Ameraucana Breeders Club

The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club => Breeding => Topic started by: Pedro Marques on September 17, 2021, 07:20:26 AM

Title: Low fertility of the Ameraucana breed
Post by: Pedro Marques on September 17, 2021, 07:20:26 AM

Hello friends, how are you?

Greetings to all creator friends!

I raise Ameraucanas in Brazil, we imported the final Black from 2019 and in 2021 we managed to bring
Lavender, Azul and we are shocking Buff.

I have a lot of problems with fertility in eggs

1- In each paddock I have a healthy rooster for 9 hens, is that many hens for one rooster?
2- Do Ameraucanas have a lower fertility rate than common breeds?
3- Does every pure breed have a lower hatch rate?
4- Could it be consanguinity? (They are still in the second generation of birds that came from America)
5- What can I do to improve the hatch rate?

It's great to count on your precious contribution.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Low fertility of the Ameraucana breed
Post by: kkdossey on September 21, 2021, 09:58:02 AM
Pedro, I'm glad you are in Brazil and raising Ameraucanas! 
1. 9-1 isn't too many, but you'll have better rates with lower numbers.  Also you may be able to make some single matings or at least isolate the females to try to figure out if it's his or her problem.
2. I don't raise anything but Ameraucanas so I can't compare their fertility rate to other birds personally but I know of no known issues with them as a breed.
3. I do know that with lines of birds decreasing fertility can be an issue and it sounds like that's what you should be selecting for more than anything.  Especially with your very limited gene pool there.
4. Consanguinity could be your main problem and without other stock you'll just have to work through it if possible.
5.  I'd make sure they have good feed and living quarters, take good care of hatched eggs and select for health and fertility as you go.  And try to isolate at least some females to check the males vs females problem.
Good luck!
Title: Re: Low fertility of the Ameraucana breed
Post by: Pedro Marques on September 22, 2021, 02:17:52 PM
Hi Kris Dossey.
I'm adopting some protocols in order to improve, I found that two of my cocks had runny nose, this affects a lot.
It's 1 male for 9 carved, do you think the male can fertilize them all?

Thanks !!
Pedro N. Marques
Title: Re: Low fertility of the Ameraucana breed
Post by: kkdossey on September 23, 2021, 09:24:44 PM
Pedro,
Yea if the males aren't feeling good they probably aren't mating or mating as much.
1 male can keep 9 females fertilized but he may not.  There may be some he doesn't care for.  If that's all you got then that's fine.  If you have more males or if some of the females aren't as good you could alter that way.  You might also try to separate the females and move him to them to try to figure out if it's one or more female that is laying the infertile egg.
Good luck!
Title: Re: Low fertility of the Ameraucana breed
Post by: Birdcrazy on September 24, 2021, 12:16:00 AM
I think Kris may be on to something. With 9 hens and one cock, sometimes a cock will have his favorites and only cover those hens. If you have the room perhaps you could separate the hens in 3 pens of 3. Then rotate the cock into each pen for 2-3 days then in another pen in rotation and then back to the first pen. If this doesn't
increase fertility in the eggs, as Kris said about the cocks not feeling good. I would check to see if you could get their runny noses under control. Many things could be causing this. Things to check for include dust or bedding irritation, ventilation, or more severe issues as respiratory disease which could be fungal, viral, or bacterial. If the runny nose gets more severe and causes other issues, you may need to consult a poultry vet.