japanese bantams

[lsittloh]

I have been raising gray japanese bantams from good quality stock. I have been getting a black tail white chick from each of my hatchings usually just one,have been culling them.but now I have one that I did'nt cull and it is marked very good. What to do/ Am i breeding to close? Should they be culled?

[Patrick]

I'm no expert on Japs, nor on either color variety you're working with, but the simple fact that you're getting BTW popping up, in itself is not indicative that you're breeding "too close". You don't say what your breeding program is, but IF BTW were a simple recessive to Gray, the laws of basic genetics state that you could hatch BTW from completely unrelated Gray parents which were carriers.

A well marked bird is a well marked bird. If the type were good it would also be a good show bird. If it would be useful in your Gray breeding program is another question. You should contact the Japanese Bantam Breeders Association. There are at least a few guys there who really know their stuff, who could answer your question.

There is also a relatively new book out, The Japanese Bantam by Terry Wible. I'm told that it's very good. I have been trying to read it, but it keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the "to be read" pile.