line breeding turkeys

[Cody Walker]

i have a flock of bronze turkeys that i have been breeding the same tom to his daughters. this year will be the fourth generation. i have the first batch of eggs in the incubator and i have lost several eggs. wondering if i need to get a new tom or not. any help would be great.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Four generations is too much inbreeding. I would get some fresh unrelated birds. A generation or two is okay but 4 is getting too inbred and you will start to see problems from it.

 

[memphis]

Agreed.

 

[Cody Walker]

what kinds of problems?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Physical deformities and inherited diseases are the main concerns.

 

[Birdlady1982]

I just hatched a couple of Royal Palms. I want to keep them and possible replace my Tom. Would there be problems breeding a son to the mother? I love my Tom he was super friendly when I first got him then his favorite hen died and now he’s a jerk. One reason I want to keep the poults.

 

[R2elk]

I just hatched a couple of Royal Palms. I want to keep them and possible replace my Tom. Would there be problems breeding a son to the mother? I love my Tom he was super friendly when I first got him then his favorite hen died and now he’s a jerk. One reason I want to keep the poults.

Mother to son or father to daughter is line breeding and is a long accepted method.

 

[Birdlady1982]

Mother to son or father to daughter is line breeding and is a long accepted method.

Thank you!