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Problems associated with breeding/egg production
Oviduct infections
Infections affect egg production, fertility and hatchability. The causal agent is often E. coli: post mortem of dead-in-shell (unhatched fertile eggs) will define this.
Poor hatchability
This can be due to inadequate or incorrect nutrition for instance if a layer and not a breeder ration has been fed. Infectious Bronchitis (IB) or other infection, poor egg storage, poor incubation technique will also affect hatchability. Post mortem examination and culture is again useful.
Infertility
Infertility can be due to lack of sperm, lack of viable sperm, lack of energy or physical access being denied. Causes include inbreeding, stress or certain antibiotics. Some breeds have such fluffy feathers that the cocks cannot physically reach the hens and both sexes need feathers removed around the vents. Vent feathers clogged up with faeces or lice eggs will prevent access by the cockerel. Heavy flea infestations may depress the cockerel and any concurrent disease can make him infertile. If there is more than one cockerel they may be jealous of each other and push each other off the hens.
Vent gleet
This is caused by a venereal herpesvirus, which settles in the nervous system. The vent is inflamed and has a necrotic, yellow, moist covering. Once smelt, the pungency of vent gleet is never forgotten. The condition is not common, but it is untreatable and contagious, so affected birds are usually culled.
Prolapsed oviduct
Distressingly, the only presenting sign may be a dead hen with her back end pecked out as hens are obsessively attracted to red and thus become cannibals. Stress, age, obesity and poor nutrition will all contribute to the condition. There is no cure and the best laying birds are more prone.
Preferential mating
A bare neck, torn back and loss of feathers denote a favourite female. The cockerel should be separated, any fresh wounds treated and the hen left to heal in peace. Saddles may be fitted on large breeds such as Orpingtons.
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