Can you breed a brother to his sisters?

[wsdareme]

Sorry, this is probably a VERY stupid question. I have seven Black Copper Marans eggs in my incubator. I am hoping for a roo and some hens. My friend has a BCM roo and says he's very friendly and gentle. My question is, can a roo be safely bred to his sisters? I have raised horses for years, and that's an absolute no-no unless you want serious genetic problems. But, are chickens different? I also have 12 assorted brown egg layers that are currently 3 weeks old, and I know the BCM roo will be fine for them. But I'd like to get some purebred BCM eggs and chicks....

 

[Bawk Vader]

I have seen it done in different breeds to keep certain strong or good genetic traits. I'm not an expert, but I'd imagine that if you have a less than high quality bird, you'll only pass on less desired genetics.

 

[dakotasnake]

i would;nt do it. along with some desireable traits there is the possibility of very bad traits. for instints did you ever see the movie ' Deliverance ' ? altho a banjo playen chicken would be interesting

 

[elmo]

It depends on the genetic diversity of the parents of these birds. If they were unrelated, you can probably breed brother to sister with no problems. I just did that myself this year, but the parents of my birds were completely unrelated, even to the point of being different breeds. I won't continue inbreeding, though, because if you keep doing this you will get problems at some point: low hatch rates, chicks that fail to thrive, etc.

If there already has been inbreeding in the genetics of these birds, you do take a risk to continue it.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Here's the response I received a while ago, I changed my plans, but it still gives great information:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=224917

At some point though, you'll want to add an unrelated group of birds into the flock.

 

[wsdareme]

Thank you so much for that link -- that is great information. I feel better now that what I'm wanting to do is okay!

 

[IcarusSomnio]

I have two BCM roosters myself, they are both VERY friendly birds, absolutely no aggressive issues with them. My larger one got out and slept in the trees for a night, the next morning he came down and followed my dad around

Will you be looking to sell the chicks and/or eggs, or adult birds from the related parents? If so I would seriously consider investing in an unrelated rooster. If you sell a batch of eggs from a brother/sister pair, then the buyer hatches those eggs and keeps those too as breeding/laying stock, they may end up with unhealthy, or less-than ideal chicks.

If your looking just to sell eating eggs, then of course that isn't really a problem. If you'd like to hatch some out yourself, I'd still be careful.


I would look around once your chicks hatch and are sexed if theres anyone looking for new blood to add to their flock. You might actually be able to swap a cockerel for a cockerel. That way you'd have completely new blood and no worries

 

[colowyo0809]

Quote:

oh my! after the day i've had that was a very much needed laugh!

 

[roverjohn]

I just looked and the OP in not in Arkansas so it's not OK.

 

[wsdareme]

You've got me rolling on that one!