ChrisEllis Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 Hi, next year i will start breeding my chickens, i have 3 polish frizzles and 2 silkie frizzles, if i had a silkie cockerel and 2 slikie hens, that were related, firstly would they breed given the chance - plus is there risks to doing this, does it make them prone to deformities? Should i not let the bothers and sisters breed? Im very new to that side of beeding so would like steering in the right direction Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 It is always better to breed from unrelated birds. Letting closely related birds produce chicks is a very bad idea. Any latent problems will be very likely to surface......and yes, they will breed. Before you embark on breeding, it would be a good idea to do some in depth reading and research. Fortunately, it is not difficult to get hold of cockerels from a different bloodline. The Omlet Marketplace is one good source. You will need to invest in separate accommodation for any broodys sitting on eggs and later raising chicks, which means it is not a cheap hobby. You have to remember that the majority of hatchlings may be cockerels, so you will need to be clear about what you intend to do with any that you raise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I aggree with Egluntyne. I think you may need to raise these first chicks and leave it a while before breeding from them so you can learn about husbandry etc. You'll need a different cockerel for a new blood line, and I'm sure I was told it's best to breed from year old birds and not young birds as the chicks will be better of a quality with more hens and fertility will be improved Inbreeding can magnify traits, be they good or bad, so sometimes its done when breeding new/rare breeds to make a characteristic stand out, but it can also cause big problems and loss of chicks. I know you had a few problems with where to keep your current chicks inside and warm, would you still have these problems with new chicks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisEllis Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 I aggree with Egluntyne. I think you may need to raise these first chicks and leave it a while before breeding from them so you can learn about husbandry etc. You'll need a different cockerel for a new blood line, and I'm sure I was told it's best to breed from year old birds and not young birds as the chicks will be better of a quality with more hens and fertility will be improved Inbreeding can magnify traits, be they good or bad, so sometimes its done when breeding new/rare breeds to make a characteristic stand out, but it can also cause big problems and loss of chicks. I know you had a few problems with where to keep your current chicks inside and warm, would you still have these problems with new chicks? Yes i sort of havw this problem? And thanks for your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Lewis is right; breed from girls in their 2nd season of laying, and not to early in the season either, April or May is good as the eggs will be better quality by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
