Priming Guide: How to Prepare Broodcocks and Broodhens Before Breeding
A step-by-step guide to priming broodcocks and broodhens — deworming, supplements, feeding, and signs they're ready to pair.
What Is Priming?
Priming is the process of preparing broodcocks and broodhens — physically, nutritionally, and health-wise — before pairing them for breeding. The goal is to get both birds to peak health so that fertility is high, egg quality is excellent, and the chicks are strong.
When to start: 4–6 weeks before the planned pairing date.
Breeding season in the Philippines: October through March (priming can start as early as September).
4-Week Priming Timeline
Week 1: Health Reset
Clean the bird's system first before starting supplementation.
| Day | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Deworm | Wormal — 1 tablet per adult bird, orally |
| Day 1 | Delouse | Bathe using anti-mite shampoo (e.g., Triple X) |
| Day 1 | Vaccinate | NCD B1 La Sota — eye drop method, both cock and hen |
| Day 4–8 | Bacterial flush | Premoxil — 10g per gallon of water, 3–5 days. Purpose: eliminate harmful bacteria internally. Alternative: Raw garlic (natural antibiotic) if you prefer to avoid pharmaceuticals. |
| Day 9+ | Start probiotics | Begin immediately after the antibiotic course to restore good gut bacteria |
Why is a bacterial flush needed? Deworming removes parasites but leaves behind bacteria. The flush cleans the gut so nutrient absorption improves in the following weeks.
Weeks 2–4: Supplementation and Conditioning
Begin injectable and water-soluble supplements. Continue through pairing and throughout the breeding period.
Injectable Supplements (Weekly)
| Supplement | Dosage | Injection Site | For Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A, D, E (e.g., GenVet) | 0.5cc per week | Right thigh | Both cock and hen |
| B-Complex (e.g., Bexan XP) | 0.5cc per week | Alternating thigh | Both cock and hen |
| Testosterone (e.g., MEEB by Lakpue) | 0.5cc per week | Left thigh | Broodcock ONLY — do not give to hens |
Continue injectables for 5–6 consecutive weeks, then switch to twice a month as maintenance during the breeding period.
Daily Water Supplements
| Supplement | Dosage | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolytes + multivitamins (e.g., Selectrogen) | Per product label | Daily in the water |
| Vitamin E gel cap | 1 capsule per bird | Once a week |
Feeding During Priming
Priming Phase (Before Pairing)
| Bird | Feed Mix | Amount | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broodcock | 2 parts breeder pellets + 1 part hi-protein derby pellets | 30–35g per feeding | 2x daily (AM and PM) |
| Broodhen | 2 parts breeder pellets + 1 part hi-protein derby pellets | 40–80g per feeding | 2x daily (AM and PM) |
Breeding Phase (After Pairing)
| Bird | Feed Mix | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broodcock | Derby pellets + derby conditioner | Maintain fighting weight — don't let him get fat |
| Broodhen | Breeder pellets + derby conditioner | Add oyster shell grits (free-choice) for calcium/eggshell quality |
Additional tips:
- Flax seed — mix into feed for Omega-3 (improves fertility and egg quality)
- Malunggay (moringa) leaves — can be mixed into feed for added nutrients
- Feed cock and hen separately — don't feed them together, so each gets the right amount
Important: Don't let the broodcock get fat. An overweight cock has a lower hatch rate. Control weight through proper feed portions and exercise.
Physical Conditioning
| Aspect | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | Allow morning sun exposure (6:00–8:00 AM) |
| Exercise | Fly pens for natural movement — flying, scratching, dust bathing |
| Vent trimming | Trim the feathers around the vent on both cock and hen before pairing. Chickens have no external genitalia — mating is vent-to-vent contact. Thick feathers can block it. |
| Weight | Monitor weight weekly. The ideal breeding weight is lean but not underweight. |
Signs They're Ready to Breed
Broodhen
| Sign | How to Check |
|---|---|
| Reddening comb and wattles | Previously small/pale, now swollen, plump, and bright red |
| Submissive squat | When you reach toward her back, she crouches, lowers her wings, and drops her tail — this means she's receptive to mating |
| Pelvic bone spacing | Feel the pelvic bones near the vent — if 3–4 fingers fit between them, she's ready / actively laying |
| Vent changes | The vent becomes larger, oval, moist, and pink |
Broodcock
| Sign | How to Check |
|---|---|
| Wing drag / waltzing | He lowers one wing and dances in circles around the hen |
| Tidbitting | He picks up food (real or pretend), clucks excitedly, scratches the ground, and circles the hen |
| Active mounting | He attempts to mount hens (treading) |
| Bright red comb and wattles | Healthy and vibrant in color |
Ideal Breeding Age
2–5 years old for both cock and hen. Waiting until maturity helps you identify desirable and undesirable traits that aren't yet visible in stags and pullets.
Pro tip: Pair a proven hen (at least 2 years old) with a young broodcock, and vice versa.
Cock vs. Hen: Summary of Differences
| Aspect | Broodcock | Broodhen |
|---|---|---|
| Testosterone injection | Yes (MEEB, 0.5cc/week) | No |
| Vitamin ADE injection | Yes | Yes |
| B-Complex injection | Yes | Yes |
| Iron supplement | 0.5cc every 15 days | Not needed |
| Calcium / oyster shell | Not needed | Needed (for eggshell quality) |
| Vent trimming | Yes | Yes |
| Weight management | Critical — overweight = lower hatch rate | Critical — overweight = fewer eggs |
Common Mistakes
- Skipping priming — pairing birds without preparation results in low fertility and weak chicks
- Skipping deworming/delousing — parasites steal nutrients and add stress
- No bacterial flush — residual infections affect nutrient absorption and can be passed to offspring
- No probiotics after antibiotics — the good bacteria were killed too and need to be restored
- Overweight birds — an overweight broodcock = lower hatch rate; an overweight hen = fewer eggs
- Not feeding separately — cocks and hens have different nutritional needs; separate them during feeding
- Not trimming vent feathers — thick feathers around the vent block cloacal contact during mating
Disclaimer: This guide is for reference purposes and is based on established Filipino breeder practices and manufacturer product labels. Consult a veterinarian for specific health concerns regarding your flock.