Hi Everyone,

 

I realise i don't have as many birds as everyone here,i have approx 40 but my flock

 

can't seem to co-ordinate being in condition at the same time.Most of my hens are at the moment

 

but the cocks aren't is there anything i can do to get them in sync.

 

Thanks Libby

I often find most come into condition at the same time after a moult. Post-moult the birds are usually VERY energetic. I also find it is always best to wait for the cocks to be in condition as this is key to fertility. A randy cock can bring a hen INTO condition quite quickly in a breeding cabinet. But a sleep cock with a clucky hen usually ends up with the cock dozing outside while the hen gets box bound and lays a nice fat clutch of infertile eggs.

I agree with Dean

HOw to you tell when a cock is "randy"

HOw to you tell when a cock is "randy"

He would be humping everything..................alive and not alive....drinkers, aviary wire, feed dishes etc. He would be trying to chat up all the girls in the aviary and some of the boys as well he will be trying to "step aboard" every female there is and sometimes get so frisky he will try to mount the males

HOw to you tell when a cock is "randy"

He would be humping everything..................alive and not alive....drinkers, aviary wire, feed dishes etc. He would be trying to chat up all the girls in the aviary and some of the boys as well he will be trying to "step aboard" every female there is and sometimes get so frisky he will try to mount the males

 

Males mounting males.... the story of my life.

 

My boys must be pretty "randy", coz I go in there and they come and say hello

I often find most come into condition at the same time after a moult. Post-moult the birds are usually VERY energetic. I also find it is always best to wait for the cocks to be in condition as this is key to fertility. A randy cock can bring a hen INTO condition quite quickly in a breeding cabinet. But a sleep cock with a clucky hen usually ends up with the cock dozing outside while the hen gets box bound and lays a nice fat clutch of infertile eggs.

 

 

Thanks Dean_NZ, so as long as the cock is rearing to go, and i put him in a breeding cage then hen should follow suit.?

I often find most come into condition at the same time after a moult. Post-moult the birds are usually VERY energetic. I also find it is always best to wait for the cocks to be in condition as this is key to fertility. A randy cock can bring a hen INTO condition quite quickly in a breeding cabinet. But a sleep cock with a clucky hen usually ends up with the cock dozing outside while the hen gets box bound and lays a nice fat clutch of infertile eggs.

 

 

Thanks Dean_NZ, so as long as the cock is rearing to go, and i put him in a breeding cage then hen should follow suit.?

 

If the hen is totally out of condition, I wouldn't. Giving the birds extra breeding suplements (can't spell -.- ) a couple weeks before should help kick in, but if the hen is totally out of condition I wouldn't. Any bird will produce it's best chicks when they are at their peak.

The best way to have the whole flock in condition at the same time is to send them all into a moult at the same time, then pair up just as they come out of the moult. The best way to send them all into the moult is to drastically change their diet, I suggest give them just millet for a few days, nothing else, just millet. You will find when you change the diet so dramatically all the birds will go into the moult. I knew a top breeder many years ago, who fed nothing but jap millet to all his birds from Christmas day untill the end of February, he then started adding the normal breeding mix and additives over the next month. He would pair up in March and had the best fertility I've seen. Cheers Clearwing

The best way to have the whole flock in condition at the same time is to send them all into a moult at the same time, then pair up just as they come out of the moult. The best way to send them all into the moult is to drastically change their diet, I suggest give them just millet for a few days, nothing else, just millet. You will find when you change the diet so dramatically all the birds will go into the moult. I knew a top breeder many years ago, who fed nothing but jap millet to all his birds from Christmas day untill the end of February, he then started adding the normal breeding mix and additives over the next month. He would pair up in March and had the best fertility I've seen. Cheers Clearwing

Excellent advice

I may try this next season. I assume you wouldn't give any greens/veggies?

Give nothing other than millet, this also works great for your show team. About 9 weeks before the first show of the season, change the diet for a week or so, forcing birds to moult. It normally takes six to eight weeks to come through the moult, so you should have a complete show team to choose from.Cheers Clearwing

Thanks to all for your great advice it's greatly appreciated.

 

Libby.

The best way to have the whole flock in condition at the same time is to send them all into a moult at the same time, then pair up just as they come out of the moult. The best way to send them all into the moult is to drastically change their diet, I suggest give them just millet for a few days, nothing else, just millet. You will find when you change the diet so dramatically all the birds will go into the moult. I knew a top breeder many years ago, who fed nothing but jap millet to all his birds from Christmas day untill the end of February, he then started adding the normal breeding mix and additives over the next month. He would pair up in March and had the best fertility I've seen. Cheers Clearwing

 

Wow I never new this, thanks

The best way to have the whole flock in condition at the same time is to send them all into a moult at the same time, then pair up just as they come out of the moult. The best way to send them all into the moult is to drastically change their diet, I suggest give them just millet for a few days, nothing else, just millet. You will find when you change the diet so dramatically all the birds will go into the moult. I knew a top breeder many years ago, who fed nothing but jap millet to all his birds from Christmas day untill the end of February, he then started adding the normal breeding mix and additives over the next month. He would pair up in March and had the best fertility I've seen. Cheers Clearwing

 

Wow I never new this, thanks

I always knew that changing diet dramatically would force a moult, but I never thought of using this fact to an advantage by creating moult time at a more convenient time and bringing them all into condition at the same time either.

I think it has something to do with their natural cycle of having scarce food supply just prior to spring, when there is suddenly an abundance. The birds sense this abundance and use it to first go through a moult, and then to rear young before the abundance 'goes away'.

I think it has something to do with their natural cycle of having scarce food supply just prior to spring, when there is suddenly an abundance. The birds sense this abundance and use it to first go through a moult, and then to rear young before the abundance 'goes away'.

 

You are spot on Dean, although our birds are domestic, they still have wild instincts. Thats why I mate up after heavy rain, the birds think the grass will grow and produce seed so they go to nest. This combined with the feeding change works wonders, my numbers are usually excellent. cheers Clearwing