[FiB]

We are enjoying hatching light sussex and light sussex/maran chicks from a friend's eggs and are currently cockrel-less.  Question is - can we keep one of the cockrels we will have and hatch subsequent eggs (which will result from siblings mating in some cases) or do we need to do a cockrel swap?  In which case - anyone North wales /Shropshire/ Birmingham want to do a Light sussex cockrel swap?

[in the hills]

I would think that it is in general best to have unrelated breeding stock ...... but someone may come along and run you through the complexities of in-breeding, line - breeding and so on.


If you really want to keep one of your own cockerels I think you would be unlucky to have major problems at least for a few generations. I suppose it depends whether the eggs that you have hatched are already from quite in-bred stock or not. A neighbour of mine just brings in a new cockerel every few years to bring in some "new blood" and her hens always seem to be healthy and robust.


Thinking about it ..... most of the people up here are related in one way or another    and they seem okay.

[FiB]

Thinking about it ..... most of the people up here are related in one way or another    and they seem okay
  .  When I started learning welsh, one of the first things you learn (and that people are interested in) is where do you come from origionaly and who are you related to?......and it all fell into place when I was talking to another parent last week who said when you went 'courting' to a disco or something, an important precurser to any chat up attempts was to find out if you were related!!!!
Thanks - If I like the look of one I'll keep it, but swap if the opp arises.  The 'mum and dad' are from different flocks, so worth a chance.

[chrismahon]

Supposed to be 10 generations of interbreeding before serious deformities arise FiB. You can start two breeding lines from the first hatch and then cross as and when required. I've looked into this and its complicated but that's how the show strains are established and kept, or utility strains if that's what you want. It is better keeping one lot and swapping cockerels if your requirements are not so exacting. Think I Googled 'poultry line breeding' and downloaded pages that I found really complicated. Had very experienced breeders explain it all to me but I guess until I actually sit down and start a programme I will never get to grips with it. Like learning a foreign language.

[Fowlman]

Line breeding is fine, this may help you. Always breed up and down never across if you can help it.

[in the hills]

Blimey    Now I'm confused.


Can you explain that, please?

[Fowlman]

Basically you start off with an unrelated pair, you then breed the mother to any sons and father to the daughters and so forth. Over time the gene pool increases. Think of it as a family tree and always breed up and down and not across ie: siblings.

[in the hills]

   I get it now.


Thank you.