Aussie Finch Forum

What's the consensus amongst you good people about breeding sister/brothers is there a general rule where it is acceptable to do this.I know in cattle they feel it is a benefit to an extent but not sure on this???? with birds..

Do you really think it should be done!!!!!!

I think it is far more damaging than beneficial and absolutely disasterous for any species which is not common & genetically diverse.

Generally speaking, go and get a pair of siblings elsewhere and split the 2 pairs so you have 1 family to the other. Or swap someone so you can both do the same. That said if you have big strong healthy birds and can't source mates for them this season or a mutation you are trying to establish. Do what happens in nature. Put the birds to the nearest bird of the opposite sex. Would love to see someone do a PhD on the relatedness of birds in the wild. As birds like people used to go find their mates in the next village/bush. This is how some species have survived, by the genetically resistant breeding together. e.g. The Black death in Britian, the least effected villages were inbred.
LML

A few breeders line breed,ie father to daughter and mother to son,i personally don't breed like this ,don't like the idea,but i haven't heard of many that put brother and sister together,garyh

I have heard/read some where that inbreeding in birds has no effect on genetic diversity for many generations. I think it was referring to the European sparrows,starlings,blackbirds and goldfinches that were introduced by early settlers in Australia and it also included rabbits.
All these species were introduced in small numbers and they are now in their millions with very little mutations appearing after hundred years. I wouldn't do with our cage birds though as Tiaris has said but i would do it if there was a new mutation that you wanted up and going quick but only to get a few coloured birds on the perch to outcross as FB said. Craig