Here is a chart that shows where the sub-lines play a role in a breeding program. But I plan to create a video that shows the importance and function of sub-lines. I will say this for now. Sub-lines are used to improve individual traits in a strain, or improve multiple traits (that are not correlated) simultaneously.

After the Line-crossing phase, the following breeding season, you are going to do two things.

1) reestablish new line-breeding programs, using your best cocks and hens (improvement program).

and 2) you are going to create 3 (or more) separate lines and do a clan mating/spiral mating program (maintenance program).

Both programs will run simultaneously/side by side. In the Maintenance Program you are going to use your best stags or cocks, not being used in the line-breeding program. All stags are marked with the family they originated, but you are only going to breed the best males each year. If a stag/cock happens to be better than his father or grandfather, he replaces them.

You should also keep a handful of extra stags and cocks from each line as an insurance policy or as backups.

Does this make sense?

Let me know if I need to clarify this more.

Ps. I just looked over the Founders Program – I need to include the Clan-mating/spiral mating system to the program. I plan to improve that program soon to make it more complete and clearer to follow. Such as turning “Stages” to “Phases” and making each Phase a natural next step, but also its own entity. Like I said I’m eager to add the Maintenance Program (clan-mating phase) to it as well. The Founders Program is one of my main priorities. I also plan to create a video webinar to teach this program in another format. To show you how important the Founders Program is – Everything on this website supports that program, and I want the Founders Program to be the best it can be.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by Kenny Troiano.

Yes, in many ways they are the same. When you are line-breeding (cloning a cock or hen), and reach 15/16th or 7/8s, you need to avoid the dead end zone, so you will breed the separate line-breeding programs to each other (as long as they are the same family). That is line-crossing.

Clan-mating/spiral mating is a larger, more extended version of Line-crossing. Once the line is established, I like to run line-breeding (improvement program) and Clan-mating (maintenance programs) at the same time.

but, yes, essentially they are the same.

Clan mating is the breeding of separate lines, but of the same family. This is essentially the basis of my Maintenance Program. I will be posting that soon. I wasn’t in a hurry because none of the members are there yet. Most members are needing the Founders Program. The Founders Program will be my first priority, and it also contains elements fo the Maintenance Program in it.

I wouldn’t try to memorize this material, I would use this site as a reference guide. Decide where you are at in the program, do that, and learn other information from articles and courses to enhance your knowledge of breeding.

I would not use line-crossing every year. Use line-crossing every 3 to 5 years to improve genetic diversity.

Clan mating is a program that can be used continuously to preserve and maintain the family.

To improve a family, the best methods for speeding up the process is through inbreeding and line breeding.

Line-crossing and clan-mating actually slow down the process of improvement.

I’m having a little difficulty understanding this question.

Let me take a stab at it…

Clan-mating is good to use with an established and well-bred family to preserve the bloodline. But, you can use clan-mating right away, or wait, that is up to you.

The important part is to use line-crossing at 15/16 or 7/8 of a line-breeding program. Then you can reestablish new line-breedings using your best cocks and hens.

These questions are great! You are showing me areas where I need to be more clear on the program. I have a few things to get to first, but plan to improve the Founders Programs. You will like what I do with it. The Founders Program is my Signature Program, and every thing on this website is created to support it. Even my other Breeding Programs, which are various segments of the Founders Program. Depending on where you are at with your fowl, will determine which part of the Founders Program you will use. The only program that is not a part of the Founders Program is the Transformation Program. But I have not seen anyone needing that one yet.

Now, on to your questions:

Yes, line-crossing is used when you reach 15/16 or 7/8s, or when you start seeing issues with the offspring. Its purpose is to give your lines the genetic diversity they need, without adding outside blood. It’s what makes the whole program work.

As far as sub-lines, there are two types of sub-lines. one is to separate a line into a number of lines to create more diversity within the family, and to protect the integrity of the main line. And, the other is for improving a specific trait(s).

Hybrid vigor, in an established family is accomplished by line-crossing. The more distant each line is, the more hybrid vigor is expressed. This is why you should only infuse one line into another every 3 to five years. Not every year.

This is also why line-crossing is different than clan-mating. Clan-mating is a continuous method of breeding, and is practiced every year.

line-crossing and clan-mating seem very similar, but have different purposes and objectives.

it would be best for you to call me on the phone. It might be easier that way.