Duck (in)breeding

[helkat]

We have about 30 free range ducks. Many are offspring of our original 4. What if siblings mate and hatch ducklings. Are there genetic defects and such like with humans? I don't *plan* to let any of them sit, but just want to know what would happen if they did.

Thanks
Helga

 

[rainplace]

in-breeding, line-breeding, happens in the duck world. Lots of interesting things have happened with letting ducks do their thing without interfering... 30 is plenty.

of course I'm new to the duck world, so if I'm wrong someone will come and correct me

 

[saddina]

If they're crested ducks, there's a higher chance of mortality from getting 2 crested genes (cresting is a skull deformity), besides that, they should be ok.