Can I breed brother and sister?

Yes you can breed bro to sis, although this will emphasize both positive & negative traits.

Typically father to daughter or mother to son breeding will produce better results.

Yes, you can breed brother & sister. Some folks go many generations with no defects, but 4-6 is doable at least. When you start to see defects, add some strange blood and start again with healthy birds. Of course, if you can find someone with good stock, you might be able to trade roos from time to time. PM me with any more questions you may have.......Pop

I agree...

I asked a similar question...........here's the post.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=224917

If you want to select for particular traits and improve on your flock, then you are best off using somewhat related birds -- it is ok to start with brother/sister if that's what you have available, but you will have to see how it goes. You may have smooth sailing for a good while, or you may run into problems (with fertility/hatchability as much as anything) in a generation or two, depending on the particular stock you're starting with.

However if you are not really trying to "do" anything in particular with your flock, just sort of propagate it so you always have purty chickens in the yard, it is probably easier to start with fairly-well unrelated stock, like bring in an outside rooster. And possibly repeat the injection of an unrelated rooster every few generations. This will make it hard to select for desirable traits BUT will also make it much less likely that UNdesirable traits (deformities, severe lack of type, poor fertility/hatchability) will rear their ugly heads either.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

What if its same dad but different mom so they would be half brother or sister breeding togther

Remember you're doubling up on chances that the dads traits, positive or negative, will show up.  If dad is of good type and solid genetic health that can be a good thing.   The mothers bring in outcross so it's a solid line breeding option.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Chooks 

I asked a similar question...........here's the post.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=224917

Happy Chooks!

Thanks for the link....great info.