Inbreeding?

[babsbag]

I breed a sire back to his best daughters who have the sire's desirable traits. This ensures that the offspring will be 75% the herdsire and lock in characteristics of the buck that I like. If you are in a breed-up program like trying to get a high percent animal without buying a new herdsire at each generation, this is a viable option.

x2

But I will not breed the does from the sire x daughter breeding back to their sire. One generation is as far as I will line breed.

 

[goatboy1973]

Yes, I totally agree. This is as close as I will breed (sire to his daughter breeding) and then I find a new herdsire. I only line breed like this with a select few of my best does. A breeder should be very selective when line breeding so as not to lock in bad traits.

 

[bcnewe2]

My rule of thumb is father to daughter but not grandfather. That's what I was taught and when it did happen here I started to lose vigor and size so I stuck with that thought. But I don't get all upset if it happens.
I breed for certain traits each year if I can.
Good feet was first, we had some bad feet
Then long back
Good rears
Shorter leg, I had some super tall sheep.
It may take me years but I enjoy the ride.

 

[babsbag]

I have a spotted boer buck that I am breeding back to his daughters; I want to ingrain the spots. But then if I keep any of those does I need a new buck... this is the part that stinks.

Spotted ABGA bucks aren't cheap.

 

[goatboy1973]

I usually start before my herdsire's last breeding season looking for his replacement and I have even bought a yearling herdsire to keep so that I already have my new herdsire already acclimated to the farm. Sometimes you can get a great deal on yearling or weanlings. Sometimes the risk is worth the gain. Maybe you could swap herdsires with a breeder. This is why you start early hunting for a replacement so you can go to the farm where the potential herdsire is to see the health practices and living conditions to gauge if this buck is at or above the level of your standards. Remember the new herdsire will be over 50% of your herd genetics so choose wisely, not just for color or pattern but also for the other stuff like conformation, parasite resistance, feet, disposition etc... Good luck on your search.

 

[babsbag]

I usually start before my herdsire's last breeding season looking for his replacement and I have even bought a yearling herdsire to keep so that I already have my new herdsire already acclimated to the farm. Sometimes you can get a great deal on yearling or weanings. Sometimes the risk is worth the gain. Maybe you could swap herdsires with a breeder. This is why you start early hunting for a replacement so you can go to the farm where the potential herdsire is to see the health practices and living conditions to gauge if this buck is at or above the level of your standards. Remember the new herdsire will be over 50% of your herd genetics so choose wisely, not just for color or pattern but also for the other stuff like conformation, parasite resistance, feet, disposition etc... Good luck on your search.

The buck that I have now is rather small for a boer but his kids have been fabulous. I got a really good deal on him as the breeder was going on a trip and her DH told her to move some kids out so he had less work to do while she was gone. He was only 4 months old so I didn't know at the time that he was going to be a little smaller than I would like. She has another one that I would like to buy, but I noticed the other day when reading his pedigree that he is acutually related to mine. His sire is a brother to my buck so I am not sure; that is a litte close for my taste, but boy is he pretty.

I have a year, so it is a good idea to start now, you are right about that.

 

[bcnewe2]

There aren't that many sheep people around here that I don't know, they tend to get their ewes from one guy who runs a whole lot of sheep. So I try to go as far away as possible to keep the new blood coming in.

But do be careful, we run a closed flock of sheep. I worry everytime I bring anything new on the place. Diseases are easy to transport.