First of all u need to check for the pair compatibility, they should be well bonded, healthy and totally unrelated unless u r trying to establish specific line in EB’s.
Let them choose their partner by natural mate selection…
fertility depends on both sexes but more on male bird..one mating fertiles several eggs…females have natural ability to store sperms upto 14 days in her body..so u need to increase the sperm count in males by adding high protein diets which r also rich in zinc..zinc promotes the healthy sperm production and increase the counts..Dont forget to trim the feathers around vents of both male and female..it encourages the more absorption of sperms in each mating..quantity of eggs is totally depend on female..and it is hereditary ..some females only release 2-3 egg down to their oviduct and some females r huge layers..u need to know which female is huge layer and good incubator and keep the line maintained by keeping some of her youngsters..same as cock which is more fertile keep its male chicks…
Now pair is ready..check for its sorrounding..any thing which can distract them from mating,nesting or incubating should be avoided..when u feel female is about to lay daily check the box/matki without stressing bird too much and when u find first egg stop checking the box for next 14 days and let her finish clutch..increase the vitamins/ calcium intake by mixing some in water..Below is the list of some remedies which i used to increase hatchability rate in birds..
Cytacon syrup(vitamin b 12)—–costs 20-25 rs.
faraminovit (vitamins)100 gm—-costs 200-225rs
permasol (optional)———————-170-200rs
Fruit vinegar(mitchells)——————80 rs
calcim sandoz syrup———————65 rs
One purchase of above products lasts whole season do not use leftovers next time..simply throw them except calcium syrup.
Thankful to Ahmad Usman Javed
Lahore PAKISTAN