little chickadee Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Hi - we went for 4 hybrid chickens to go in our cube because they were vaccinated and we thought they were generally more hardy than pure breed birds. I've recently read from Christian that they are more prone to health problems. What do people think? I'm planning to get some more in a few months and thought they would probably be Hybrids because of the vaccinations/ hardiness. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 As hybrids tend to be bred for super egg production, they do get worn out earlier and are not as long lived (in general) as pure breeds. And because of that increased egg production they will have associated health problems - think of the difference between a woman who's had 2 or 3 children a few years apart and a woman who has had 10 children very close together. Puts a bit of a strain on the birthing tackle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I think i posted about some advice my vet gave me with regard to Babs' egg peritonitus. Pure breeds tend to suffer less with it as they lay less eggs per year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Thanks christian - sorry to hear about Babs. I just wish pure breeds were vaccinated, then the choice would be easy! Does anywhere do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Who told you they dont? All my girls hybrids and pure breeds are vacinated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Generally the accepted opinion is that backyard hens kept in a non-intensive environment shouldn't need vaccinating because they're not exposed to the bacteria and viruses that are found in intensive farming. Hybrids are more often used in battery farms and large production colonies, so they are almost always vaccinated. Pure-breeds are bred in small numbers for fanciers and vaccinating is thought neither necessary, nor economically viable. I have pure-breeds and not had any problems with them health-wise - except for the original Ruby Tuesday, who was never a well bird from the start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I am on the fence on this one,as I have both & have had my fair share of problems with both too. I have lost 2 hybrids - one to Sourcrop & one to old age (probably) I have lost 4 pure breed Bantams, all to Coccodiosis, I think, but I have been very,very unlucky I would never let my bad luck put me off getting pure breeds & am looking at getting a couple pretty soon. But might add a hybrid or two as well, for the constant egg production Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 One point I had forgotten to make until I read sarah's post is that if you are thinking of pure breeds, then it might be worth bearing bantams in mind - they make a lot less mess of your garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 One of the things I read which put me off pure breeds this time round was that some of them are only productive for the first 3 years of life, but may then live until the age of 9........ which as I've only got an eglu I didn't really want to happen as I'd end up with several chickens just to keep layers and then have to buy another eglu and then another etc etc (which I haven't really got the space to do). Plus a lot of pure breeds I was led to believe, stop laying during the winter and I thought it seemed a bit silly to keep hens and then have to buy eggs at the supermarket.......so I went for hybrids, and although Ginger developed a very nasty respiratory infection shortly after moving in, which the vet cured, so far there have been no other problems...touch wood.....and they're still laying nearly every day. Of course they won't live as long, and I may become so addicted I end up buying more anyway but as we're new to chicken keeping I thought this was the best way to go..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Yes, mine do stop laying in the winter... all 10 on them! But it gives me a chance to buy some of the delicious eggs from Lesley. Try finding a local supplier of free-range eggs rather than going to the supermarket. If you want constant eggs, then go for hybrids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I reckon the perfect flock would be a mix of hybrids & pure breeds. I have 4 hybrids, & want to add maybe 1 or 2 more, plus 2 or 3 pure breeds too. That way I will get enough year round eggs, plus the longevity of pure breeds, & hopefully blue eggs too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Generally the accepted opinion is that backyard hens kept in a non-intensive environment shouldn't need vaccinating because they're not exposed to the bacteria and viruses that are found in intensive farming. Hybrids are more often used in battery farms and large production colonies, so they are almost always vaccinated. Pure-breeds are bred in small numbers for fanciers and vaccinating is thought neither necessary, nor economically viable. I have pure-breeds and not had any problems with them health-wise - except for the original Ruby Tuesday, who was never a well bird from the start. I know quite a few keepers (on another forum) who breed their own birds and Clare's answer is exactly what they would say. Vaccination for backyard hens is not really necessary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Poultry vaccination is only viable when done en masse - they inject most of the serums through a hole made in the shell before the chick even hatches, the rest (I understand) are either sprayed on or added to the water/feed. Louise would be able to confirm/correct this. I would be interested to hear whether unvaccinated chooks would survive in the hot, crowded atmosphere of a battery/broiler shed..I doubt it somehow, but that's another story all together.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I reckon the perfect flock would be a mix of hybrids & pure breeds.I have 4 hybrids, & want to add maybe 1 or 2 more, plus 2 or 3 pure breeds too. That way I will get enough year round eggs, plus the longevity of pure breeds, & hopefully blue eggs too # Thats my theory, hence my collection, Cute Pure breeds chosen for temprement, apperance and long term pets, and the Hybrids for the regular good size eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Yes Clare that is how most poultry vaccines are given as injection is a time consuming business with lots of hens That is one of the reasons it is taking so long to get a vaccine for Bird flu so far it can only be given by several injections which is completely impractical I have two pure breeds they laid all of their first winter stopped last winter because they were moulting which all hens do BTW every 18 months or so and they are nearing 3 without much of a slow down but they are white leghorns which are renowned laying machines approx 300/year They are still laying now but a little more slowly which could be their age or the day length At the end of the day what is it you want A pet or an egg machine once you have answered that question then you know what to get Bett and Wilma are my pets their eggs are a bonus so if they stop laying in a year and live for another five so be it they are pets after all the only thing I get off the cat is mice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 It's a good call that mix. I'd be careful with introductions and take it slowly at first - there can be some nasty incidents of bullying It's not easy mixing big birds and banties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Funny thing is Its my little Banties that are the ones doing the bullying. Now the Wyandotte is the smallest and she keeps chasing and pecking at the big girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Bett and Wilma are my pets their eggs are a bonus so if they stop laying in a year and live for another five so be it they are pets after all the only thing I get off the cat is mice At least the chickens don'rt jump on the duvet with dirty feet in the morning....I hope! Louise's girls are lovely - very attractive and nice natures too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I too have a mixed flock although I have a lot more purebreeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
