Chicken sitting on inbred eggs-what should I do?

[bock]

Okay, so first I will explain to you how my flock is related. I started out with 7 chickens, the rooster is an Old English Game bantam, and the two bantam hens are a cochin and a BTW Japanese bantam. Last year, the Jap. bantam went broody on 3 of her own eggs and hatched out one rooster and two hens. Once they grew up, I could not find anyone to take the three, so I let them form their own flock. I just decided I would not hatch any of their eggs, and they would be fine.

Last week, one of the hens went missing. I assumed a hawk had got her, since I looked everywhere for her in case she was broody. Well, 12 days later, I was sitting outside today when I saw something moving in the flower pot. I went to look, and it was her, sitting on 10 eggs!

Now, I don't know what to do. If these chicks hatched, their parents would be brother and sister. I really don't need 10 more inbred bantams running around! If she hatched these chicks would they have deformities? I feel bad taking the eggs, since they are so far along. I was thinking I would just take them tonight and put them in the freezer. What would you do? If I were to take them, I would take them tonight so they don't grow anymore. Thanks so much!

 

[mississippifarmboy]

It would take several more generations for there to enough inbreeding to matter. Brother sister matings are very common.

 

[mandelyn]

I don't know if it was inbreeding or what, but once I bought a Trio of Silver Seabrights and almost every chick that hatched had issues, I had never seen anything like it. One was even blind. I've never seen it in any other strain or breeding I did. When I out crossed those birds, the chicks were fine. So I don't know!

If you're worried about it, giver her a couple eggs that are from other birds. She won't break being broody over night, new eggs you'll be less worried about.

 

[elmo]

I had 10 chicks from a brother/sister pairing last spring, and every one was healthy, strong and beautiful. Problems from inbreeding aren't likely to crop up in the first breeding.

 

[al6517]

Shouldn't have any problems, it's a common breeding technic.

AL

 

[bock]

Thanks everyone! I candled some of the eggs last night, and only 1/4 that I looked at was fertile. She is really spooky compared to most broodies too, she runs away when you approach her instead of defnding herself.

I will let her keep the eggs and we will see what happens. Thanks for the help!