Pairing season starting - share your plans!

Breeding & Genetics Pairing Strategies
1

It’s that time of year! Pairing season is almost here.

Curious what everyone has planned for 2026 breeding.

I’m doing 8 pairs this year:

  • 3 proven pairs (same as last year)
  • 2 new combinations testing bloodline crosses
  • 2 pairs using new stock from autumn auctions
  • 1 experimental inbreeding (grandfather x granddaughter)

The inbreeding is risky but the grandfather is the best bird I’ve ever owned. Want to concentrate that blood.

What’s everyone else planning?

2

7 pairs for me:

  • 4 proven pairs staying together
  • 2 new outcrosses (Janssen x Meulemans as I mentioned before)
  • 1 line breeding (half-siblings from my best hen)

I’m conservative with proven pairs. If it works, don’t fix it.

The inbreeding you’re doing - that’s bold. Keep us updated on how those youngsters develop. Could be amazing or could be a disaster. No in-between with inbreeding!

3

Smaller operation here - just 5 pairs.

All outcrosses actually. I’ve been line breeding for 4 years and feel like I need to bring in some new blood. Vigor is dropping.

Bought 2 cocks from different sources this autumn specifically to shake things up.

4

12 pairs planned. Big breeding season.

  • 5 pairs for my own loft
  • 4 pairs for OLR entries
  • 3 pairs for sale

The OLR birds are all outcrosses - I want hybrid vigor for the stress of shipping and unfamiliar lofts.

Stock team birds are tighter breeding. Need to fix the type.

Good luck everyone with the breeding!

5

10 pairs. Mix of everything.

One thing I’ve learned - keep records of EVERYTHING. Which pairs produce racers, which produce breeders, which produce nothing. After 10 years of data you really start to see patterns.

That inbreeding experiment - document it carefully. Even if it fails, the information is valuable.