FINCHforum

This may be a silly question or one without a definitive answer, but I'm starting with 4 pairs of swees. Since all were imported I'm reasonably sure that they're not closely related. Is that enough to establish a fairly healthy gene pool (with occasional new birds added)? Hilary

I'm really glad you asked this question because at one point in my life I was taught the answer in one of my genetics classes (that I took years and years ago), and I've been meaning to look it up again.

I know 4 unrelated pairs is not enough to establish a genetically diverse enough population to be self-sustaining (there IS a magic number, however, and this is what I've been meaning to look up); but it is a good start as long as you can keep adding unrelated blood lines later. You may want to start banding your birds with "family colors" to differentiate which birds are "cousins," etc.

I worked out a color coding method to do this for about 3 generations, but 3 generations is also not enough separation to be self sustaning--another number I need to look up.

I *want* to say that 30 individuals minimally are needed to create a self-sustaining population, and that greater than 5 generations is 'safe'--but don't quote me on this yet. Let me e-mail my professor, and I will definitely get back to you.

-Crystal

Well, I'd say its a hell of a good start. I don't see how you would need to do cousins for a long time.

A B C D pairs

Mate A babies to B to create AB
Mate C babies to D to create CD

Mate AB to CD to create ABCD

Now in the 4th generation you would finally get crossed blood lines but if you used A B C and D babies to mate with the ABCD babies they'd be like third cousins, no?

I guess self sustaining would mean never crossing lines but I think you could accomplish that with some swapping.

Yowza! Thanks for the info! I have actually already bought "family" bands (getting a little ahead of myself, but one can always hope!). I don't expect them to be totally self-sustaining, but hoped that 8 would be enough to get a couple of healthy generations. I'd be interested to hear what your prof says, Crystal - thanks!

Hilary