Inbreeding

[007Sean]

When I started out with genetics (Asiatic Parrots) someone gave me some very simple but easy to understand advice that I have never forgotten. I do accept that is an extremely simplified concept but it is good for a start.

This concept applies to those genetic traits that can be passed from both mom and dad and can be received by both male and female chicks.

The concept is that any trait that is received from both parents so that the baby has two copies of the trait is going to be expressed in a greater way in the baby. Consider it a multiplication effect.

In breeding or Line breeding is a good example of people using the above concept. They are selectively breeding related birds that are known to share a common "desired" trait to increase or improve the expression of that trait in the babies.

The problem is that this concept also applies to undesired traits. If a baby receives a double dose of a negative trait then we end up with a baby that is likely to experience the multiplied effect of that negative trait.

So the success (or failure) of in breeding or line breeding is ultimately going to be dependent upon the presence of both the positive and negative traits in the birds you wish to breed - and this is where your knowledge of your birds is going to help you with your decision making as to which birds to use.

As an additional note: I have always adopted the breeding policy of alternating each generation of breeding between in line and outcrossing. On each alternate generation, I endeavour to outcross to a completely unrelated, strong, well structured bird. This way I am always working towards my desired trait but not compromising the quality of my birds at the end. I have seen too many people do multiple consecutive line-breeds which result in outstanding colours but where their birds are also small, weak and with a whole library of undesirable issues. It is my opinion that it is best to take a few more generations but end up with birds you can be proud of!

Good post! I have always said this about line breeding, "If it works, it's linebreeding, if it doesn't, it's inbreeding"

 

[BantyChooks]

Good post! I have always said this about line breeding, "If it works, it's linebreeding, if it doesn't, it's inbreeding"

 

[R2elk]

rooster X his sister is the best option, since its technically line breeding and not inbreeding, every other option (though I don't know about cousin) is inbreeding and can cause (to name one) inbreeding depression, its kind of complicated but overall brother x sister mating is the best option.

Father to daughter or mother to son is line breeding and is a long time accepted practice. Brother to sister is inbreeding and is the quickest way to bring out hidden recessive traits that are undesirable.

 

[song of joy]

Line breeding is preferred:
rooster x his mother
rooster x his daughter

rooster x his sister = inbreeding, which is best avoided

 

[007Sean]

Line breeding is preferred:
rooster x his mother
rooster x his daughter

rooster x his sister = inbreeding, which is best avoided

This is exactly what I have done with my Yellow Goldens. I started out with a fairly large unrelated gene pool. Hatched one that had real deep, rich color in it's plumage, unlike most "washed out" Yellows. I now have breeders which consistently produce the rich coloring.

 

[Flufferes]

Is this the same for ducks?

 

[kesrchicky16]

Want to read this and the links when I have time. Thanks for asking the question OP.

 

[song of joy]

This is exactly what I have done with my Yellow Goldens. I started out with a fairly large unrelated gene pool. Hatched one that had real deep, rich color in it's plumage, unlike most "washed out" Yellows. I now have breeders which consistently produce the rich coloring.

Thanks for sharing. This is a very good example of how line breeding can be used to "set" or concentrate a desired trait within future offspring.

 

[Natanya]

Is this the same for ducks?

Yes, this will apply for any animal.

 

[Maddison]

Father to daughter or mother to son is line breeding and is a long time accepted practice. Brother to sister is inbreeding and is the quickest way to bring out hidden recessive traits that are undesirable.

I was told by multiple people here the exact opposite of that, is this for some reason no longer the case??? everyone here is saying that but everyone I asked on byc says the exact opposite, well which is it byc?! excuse me for sounding rude but I've already BRED sister x brother (all but one different mothers) with no problems and I plan to breed there offspring together (also dif mothers) is my whole system now ruined!?