- 1). Choose breeds that have high egg production, and a long production life. The Leghorn hen produces more eggs then other breeds. More than 50 percent of the eggs hatch male chicks. The Leghorn rooster is very active. As a result, it has little fat, It produces lean, flavorful poultry. The Road Island Red chicken has a marginal diet. It adapts to poor housing conditions better than other breeds, while still producing a high egg count. This aids in higher profits. In general, base a rooster's diet on a 20 percent protein during the first few weeks. Decrease the level to 12 percent, while producing the eggs. Monitor the lysine, methionine, calcium, and phosphorus levels during egg production.
- 2). Gather some eggs to test for fertility. Break them into a bowl. Inspect the yolk for a white dot. A perfectly rounded dot means the egg is fertile. You achieve better results with a high number of these eggs.
- 3). Clean the incubator thoroughly. Place it in an area where the temperature does not change. Make sure the opening in the incubator is visible. Turn it on for a day before putting the eggs in. Pour water into the incubator, and turn it on. Place the eggs inside with the small side facing down. The proper temperature for the unit is 100 degrees. Humidity should be 65 percent. Turn the egg once every four hours. Repeat the turning process for 18 days. Continue to add water each day until the chickens hatch. Increase the humidity five or ten percent. Keep the chicks in the incubator for up to a day.
- 4). Remove the chicks from the incubator. Place them in a brooder, which is a box with a heat lamp. The bulb's strength depends on the number of chicks. It varies from 75 to 250 watts. It is best to use a red colored bulb because it reduces aggression among the chicks. Use a newspaper for the floor padding. Make sure the brooder has plenty of food and water. Heat the box to 100 degrees. Keep the chicks in the brooder for six to eight weeks. Lower the temperature by five degrees each week. This will adapt them to the temperature out of the box.
- 5). Remove the chicks, and place them in a cardboard box. Carefully carry it to the chicken coop. Put mash and water inside. Make sure the coop has lights, as this will keep predators away. This also ensures the chicks will find the roost at night. Keep them in the coop for two days. This gives the chicks a familiar sense of their home base, and prevents them from straying.
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