Better method of breeding game fowl

Why not stick to cross breeding?

In game fowl breeding the safer side is cross breeding. Cross breeding is simpler, less risky, and more efficient method than in breeding. So why not stick to it?

There are many disadvantages in in-breeding. On the other hand, the advantages of crossbreeding are well known. One benefit is heterosis (hybrid vigor). Heterosis is when the offspring surpass the performance expected based on the parents. Another advantage of cross-breeding is the probability of capitalizing on the strength of the different bloodlines. This is breed complementarity. Different bloodlines have different strengths and weaknesses. By evaluating and assessing these strengths and weaknesses, the breeder can come up with a crossbreeding plan that will result in offspring possessing the best traits of the different bloodlines, minus the weaknesses.

The advantages of crossbreeding are well documented and can have a big impact on your net return. Heterosis (hybrid vigor) and breed complementarity are the primary benefits realized from a properly planned crossbreeding program. Heterosis is the increase in performance or function above what is expected based on the parents of the offspring. Breed complementarity allows a breeder to capitalize on the strengths of different breeds because no single breed excels at all of the traits that affect profitability.

So you may weigh it your self. To in-breed or to cross -breed? To us, we see the disadvantages of in-breeding outweigh the advantages. So more often than not we do not inbreed. You can produce better chickens by crossbreeding more and inbreeding less.