How many times can you line breed until you start getting deformations?

[Happy Henny]

What the title says

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

My friends a SIlkie breeder she can only do it once or twice...

 

[Happy Henny]

My friends a SIlkie breeder she can only do it once or twice...

Ok good to know because I am becoming a breeder... Thank you!

 

[Fairview01]

Consider a 2 or 3 pen spiral breeding program rather than line breeding. You'll be able to have a closed flock for many generations.

If inbreeding is used only for setting positive traits then only one side of the sword is being used. When negative traits show up and a genetic map can be created identifying which animals donated these genes and they and their offspring are culled out of the program, those negative traits can only be replaced by positive ones.

There are only 3 reasons to outcross.

Lack of size.
Lack or vigor.
Absence of early spring fertility.

 

[Happy Henny]

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't have the room for three pens

 

[centrarchid]

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't have the room for three pens

Then you do not have resources needed to be a breeder beyond making more.

 

[Lilorp14]

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't have the room for three pens

When you say you don't have the room for three pens, do you mean you are already using that 'room' for other chickens, or do you mean you can't fit anything more than 4 hens and a rooster in your backyard?

 

[Happy Henny]

When you say you don't have the room for three pens, do you mean you are already using that 'room' for other chickens, or do you mean you can't fit anything more than 4 hens and a rooster in your backyard?

I already have other chickens, plus I don't want to overcrowd my yard. The reason I don't want to do the three pens because as of right now I'm just trying out breeding in general and I'm interested in Silkies so i thought I'd start with them. If it turns out I really like it I might expand to the three coops system but until then I plan to line breed.

 

[Fairview01]

Then you do not have resources needed to be a breeder beyond making more.

+1, The correct term is propagator.

 

[Cyprus]

I say, let them breed if they want to breed. Reference my signature.

@Happy Henny You do what makes you happy As for your question,I would not exceed 4 generations of inbreeding before bringing in new blood.