"Start where you are with what you have" By R H Sturgeon

[minister man]

I know that all my questions about breeding have been annoying to some, but I hope to find the answer to a question. I have been reading ( and rereading) the Book "Start where you are with what You have. A Guide to poultry breeding" By Ralph H. Sturgeon, and there are a couple of things that I don't understand. I was wondering if anyone else has the book that I might ask a question? I can see why it was recommended reading to me as a start a show flock of silkies, and I have learned a tremendous amount from it.

Near the end of the book there is a section that is entitled " Basic how to program" He starts out with

"Chose your breeding method after careful study of several desirable plans you may wish to follow, aware that the approach most often used successfully is concentration of the individuals that have the most of the best and the least of the worst."

So I now realize that I just have to pick a plan that will fit the situation ( space and financail) that I find myself in.

He then discribes a procedure to start or improve a strain. The first few years he spells everything out very well, can follow it no problem, but then in the discription of year 4, HE SAYS " What is the program for the coming year? more of the same: careful slection of only the best, mated to the best of the previousgeneration. Here the Biblical principal applies " many are called but Few Are chosen"... ( Pg 35)

What does he mean when he says " select the best, Mated TO THE BEST Of THE PREVIOUS GENERATION."? How would that relate to say, going to a 3 clan system?

Thanks for any help clearing this up. Maybe a Book club section would be good so we could discuss what we are reading?

 

[Celtic Hill]

It means take the best male breed to his Mom and take the best females and breed it to it's dad. This will help retain type, then you want to outcross so that means find a mate for the F2 (Second generation) that will match the bird.

 

[minister man]

Thanks for the help. So how distant does the out cross need to be? I have been thinking that the whole idea of his book was creating a closed strain. Is that not correct?

thanks again,

 

[Celtic Hill]

Well I would make it completely unrelated to avoid any genetic problems. Everyone has their own opinions on how it should be, but this is what i would do.

 

[minister man]

okey doeky, That's what I want to know, how real people do it. Thanks for the help

 

[kathyinmo]

Poultry fanciers for years kept closed stock. The way I understand it is that with careful selection you never need to add new strains. Currently I have Barred Rocks that are from the oldest known stock in the USA, early 1900s, and there has never been new blood added.

 

[Celtic Hill]

Quote:
How do you avoid genetic problems?

 

[Chris09]

Most breeders like myself use a close breeding program like Kathy said, and in my opinion it is how you are going to get the best of the best.
If you do get a genetic problem you cull that bird out. When I got started in Rhode Island Reds 5 years ago I got them from 1 breeder and it has been a closed flock ever since then. I can say I haven't had one genetic problem.

Chris

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
How do you avoid genetic problems?

Chickens are not like humans.

 

[Celtic Hill]

So, how do you breed? just inbreed or is there some method?