Building a genetically varied flock with a specific mutation

[ApricotMuffins]

I'm not sure how to phrase this question exactly, or if this is even the right sub-forum, so I'll apologize in advance for both --

I recently fell in love with zebra finches after a fateful encounter at a pet store where I half-accidentally caught an escapee normal gray, which I accepted as a sign it was meant to be and took the bird home with me after paying for him.

All in all, I consider myself a newbie to the world of finches, but that doesn't stop my mind from having wild thoughts of one day having a large flock of my own to breed with a multitude of mutations, which leads me to the topic's question:

How many unrelated birds would one need to start a genetically varied flock for a specific mutation?

I realize this is a loaded question, because it might depend on A) whether the mutation itself was recessive, sex linked or dominant B) how many birds one would consider a "flock" and C) how often one introduces fresh blood into the gene pool

I also realize the short answer would be: as many healthy samples of the desired mutation as you can get your hands on. I personally don't have an issue with that answer however, my spouse is still lukewarm about the idea of that many birds in our backyard. Perhaps one day I'll be able to convert him.

Reasoning behind the question: Penguin zebra finches

I love penguin zebra finches, and one day I would love to be able to breed them without worrying that their familial lines are overlapping too closely and putting the birds at risk.

How many pairs do members of the forum work from to maintain genetic diversity? How often should you introduce new breeding stock into your flock?

Any input on this subject would be appreciated

[Sally]

I'll let the Zebra experts answer your questions about Penguins, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on diet, house, and especially the Zebra finch.

[monotwine]

Well i won't comment on Zebra mutations, but breeding any mutation has its limitations if you trying to do alone. I would try find fellow bird keepers and breeders where you can swap different blood lines out and in that way reduce the amount of breeding stock you need to keep.

[WrenNAustinTX]

In a big aviary, where very bird could chose its own mate, I think your line would narrow and merge very quickly.

Lets say you started with 3 unrelated penguin pairs, and lets say they never cheat on their mates (not real life), and lets say they only make 2 babies every year (totally not real life).

Generation one, (parent birds) will be Amom & Adad, Bmom & Bdad, and Cmom & Cdad.

Amom + Adad make babies AA1 and AA2
Bmom + Bdad make babies BB1 and BB2
Cmom + Cdad make babies CC1 and CC2

These are the 1st generation

Now, finches dont know about incest. AA1 and AA2, who are siblings, could very well pair up and mate. Then their kids could pair up and mate. How are you going to stop that? You really can't with a big aviary. But lets say they don't. They say the kids are smart and choose unrelated mates.

AA1 pairs with BB1. AA2 with CC1, BB2 with CC2.

Lets say they only have one baby each:

AA1+BB1= AABB
AA2+CC1=AACC
BB2+CC2=BBCC

These are the 2nd generation

The baby AABB is related to AACC AND BBCC.
The baby AACC is related to AABB AND BBCC.
The baby BBCC is related to AABB AND AACC.

Within 2 generations, everyone shares grandparents. Not the best plan, and that doesnt even take into account that the parent birds will still be producing during this whole time.

Anyhow, is there a solution? For me, it would be to harvest the babies every year.. Sell them or give them away, and take away the parent's nest boxes until the previous babies are sold off.

Only let the original birds stay in the aviary, and you never have to worry about inbreeding