broody hen about to hatch eggs: will roo mate with his babies later?

[siouxbee]

I've got a hen sitting on 12 eggs, although only 6-8 have the same-ish start date. that's a whole 'nother post ;-)

anyway. I got to thinking that "natural selection" has pared our flock down to only 7, including our rooster. I'd like to keep some of the chicks if they hatch and are female. But then I got to thinking -- won't my roo mate with them? and what if someone goes broody down the line when they're in the mix? I figure some inbreeding is necessary when creating/maintaining breeds. but I'm just a backyard bird owner, not looking to show. Should I keep his children, or give them away?

Thanks

 

[MissPrissy]

Yes, he will mate the new hens when they get old enough.

Line breeding is okay with chickens for a while. You shouldn't have any troubles.

It is not the same as humans or other animals. Chickens don't get the same genetic defects. Eventually you will want to bring in new blood somewhere down the line.

 

[siouxbee]

Thanks -- I'm glad to know genetically it's not that big of an issue, but in a small flock like ours, I can't say that I won't be skeeved out when he mounts his kids. Guess I'll have to work that out for myself and just let the chickens alone! ;-)

 

[mommy9994]

he will, but it won't matter