Inbreeding?

[Irishsilk]

Our 4 Silkie eggs hatched....turns out they are 1 Cock and 3 Hens!

As we already have Daddy Cockeral, the young boy must be re homed.

How important is the inbreeding situation with Chickens?
We want him to go with a couple of hens for company, but the only ones we have are his sisters or mum. As they are Silkies, no doubt they will go broody at some time. Would the new owners have to make sure they don't ever hatch eggs if they are related to the Cockeral?

Will inbreeding cause problems with chickens?

 

[Tanichca]

Inbreeding will start causing major problems after five generations of continuous inbreeding. Parents and children, or sibling, pairs shouldn't have any real issues, and are often used by professional breeders to improve type. Just make sure to bring in some new blood later if you plan to do serious breeding to keep defects to a minimum.

 

[Irishsilk]

Thank you !

That's a relief.....can re home him with a couple of Hens now