Terry Tuxford's top ten breeding season pointers to increase numbers

• 1. Pair up progressively as the birds approach breeding fitness.

• 2. If experienced pairs produce clear eggs, this will almost certainly be repeated in the second round.

• 3. If possible use pairs that produce clear eggs as foster parents. Allowing the successful pair to lay again

• 4. Try to avoid pairing two first year birds together.

• 5. Many hens will lay 8 to 10 eggs. Seldom do all of these hatch if left with the hen -foster the remaining full eggs after number 4 has been laid.

• 6. Balance the size of nests to an average of four youngsters.

• 7. If there are chicks in the nest box when the second round starts to be laid, foster these eggs.

• 8. Supplemental feeding is essential but care should be taken to follow the manufacturers recommended quantities.

• 9. Make sure that the chicks are fully weaned before removing them from their parents and into a nursery cage.

• 10. Taking just two rounds from a pair is a misnomer, if they are producing successfully in terms of both numbers and quality, and the chicks are healthy then nature will regulate the number of rounds possible.

Whenever your breeding season commences, the key to success is to put your birds first. To all fanciers out there, "May all your eggs be full ones, with a potential Best In Show in each nest."