Genetic Culling

[cubakid]

Quote:
That is not nessicerely true. We cull through maybe 400 birds a year, and sell them mostly. If a bird is a cull to you, it may not be a cull to another person. What do you do with the birds that would take maybe second or third in a show, kill them. No, especially in Old English Games. Just because a bird wouldnt take first doesnt mean it is no good. Thats just my opinion, but kulling is not really killing, it is removing birds from ones flock... in whatever way suits the breeder.

Zach

 

[9Catsz]

Quote:
While I understand what you're saying here, I don't understand why you wouldn't sell these to a breeder with full disclosure (as if they couldn't look at the birds and see the flaw(s) as to what they're getting into. If you originally bred their parents and some of the babies have a genetic flaw, then some of your breeding stock already has a genetic flaw and you're still breeding them. Would you cull the parent birds too?

I didn't breed the parents. These were hatched from eggs but to answer your question, I would get rid of the parents if I knew they had a genetic flaw that was passed to the chicks. I would sell them as pets, not breeders. There is no point continuing to breed chickens that are flawed. You are just creating more genetically flawed chickens.

Yesss, that's what I hoped one would write...but my post was actually directed at DTchickens.

 

[madamwlf]

Quote:
I didn't breed the parents. These were hatched from eggs but to answer your question, I would get rid of the parents if I knew they had a genetic flaw that was passed to the chicks. I would sell them as pets, not breeders. There is no point continuing to breed chickens that are flawed. You are just creating more genetically flawed chickens.

Yesss, that's what I hoped one would write...but my post was actually directed at DTchickens.

Oops, sorry.

 

[9Catsz]

Quote:
Yesss, that's what I hoped one would write...but my post was actually directed at DTchickens.

Oops, sorry.

No prob., I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, and I step off my soap box now....

 

[eggdd]

first, i believe cross beak being genetic is highly debatable - some saying it is, some saying it isn't. i'm unsure in all cases, but i do know that vitamin deficiencies do, in fact, cause cross beak. as a suggestion, perhaps you'd want to check your food and the rations thereof. secondly, a hooked beak often times goes away. i, myself, have experienced this, and i have read several other people on these forums who have as well. thirdly:

Culling as in the OP means killing. I think adoption is the term you are looking for. Most breeders cull (kill) to keep other genetically inferior birds out of the gene pool. I will admit there is always a home for free chickens you just have to accept the reality that you will end up with culls if you breed to improve genetics. It is not mean or cruel but it is responsible.

that is a strange thing to say. and i disagree. just wanted to note.

hope all are having a great evening.​

 

[madamwlf]

Quote:
that is a strange thing to say. and i disagree. just wanted to note.

hope all are having a great evening.

I would say vitamins are fine and so is the feed. I'm feeding Flock Raiser and they get PolyVsol in their water. I will hang onto them for as long as I can which will probably be a few months. The cross beak will probably get worse and might have to be put down if it has problems eating. I'll keep an eye of the hooked beak and hope it gets better. It's a beautiful blue silkie.

And I'm having a great evening watching football!!

 

[al6517]

I have been breeding SQ birds for awhile now and I hatch many many chicks from many multiples of pen's, and of several color varities of the same breed, the math aside one does have to confront reality that many are not destine to crown the thrones of the breeder pen's. There are several factors that contribute this selective culling of sub standard chicks and young adults. As a breeder it is our responsibility to only keep the best to breed to the best, what and how we manage those that don't make the cut is always up for a heated debate. I may have several doz's upon doz's that can't be allowed back into the program, I have over the years developed a network of friends and folks who want good solid healthy birds who aren't concerned with a slight off color, shoot their SQ Cornish LF. Now sure I have dispatched a few birds very early on in their development for some serious faults, but I can't feed nor justify raising inferior birds nor can I risk the chance to have the word out in the good breeder community that I have been giving away or selling inferior stock wheather they be culls or whatever. There are reputations that must be upheld and it's a code of honor amoung good breeders to maintain a good standing with their breeder stock. It can and often does blur the lines of what is right for all involved. To be truey dedicated to a breed preservation sometimes requires sacrifices few can understand.

AL

 

[eggdd]

Quote:
you had a lot to say, so i just want to make sure i understand: someone would speak ill of you for giving away (or selling) a "cull"? and you're concerned with what they say? so you kill?

 

[phasianidae]

Unless a cull is suitable for the table, I break the neck.

 

[eggdd]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=602839