German Black Cheek Zebra's

[Frankenfinch]

I'm very excited! I'm getting a beautiful pair of German LB BC's! You don't find too many German zeb's around here or BC's for that matter! I'm getting them at a pretty good deal i think too. They are a brother and sister but I already have a LB BC male and his daughter who is split to BC. I plan on breeding my Split to BC hen an the new male. I have been reading a lot and that is what is recommended to keep the birds a good size. I was also told by someone that is is ok to inbreed up to 3 generations without having problems to create a strong line but I never like the idea of inbreeding. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm thinking of breeding my LB BC male to my CFW hen and see what I get

[cindy]

Congratulations!
It is not recommended to line breed but once in a blood line. Better yet it would be better to fine quality stock if you can elsewhere.

this article goes into line breeding a bit.
http://www.zebrafinchsociety.co.uk/inde ... &Itemid=64

[DanteD716]

Congrats! And I plan on dping this once. Breeding a mpthrr to her son and a father to his daughter, just because it is hard to get some mutayions around here, especially English zebras, but I wouldn't do it more then once

[Frankenfinch]

Thanks Cindy. I don't think I will do that then. I believe I will have enough birds to take my time and gradually produce nice BIG birds. No need to rush things. I dont want to be responsible for sickly babies

Dante - The lack of the mutation in my area was why i was considering it too. If I have to down the line I might but only if it is needed. I'm hoping I can find a few more in the next year or so that way I wont have to worry about this. Got to keep looking!

[cindy]

In the Spring I would like to try an egg swap with some of the forum members, that will be a way to get new blood line. I have pairs of BC and BC CFW. My BC are very large, especialy my first pair, their young are also big.

[DanteD716]

Cindy, forgot all about shipping the eggs! I will not line breed then

[cindy]

You better not line breed!

[DanteD716]

I would only do it once! But don't worry I won't.

[cindy]

just kidding...kind of!

[Frankenfinch]

Wow, that is a cool idea! How do you package something so little and fragile? I might be interested in that

[cindy]

Very carefully...I have sent eggs out to as far away as Nevada!

[DanteD716]

and yes very carefully. Isuggest doing it during warm weather. Bad personal experience.

[cindy]

Not repeating that one again!!! Warm weather is right!!!!

[DanteD716]

yes! I was devastated! I saw "BF?" And thought, well I have bb and if the ob start brreeding, I can get an Almos! and they were splattered. I must say, my uncle was a tad bit.more upset then I when I told him what the eggs contained

[cindy]

the 4 BC CFW were lost as well. Like I said it was most likely the cold temps and air pressure change. Warm months come around for folks up north we can try again....it is warm here, in the high 70's.