From the few experiences I've had growing chickens I've had more health issues with any chickens bought from a feed store thus from a large hatchery, than the ones we've hatched either from our neighbors hens or our own. Maybe this is more of a hybrid vigor factor since those hatched with us or our neighbors were all crosses and none were purebred? My two feed store bought chicks turn 2yrs old this spring, the buff orpington passed away of what appeared to be possible organ failure a couple weeks ago and now the australorp is suffering from what appears to be water belly. I'm sure my inexperience hasn't helped but I have only had 1 of my crossbred chickens become ill and he bounced back like nothing happened after he had lost the ability to walk for over a week and I thought for sure he was on the brink of death (likely a Vitamin B issue).
It might just be my luck but again, my experience is very limited so I'm curious if anyone else has encountered any similar trends with purebreds from large hatcheries having more health issues than those "backyard bred" chickens in the flock?
I'm also curious what crosses people have found to be the best in their opinion, either health-wise, behavior, personality or some other factor?
My husband had Buff Orpington/Polish crosses he bred as a teen and he still thinks they were pretty great since they all had silly half-crest mullets and generally good temperaments.
It might just be my luck but again, my experience is very limited so I'm curious if anyone else has encountered any similar trends with purebreds from large hatcheries having more health issues than those "backyard bred" chickens in the flock?
I'm also curious what crosses people have found to be the best in their opinion, either health-wise, behavior, personality or some other factor?
My husband had Buff Orpington/Polish crosses he bred as a teen and he still thinks they were pretty great since they all had silly half-crest mullets and generally good temperaments.
