Quote:
I disagree. In horse breeding it's important to know what is back in the pedigree. It is possible for "a" trait 5 generations back to come out. Same holds true in chicken breeding. If you want to lessen the chance of 'surprises', you find a line that has the same "base line" as your line to put back in. It's important to know the history of a breeders lines. IMO.
HP, your post is logical. However, I'd add a couple of things. First, you may be confusing "strain" with "line". Secondly, and perhaps even more important, it makes no difference whatsoever whose "line" you get five generations back IF you don't know a whole lot more information.
For example, suppose you get birds from someone who got birds from me five years ago. But they focused on entirely different traits than I have been. Or more importantly, the least of their focus was on traits that are the most important to you and that you've been working on five years with continued improvement. Getting those birds would, in all likelihood, probably set your current status back five years.
This is just another reason why I recommend maintaining a closed flock and linebreeding.
In the interest of saving time, I'm pasting a post from an Anthony Francis on the Welsummers Group. He makes some excellent point which really emphasis much of what's going on today. Here is something he recently said:
"Another problem I see is hobby breeders can be breeders with many
different techniques for all kinds of purpose-I.E.
1.The "quick buck breeders"- They are the buy the lastest (overly) high priced "fad" that they better be quick about producing "stock" to
sell before the bottom falls out breeder. Cull none, sell all, and on to the next! If they take long and breed to serious, they could be
caught holding the bag!
2.The "became a breeder over night breeder"- They are the Buy the most exspensive dozen of eggs and a cheap bator from the hottest line of their preferred breed breeder. I.E.- 150 $ dozen hatching eggs and a 49 $ incubator and what ever hatches out are ALL bench quality breeders! I'm sure its hard to cull from this hatch when so much is spent and all go to the breeding pen brothers and sisters alike!
Faults and all!
3.The "true breeders"- They are the take time to learn breeding tech., breed to the standards, cull heavy, small numbers, keep track, learn the line, take years to improve, ect,ect, breeders!
4.The "kinda nasty breeders"- They are the have decent stock, use somewhat good breeding practices but may have a little sickness which they cant seem to be able to get rid of breeder.
5.The "flock breeders"- They are the as long as they seem to be of right varity within the breed, a flock is made breeder. They may Cull
extreme faults depending on the supply/demand then adjust the size of the flock according with possible all in all out breeding tech. using brothers and sisters generation after generation!
6.The "closed flock breeder" - They are the get what varity of breed their wanting, take the good with the bad, then try breed with the
best of their abilty to get the best they can breeder.
The list can go on and on with even combinations included! and depending on the breeding tech. used by the breeder, they may never
quaify for either term to be properly used.
I might not have said that all the same way but I think he covers the bases pretty well.
God Bless,