In-breeding?

[Jibi]

Hello all

I'm new to muscovies. I got a male and two females, all adults, from the same supply so it is likely they're related. I just got my first batch of ducklings, but one of them was rolling around unable to get on its feet. I pulled that one's neck after a couple of days of that. Now another one has developed a strange twitch that causes it to go reeling back every now and then. It seems healthy enough otherwise. Could this be something to do with inbreeding? Will a drake mate with its sisters?

Thanks,
Jibi

[suprstakr]

I'm new too , but did breed rabbits for a while . To mix up the gean-pool one can get a new drake or new hen , and save a drake from the new hen. I don't know if their your pets or other so my advice is limited.

[hankshome]

Hi Jibi,
I'm new also and I also got 1 male and 2 females from the same breeder in early July.  My husband and I were asking each other the same question just last week.  Our females gang laid in the same nest and then they took turns sitting on the eggs.  They hatched 8 ducklings but 2 have disappeared to snapping turtles.  We want at least another batch of ducklings next spring but aren't sure if we should get 1 more drake or a drake and female combo.  Hopefully someone will be able to answer this question.

[suprstakr]

I was talking to a local breeder and was told ,sister and brother is OK but not their children . The way she controls things , she gets rid of the drakes every 2 yrs ,they get too heavy for the hens , that way she keeps her genetics straight.