Really dumb genetics question-inbreeding

[Mutt Farm]

Hope this the right forum, looked like the closest match. I see that lots of folks order a bunch of straight run chicks of a certain breed from the same source. If I want to raise babies of a certain breed and let the babies I ordered at the same time breed, wouldn't they possibly be inbred? Like siblings? How does that work?

 

[sourland]

If you are ordering from a commercial hatchery the chances of 'relationship' among your chicks is minute. From private breeders there is a somewhat greater chance that the birds might be related, but poultry handle a certain degree of in breeding quite well.

edited to add: Not a really dumb question - quite legitimate.

 

[Mutt Farm]

If you are ordering from a commercial hatchery the chances of 'relationship' among your chicks is minute. From private breeders there is a somewhat greater chance that the birds might be related, but poultry handle a certain degree of in breeding quite well.

edited to add: Not a really dumb question - quite legitimate.

Thanks for answering. Another question? I fell in love with my Lavender Orphington. So sweet and pretty. It came from Meyer. I don't want to turn into a full scale chicken rancher, but what a fun hobby to breed a few towards standard and recognition with APA. Would I be ok starting with hatchery birds or better to get stock from a private breeder?

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,

Absolutely you need to buy from a top breeder who has worked with this color for generations. In chickens, there are a lot of sex linked genes. This makes it cost $$$ and lots of time to grade up . In mammals not a lot of sex-linked genes and much easier to grade up stock.
This is a new Orpington color in America. Take a real good look at the color. Sit back and watch the conversations online and who seems to be the leading breeders. Watch which lines they used and how they combined them. Is there a common thread there? A couple of fountainhead strains which nick real well? Keep that in mind as you select your strains. You should have one strain and one related strain as a back-up should disaster befall your flock. Watch what the veteran breeders in this color do. Do not cross strains to found your flock. That can be problematic, esp. with Blue involved. Find a quality breeder who will be there for you after the sale. Willing to help you understand how to breed this color and help you cull for quality until you get it down. Expect to pay $$ for these quality birds. Maybe even 50. each for started birds. Do not start with eggs or chicks You need started birds so the breeder has culled them at least once for quality and it's apparent these birds will be representative of the breeder's efforts. I paid 150. for my foundation trio ( 1M,2F). And have never regretted it.
Best Success,
Karen

 

[donrae]

I agree to go with breeder stock. I see a lot of pics of birds folks claim to be lavender Orpingtons who look nothing like an Orpington and it makes me sad. The saying is "you have to build the barn before you paint it"....meaning breeders should aim for type/shape long before they focus on color. If you love this breed, research, research, research! not just breeders of that color, but check out breeders of the more common colors (buff, in this case) to see what a quality bred bird should look like.

 

[Mutt Farm]

Hi,

Absolutely you need to buy from a top breeder who has worked with this color for generations. In chickens, there are a lot of sex linked genes. This makes it cost $$$ and lots of time to grade up . In mammals not a lot of sex-linked genes and much easier to grade up stock.
This is a new Orpington color in America. Take a real good look at the color. Sit back and watch the conversations online and who seems to be the leading breeders. Watch which lines they used and how they combined them. Is there a common thread there? A couple of fountainhead strains which nick real well? Keep that in mind as you select your strains. You should have one strain and one related strain as a back-up should disaster befall your flock. Watch what the veteran breeders in this color do. Do not cross strains to found your flock. That can be problematic, esp. with Blue involved. Find a quality breeder who will be there for you after the sale. Willing to help you understand how to breed this color and help you cull for quality until you get it down. Expect to pay $$ for these quality birds. Maybe even 50. each for started birds. Do not start with eggs or chicks You need started birds so the breeder has culled them at least once for quality and it's apparent these birds will be representative of the breeder's efforts. I paid 150. for my foundation trio ( 1M,2F). And have never regretted it.
Best Success,
Karen

Thank you so much for the detailed answer. Clearly, I need to learn a bunch more in order to do this right. I'm in no hurry at all. I would enjoy hobby breeding if my goal was to aim for the best. Would conversations about Lavender Orpingtons be found in the Exhibition, Genetics, & Breeding to the Standard of Perfection forum? I'm off to do my homework. Thank you again!

 

[3riverschick]

Hi!
Yes, check the Genetics threads. Also the heritage Large Fowl Phase II thread.
And the USA Parent Club for the breed: http://www.unitedorpingtonclub.com/
https://www.facebook.com/2547628912...4762891239911/342494425800090/?type=1&theater . I am not one to talk because I am not really a "joiner". However, as a novice in the breed, people will take you more seriously if you join the Parent Club.
Best,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Muttfarm, set you a private message.
Karen