I know a few breeders here let their pairs go for three clutches. I was just wondering what others feelings on this were, particularly if the first two clutches were only small. I had been worried about the health of this hen but it seems my fears were unfounded as the thing that I had thought may have been egg peritonitis seems to just have been a small fat pad. At any rate she is looking fantastic now and the cock is also in great health. Their previous two clutches only had two and three chicks and I was wondering whether it would be okay to let them have a third.

I dont do third clutches. If eggs show up too soon in a possible third clutch I put the eggs in an other nest and break up the pair.

I will let some pairs have a third clutch if they look like they are still looking strong.

I will see how they go, they are still raising their current chicks one of which is a week younger than the others. I will be away for a week and the birds will be cared for by a sitter so I'm hoping that their won't be any eggs before I get back and then I might seperate them.

This is a tricky one and the short answer is that it's a case by case scenario where your personal judgement prevails.

 

As a rule my pairings raise two rounds and if their progeny looks good I'll foster out the third round.

 

However, if it's a 3 yr old hen and she is in good condition I will let her a third round. The reasons being that I retire my hens after 4 years and with my current 3 year olds I've noticed that they lay much smaller clutches, 2-3 eggs. Notwithstanding I have to add that all my 3 year old hens are bought birds and I do not have records of the entire breeding history. This is the first breeding season that I am using my own birds for breeding purposes and I may change my breeding habits based on experience.

Edited August 26, 200816 yr by KAZ

I actually want some fertile egss to foster under a hen with my fatty boy to try and help him loose the weight (as I suspect he is too fat to do the deed adequately), so I may let them lay a round and then foster them out to the other hen.

I agree, it's up to your personal choice, If my pairs look well and didn't have overly large clutches before i'll allow a third clutch, but no more.

i would have to agree with Renee on this too - It is personal choice. Also look at the health factors too -

 

 

Fostering is a great way to let them have 3rd round as the feeding chicks for a 3rd time is what would drain them -