Do genetics play a part in Hatch Rate?

[Lelilamom]

I have an easter egger mix that brooded 9 eggs. Nearly all of my layers are first or second generation hatches from the same rooster. Her first hatch was 8/9. Her second hatch was 4/7. Her third hatch, the current one is 2/9. She is a devoted brooder and sat faithfully for 21 days, so I know it wasn't her. My best guess is that the cross bred over cross bred for two generations has affected the viability of the eggs.

I haven't candled her remaining 7, but they are on day 22 with no sign of hatching. I'm guessing they are either not fertilized or genetically incapable of incubating past a certain chromosomal stage.

Anyone have any experience with mixed broods?

 

[janiedoe]

How old is the rooster?
You probably do need to add a few hatchery pullets into your flock. You might also want to keep a cockerel, if your rooster is over 2 or 3 years old.

 

[sdm111]

Yes it does. The strength and vigor of the embryo and chick from conception to death from old age is determined by the genetic strength of the parents. Usually this happens when people are breeding for certain traits or to not cross other blood into a certain family of fowl. Being too tightly bred can cause low vigor in the chicks. At that time it is common to infuse a rooster or hen to bring back the strength and vigor then outcross that blood to keep the traits you're trying to keep. There will be whats called throwbacks hatched. That's chicks that look different cause the infused blood is showing they are to be culled and not used for breeding

 

[Lelilamom]

How old is the rooster?
You probably do need to add a few hatchery pullets into your flock. You might also want to keep a cockerel, if your rooster is over 2 or 3 years old.

Yes it does. The strength and vigor of the embryo and chick from conception to death from old age is determined by the genetic strength of the parents. Usually this happens when people are breeding for certain traits or to not cross other blood into a certain family of fowl. Being too tightly bred can cause low vigor in the chicks. At that time it is common to infuse a rooster or hen to bring back the strength and vigor then outcross that blood to keep the traits you're trying to keep. There will be whats called throwbacks hatched. That's chicks that look different cause the infused blood is showing they are to be culled and not used for breeding

Thank you both. My rooster is 2 years old and is a cross between a speckled sussex and a barred rock. Most of my layers are from his clutch or a brood he sired. Was curious how many breeds/mixes does it take before the genetics falter. We are on the 3rd gen from him.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

Were these broods all this year? An issue that I had this year is that my hen who brooded successfully in March had an absolutely terrible hatch rate in May. I candled periodically and by day 14 it was obvious most of the eggs were quitters. Turns out she had not lost her brood patch feathers for the second brood and none of her eggs made it to hatch day. I had another hen on a bunch of eggs, so she did get some babies to love.

She’s broody again now so this time she’s on wooden eggs and the real eggs are in the incubator.

 

[Sussex19]

Just to clarify, mixing breeds should not reduce vigour, but inbreeding does