The Wyandotte Thread

[PeakyBeaky]

We too have have problems with fertility of our SL(also a well known breeder's line). We tried 3 different roosters and trimmed everyones bottoms-the last rooster(our current) is fine. But I think some lines out there are too inbred and are now starting to show problems with fertility. I spent this season looking for quality lines, of different breeders, to play around with and see if that helps. Hopefully, I 'll be overrun with SL peeps next season.

 

[ki4got]

We too have have problems with fertility of our SL(also a well known breeder's line). We tried 3 different roosters and trimmed everyones bottoms-the last rooster(our current) is fine. But I think some lines out there are too inbred and are now starting to show problems with fertility. I spent this season looking for quality lines, of different breeders, to play around with and see if that helps. Hopefully, I 'll be overrun with SL peeps next season.

severe inbreeding affects fertility in a variety of ways... it may affect actual fertility, or it may affect hatchability.

i've been having hatchability problems with my dorkings. 80-90% fertility, but only 20-30% hatched. until i crossed some red hens with my silver roo. still 80-90% fertility, but of those fertile eggs, 100% hatched! I kept the resulting silver pullets who just recently started laying and will be going back with one of my sg roos soon. we'll see how it all goes.

you might try adding a silver laced roo over a gold laced hen. the cockerels would be heterozygous for silver, but the pullets would breed pure. use the best typed birds you can find for that, and should maintain your quality and improve fertility too. (unless he proves infertile with other breed hens too).

i probably wouldn't do that with blue laced reds, since there are too many factors involved that could mess up the silver (blue, mahogany).

 

[Chickenhill]

Congrats on such a fine guy! Wish you the best of success with him!

He is finally here. Arrived at 6:30 this morning. Happy, Healthy, and crowing!!!!!!!!!

 

[heatherscooby77]

We too have have problems with fertility of our SL(also a well known breeder's line). We tried 3 different roosters and trimmed everyones bottoms-the last rooster(our current) is fine. But I think some lines out there are too inbred and are now starting to show problems with fertility. I spent this season looking for quality lines, of different breeders, to play around with and see if that helps. Hopefully, I 'll be overrun with SL peeps next season.

That would be awesome. I have been having a heck of a time finding non-hatchery birds. I am hoping for the best too!

 

[slick4591]

So at what age can I expect my SLW cockerels to be producing semen?

With all that I'm reading I'm thinking it sounds like I should have my cockerels fertility tested before making any culling decisions.

 

[Texasmja]

So at what age can I expect my SLW cockerels to be producing semen?
With all that I'm reading I'm thinking it sounds like I should have my cockerels fertility tested before making any culling decisions.

I personally would collect semen and check it for fertility under the scope with an extender. That is how we check stallions and bulls...then we know how to make good breeding decisions.

 

[Texasmja]

I personally would collect semen and check it for fertility under the scope with an extender. That is how we check stallions and bulls...then we know how to make good breeding decisions.

I also read about a Foley BLRW roo that was sold because he was not fertilizing eggs either. I know you all do not want to hear this but there needs to be some outcross blood introduced into those tight inbred lines. There are too many matched pairs of chromosomes in those birds.

 

[NYREDS]

Quoting yourself, now that's confidence.

 

[DMRippy]

My BLRW roo is having NO PROBLEMS with fertility. I have some test eggs from my other BLRW roo and a Splash from Foley so we will see. I am only seeing the problem in the SLW... even from shipped eggs and picked up eggs. The SLW are just not as fertile.

 

[ki4got]

Quote: i'd just put him with a group of hens, not specifically wyandottes... incubate all eggs laid in a week. go from there. if any eggs are fertile, then yes he is. likely the fertility issues are wyandotte-wyandotte breedings, like the issues i'm having with my dorkings.