 David
E. Marx D.V.M.
Golden Valley Pet and Pigeon Clinic 2707 NW 60th Ave. Norman, OK 73072
1-405-321-1659 The charge is $12.00 for the first 5 minutes then $3.00 per
Minute Diagnostic service still available Fecal Micro and Culture $20.00
|
Difficulties
with Eggs and Babies
This
time of the year when many of us are expecting our first round
of youngsters to hatch, we are disappointed with some aspect of
our breeding success. The most common problems being clear eggs;
eggs which die before hatching; and babies which perish in the
first few days of life.
Clear
eggs tend to be the most prevalent in the first round or two.
These are the eggs which never begin development because of being
infertile. The testicle in the cocks get quiescent during the
shorter daylight periods. Breeding activity reawakens them and
they begin producing sperm and testosterone at a higher level.
While this process is under way, there is often a low sperm count
and a lower sex drive in cocks. Frequently the breeding vigor
and frequency is decreased as well a there being diminished sperm
in the ejaculate. All these can produce infertile eggs. One or
both eggs being infertile in the first round is a frequent finding
sometimes running as high as 50% or more of the eggs. The weather
plays some role in this. Colder, darker periods accentuate the
problem.
Eggs
which begin developing but fail to fully develop and die in the
shell can be the result of several things. Poor incubation can
cause embryo death. Here the parent(s) may fail to keep the eggs
warm for even a short period during very cold weather.
Eggs getting jarred excessively at critical points of development
may also perish. Infection in the egg is probably the most common
cause. The infection may be incorporated in the egg by hens having
an oviduct infection. Infection more frequently occurs through
the shell.
This can happen during laying as they often become contaminated
with feces during this process. It can also happen by fecal contamination
after laying, frequently from parents defecating in the nest or
tracking feces in the nest on their feet.
During damp periods, nesting material often gets high numbers
of bacteria in it from parents tracking feces and the dampness
and warmth of the sitting parents encourage bacterial growth.
The higher the numbers of bacteria around the eggs the easier
it is to have penetration of the shell and subsequent infection
of the embryo.
Babies
dying in the first few days of life occurrs when they are infected
either in the egg, resulting in weak hatchlings, or they become
infected after hatching. After hatching they can become infected
from the crop milk from either parent or from the nesting material.
During damp periods it is often helpful to change the nesting
material just prior to the eggs hatching as infection enters the
squabs easiest just after hatching through the umbilical area
which is yet unsealed.
When
certain parents experience repeated deaths in newly hatched babies,
they should be separated and treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic
for about 10 days, and for trichomonas, then remated. Pay attention
to the condition of the nesting material during the times mentioned
above and provide clean dry nesting material as indicated.
There
are other factors which may cause the problems discussed here.
Only the most frequent caused were discussed here.
Babies
which die in the egg (as long as the shell remains intact) and
babies which die soon after hatching are often valuable specimens
for culture. A culture can be very revealing as to cause of death
and possible course of action to prevent future deaths.
