainable farm animals and needs to be learned by every farm animal and chicken lover. The hatching period is relatively short, so you can learn a lot by paying attention to the details of the process. Follow the instructions below to start the chicken breeding process independently.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Setting Up Breeding
Step 1. Find out the government regulations regarding raising chickens in your area
Some areas have strict laws for raising chickens, for example imposing fines on chicken owners who have caused environmental harm. Meanwhile, there are also areas that regulate the number of male and female chickens that are kept. To avoid fines or sanctions, you must first ensure legal and regulatory support in your area.
Step 2. Make sure you have prepared the coop for the new chicks
Many people forget that breeding chickens will have consequences for increasing the number of chickens. Make sure that your coop is ready to accommodate this new addition of chickens.
Just provide a cage and equipment in preparation if it turns out you have to separate a rooster or nosy chicken from the flock. Sometimes, one coop is not enough to hold all the chickens. You may also get more roosters who show an aggressive attitude towards other chickens
Step 3. Think about the possibility of getting more roosters
Breeding chickens will produce about 50% of the roosters. In fact, we need to know that the rooster is clearly not going to lay eggs. The roosters also eat more and make the farm animals very noisy. So, you have to understand that when you breed chickens, you automatically have to take care of the roosters that are produced.[citation needed]
Step 4. Prepare a stud
In order for the eggs that the hen produces to hatch, you need the rooster in prime condition to mate. The rooster does not have to be of the same breed as the hen. You must prepare a male for ten hens.
- Try to get a rooster that is prepared for mating. The eye color must be good. Her legs are also flawless. The shape of the comb according to the standard type of the rooster.
- Be prepared for noise. The rooster is a loud sounding animal. In some countries, a number of cities and counties have issued a ban on keeping roosters because of their loud noises. Make sure you do not violate the rules that apply in the home environment. If it is not possible to have roosters, you should buy eggs that are ready to be hatched.
- Some breeds of chickens can be very aggressive. Be sure to choose a rooster that is not too vicious, especially if you have young children.
Step 5. Begin the breeding process in the summer
Although breeding can be done at any time, chicks born in summer tend to be stronger than during the rainy season. Chickens will start laying eggs when they are 18-19 weeks old. You don't have to do anything to breed chickens. Just put the rooster in the midst of the hen and let nature do the work.
- Make sure your male and female are getting quality food. Thus, the reproductive system will work as optimally as possible.
- If you are breeding second or third generation chickens, be aware of inbreeding issues. Try marking the chickens to make it easier for you to identify the offspring of the rooster. You can put the roosters in separate places and put them together with the hen when they are going to be bred. Also, consider using a new rooster every year.
Step 6. Between incubating the eggs in an incubator or letting the hen incubate the eggs, quickly make your choice
If you want the hen to incubate her eggs, you will lose the opportunity to get eggs for 3 months (21 days to incubate and 2 months to nurse the chicks until they are ready to lay eggs again). You should also prepare the hen that will roost incubate during the hatching period.
- Most breeders try to prevent hens from incubating their eggs for reasons of productivity in laying eggs. Some types of chickens that really like to incubate eggs for example cotton chicken, serama, brahma, jersey giant, new hampshire red, sussex, and others.
- If you have a lot of eggs to hatch, or are being hatched for later sale, you may need to purchase an incubator or incubator.
Method 2 of 4: Selecting Eggs to Hatch
Step 1. Collect eggs regularly
Even if it is ultimately decided to let the hen incubate the eggs, you still need to collect and select the most appropriate eggs for hatching. Collect the eggs 2 or 3 times a day to make sure they stay clean and undeveloped.
- If the weather is getting hotter, collect eggs more often than usual, up to 5 times a day.
- Use a soft basket to catch the eggs as they are collected. This method prevents the eggs from being damaged. A little hay in the hand basket is enough to fit the eggs perfectly.
- Handle the egg carefully so as not to damage the membrane and the liquid inside.
- Clean your hands before collecting eggs. This will prevent the transfer of bacteria from your hands to the eggs.
Step 2. Keep the nest clean, Even if you always keep the cage and nest box clean, this point is even more important when mating chickens
Mud and chicken manure can increase the number of harmful bacteria that will infect the eggs and reduce the success of the hatching process.
Make sure you provide a clean haystack for the chicken nest
Step 3. Select the eggs to incubate
Choosing the right eggs will increase the success of the hatching process. You need to avoid eggs that clearly appear too big or too small. Large eggs will be difficult to incubate, while small eggs will produce chicks that are also too small to survive.
- Do not choose eggs that are cracked. Also avoid eggs with thin shells.
- Don't choose eggs that are obviously oddly shaped.
