CREATING YOUR OWN FAMILY
by Jim Emerton
This can be a very rewarding experience and long term target for the dedicated fancier. It helps to specialise with the birds at your chosen race distances from sprint to marathon or even all distances. Devise an overall management plan and stick to it using related birds from up to brother and sister matings. Logically, severe testing of all race birds in the heat of competition is essential to the goal and over many years. From time to time a related outcross from top racers/producers may be required, whilst maintaining the overall family/hereditary characteristics of the colony. I like inbred birds, yet each bird is different. As you reap the benefits of your labour of love you may be able to run an exchange network of top breeding to your liking. A little thought and focus will help you on your way to satisfaction.
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