Breeder Report - Doyle Johnson

Doyle Johnson called this morning to report that he has four Border chicks, one green and three variegated, that are ready to be banded today or tomorrow!Wow! First nest of Borders this season and four eggs, all fertile, all hatched and the hen is feeding well! Second nest, yet to be ready to hatch, all fertile too!!

Of course, I couldn't wait to find out more about what he is doing to have his birds in such great condition for breeding.

He uses the 23% Calcium Gluconate, 1 Tablespoon to a gallon water daily till breeding season is over.

He used ABBA fertility E starting the cocks about 2 1/2 weeks before the hens.

He turns his lights up first to 10.5 hours and then 5 weeks before pairing turns them suddenly up to 14.5 hours. He ignores any eggs laid earlier then scheduled as in his experience early eggs are likely infertile and should be ignored. During the conditioning phase he uses AA Miracle vitamins (available from ABBA Products).

Doyle also wheat germ oil (he uses the wheat germ oil blend which is fortified with vitamins A, D, and E) coats his regular canary mix and starts cocks on it six weeks before breeding and hens three weeks before breeding. Recipe 50 lb batch: In a large pail put 5 lbs canary mix and add 1 cup wheat germ oil and let it stand for a couple days mixing daily. Add coated seeds to the remainder 45 lb seeds and mix well.

The feeding Border hen is fed a simple eggless nesting food.  He is using 2 cups dry Biodecken Novafood nestling food, 2 cups Higgins Proteen nestling food and 1 cup chopped broccoli. The broccoli is processed in the food processor and frozen in one cup packages. No additional moisture is added.

Just made up a batch and offered to my birds and yes they think it is yummy!

Can you share your success with us? Many tell me how much you enjoy this blog, but being a teacher I need more interaction with you. Send your breeder report to canarytales2@juno.com or call me for an interview at 316 722-5024 mornings are the best time to call.