- Choose clean eggs. Cleaning or wiping dirty eggs will remove the protective film. As a result, eggs become more susceptible to bacteria.
Step 4. Mark your eggs
If you hatch multiple eggs, or breed different types of chickens, you may find it useful to mark eggs by date or breed because you now have a history record. You can use a pencil, a marker pen, or a pen.
Step 5. Save the eggs
Eggs can be stored up to 7 days after coming out for later hatching. Eggs should be stored for at least 24 hours before starting hatching. Otherwise, they will not hatch perfectly.
- Keep the cage at a room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius with high humidity.
- Place the eggs with the pointy end facing down.
Step 6. Turn the eggs every day
When storing eggs, you need to turn them once a day to prevent the membranes from sticking to only one side. You can do this by placing the wood under one end of the cardboard and then turning it over to the other end the next day.
Method 3 of 4: Let the Baboon Incubate the Eggs
Step 1. Find broilers
You can use fake eggs to test the resistance of broilers in incubating compared to others. If a rooster is able to incubate a fake egg for 24 hours, it is more likely that the brooding hen will survive it for 21 days.
Step 2. Tuck the eggs under the broilers
Eggs can be slipped very easily at night when the broilers are sleeping. Depending on the breed, generally a chicken can incubate up to 12 eggs. The brooding hen should be able to shelter all the eggs while perched on them.
Step 3. Separate the broilers and eggs from the rest of the chickens
If possible, separate them from the rest of the chickens so the eggs don't get dirty or spoil. If the broiler refuses to be moved, leave it alone or move it along with the nest late at night.
- Warning: Moving chickens that are preparing to incubate will only discourage them from returning to the nest. So, if the eggs are expensive, you should have a backup plan.
- If you can't separate them, try to prevent other chickens from disturbing the broilers.
Step 4. Make sure the broilers are eating well
Incubators must have sufficient food and fresh water. You can change chicken feed to chick feed. Thus, when they hatch, the chicks will immediately be served the right feed. Broilers will not eat as much as usual. Watch the broiler chickens to make sure they are eating and drinking enough. You may have to remove it from the nest or prepare food and drink right next to it. Sometimes broilers will refuse to leave the nest to eat and drink until they starve to death.
Step 5. Let the chicken incubate the eggs
When the chicken is ready to lay eggs, do not disturb. The baboons will help the eggs hatch. The eggs will begin to hatch after 21 days, and the process can take 24 hours or more. Most chicks should hatch at the same time. After hatching, remove any intact eggs after about 2 days.
Step 6. Let the hen take care of the chicks
If you choose a natural hatching process, the mother hen will give her chicks the warmth and affection they need, and you don't have to put them in an incubator.
Step 7. Try to separate the hen and her chicks from the rest
For the first 6 weeks, try to separate the hen and her chicks from the rest of the chicks. Thus, the chicks will grow up without being disturbed by other chickens.
Set up a grooming area that the hen can enter or leave at any time, but bring the chicks with her. This method helps keep the chicks out of trouble
Step 8. Prepare clean water and feed in abundance
Chicks need good food to grow healthy so make sure you always prepare them. It is recommended to change the type of feed after a certain period of time (6 weeks, 3 months, etc.).
Step 9. Introduce the chicks to the other chickens
After 6 weeks, the young chicks are ready to be combined with the chickens on the farm. Combine slowly and make sure the chickens can live together first before being moved permanently. The hen will help guard her chicks during the transition process.
Method 4 of 4: Hatching Your Own Eggs
Step 1. Prepare the incubator or incubator
You can make your own incubator, or buy one from an agricultural equipment company. If you're going to buy one, make sure it has temperature and humidity controls, as well as the option to flip eggs.
One of the biggest considerations when choosing an incubator is the number of eggs to hatch. Usually the range of eggs that can be hatched by the incubator is only 50-70%, and half of them will hatch into roosters
Step 2. Set up an indoor incubator with a controlled temperature
Stable room temperature makes it easier for the incubator to maintain engine temperature. Avoid placing the incubator next to the heater or next to windows and doors.
Later you will need to check the incubator several times. So, make sure to put it in an easily accessible place
Step 3. Mark your eggs
If you haven't had time to mark the eggs when collecting them, do so before placing them in the incubator. This will help you find out if the eggs have been flipped.
Step 4. Heat the incubator first
Leave the incubator on for a few hours before placing the eggs inside. Thus, the incubator will get the right temperature and humidity. If the incubator has a fan, set the temperature to remain stable at 37 degrees Celsius. If there is no fan, try to maintain a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius.
Humidity for the first 18 days should be around 40%
Step 5. Place the eggs in the incubator
The larger part of the egg should be on top. Or, lay it horizontally with the larger part of the egg tilted up. Avoid positioning the egg with the pointy side up as this can cause problems in egg development and the chicks may die when they try to break the shell.
