My Isbars all live in with my egg flock (only white and brown layers in there and no other roos). I thought they were all on strike, hadn't gotten an egg in days. We've been having this terrible heat wave all week.
Last night I happened to look in the corner of the coop on the floor and...
I personally don't use it in my waterers, only for disinfecting hatching equipment and in the water in my incubators/hatchers. They are the perfect environment for growing bacteria otherwise.
I've actually also been experimenting with curing a case of nail fungus with it. If you've ever had...
What he means by that is a vaccinated bird with Marek's will not show symptoms and then will be a carrier of Marek's (same with a bird that has recovered from Marek's). I don't believe he is implying there is a problem with previous generations having received vaccine.
Also, "most silkies...
That's always a possibility with a rare breed.
I would think if the problem were all inbreeding, I'd be having problems with my F2's and so far I haven't. I've hatched about ten for myself (2-3 here and there), the oldest now are about ready to move in with the adults.
...either.
It will be very interesting to find out what your State vet has to say. Did you end up having to sacrifice a chick for the sample? I wonder if there could be a common denominator in feed, chick or breeding stock. Some nutrient missing that the breed needs. *grasping at straws here*
I hatched my first Isbar chick from my own eggs! It's a cute little blue. Hope it's a girl, I need more girls.
Can't answer your genetics question, although I do own all the breeds your discussing.
I do have an Isbar roo in with my mixed egg laying flock, so he's covering brown and white...