Breeding related sheep - how close is too close?

[OneFineAcre]

Aren't you doubling up if you breed back the grandfather? Not sure. I have line (read "in") bred and gotten smaller lambs. One time got twins that had horn scur spots that were open. So my rule of thumb is get a new ram every 3 years unless not keeping any ewes back. I have always looked at it like you are setting traits and sometimes they aren't always good.

OK, maybe it means it's OK to do the father to the daughter, but then not that same animal to his grand daughter. That would be doubling up. I get that.

 

[bcnewe2]

Yes OneFineAcre that was my take on it. Maybe I said it wrong? But you get it now.

 

[bcnewe2]

My take on line breeding is aim for what traits you want and cull hard on what doesn't work.

Yes but the issue is that if there are faults they are being set stronger just like the traits that you want. To much worry for me. But maybe that's because I've had good rams all along and none really shinned out that I needed to keep using.
My first ram with the sheep I have now had a small head. It wasn't bad but to me looked funny. Still worthy of breeding. One time complaining about it a good friend who runs lots of sheep, she mentioned that it made lambing easier. Yes it has. I have a ram lamb I'm holding out to sell to someone who wants a herd sire. He is really nice but I see the small head coming out. This is 3 gens down the line. I can't imagine doubling up on those type traits even stronger.
I enjoy the hunt for a good ram.

 

[SheepGirl]

I have bred father/daughter, mother/son, maternal half siblings, and full (twin) siblings.

I currently don't have any mother/son crosses in my flock, though I did have one for 2 yrs before I took him to auction. Very healthy, never sick, never dewormed. But he was a hay burning wether so off he went lol.

I bred my ram back to his two daughters and I have two lambs on the ground. Both are healthy and growing well.

I don't have any maternal half siblings crosses in my flock right now.

And i have two 2 yr old ewes out of twin siblings in my flock right now. One was bred as a lamb and had a single and gave birth to her first set of twins this yr. Her twin sister just had her first lamb this year but she rejected him. She is also the one ewe I've had the most health problems with (fly strike, fever).

 

[Jennifer Hinkle]

My rule of thumb is father to daughter is ok. Half siblings (same father) has happened here and has turned out ok but I've always heard grandfather to grand daughter is where to draw the line.

This is also what I have Heard