ive flew roundabout for a long time and ive found that the best performers during the season were kept dry they sat the eggs out till they lifted then split i like them parted a fortnight before the first race they are sent to. the hens def need to be locked up in there hen perches to stop them pairing up or you will be lucky to get 3 weeks out them stop that and youve cracked it imo .but the most important bit is they have got to be healthy or they will won nowt