The Legbar Thread!

[gootziecat]

I ordered some Legbar eggs for hatching this past summer. Got a zero hatch under a hen. I was wondering why it was so bad, but reading a few pages back, it seems infertility is part of the issue with some breeders. As many imports GF has made, I'm rather surprised.

 

[chicken pickin]

I ordered some Legbar eggs for hatching this past summer. Got a zero hatch under a hen. I was wondering why it was so bad, but reading a few pages back, it seems infertility is part of the issue with some breeders. As many imports GF has made, I'm rather surprised.

I don't think it is necessarily infertility. For some of us, definitely not all of us, it seems it might be that Cream Legbar are very closely related even with the imports so inbreeding is causing "defects" in the sense that eggs are fertile and do develop but the chick sometimes seems to die in the last few days. The imports do help, we are getting diversity not only in looks but the new blood definitely helps.

If you had these eggs shipped and zero chicks develop it is likely either A) a issue specific to that breeder or even more likely B) really rough shipping roughed up the eggs not allowing the fertilized eggs to develop. Clear shipped eggs do not mean not fertile.

If the chicks did develop but did not hatch it is possible you are seeing what some of us are seeing also.

 

[gootziecat]

You are absolutely right. Shipped eggs that don't hatch don't necessarily mean infertility. But reading about it here and having no idea there were any issues (with the breed) gave me food for thought in that direction. I hatch lots of shipped eggs every year, so well versed in low hatches and the problems resulting from shipped eggs. But it is unusual that I get a total zero, although it has happened on very rare occasion.

 

[ChicKat]

You are absolutely right. Shipped eggs that don't hatch don't necessarily mean infertility. But reading about it here and having no idea there were any issues (with the breed) gave me food for thought in that direction. I hatch lots of shipped eggs every year, so well versed in low hatches and the problems resulting from shipped eggs. But it is unusual that I get a total zero, although it has happened on very rare occasion.

So sorry that your eggs didn't hatch.

I hope that you will still consider raising the breed. Maybe day-old chicks next time?

One thing that I think is more unique to Legbars is that 'old' eggs don't hatch as well IMO. Generally, I try to not set eggs older than 7-days. Of course the sender couldn't break open the eggs to see if they had been fertilized, but they should have hatched for their self and also checked some of the eggs -- to see if their rooster(s) had a fertility problem. I have actually only heard of it in one case of a fertility problem and it was with a seasoned breeder who never would have sold eggs from that rooster. .

I would tend to suspect that rough handling was the culprit, because it is so common. Once again, sorry that you didn't get chicks, and again too, as you say zero development is pretty unusual.

 

[ochochicas]

My broody hatched 100% of her non-legbar eggs on Friday. It looks like the legbar died around day 18. How disappointing. On top of that the legbar rooster came at me repeatedly yesterday. I think it is time to give up on these ones and sell then hens are production layers instead of breeders. Rather disappointing that I paid so much money for them and their eggs don't hatch. ;(

 

[enola]

Ok, I am looking for a Cream Legbar rooster. My hens have started laying again and I would like to start up the incubator and try again. Does anyone in SC have an extra rooster?

Edited - I would prefer a crele colored rooster, so a 'cull' rooster with fairly good type would be great!

 

[TeaChick]

I was looking at Cream Legbars on a hatchery website and it says $35/each pullet for chicks.

Please tell me this is a type-o.

or I'm going to be like

 

[estamets]

I was looking at Cream Legbars on a hatchery website and it says $35/each pullet for chicks.
Please tell me this is a type-o.   or I'm going to be like

That sounds accurate. The breed is still uncommon. I was prepared to pay $47 for shipped day-olds until I found a local breeder selling them for $25

 

[KPenley]

A lot of us paid $45 to $150 a pullet for our first ones. So the prices actually are coming down. Just please do your research first, because there are all levels from pet to show quality available now, and the prices should reflect that quality.

 

[ChicKat]

I was looking at Cream Legbars on a hatchery website and it says $35/each pullet for chicks.

Please tell me this is a type-o.

or I'm going to be like

you May want to check the Cream Legbar Club's member list - and see if anyone is near you. You may be able to get a pullet chick for a very reasonable price.

A lot depends upon what you want to use your CLs for.... Hopeuflly also, you get to see what the parent birds look like. so glad to hear that you are interested in the breed. :O)