The Wyandotte Thread

[Outrun Acres]

I was reading earlier in this thread that SLW roosters tend to have low fertility. What about Columbian Wyandottes? I just set 21 eggs in our incubator. (First time ever incubating eggs). They are just a barnyard mix. But our main rooster is a columbian wyandotte. I hope I haven't set a bunch of infertile eggs . He is after his ladies all the time. Some are even missing a bunch of feathers on their backs, poor girls! Maybe I just have to wait until day 7 when I candle?

 

[Outrun Acres]

Well my stargazer chick died.... but it was probably for the best. There may have been something else wrong. It did seem to have a hard time breathing.

I found this in the Merck Veterinary Manual. I remembered learning about this in poultry science when I was at school, but couldn't off the top of my head remember what caused it. Here it is:


Polyneuritis in birds represents the later stages of a thiamine deficiency, probably caused by buildup of the intermediates of carbohydrate metabolism. In the initial stages of deficiency, lethargy and head tremors may be noted. A marked decrease in appetite is also seen in birds fed a thiamine-deficient diet. Poultry are also susceptible to neuromuscular problems, resulting in impaired digestion, general weakness, star-gazing, and frequent convulsions.
Polyneuritis may be seen in mature birds ~3 wk after they are fed a thiamine-deficient diet. As the deficiency progresses to the legs, wings, and neck, birds may sit on flexed legs and draw back their heads in a star-gazing position. Retraction of the head is due to paralysis of the anterior neck muscles. Soon after this stage, chickens lose the ability to stand or sit upright and topple to the floor, where they may lie with heads still retracted. Thiamine deficiency may also lead to a decrease in body temperature and respiratory rate. Testicular degeneration may be noted, and the heart may show slight atrophy. Birds consuming a thiamine-deficient diet soon show severe anorexia. They lose all interest in feed and will not resume eating unless given thiamine. If a severe deficiency has developed, thiamine must be force-fed or injected to induce eating.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote:
Interesting reading there.... this was a day old chick had not eaten anything yet. Unless the parents diet would effect that. Pretty sure my feed is ok since everyone else seems fine. Thanks for the info.

 

[mstrawn3]

Interesting reading there.... this was a day old chick had not eaten anything yet. Unless the parents diet would effect that. Pretty sure my feed is ok since everyone else seems fine. Thanks for the info.

I remember reading an article from a university (can't remember which one) that stated if the parents have the deficiency it will carry over to the chicks. If you only had one chick like that then it's probably a borderline deficiency.

 

[NanaKat]

I was reading earlier in this thread that SLW roosters tend to have low fertility. What about Columbian Wyandottes? I just set 21 eggs in our incubator. (First time ever incubating eggs). They are just a barnyard mix. But our main rooster is a columbian wyandotte. I hope I haven't set a bunch of infertile eggs . He is after his ladies all the time. Some are even missing a bunch of feathers on their backs, poor girls! Maybe I just have to wait until day 7 when I candle?

I have good fertility this time of yeat with my Columbian Wyandottes. I had to artificially inseminate the Silver Laced Wyandottes that I had.

 

[flaming007]

One of my new girls! Let me know what you think of her.

 

[PeakyBeaky]

One of my new girls! Let me know what you think of her.

She looks huge! I like her

 

[flaming007]

thank you!! she is a big girl

 

[flaming007]

One of the new roosters. he is missing his tail but he is a BIG boy.

 

[PeakyBeaky]

One of the new roosters. he is missing his tail but he is a BIG boy.

I can tell by the size of the fence, he is tall.