Malines Breeding: Establishing a Spiral Breeding Program

[JayColli]

Hi All,

I've been accumulating breeding stock from different sources this year and after several setbacks I'll soon be in a position to start breeding the Coucou de Malines. I want to be as self-sufficient as possible and as such I'd like to establish a spiral breeding program, which seems relatively easy once established, but I'd like to make the best start possible with the stock I have.

Currently, I have two pullets from different sources and will have two cockerels coming later in the month, both from the same source and brothers. My plan is to pick the best cockerel (keeping the other as a back-up) and pair him with the pullets in the Spring of 2018 in order to hatch out my breeding stock for Spring 2019. In the Spring of 2018 I will also be hatching eggs from a fourth source to contribute to the breeding pool in Spring 2019. The question is - how do I combine my stock to establish a three-clan system in a way that will ensure the most genetic diversity based on the birds I will have available in Spring 2019? The diagram below will hopefully provide some clarification.

A couple pictures of one of my pullets and my last cockerel, who unfortunately met an untimely demise...

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

This is the basic program I am looking at for line breeding... Note I only plan to start with two blood lines and them cross them out with each other.

http://www.maransofamericaclub.com/inbreeding-chickens.html

It's a good goal, good luck!

 

[JayColli]

Thanks @EggSighted4Life !

I'm going to have to read that a few times to make sure I understand how the different generations and crosses are related but it should give me some direction on how to create three lines from 1 cockerel and 2 pullets in the most ideal way possible.

Just as an aside, at long last I received two cockerels just yesterday and will be monitoring and assessing them over the course of the winter to determine which will be my flock sire. Pics soon for anyone interested in Malines.

 

[JayColli]

Here's a picture of the two cockerels.

Here's a Malines egg next to an egg from one of my Brown Layers.

The eggs aren't fertile yet but the cockerels are about 6 months old now and starting to show some interest.

 

[Ali_Howard]

Wow. We have six malines - four are Roos! No fighting. We’d love to expand our flock. Do you know anyone who would be willing to ship chicks? We’re in Canada and could do an exchange. Our chicks come from six different hens and two roosters, so we’re diverse to start with.

 

[travelbug007]

Wow. We have six malines - four are Roos! No fighting. We’d love to expand our flock. Do you know anyone who would be willing to ship chicks? We’re in Canada and could do an exchange. Our chicks come from six different hens and two roosters, so we’re diverse to start with.

Hi Just next door in Ontario - trying to get initial stock in Malines...would love to get /stay in touch for genetic swaps/breeding? Fertilized eggs seems to be easiest/most cost effective right now compared to shipping live birds...Thx for your time (in advance)..Martin.

 

[travelbug007]

Hi All,

I've been accumulating breeding stock from different sources this year and after several setbacks I'll soon be in a position to start breeding the Coucou de Malines. I want to be as self-sufficient as possible and as such I'd like to establish a spiral breeding program, which seems relatively easy once established, but I'd like to make the best start possible with the stock I have.

Currently, I have two pullets from different sources and will have two cockerels coming later in the month, both from the same source and brothers. My plan is to pick the best cockerel (keeping the other as a back-up) and pair him with the pullets in the Spring of 2018 in order to hatch out my breeding stock for Spring 2019. In the Spring of 2018 I will also be hatching eggs from a fourth source to contribute to the breeding pool in Spring 2019. The question is - how do I combine my stock to establish a three-clan system in a way that will ensure the most genetic diversity based on the birds I will have available in Spring 2019? The diagram below will hopefully provide some clarification.

View attachment 1182598

A couple pictures of one of my pullets and my last cockerel, who unfortunately met an untimely demise...

View attachment 1182602
View attachment 1182603

Hi,

This is a reply to an old post (I know) but just wondering if you still have your Maline flock and how the breeding is going...I am just starting out and looking for some diversity too...TIA..