This is SO Odd! Reproduction/Genetics....Explanation?

[SpottedCrow]

Well, I certainly needed that 1much!

 

[Katy]

Quote:
ya,,,, but after a while you get used to it :|









sorry spackledhen

its 1 of those nights hehe

 

[herechickchick]

I have heard of breeders that have gotten rid of STUNNING birds because they did not produce even though they were mated so maybe it is a fluke. Congrats on Miranda becoming a mommy or soon to be mommy.

On a side note Cyn, is it possible you miss labeled someone elses egg as Miranda's? I am sure you did not but just throwing that out there.

 

[speckledhen]

No, I'm positive it's Miranda's egg. I took it warm right out from under her and it was her color, shape and size she lays, too. If I hadn't done that, I could have mistaken one other hen's for hers, but nope, I was waiting for her to lay that egg and grabbed it.

Adam, BTW, your eggs were at the P.O. first thing this morning.

 

[herechickchick]

Well way to go Miranda! I got your PM, just have not had a chance to respond. Thanks so much.

 

[skeeter9]

I'll bet I know someone who is sleeping on the couch tonight!!!!

You are way too funny!!!

Cyn, I'll bet your theory is correct - it happens in lots of other species, so why not chickens? It would be interesting to see what would happen if you made sure her eggs were developing consistently, then put her back in with Suede. If her eggs stop developing, then you could be relatively sure that Miranda and Suede just don't mix.

 

[Puddle Foot Farm]

Well, there are lethal genes, so maybe the combination of the two was creating mutated super-lethal genes that kill really early on?
It happens with a lot of animals, like the horses someone mentioned before.
So.. It's probably not that just she carries some crazy early killer lethal gene, it's that they both do. It could be something really rare that most chickens don't have. Or a super-recessive combination of genes.
I don't really know if I'm making sense, but it does to me. Ask if you need clarification.

 

[AngieChick]

Oh sure it's possible. They must both have a recessive gene for a mutation causing the chick to not develop. If it were a dominant gene it would show up no matter which rooster mated with her. Luckily, because their joint eggs don't develop it won't be passed on to further offspring through her, but I am pretty sure the recessive gene could show up in any of your roo's offspring as well, causing the same issues to happen when he or another roo that happens to carry that gene fertilizes their eggs. Were the hen and the roo related? Also, if your other girls are related to either hen or roo you will want to make sure their eggs hatch out.

If someone is more knowledgeable, please feel free to correct me. I am just going by what I remember from AP Biology in high school.

If many of your hens and roos are related to the ones with the embryo development issue, you may want to acquire some new ones as well to diversify the genetics of your flock.

And here that poor girl was taking all the blame.

 

[speckledhen]

Miranda, being a Lt. Brahma, is not related to Suede, who is my Blue Orpington rooster. He has two daughters in my flock, but they are not being bred to him-their eggs are only used as table eggs. His only blue hen is not related to him, either, and neither are the two pullets I'm growing out for him.
Yeah, I feel bad for blaming sweet Miranda, LOL. Her genes just weren't clicking with Suede's genes for some reason.

 

[AngieChick]

It's good that those genes aren't being passed on, I'm sure Miranda didn't really mind being demoted to a lowly layer instead of a fancy-shmancy breeder bird.. They both must have acquired the "issue gene" somewhere along their lines. It makes me think that this must happen to others as well as yours. It's interesting at any rate. I'm glad you redeemed your poor girl's honor somewhat