The Wyandotte Thread

[lazy gardener]

Thanks. I wish I had some training in genetics.

 

[PeakyBeaky]

For some reason, at least from my understanding, there are "different" rose combs when it combs to fertility (seabright, hamburg, rose combed bantams, Wyandotte, etc). What many of the Wyandottes have are the rose combs that inhibit sperm production, motility, and courtship behaviors. RR means the bird has a double inhibitor, Rr means they only have one inhibitor but they are still a rose comb, and rr is no inhibitor or rose comb which results in a single comb. Rr birds have been shown to be the best for breeding but the only way to figure out if the bird is RR or Rr is by crossing with a single combed bird and seeing what shows up. I have done it with my silver laced wyandottes and know at least 2 of my roosters are Rr. The others I have not tested. There are quite a few study's on the rose comb and fertility. I have only heard of this problem in wyandottes so far so there must be other genes ontop of the "R" gene that could be having an affect on sperm and courtship.
I also think the reason the BLRW do not have this problem because they are fairly new and have been crossed many years back with other breeds (brahma and Rhode Island Red). This could have helped weed out what ever other gene inhibited the sperm production besides the "R" in the rose comb.

 

[NYREDS]

Yes, you're understanding me correctly, and I don't expect it to be an issue unless my original rooster is a dud. I'm sure my plan borders on sacrilege to folks who are keeping pure stock! But, I'm in it just for the fun! Thanks for your feed back re: rose comb. It didn't make sense to me that comb would affect fertility, because if it did, I'd expect rose combs to breed themselves out of existence.

Actually, if breeding/showing isn't your interest the kind of flock you're planning can be fun & certainly very colourful.
My first chickens [a long time ago] were what we called "Banties". They were mixed breed bantams, probably OEGB based given their size & type, & they were fun. When a hen brought off a clutch you never knew what they were going to look like & they came in a multitude of colours & patterns. A very colourful flock indeed. have fun with it.

 

[NYREDS]

For some reason, at least from my understanding, there are "different" rose combs when it combs to fertility (seabright, hamburg, rose combed bantams, Wyandotte, etc). What many of the Wyandottes have are the rose combs that inhibit sperm production, motility, and courtship behaviors. RR means the bird has a double inhibitor, Rr means they only have one inhibitor but they are still a rose comb, and rr is no inhibitor or rose comb which results in a single comb. Rr birds have been shown to be the best for breeding but the only way to figure out if the bird is RR or Rr is by crossing with a single combed bird and seeing what shows up. I have done it with my silver laced wyandottes and know at least 2 of my roosters are Rr. The others I have not tested. There are quite a few study's on the rose comb and fertility. I have only heard of this problem in wyandottes so far so there must be other genes ontop of the "R" gene that could be having an affect on sperm and courtship.
I also think the reason the BLRW do not have this problem because they are fairly new and have been crossed many years back with other breeds (brahma and Rhode Island Red). This could have helped weed out what ever other gene inhibited the sperm production besides the "R" in the rose comb.

Rose comb is expressed differently in different breeds obviously. As to the rose comb in the Wyandotte I can speak to my experience with a 60+ year old strain of Partridge Wyandotte Bantams. I acquired these from an old string-man who got them in 1952. He told me that the person he got them from [A Pharmacist in Bainbridge, NY] had bred them for a number of years before he got them. I don't keep alot of these birds right now although I have hatched large numbes of them in the past. They exhibit none of the concern you cite. Last year, breeding from just a trio, I hatched 48 chicks out of 60 eggs set. Of the 12 that didn't hatch 8 were fertile. That's pretty typical of their performance since I've had them [ 21 years now].
Despite not having fertility problems I bought a really nice cock bird at a show last fall thinking to do an outcross. The woman I got him from said she got him from Don Nelson. Don was at the show & said he was bred from birds Don got from me. I bought a cousin, not a stranger.
Again, this is based on somthing I did, not something I read. I always tend to value actual experience.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: Great advise
I will say this about pasty butt..... feed can cause that. I have tried 3 different feeds and of course the one I DON'T like to buy from the coop is the ONLY one that does not give them pasty butt.

I hate to give any money to the coop here.

 

[lazy gardener]

Dracoe19: Re: your explanation of RR, Rr, and rr. If I read you correctly... going back to my high school biology days, RR x rr = 100% rose combed birds (Rr). And Rr x rr = 25% rose combed birds (Rr) and Rr x Rr = 25% straight comb, 50% rose comb Rr, and 25% rose comb RR. So, this is what is referred to when someone mentions that it would take a couple of generations to breed out a certain trait, in this case, straight comb. Forgive my rambling. I'm having a little ah-ha moment.

 

[Chickenhill]

Great reading everyone! Love to read all the posts
We were out of brooder room this week so posted a couple auctions on rarebreedauctions.com if anyone is interested. I am a goof and do not understand how the auction work around deal works on here...

We have chicks coming out our ears and very happy about it. Can't wait to see them grown out!
Offering some of these

And some of these

Along with the chocs some blacks to cross them on


Ya'll have the best day ever!

 

[Chickenhill]

I will say this about pasty butt..... feed can cause that. I have tried 3 different feeds and of course the one I DON'T like to buy from the coop is the ONLY one that does not give them pasty butt.

I hate to give any money to the coop here.

We started offering the chicks grit and give them several doses of " Healthy Belly" mixed with vit/electrolytes from the get go : Ingredients in healthy belly:


To Go Brands Healthy Belly Probiotic Digestive Powder Mix Vanilla Description

• Supports Digestive Health
• 20 Billion Live Probiotic Cultures
• Build & Maintain Digestive Balance
• Good Source Of Fiber
• All Natural

Lactobacillus Plantarum contributes to overall digestive health and is believed to be the most resistant strain to antibiotics, which destroys healthy bacterial strains
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus is one of the most widely researched strain of probiotics in the world and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract and supports the body's natural defenses.
Bifidobacterium Lactis may help in relieving inflammation in the digestive tract and balancing digestive regularity.
Lactobacillus Casei may help promote the growth of other beneficial probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus may inhibit the growth of candida, a yeast which contributes to yeast infection.

No more pasty behinds no matter what feed they are on.

 

[PeakyBeaky]

Sounds good, may need to try some.

 

[Chickenhill]

Sounds good, may need to try some.

I use the healthy belly to. The chicks and I have our drinks together