breeders

[1981]

How many years would you breed a breeder before you decide that the bird is not producing good birds and should be replace with another? Also, in the process of testing a breeder, would you switch the pairing every year?

[ohiogsp]

For me it is 2 years and I would like to have at least 10 babies that I tried to fly. I would like to see at least 2 different mating but sometimes I will do as many as 6. If I don't like the babies because of a deep keel or something I will switch them. If I am doing individual pen breeding I will switch half way through the breeding season just to see if anouther bird might click with it. I try to give every bird a fair chance and if they are no good they can pump eggs from the good ones.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Originally Posted by 1981

How many years would you breed a breeder before you decide that the bird is not producing good birds and should be replace with another? Also, in the process of testing a breeder, would you switch the pairing every year?

The question becomes even more difficult when the bird does produce winners. Because if you don't replace some of your breeders every year with something you hope could turn out even better, then you won't be producing better birds at some point in the future.

When and how often to switch ? Gee...I am still trying to find the real answer to that question. The right pairings can make all the difference in the world, and when you actully have a pair which really click and produce great offspring, I tend to let them stay together awhile and see how consistant they continue to produce.

It is quite possible a particular cock or hen could be said to be "no good" when the reality might just be they were paired to the wrong mates. Some very "good" proven breeders, when paired together just don't produce the "right" offspring, and when paired differently, can produce winners.

I think IMHO, that it is more difficult when first starting out, because you have more unknown or unproven birds. You could have a "good" cock which is simply paired wrong, or the hen is not breeding quality or the other way around. Once a hen or cock has produced winners with different mates, then you can assume the bird is "proven". In an ideal world, all your breeders will be proven and when you introduce a new breeder and he or she does not produce, well you might assume the new bird is not a breeding canidate.

Then just to confuse the issue, there are theories and examples of birds or pairs which did not produce the racers, but their offspring did. Because of the old story of not all racers make great breeders, and some breeders do in fact produce some so so racers, which make good breeders. Which can make guys like me, pull my hair out !! Because I like order, and nature does not. When I attempt to come up with certain "rules" to follow, sometimes Mother Nature throws a curve ball.

[1981]

Thanks for the good informations, its gotten me thinking...... a lot. I will try some experimenting.