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PROLAPSE IN WHEATEN/BLUE WHEATEN FEMALES

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WMeredith:
I want to bring this subject up again for a client of mine.

He purchased 4 pullets from me last year, they were laying at the time of purchase.  He raised 6 pullets from the them.
He has lost 4 out of the 6 due to egg prolapse. And is asking for help on what he can do to prevent this.

I have lost about 3 out of 50 pullets I raised this year, and it is only in the wheatens.  You would think that since this culls out the problem from spreading but it does seem to continue to happen.

The wheatens are already very slow maturing, I rarely get an egg before 7 or 8 months, so size of the females is not an issue. And since all birds are on the same feed it shouldn\'t be related to the feed.

Any suggestions: I really don\'t like hearing something like this from someone that purchased birds from me, and would appreciate any suggestions on anything I could change in my breeding program to prevent this?

As always, thank for your advice.

Sharon Yorks:
A friend of mine said she had that problem once and related it back to the hens having too much artificial lighting. I am strictly speaking as someone who knows nothing about that condition, I just remember her saying that. A few months ago, I started turning on an inside light because I wanted to hatch out a couple of early birds for fair and they weren\'t laying very well. I noticed after a couple of months, one of my hens started laying a really big egg and two more started laying eggs that had a little blood on top. That\'s when my friend told me this, so I stopped turning on the additional lighting and all three hens are back to laying normal with no blood. Lighting may or may not have been the reason.

I know a lot of breeders put timers on their coops to add more light and probably don\'t have a bit of trouble. I\'m just offering a possible idea. It may be worth questioning to see how much lighting they are getting.

Sharon

John:

--- Quote ---this culls out the problem from spreading but it does seem to continue to happen.
--- End quote ---

Maybe it is time for an out-cross to another strain or two to try to breed away from the problem.  Since your other varieties under the same conditions don\'t have the problem it appears to be an inherited condition that some new blood along with continued culling could remedy.
That\'s my best guess.

Tailfeathers:
Wayne, unfortunately I don\'t have anything I can tell you that may be helpful except to say that I only have the W & BW and I\'ve not experienced any problems with prolapse in my Ameraucanas.  

For what it\'s worth, I do keep my birds on supplemental light with a timer so they get 15 hours a day.  One more than what I understand is required.  

I agree with you, I would think that culling problem birds would eventually cure the problem.  The only thing I can think of is one I\'m sure you already have too and that it\'s a genetic thing being passed somewhere along the lines.  My guess would be from the female side?

I\'m always afraid something like this might happen which is why I keep my breeding plans and records and have since I started.  Just so I can go back and try to find who might be the culprit or identify a trend based on a certain parent(s).

God Bless,

bantamhill:
Another thought . . . While the female line might self-cull, what about the sons of these females? I suspect they are as much or more of a concern. In fact, I suggest looking to the male heads of the breeding pens; I believe you may find the culprit(s) there.

Michael

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