Inbreeding, line breeding, etc...

[rainplace]

"Random Thoughts on My Breeding Philosophy" by Lou Horton found here:
http://www.acornhollowbantams.com/getting_started.cfm

 

[Duck Keeper]

Quote:
I like how he brings out the necessity of predator proofing your pens.
Something I need to take to heart and get serious about...

I've become lazy because I've never had a bird lost to a predator while I was here.



Boy, it's going to rot when something bad happens.
I say 'when' not 'if' because I know it's only a matter of time before SOMETHING gets killed.

 

[rainplace]

I've read several accounts from several breeders where they have lost an entire breeding program to predators. Nothing worse than spending years trying to develop something only to have it wiped out in a single evening.

I also need to get serious about it. At night I have them locked tight, but during the day they aren't so locked down.

 

[Duck Keeper]

At night they're locked up in open top pens with wide wire spacing. During the day my ducks are -usually- free ranging.

A recipe for disaster.

But I guess I have to take what I can get. At least I can have ducks.

I almost think it's better for them to be able to run around the yard picking at whatever than to be locked in a pen all the time.

Next year I hope to have at least a rudimentary fence around the property so I can let them out with a little bit more security.

But back to the line breeding thing!

I have my Flynn line (all F names) and my newly hatched 'D' line, but I just bought a trio of Appleyards and have yet to name them. Any letter ideas? I'm thinking of J or K.
K's my favorite letter. Who knew?

 

[rainplace]

Go with "K" then you have "D" for duck and "K" for keeper.