The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club > Breeding
Culling for Duckfoot
Lee G:
Did you end up culling your cockerel Max? I ask because I think my duck foot carrier is my main cock bird too. He shows no visible signs of the deformity either, but seems to be the one throwing it to most of his offspring. I originally thought it was just coming from one pairing, though it appears I was wrong. I'm seeing duck foot in both genders as well. This sucks. :(
Mike Gilbert:
If the parents don't show duck foot, then it is caused by one or more recessive genes. That means your male bird AND at least one female are carriers. Close relatives of the cock would be the most likely suspects.
Max:
I still have him for now, until I have time to cull him and several others... Mike, I think your analysis is spot on. I removed the pullets which were the closest relation to the cockerel for the last three weeks of hatching. The remaining pullets were the ones I got from John. I did not get any chicks with duckfoot from the last three hatches. But, knowing that the cockerel is a carrier, I will cull him.
Russ:
Food for thought...like Mike said it is a recessive gene. You could keep him to test mate all the pullets individually to help eliminate any pullets that will have it before you cull him? You could even use him now with the hens you have to help find out which ones are the culprits. Then keep one of the hens (that have recessive gene) to test mate your cockerels to help eliminate any that carry it. I have noticed the same problem in my Silver Bantams and it seems to be the quickest way I have came up with to help eliminate it in them. Anybody that has a quicker method short of culling the whole flock I am open to suggestions? It kind of makes it hard when they are really nice birds :(, sometimes it seems I take two steps forward and one step back all in the same year lol
Max:
Well, It's not too late for someone to change my mind for me... ;) Opinoins? Is he worth saving??
I have many of his offspring to choose from as a replacement if one turns out better than him.
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