This was originally posted by Oregon Blues in another thread. I am copying it here, because it has lots of good information.
If I am the list expert on Pomeranians, we are all in trouble. Information is difficult to come by. I was fortunate enough to stand face to face with Dave Holderread and soak up his information on Pomeraninas (when I was buying from his flock dispersal).
I bought an entire flock of top quality birds from another flock dispersal, just to keep them together. It frightens me how few people are breeding quality Pomeranians and every time a flock is dispersed, more good stock is lost forever.
A very quick and basic lesson on breeding show animals, no matter what kind.
Decide what you want them to be. Each generation, keep the ones who come closest to your goals. Pet home the ones who are furthest from your goals. Each generation, your birds (or show dogs or show horses, or whatever you are breeding) should be a little better than the last generation.
The SOP will tell you what they should look like. You have to decide what else they should be.
Me, I set high priority on temperament and health. Bad temperament or health issues get a bird removed from the breeding flock. My geese are expected to hatch and raise their own goslings. Ganders are expected to be good fathers. Goslings must grow well with standard feeding and care; no specialized treatment to compensate.
Pomeranians should be a premium table bird, so I give preference to birds with large breasts. Yes, I eat my Geese and test how they are on the table.
With breeding registered animals, there is a ton of information in the pedigree. We don't get that with poultry. So you have to keep your own records. Note where your birds are less than perfect and keep track of how often they pass that trait along. Note where they are exceptionally good and how often they pass that along. Birds who do not improve themselves with each generation can be pet homed.
