At what point could inbreeding become an issue?

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

I have a bonded sibling pair that gets distressed when I separate them. Once they get a bit older they’ll start breeding with one another. My question is: at what point does genetic weakness start to come in for inbreeding?

If it’s an issue I can just separate them now and give the hen another female

 

[Lizzy733]

From what I've read, you shouldn't have any issues when inbreeding one generation. Do you know if the parents were unrelated?

The problem with inbreeding is the amplification of unwanted traits, but these typically won't show till you start to get 2-3 generations deep.

Line breeding is a process of breeding related birds to amplify desirable traits and remove weaknesses. This is the basis for establishing a new breed from a relatively small stock of starter birds.

In general, it is considered normal practice to breed father to daughter, sibling to sibling or mother to son. As you get deeper into the line you may start to see things like reduced fertility, drops in viability and deformed chicks and this is when you know you've gone too far.

 

[Oldegarlicshnapp]

The parents are unrelated and are different breeds of serama. That seems a bit tricky if deformities start in the 2nd or 3rd gen. Would you suggest I separate them then?

 

[Lizzy733]

The parents are unrelated and are different breeds of serama. That seems a bit tricky if deformities start in the 2nd or 3rd gen. Would you suggest I separate them then?

This is from what I've read, not experienced myself as I'm just starting in on breeding my own. If they are from separate lines, you shouldn't have anything to worry about for a few years, then bring in a replacement roo.

I'm quite paranoid for my golden campines because they are extremely rare here and I've been cautioned to keep both boys from my hatch as they already have fertility issues due to being hen feathered. I love the breed, but genetics will be a big issue for me eventually, so I'm cautious from the onset but will definitely be crossing brother\sister in my own flock.

 

[Mrs. K]

With most small flocks, you would be able to raise chicks, have them become adults and raise their chicks, for about a decade, before I think you would have any real problem...if you don't have any problems now.

Things like cross beaks do occur, but mostly what would happen, is you slowly get a change in size or egg production. By that time your original pair will be long gone. Most people probably do not breed from the original pair more than a year or two, instead pick their better birds that have hatched out.

Two birds from different strains are not really brother and sister. This is not inbreeding. I would not fret about this for years to come. As stated earlier, a fresh rooster is an easy way to freshen up genetics.

Mrs K

 

[NatJ]

I have a bonded sibling pair that gets distressed when I separate them. Once they get a bit older they’ll start breeding with one another. My question is: at what point does genetic weakness start to come in for inbreeding?

I'm a little bit late to see this thread, but here's a point no-one has mentioned yet:

Do you want to hatch chicks from this pair?
Because you could just eat the eggs that hen lays.
Inbreeding will NEVER be an issue if no chicks hatch!