chickens roosting in trees

[Guest]

This is maybe a stupid question....

 

But i wondered why Hybrids are more prone to disease/illness than Purebreds - in most other animals and birds the opposite happens - in parrots, hybrids generally have more issues and problems and it would seem that 'hybrid vigour' sees crossbreeds/mongrels fairing better healthwise than pedigree dogs...why is it different in hens?

[migsy]

I think it is because hybrids are bred specifically to lay a ridiculous amount and so they just end up with lots of egg laying problems.

[Snoxy]

I have 14 hybrids,1 pure breed and 5 ex batts

 

In the past have lost 1 hybrid to peritonitis, 1 to heavy moult/freezing weather and 1 to prolapse.

 

I have been keeping hens since April 2008.

[Daphne]

This is maybe a stupid question....

 

But i wondered why Hybrids are more prone to disease/illness than Purebreds - in most other animals and birds the opposite happens - in parrots, hybrids generally have more issues and problems and it would seem that 'hybrid vigour' sees crossbreeds/mongrels fairing better healthwise than pedigree dogs...why is it different in hens?

 

I don't think that in general hybrids are more prone to disease/illness than PBs per se (after all they are usually vaccinated against some of the relatively unusual but fatal problems like mareks) except they do seem to be more prone to egg-laying problems such as soft eggs and prolapse than PBs because they lay a lot more. As egg-laying is a daily event (HA HA try telling that to my birds ) we notice and discuss problems more and obviously there is more opportunity for them to have a problem. Some hybrids do seem to have behavioural problems which sometimes is down to their vigour and consequent need for space/stimulation and sometimes just one of those things.

[Alis girls]

I must say having my 3 bog standard I now feel guilty esp if they lay themselves to an early death. I wanted chucks for chucks sake and the eggs are a bonus. They have laid thro the horrid weather admittedly with the odd off day and thro a moult. They seem happy, healthy (I hope) and well cared for - I love some of the fancier breeds but love my girls - they remind of the ones my grans friend had that I would feed as a child. I will tell them to have a day off.