genetics issue?

[CarolinaHen]

We have a beautiful young silkie cockerel that we hatched in January. The chicks we are getting from him are all dying before they reach a month old. The hens are over a year old and experienced broodies. Any ideas why these chicks are dying? Mostly they appear as failure to thrive chicks. Is there anything we can do, or should we get a different rooster? He is one we planned to show this fall :/

 

[Eggcessive]

I know very little about this subject to be of help, but I would get him and the hens on a very high quality vitamin and trace mineral supplement for a bit before breeding him again. Are the eggs clean up to hatch time, and are the eggs good quality? Here are a couple of articles concerning hatchability problems that may cause problems afterward:
http://umaine.edu/publications/2072e/
http://www.localharvest.org/blog/26992/entry/chicken_egg_hatchability_problems_part1

 

[CarolinaHen]

They are on high quality food, free range in the garden, and we had a separate brooder for the hens that is raised off of the ground three feet. This has happened with both chicks hatched by a broody as well as ones hatched by the broody. I'm stumped.

 

[Eggcessive]

You might try posting on one of the silkie threads where breeders may see it and comment. I find some of the more rare breeds just really hard to get good hatches, compared to some more common breeds. I have had a heck of a time with wheaten ameraucanas and salmon faverolles.

 

[CarolinaHen]

Good idea. I'll post there as well. Thanks!