population genetics for pigeons fathers (Part 10) 
is after the previously written word, of course, the question of whether and how the inbreeding is useful to install in a breeding strategy. If it finds such to demonize Pandora's box that will always by some authors is invoked again? Does it really any good?
Or it is the means by which one makes the unsterblichlich as a breeder, because it brings with it extremely rich quality racing pigeons, as once the Janssen brothers.
Well, inbreeding is neither. Inbreeding by itself is considered impossible to evaluate. For it is very important to consider in addition, operated in what degree inbreeding, which is subjected to the breeding selection process, and what we want to achieve with inbreeding.
inbreeding, the way of the degeneration? increases through progressive levels of inbreeding of homozygous genes steadily. The result can be an inbreeding depression, the performance of the offspring severely impaired. In pigeon racing, there have been a number of famous breeders who have fallen into this "trap" of inbreeding: The Janssen brothers belong to this group, such as Karel Meulemans, Toni von Ravenstein with his Caesar-line, Günter Prange with its pure red Delbar, and some other well-known breeder.
If these kinds of capacities in pigeon racing in the inbred "failed" are, then you should not let the hand off all of the inbreeding? Yes, it is possible to dispense completely inbred. You need to realtiv however, a large stock of pigeons, or you will always a good number of foreign New pigeons into the stock. Because you lead a no animals are after very few generations, most performers used together, one would therefore inbreeding not around, or accepting too much compromise on the selection on the breeding objectives (see Section 7).
On introducing constantly new animals pose this risk with them to introduce new disease germs. In addition to this I think is often overlooked that the imported animals need because of the "unusual" for them microflora several months until they reach the same good health as the rest of the stock animals. In addition, may well be the newly introduced good pigeons, but possibly they do not fit easily with the previous own species. Extensive testing in the discipline here is therefore a must.
As a result of these uncertainties and risks, will run on virtually every shot a little inbreeding. And even Hans Zurhöfer, the devil of the inbred so vehemently, bred relatives 5th Grades and saw therein no more inbred. But the latter is of course, inbreeding, to a lesser extent (inbreeding coefficient of 3.1% in a joint family).
The above breeder examples I have "failed" the word deliberately placed in quotation marks. For ingezüchtetem at Meulemans Stamkoppel young, at the Janssen-pigeons of the 80s and 90s and even in the pure Prange Delbar the present (such as the mother of 802, 665) should not talk about failure! These animals were, if you push them on the journey began, perhaps no longer capable of top performance. But as a sire at crossover pairings have become world famous. Because of their high homozygosity in primarily "good" genes, they are superior in the giving of "good" genes the crossing usually much dust. This is a fact, look through the vigorous opponent of the inbred love of time.
words with a high inbreeding coefficient I buy my secured property inheritance and genes to the offspring with the Price of inbreeding depression. So it is in some ways a trade with the devil, in which one must be very wary. The inbreeding depression is but in a subsequent mating Kreuzung lost.
inbreeding on the "cleaning" of the genetic In his book "The art of growing," writes Prof. Alfons Anker that inbreeding depression is a more visible evidence of a higher Homozygotiegrad. This thesis was in genetics now clearly refuted. Which genes are homozygous by inbreeding, and whether they thus cause negative or positive depends on the source material is used with the inbred and on chance.
being among the breeding animals that have recessive "harmful" genes in the genome, it could by the inbreeding of course, these genes are concentrated in a homozygous form and develop their harmful effects. Of course this is in no way a quality document (in the sense of high homozygosity) for the breeding animals. Such animals must be selected instead. And also the parents and their offspring are excluded from breeding, as the inbreeding here has proved so, that both father and mother carry the "harmful" gene, which we do not want further spread in the stock.
Thus one can effect the occurrence of these bad qualities hidden by strong inbreeding also aware of use to test the quality of the hidden properties of a line. And you can become virtually "clean" his stock of such genes by removing the entire line. In dog breeding is something quite common in hereditary diseases.
If I run so strong inbreeding on a top-tier, and the offspring know about an average of many shortcomings, not only the inbred offspring is discarded, but we should also abandon its growing aspirations for the future on this "top-tier "to establish !
Do I want to have an estimation of homozygosity, so I should not aussein to inbreeding depression, but rather calculate the inbreeding coefficient. And this is high and the quality of the Dove and their offspring also very high in relation to my breeding goals, then I have a very valuable animal for breeding, because it's good genes with high probability and hence continued to have many offspring. inbred to the consolidation of new properties arises when something completely new in the genome, because there happened error when copying of information during meiosis, we speak of mutations. Mutations are very rare. So much so rare that they encounter the most pigeon breeders during their entire breeding career barely. Therefore, they play in the pigeon breeding virtually no role. In breeding the different breeds of pigeons mutations, however, have the essential role played. Whether it be the different color varieties, drawings, thick nose warts belatschte feet, the collar, and much more. All of these features occurred in the form of our wild pigeons, the rock pigeon does not occur.
But when, for example, the recessive characteristic of the collar turned up for the first time, farmers were virtually forced to consolidate this mutation through inbreeding and thus a significant number of pigeons with ruff grow. After all, had related descendants of the first mutant, both carrying the new recessive gene are paired together so that the offspring of a visible Ruff showed. Each subsequent occurrence of the neck brace is virtually the proof of the relationship with the first mutants of both the father and the mother.
The principle of inbreeding in nature is an essential element that contributes to the emergence of new species. Inbreeding has also helped create the rock dove, as it has contributed to the creation of man. Thus, inbreeding is not demonize themselves be deemed harmful or objectionable. In breeding, it serves the important purpose of setting properties in a broader population . inbreeding Overview it Applies to solve new tasks is a population with many different alternatives in the genome (possibly heterozygote genomes so) much more adaptable than an inbred population (high homozygosity) with few genetic variants.
