Donald Shaver search widely for diversified breeding stock. Local breeders, knowing his reputation were reluctant to sell to him for fear of competition. In 1946, there were 256 registered chicken breeders in Canada. Shaver Poultry became the 257th. By 1958, only Shaver remained, along with seven other major poultry breeders worldwide. The principle of hybrid vigour had been well established for corn, but the costs and time required to test chicken crosses were higher. Small breeders (as Shaver was at the time) could not afford permanent scientific staff, so Shaver obtained assistance from geneticists conducting research at universities and government institutions. Shaver
Eva Shaver Johnson's abortion and in effort to cover up the mistake, she and Clarence made it appear as though Anna had committed suicide. It was not until the next day when W.C. Harvey, a roommate at the Shaver home, discovered Anna Johnson's body and reported it to the police. When the police arrived at the Shaver home, Dr. Eva Shaver claimed that she had hired Anna Johnson as her housekeeper recently. Dr. Shaver claimed to have been working on a house call when she committed suicide in her sons room inside their home. However, the police were very skeptical of Dr.