Line Breeding

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
I have heard so many definitions of the differences between line breeding and inbreeding and this is a new one. Most of the consensus seems to be that line breeding is indeed breeding back to a parent or grandparent, versus in-breeding as being between brother and sister. The difference being that in linebreeding only one set of genes is being intensified in the offspring versus with inbreeding whereas both parents carry the same set of genes.

And as the old saying goes: "When it's in your barn, it's inbreeding. When it's in my barn, it's linebreeding."

 

[BamaChicken]

I like to hear somones personal experience on things and not just theory only. I am always interested when thinking of breeding larger size in Orps as long as I don't end up with faults or problems with fertility. I believe like Krys that if you cull heavy can keep it looking good. I will be doing some experimentation this year. I will let you know how it turns out as i will keep documentation.

 

[BamaChicken]

Laura thank you for that article. I have save it to my Favorites. I think I may print it off.

 

[Krys109uk]

I think the whole point of line breeding or inbreeding is to fix positive traits & cull out negative traits. Hopefully making ones birds homgeneous & consistently good birds.
Though, as Tate said, whilst doing this one can also fix negative traits.

When one is working toward fixing positive traits in ones birds, sometime bringing in new blood to introduce a certain positive trait, one can also re- introduce negative traits which one has been working to eradicate from ones lines.

 

[Dustin Biery]

I think trying to differentiat between line breeding and in-breeding is pointless. It is all essentially inbreeding. They are all related and carry the same DNA. May just be my way of thinking, but seriously think its just a technicality. Julie, thanks for sharing that. I also would rather go from experience vs. theory.

 

[PeepsInc]

I think your best references would be found in pigeon breeding. Pigeons mature at a faster rate than chickens,there for you see multiple generation breeding at once. According to my cousin,(the pigeon man) with pigeons it's important to import new genes every 7 years or so. I just got a few birds from him that weren't any good for show, because they had 2 different colored eyes.

The whole inbreeding issue reminds me of an old horse dealer I knew. On occasion he'd breed a quality stallion back to his mother or sister to insure quality traits. He'd say "We're not gonna send Em to school"

 

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
Here's one way to do it:

Hatch a TON of birds. Like hundreds. Cull out the bad ones, heavily. Keep only the very best. Keep very good records, either paper or computer, whatever you prefer. Ideally, pedigree breed (see this link for an article I wrote on that):

http://www.pathfindersfarm.com/PedigreeBreeding.html

Learn to really see your birds. Follow the Standard. Do not be barn blind or sentimental. "Cute" has no relative worth to a good breeding program. Make sure you don't go too far in any one direction. Don't lose sight of balance, good breeding is like making minute adjustments to a mobile, if you pull too hard on one branch the whole thing gets out of whack. And at the end of the day, remember, you can always hatch more if you've gotten yourself into a hole.

 

[HatTrickSilkies]

Quote:
My entire blue/black/splash breeding program is based on 2 birds. Fast forward 11 years and staying true to the line I've created never fails. It is when I bring in an outcross to try and "improve" or putz around with something, I am reminded just how crucial "line breeding" is.

~ Nikki

 

[BamaChicken]

Thanks so much for all this input. I think it will be helpful for breeding for the future for those who are trying to improve our birds to Standard.
Laura you have much useful info.
Nikki thanks for your experience insight. You have proven birds.