AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

(Step 1)
Start a line
This is the simplest method for controlling traits in your birds. Line-breeding relies on reducing the number of ancestors a bird has, resulting in a fixing of the desirable traits. Starting with the progenitor, select two hens for him, one that will back up the good traits in the progenitor and the other to compensate for the bad points in the progenitor. After the first mating, the off-spring from the first crossing should be of equal desirable traits quality while the second crossing will produce birds with compensated bad points from the Progenitor, The birds produced in from the progenitor are called the F1 generation. By breeding the best of the F1 generation, and removing the other off-spring from the line, the next generation (F2) will contain birds that are based on the progenitor, with necessary modifications from the two original mates. Continuing to breed the best birds in each generation, the off-spring will move closer to the desired result.

(Step 2)
Parallel Line-Breeding
This is a related technique used to fix the line once initial line breeding has produced the ideal birds. The method involves mating the father to daughter and mother to son to fix the desirable traits in the flock.

(Step 3)
Outcrossing
Once the line is started, you may find that there is modification needed to the birds. The introduction of a non-related line is called outcrossing, and will modify the main strain of birds if undesirable traits have appeared. Choose a bird that will modify the main line and move the line toward the ideal. Once the outcross line has been introduced, the main line should contain more desirable traits.

Thanks
P.A

Good sound advice.

Practically speaking, I have used Black Mottled x Gold Spangled to obtain Brown in colour. This was complimentary to other traits I sought like comb or type. Once Brown was obtained, I used Brown Leghorns to reinforce the colour.

Outward appearance of both was nigh identicle save chick down on the first was of wild type head, with stripes over each eye., but body down grey black instead of usual brown striped back.

Despite the reinforced Brown colour, other traits were kept.

Thanks Frank, the Idea was to post the simplest level of line breeding for those new to Poultry. We will post more detailed breeding programs at a later date and we look forward to your invaluable input.



Thanks
P.A

Really Valuable Info , well written and easy to understand, Thanks again Peacocks

...to those who know more than I do.

I think I misunderstood.

The explanation of Line Breeding seemed like Inbreeding to me. If I read correctly...

Breed Boy with two girls.
Breed the offspring with each other (brothers/sisters)
Breed the offspring with each other (brothers/sisters)
etc, etc.

Isn't that Inbreeding?

Definitely not trying to be silly or sarcastic. Genuinely confused.

I (think) had Line Breeding explained to me as follows (but it was done on the bonnet of a 4wd, so you're going to miss the "visual" aspect).
Take a male and female (actually two pairs run parallel)
Breed male with female (as if there are other choices)
Breed (best) boys with the mum, (best) girls with dad
Breed (best) boys with the grandmother, (best) girls with grandfather
Then...
Bring best of the two parallel bred lines together and repeat the process.

Actually, I may have stuffed up there...because I've just taken the two lines and joined them and have no idea what I'll do after the next grandsons/grandmother and granddaughters/grandfather mating. Outcross?



More reading required on my part perhaps.

Line breeding is Father daughter, mother son.

Inbreeding is brother sister.

Yep...that's what I thought.



Maybe I misunderstood what I read in PA's post.

Hi Charles, it's the 3 steps to establishing a "Line" the first highlighted "Line Breeding" is just the title. The hens are unrelated to each other or the progenitor. Parallel breeding usually begines at (F3) or (F4)



Thanks
P.A

P.s have Edited the post to make it more clear.



Thanks
P.A

Thanks for the clarification.

Thanks also for explaining the simplest method of line breeding. I'll take a back seat and shut up when you explain the less simple methods.