Hi...I also raise Ameraucanas and have noticed that many of the chicks in the black variety often die within the first 2 weeks...its a failure to thrive kind of deal...I have one little lav right now who I am sure would have died if i hadnt given it some tlc as in a smaller group and kept in the house brooder longer...I also have had a few black Ameraucanas the same way and after about 6 weeks they take off and all are the same size after a couple of months maybe some genetics just make them more susceptible to chick mortality....do you cross yours into your black lines as i believe thats what i will do as i have some great blacks with hi hatchability and live chick rates...I also have a trio of split lavs that were hatched out under a broodie and seem to be hardier birds....have you had much problems with blindness in the lavs... me thinks a variety not for the faint of heart...
My splits were about 9 months old??? I have a bunch in a grow out pen that are around 4 months old and I know I will get alot of greys waiting for them
Out of every batch I do I get about 1 out of every 3 to hatch ( I do eggtopsies on all unhatched eggs to look at percentages) Funny -It seems the folks I have sold eggs to have a better hatch rate on lavs than I do! Makes me feel like I am doing something terribly wrong with incubating. Then I look at all the other chicks that hatch out with them and Im stumped and annoyed and saddened all in one!
