Can you interbreed

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
You can BUT I'd not do so unless you had good quality breeding stock and were looking to improve a trait or some such in your birds. And then not breed the offspring back to the cock bird or hen.

If you are going to interbreed you would be better to put father to daughter or mother to son but only for one generation. Again, only if you have a colouring you want to improve on or some such. I'd not cross anymore than this.

If you are just wanting to breed because you have hatched a cockerel and don't know what else to do with him, then I'd advise against it. If your hens are broody and you want them to hatch some eggs, perhaps consider buying some from a reputable breeder.

Also, if you do intend to hatch, are you prepared to cull your excess cockerels if unable to rehome them to good homes? Rescue centres are filled to overflowing and often won't take cock birds. And cockerels can be really hard to find homes for as most people only want hens. Just the friendly neighbourhood reminder as its that time of year and we start to see so many boys advertised cheap or free to homes as people don't want to cull and can't keep them all.
 
Hello, yes, you can but it is better father to daughter and mother to son- my line of silkies are all very closely related- i have line bred for 40 years- as long as you introduce new blood every few years and the offspring are healthy-i.e. no genetic faults then it should be no problem. People think it is better to buy "unrelated" stock but sometimes you just inherit faults by changing blood lines/introducing new stock-as long as your stock is of a good type and healthy then it is no problem.
regards, David :)
 
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