Chick Mortality Issues

[Angela]

Been working on a line of white Orpington Bantams.
I originally thought that the pair that we hatched were recessive whites, as they hatched from a batch of what were supposed to be blue/black eggs. When they reached breeding age, we (Rog & myself) decided to see if they would breed true. They did, but with complications.
Hatch rate about 40%. Chicks die in last two days of incubation, or during hatch. All conditions proper....no explanation comes to mind. Hatching with Dutch bantams which are at 100% hatch rate. Things were starting to look up, as hatch rate began to improve...but have lost two chicks for NO reason. They just laid down and died. Appeared healthy and active. Chicks were 2 day, and 7 day.

I'm thinking very weak breeders. Maybe some sort of genetic issue. Any ideas? I'm open to any suggestions, as I really want these birds to work....

Angela

[jungle]

It sounds to me like inbreeding depression. As soon as you start getting down to tightly bred birds it seems to crop up. My Marans were some of the best and were from a great line. However, the trade off was a 60%-70% hatch rate at best. The chicks would die off around day 19-20. My trio of Dutch came directly from Kristie and are some amazing looking birds. I have the exact same issue with them. Excellent fertility, but the chicks die in the shell around day 18-19. Anything else I hatch that is more outcrossed or just yard mixes- no problem. Pheasants and quail- no problem. I know it is not my technique or machine. It is the lines.

[Angela]

That's my thoughts also.
Although the original eggs were from a well known breeder, I don't know how tightly they were bred. Now, I'm inbreeding to grow the line, so that just adds to the issue.

Know anyone with white Orp bantams?

Angela

[Oregon Swedes]

It seems to me that if the issue is inbreeding depression, it would be easy enough to find that out. Get some unrelated, or less related, birds and breed them into the flock. That should expand the gene pool and the excessive deaths should stop.

Yes, it brings in more issues to work with, but you aren't going to get much work done with a gene pool that won't sustain itself.

[Angela]

I do believe that we came to the same conclusion....thanks for the affirmation.

Again, Know anyone that raises white orp bantams?