Consequences of over breeding?

[TherryChicken]

What are the consequences of over breeding poultry?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I have only limited experience with this as I purchase fertile eggs of rarer breeds to hatch, and thus have had times over the years when I am fairly certain I have experienced the results of over breeding as small breeders over utilize their stock or breed from over utilized lines.

First, infertility of eggs, or rather lack of development of fertile eggs. Chicks die in the shell or just prior to hatch.

If they do hatch, they take overly long to hatch (day 23 to 25 in one of my batches), and then are very spindly and unthrifty. (You have to sort out failed hatches from poor incubation procedures.)

Many chicks will have splayed legs and/or curled toes. You may see wry neck and wry tail crop up as vitamin deficiencies seem more pronounced and the genetics for recession kicks in.

If you pamper and tlc past the early chick stage, they often succumb to health issues from whatever....coccidiosis to mareks or some other unidentifiable cause as the immune system is suppressed as well.

It can be very frustrating.

Use solid birds, and while breed characteristics dictate father to daughter, for several generations, before siblings, those with concern for in breeding will have several lines that they cross to prevent over selection if the parent stock has too recent an ancestor already.

My limited experience and knowledge gained (as I delve into breeding my own olive eggers from several rare breeds).

Here's a good article about the process of selective breeding and when it becomes inbreeding depression.
https://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/gms12-inbreeding-coefficients/

LofMc

 

[nchls school]

Over breeding or inbreeding?

 

[sourland]

Over breeding or inbreeding?

X 2 ?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Good question...are you meaning inbreeding or over breeding as when the hens are over bred, given too much attention, by a zealous rooster?

If you mean the latter...it can cause quite a bit of distress and physical harm to the hens. Some roosters can create raw, bare spots on hens. With improperly trimmed spurs, they can even create open gashes and wounds.

Hen aprons help, but separation is generally the best choice if the rooster is too amorous. Many let the rooster(s) cool their heels awhile in a bachelor pad so the ladies can get some rest.

A hen only needs to breed once, then is fertile for about 3 weeks, as her body has the capacity to retain sperm in a part of her oviduct. Therefore, a lot of breeding is not necessary to keep them fertile. It is generally advised to have 1 rooster to 10 hens to prevent over breeding, as in too much attention, to the ladies.

LofMc

 

[TherryChicken]

Over breeding.. too many roos to hens.. Too much breeding.

 

[sourland]

Post number 5 gives you the answer.

Physical damage, even death and reduced egg production are items I would add to Lady of McCamley's post.

 

[TherryChicken]

Can it cause internal laying?

 

[TherryChicken]

I'm only asking the consequences because someone was asking questions about it and I just want to make sure all my facts are true.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

By internal laying, do you mean egg binding?

It is theoretically possible I should think.... Egg binding can be caused by inflammation or scarring of the egg duct. That could happen with over aggressive breeding if it caused vent inflammation or aggravated vent obstruction.