SpeckledHen's Experiences on Egg Reproduction/Production Necropsy

[Michael Apple]

Even of the best feed given to the girls, they will still succum to this horrible disorder of the reproduction tract. Something IN them that set their bodies off, causing multiple problems or one problem that persist thru their lives after a year of producing. Those hatchery girls were not made for longivity.

Has the hatcheries done anything about those high producers? Most likely not. Its a risk for some of us that want eggs and lots of it, that we lose them faster than the breeder's birds.

I've got Ideal Hatchery Spitzhaubens and so far, they have not gave me any problems and they will be a year old in March.

Disheartening isn't it? My experience with a couple breeders wasn't that great either. A Cuckoo Maran rooster started exhibiting Mareks like symptoms after 3 years, and some Wyandottes from reputable a breeder all died within a year form what seemed to be Mareks. I have some hatchery hens that are going on 7 years now and still lay every so often.

Recognizing the healthy stock and encouraging them to brood their own chicks will be a pursuit of mine. Even so, recognizing the healthy traits may take time and even then, what appears to be a very healthy hen may take a few years to start exhibiting problems. It always tears at my heart, when I have to cull a bird after working hard to treat them. I've hunted and slaughtered when I was younger, and always had a difficult time doing it. I don't hunt anymore unless it is an unfortunate situation controlling predators. I think many on this forum could understand the bond I develop caring for/raising animals since I see many examples of their posts here.

Spitzhaubens are nice birds. I remember my Dad had a few some years ago. I'll see how it goes with my Cal Gray chicks this year. They are a "production breed", but we'll see how healthy they are in time. I should be looking forward to it instead of dreading it.