Mixing Lines

[mschlumb]

Some valid points have been made to keep lines pure and they should be kept pure as much as possible. This way you have a uniform line with predictable outcomes and hopefully good quality stock.
I still wouldn't be afraid to cross them, but do it carefully and keep good records. You may get some good offspring. I don't think that just because you cross two lines of exhibition quality birds that you will produce nothing but junk. I have heard it from one master breeder of leghorns that he frequently produced his best show specimens from his "wildcard" pen, which was made up of the birds leftover after he set up his pair and trio matings.

Or you may get bad results.
I think you'll get some variations and less uniformity like I mentioned earlier, but that's ok, just cull out what is not good.

You will never know until you try, and if it fails it fails and if you succed then, congrats you now have essentially created a new line. Just because a prominent breeders name can't be attached to it doesn't mean they are junk.

I will agree that maybe if you are not very experienced its best to stick with one pure line to learn the breed and how it "works". And you have the guidance of the original breeder. Then once you have the confidence try experimenting with crossing lines. (Maybe ask the old master breeder for some help in conducting this experiment)

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Good points Mschlumb. I think beginner me will have to stick with one breed, one line first to learn the ropes, then maybe can look at expanding and playing around more once a solid program is established. Right now, the idea of just being able to keep a single strain of a single breed in peak physical condition and from declining in quality is intimidating to me!

 

[mschlumb]

Good points Mschlumb. I think beginner me will have to stick with one breed, one line first to learn the ropes, then maybe can look at expanding and playing around more once a solid program is established. Right now, the idea of just being able to keep a single strain of a single breed in peak physical condition and from declining in quality is intimidating to me!

Very good plan!! You'll learn, I'm still learning and I've been doing this chicken thing a while

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Good points Mschlumb. I think beginner me will have to stick with one breed, one line first to learn the ropes, then maybe can look at expanding and playing around more once a solid program is established. Right now, the idea of just being able to keep a single strain of a single breed in peak physical condition and from declining in quality is intimidating to me!

VERY wise decision. Preferably someone with an established line that will share birds if you provide space to raise them.

I often wonder why a newbie like me is working with 3 breeds and of those 3, 2 are extremely new and unpredictable. I have enough trouble with the Silkies which are coming from a reputable breeder from a well established line. (I got sucked in by the swanky eggs on the other two. That's what attracted me in the first place and OCD/perfectionist me, if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it big and well .... )