How many generations can safely be line-bred?

[bluegiantsc]

I have blue jersey giants and I'm looking to get the lighter blue color variation. I have a blue-splashed white rooster and a black hen, so that should throw me the lighter blue in the chicks. She is brooding the eggs right now. The rooster and hen are not related. As far as I know the rooster and hen are from different parents that are not CLOSELY related.

I know the color pairings to get the color I want. But my question is how many generations could I safely line-breed? It would be father to daughter.

I don't plan on do this for a long time, I will eventually get either another rooster or another few hens.

Thanks in advance!

 

[donrae]

I know there are folks on here who have closed flocks and line breed for over a decade. Key is starting with the very best stock. For the rest of us, who don't have the very best stock, you're generally good to line breed for 4-5 generations. You just have to cull heavily and keep an eye out for problems.