Breeding Herds

[Megan.]

This is something I've been thinking alot about lately, and have gotten a few different opinions.

Is it better to have a herd that comes from only a few breeders, or to have a herd that is spread out, with several differen't lines?

My breeding herd(although it is small), is very heavy with animals from a certain ranchers lines. I believe if I figured it out, almost 90% of my animals are directly from this person, or go back to this person in the first couple generations.

As I get more animals, I find myself wanting to keep going back to the same Rancher...why? I'm happy with what i've gotten from them, and have come to see them as one of my "mentors" knowing I can go to them for any information I need..and as friends in the chin world.


So which is better? Getting your stock from only a few certain breeders, or spreading it up and opening your options up a bit more?

I have mixed feelings. Part of me thinks getting some out crosses, and new blood would benfit my herd, so when I keep animals, I have something to breed them back to that is not related, or from the same ranchres breedings.. Part of me also feels that it's good to keep my herd from only a few select breeders, because then i'll get to know my animals and their lines a bit better.

[Vyxxin]

Well, you have to look at this one from a few different angles.

The benefit of buying from the same people all the time is that you get to know them, get to know their herd and it's qualities, and you know how they are to deal with and know that they'll give you a fair "shake" and not try and rip you off.

Another benefit, if their herd is known for a characteristic (say size) then having a large concentration of their animals in your herd will, with good breeding, strengthen those qualities in your own herd.

NOW, a downside is that you lose "hybrid vigor" IMO. Some traits can pop up that you don't like and if your herd has a large concentration of animals from those lines...you may be SOL.

Personally, my herd consists of animals from 3 ranchers...and most from "rancher 2" trace back to "rancher 1" because "rancher 1" was "rancher 2's" mentor and helped get "rancher 2" started in the business. Do I feel comfortable, yes, will something unexplainable pop up in my herd someday that I do not like...possibly. But for the most part, these are high quality animals with generations of health, and for that I am willing to take the chance.

[Becky]

You have to be very careful that your animals aren't related. If all of your animals come from the same person, that can be a problem. At the same time, though, animals from different ranches can also be related.

You also have to think about what you want to breed. Most people have some colors that they excel at, but not all. If I wanted to add sapphires to my herd,there are only two people I would buy from, both ranchers. If I want violets, I go to someone who has proven that they have exceptional violet lines.

My herd is a pretty big mix. I have lots of Jags, Woods, Ryersons, with some Hummel, Somavia, Lange and a few Ouderkirks and Shoots mixed in. I'm sure that I missed a few!

Ranchers will tell you that some herds mesh better than others. Thats something else to keep in mind.

To me, outcrossing makes a ton of sense.

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

I have also been told that some lines just don't mesh well. Outcrossing is usually needed at some point. I feel it should be done slowly and very carefully.

[lilchinchilla]

I agree with much of what Becky said. I have a little bit of everything here, myself. Some Ritterspach, Ryerson, Blue Vale, Somovia, etc..etc..
There are only certain breeders I would go to for certain mutations. For standards, once again, only certain ones I would go to for standards.

I bought a bunch(like 20) of standards once before, decided they weren't what I wanted in quality, and sold all but two of those. Yet, I would go to that same breeder I got the standards from, for their violets in a heart beat. 'Cause from my breeding of their violet male I got here, I can't say I've been disapopinted in the offspring, as they've done well on the show table and are what I want to breed here.

Bought a bunch of standards to replace the ones I sold, from a different rancher that I was happy with and getting more yet from them. :)

[wallride]

Just starting out, I don't have a huge opinion yet in this, but I am trying to branch out and buy quality stock from a variety of breeders. Something I've noticed though, working with violets, is that I see a lot of the same line in a lot of animals I'm interested in (Tamara Tucker/CCCU).. so it's a little harder to find the stock I want that won't be inbreeding.. I definately feel that I should be branching out to get the best stock from everyone that I can.. The more the merrier, every great rancher has something excellent to offer.

[leaughxp]

Another benefit, if their herd is known for a characteristic (say size) then having a large concentration of their animals in your herd will, with good breeding, strengthen those qualities in your own herd.

Would it be possible for someone to post what characteristics different rachers or large breeders are know for? It would be very helpful for those starting out to know where to look for what especially if you can't travel to all the different ranches to see first hand.

P.S. Nice thread Megan!

[Sketch]

When I was breeding.. if I had seen a breeder with quality animals and they had something I thought would be an asset an animal I had I had no problem introducing the line to the herd.. You never know whats going to happen. .. I was more focused on keeping a few breeders lines out of my herd rather than in..

*Not breeding anymore though, don't have the energy and time for more than one species of animal. Horses first Chinnies again someday.

[crazy4chins]

Megan, You already have heard this before but here is my opinion again any way. I think you need at least a number of chins that share a similiar background to consistantly raise quality chins.

[Chrisanne]

I have seen in my own herd that certain lines don't mesh.. so now i'm more careful.

The majority of my chins trace back to a few select ranchers, but at the same time if i'm looking for an outcross I know where i'm comfortable looking.