Step 6. Flip the eggs
Eggs need to be turned about 5 times a day. Turn gently so that the embryo is not damaged. Don't flip the eggs in the same direction over and over again. Then, before 3 days before hatching, never flip the eggs because at that time the embryo is moving towards its hatching position.
Step 7. Examine the eggs with the help of a beam of light
By highlighting the egg, you can check the growth of the embryo inside. You need a bright flashlight and a dark room to highlight the eggs. Hold the egg with the larger part facing up and shine a flashlight at it. You should see the blood vessels that are starting to form, including the air sacs at the top.
- Blood vessels began to appear a few days after entering the incubator.
- Embryos will begin to appear after 7 days.
- Get rid of eggs that don't develop well between days 10 and 14.
- Humidity needs to be increased to 60-70% over the last 3 days to prevent drying of the egg membranes.
- Do not open the incubator for the last 3 days.
Step 8. Let the eggs hatch by themselves
The process of hatching eggs can take more than a day. As soon as you notice the eggs start to crack, immediately add oxygen to the incubator by opening the vent. Newly hatched chicks do not need to eat or drink for 48-72 hours. Thus, keep the incubator running while the chicks hatch.
Hold back even if you want to help the chicks out of the egg. Chicks that are unable to break their own eggshells will most likely not survive into adulthood
Step 9. Transfer the chicks to the rearing coop
Once the hatching process is complete and the chicks are completely dry, you can transfer them to the rearing coop. You can build this cage yourself or buy one at a livestock supply store.
- A 40-watt bulb in the enclosure can be a great source of heat. Use the red bulb to hide the injury to the chick. This way, other chicks won't attack the injured chick. Chicks need a temperature of 36-38 degrees Celsius during the first week, which can be lowered by 5 degrees each week until the temperature in the rearing coop equals the temperature outside or until the feathers are fully developed.
- Place the rearing cage in an area that is free from drafts and use wires to prevent cats from sneaking in.
Step 10. Prepare fresh food and water regularly
Chicks always need a steady supply of feed and water. In addition, you also need to provide feed with a special formula. When the chicks grow up, you can feed them standard feed.
Make sure you use a bowl of water that is not too deep as the chicks can easily splash. Add gravel to prevent chicks from sinking
Step 11. Introduce chicks to the flock
After about 6 weeks, the chicks are ready to be put together with your other pet chickens. Introduce slowly and make sure the chickens get along well before you finally combine them permanently.
Tips
- Discuss with people who have done chicken breeding. The process is not as easy as you might think!
- A flock of chickens recognizes a kind of hierarchy and this means that fighting is very likely.
- Always record the lineage of your chickens to prevent genetic problems.
- There are many pros and cons to using a hen versus an incubator to incubate eggs. The hen is able to control humidity, egg turning, etc so it will save you a lot of time. However, there are many other factors that can kill a developing chick, for example when the hen gives up incubating her eggs. If this happens and you decide to intervene, take immediate action and either hatch it in the machine or find a replacement hen.
- Think about your next move when these chicks are old enough. Are you going to keep it and then breed it? Do you know where to sell it? Do you know who the people who will buy it are? In breeding any animal, you need to prepare a plan for the future of the chicks.
- Keep the chicks in a crate or cardboard box so these little critters don't slip through the floor of the coop. Also, this will help the other chickens get used to the arrival of the new chick.
- Meet an expert at the nearest puskeswan when mating chickens of incompatible breeds. Or, visit PoultryOne.com if you want to find information online.
- Ask your neighbors what your plans are for breeding chickens. Chickens (especially roosters) will make a lot of noise and may annoy them.
- Make sure the hen sits on a secure base, such as straw, coconut leaves, or even woven bamboo. Don't use newsprint or foam, as chicken feet are difficult to perch.
- Be careful when washing eggs to be hatched, especially with water. Fresh eggs are covered by a layer called bloom. This layer will naturally repel bacteria, dew, fungus, and others safely. If you wash it carelessly, the coating will be damaged and reduce the chances of the chicken eggs hatching healthily.
Warning
- If the eggs don't hatch, be sure to get rid of them. After all, rotten eggs will give off an incredibly disgusting smell!
- Treat brooding chickens with care. Usually the mother who is incubating the eggs is easily annoyed and does not want to be disturbed.
- Set up a wire fence around the chicken coop area to keep out predators. You can create an area to raise chickens in a size that is really wide and long. Also, try to get the hen and her chicks back to the coop with the door closed towards the end of the day.
- Be sure to always clean the incubator after and before hatching any other eggs to prevent the spread of germs.
