Breeding question.

[MysteryChicken]

But most people do NOT use the terms inbreeding and line breeding interchangeably. Big difference between breeding 2 dogs together whose nearest common ancestor is on the 6th generation, and breeding siblings together. I also have NOTHING to do with show dog breeding. I only have working dogs and everyone that I know well breeds working dogs.

I've actually heard it alot when it comes to breeding animals.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I'm working on becoming a chicken breeder.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I agree you should acquire the birds from one source. Crossing two lines can cause you a world of trouble. Do your homework, find the best stock you can source or afford. That's the best start.

I actually think 2 sources would be best for genetic diversity. Can't keep a bloodline to restricted. Trouble can accur.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

I've actually heard it alot when it comes to breeding animals.

I've been in the horse and dog breeding "world" for 40+ years.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

I breed very close in rabbits, too—littermates even if they're the two best rabbits in my barn. I haven't been involved in show dogs in years, but part of making matches is finding a "compatible" line and balancing that sweet spot in inbreeding coefficiency. What that number is varies from species to species and breeder to breeder, but rabbits and chickens have very resilient genomes and not only HANDLE high inbreeding coefficients well, but IMO kinda thrive on it.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I've been in the horse and dog breeding "world" for 40+ years.

We're in two different worlds with this.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Oh, goody! One of my favorite topics!

There is not a one size fits all answer to this. In order to decide, you need to ask yourself some questions.

1) Do you have a source for high-quality birds that are free from defects and generally performing and appearing as you want them to? (It is expected you would want to continue to improve and fine-tune any birds you acquire.)
2) Does the breeder of those birds have an established line with no recent outcrosses to other lines?

If the answer to both of these is YES, absolutely DO NOT outcross to another line. Crossing established lines is as good as mixing breeds, you'll create mongrels with no consistency.

If you only have access to inferior stock with issues, day one is as good a time as any to find your parts birds. If you can find only one good bird, get it and line breed the best of the worse to them. (Male or female.)

I want to emphasize this again because the "you should add some genetic diversity" myth I see perpetuated is RUINING good stock—crossing established lines is as good as outcrossing to other breeds and breeding for mutts. It can take years and years of linebreeding and family breeding after a single outcross to get back to consistency so you can really dial in your birds. Good breeders establish their flock (preferably by acquiring stock from an established line) and work on it for decades without adding new blood. The higher the inbreeding coefficiency the better when you are working with sound birds.

Thank you.

 

[MysteryChicken]

https://www.communitychickens.com/4-ways-to-breed-a-chicken/

Here's one link. I can't find the other one I read a long time ago. Will find it later on.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

I actually think 2 sources would be best for genetic diversity. Can't keep a bloodline to restricted. Trouble can accur.

Trouble is more likely to occur by outcrossing between different lines. You can wind up with ALL the faults of BOTH lines more easily than the positives of both. I really, REALLY urge you to reconsider your stance on this if you want to become a breeder as you state.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Trouble is more likely to occur by outcrossing between different lines. You can wind up with ALL the faults of BOTH lines more easily than the positives of both. I really, REALLY urge you to reconsider your stance on this if you want to become a breeder as you state.

I have my methods. Everyone does things differently. We're humans, not robots. Hope you get what I'm saying.

My Hatchery stock crossed with Breeder stock from a Show Quality breeder yielded better results. Other then Moore Head, they're about perfect.

Fathers from Showline.

Mother from hatchery stock.

Offspring, the Blue, & Gold partridge.