How closely related can breeding birds be for healthy chicks?

[Jmiller89]

This is my first year breeding and selling ducks. I have 8 hens and 2 drakes. We hatched out some ducklings to add to our flock, just sexed them and we have 9 girls. My initial plan was to add these girls and 1 boy to the flock bringing my numbers to 17 hens, 3 drakes. I know some breeders keep close lines when breeding for certain traits. My thoughts is that theres enough birds to keep some genetic diversity between them. Do you think this is a good idea or should I be looking to slaughter all my boys and start fresh? I want the flock to be self sustaining.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

With chickens I just breeed daughter or son with mother or father and no problem you could add a few more after 3-4 generations of line breeding for diversity if you want. PS you can also breed sister and brother but it is less recommended

 

[Jmiller89]

Thank you, I’m thinking with this many birds we might get one complete brother sister matchup but otherwise they will either be half related or not at all.