Breeding question

[Qualien]

I have a cockbird sitting on one baby, his mate has not returned for a few days. This was their first baby, and they are relatively young birds. I know there is a possibility that she will still return. I have four original pairs of pigeons, and she was one of them. My question is, if she does not return, would it be better to re-mate father to daughter, and spare the bloodline, or to re-mate him to one of my other females from a different pair, and be unable to mate their babies to any of their half siblings (which would remove quite a few pairing possibilities)?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Why wouldn't you be able to breed half siblings?

 

[Qualien]

The research I've done said that breeding siblings and half siblings is bad for racing stock, and will eventually lead to your birds devolving back to rock pigeons, where as breeding a parent to son or daughter does not. It is difficult to tell with pigeon information which information is valid or not, as there is a lot of different opinions out there, but I would rather not take a chance on the abilities of my flock.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Huh. I know sibling to sibling not the way to go, but I can't see how half to half is any worse than parent to offspring

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I guess then I would do father to daughter if you need a new female

 

[Qualien]

@JacinLarkwell Have you had any half sibling crosses in your loft? If so what were your results?

 

[biophiliac]

The research I've done said that breeding siblings and half siblings is bad for racing stock, and will eventually lead to your birds devolving back to rock pigeons, where as breeding a parent to son or daughter does not. It is difficult to tell with pigeon information which information is valid or not, as there is a lot of different opinions out there, but I would rather not take a chance on the abilities of my flock.

@Old_Strain_Lover ?? Read 1st post....

 

[JacinLarkwell]

@JacinLarkwell Have you had any half sibling crosses in your loft? If so what were your results?

Don't have pigeon's unfortunately. But I breed half siblings chickens all the time. Hence my confusion on some of the rules with breeding for your question

 

[biophiliac]

Huh. I know sibling to sibling not the way to go, but I can't see how half to half is any worse than parent to offspring

I think I agree w/Jacin but tagged OSL for a more experienced racing pigeon breeder's opinion.