In pigeon racing is made in respect of some requirements, such as "fast flying" ever again same problem, where it refers to a similar flight distances. Thus, the inbreeding is to consolidate a valuable tool properties such as the "high air speed" in stock.
However, for inbreeding to both "bad", as well as "good" genes can be enriched. Therefore, inbreeding alone is not a tool that drives us forward. brings only combined with very strict selection of inbred inbred offspring for our breeding goals, the desired enrichment of the "good" genes.
that inbred animals generally for travel or extensive breeding test are useless, have refuted the Janssen brothers-four times. Already the "Oude Merckx" with its 18 1.Konkursen was with an inbreeding coefficient of more than 12.7% inbred stronger than they were a young father-grandson pair. And the "Jonge Merckx" flew with an inbreeding coefficient of 45% and another 15 1.Konkurse. The starting material of Janssens was obviously top notch and largely free of "harmful" genes that would have the strong inbreeding can connect to the fore. Also operated the Janssens (at least in the early years, as well as Prof. anchor) reports a very strict selection in breeding. The Committee on inbred offspring is expected, much higher than the crossing offspring.
inbred animals, however, can lose epistasis effects of vitality and efficiency, without having necessarily the enrichment of "harmful" genes must be the cause. is therefore to be expected at constant inbreeding in the long run without crossing a performance hit, even if ever so strong selection is operating on the breeding goal .
very promising but I believe the strongest exchange of inbreeding, hard Selection and subsequent cross with a completely unrelated line, as well as Günter Prange since the 90 runs.
In the first step promises a strong performance between inbred pigeons (or top-breeders) and her best (in terms of our breeding goals) children or siblings, a high enrichment of genes. The subsequent strong selection remain the inbred animals as possible, many of our "desire genes."
In the last step, the "crossbreeding" of the harmful influence of the great vitality of the homozygosity by crossing with a completely unrelated partner is repealed. Also this Partner might naturally arise from a inbred line, he did not. What is decisive is his equally high quality and its adaptability.
With Passer ability here meant that by pairing the highest possible heterosis effect to be achieved. If this does not happen, so the negative effects of inbreeding depression would be lifted only in part, and the offspring can not play their full genetic Potental. The "genetic distance" (the genetic diversity of the genes of the present homozygous inbred animals) between the mating partners should therefore be large.
Since inbred animals a higher homozygosity have, ensuring a secure transition of part of the "good" genes to the offspring, are drawn from very good breeding animals more resistant good young animals than from crossbred with a lower homozygosity.
Conversely, but also noted, being derived from poor breeding animals more resistant offspring bad!
Inbreeding is useful to increase the predictability of the breeding results. For improving the quality, however, the consistent selection is responsible, not the inbreeding.
population genetics for pigeons fathers (Part 9) 
In the first part, I have reported short-Oedipus, Following a spell of his own mother to wife and children took the father to her. The right to existing moral condemnation of inbreeding in human society also influences our view of inbreeding in animal breeding. So wrote Hans Zurhöfer example (an outstanding pigeon breeders in the 50s-70s and founder of Total widowhood) in his books, full of indignation against inbreeding in pigeons, since it is unnatural and could only be the result of decay.
But how is the inbreeding from the perspective of Polpulationsgenetik assessed?
inbreeding, what happened in detail? speak of inbreeding, we strictly in population genetics whenever father and mother have common ancestors. The closer the two animals are relative, the greater the inbreeding. By inbreeding of paternal and maternal genetic material with the same part is introduced. This means that meet the juvenile at these sites in the genome like alleles of the genes, ie the number of homozygous gene pairs is increased. This homozyoten gene pairs has the effect that the direct descendants of this animal saved always get such a homozygous allele occurring inherited. That is, the higher the homozygosity of the genome of an animal, the more sure you can predict which genes the children will receive. But a note at this point very important, it still says nothing about whether these genes are "good" or "bad" genes! The inbreeding coefficient, an important characteristic As for "close relatives" means can be calculated in practice. For example, if a daughter is mated to her father, the young animals are even half of the genes from the father and the prisoners of the genes from the mother. But half of the maternal genes are genes already been derived from the father. If each of these genes represent a random selection of the paternal genome, it is assumed that 25% of the genes present the young animal homozygous, because here each Genes of the father, and genes of the father over the mother have taken Coming (50% father genes have a probability of 50% to another Vatergen take is 25% of gene pairs with the same alleles).
generation Pro / birth, which is between the same relative, reduced the take probably the same genes, by a factor of two (because of the cleavage of the 40 pairs of chromosomes into two groups each with 40 single strands during meiosis). Thus, therefore, would be likely to present genes in homozygous father x-grandchild pairs, only 12.5% and half-siblings also pairs 12.5% (three births). But
increases the probability of homozygous genes available with each course to have common ancestors, and these probabilities are simply added together. Thus, the expected homozygosity is a full-sib mating again at 25% (two common ancestors and three births). because of this common ancestor and random Genverteilung expected homozygosity in the genome of the young animal is called the inbreeding coefficient . The actual calculation formula can google it easily leads at this point too far.
The calculation by hand is a bit tedious especially for many generations. Against this background, it is incomprehensible to me until today, why not one on the market "pigeon breeding" program the automatic calculation of the inbreeding coefficient supported. Pretty much any breeding program for rabbits, dogs, chickens and horses, this can! "Pigeon breeding" programs seem unfortunately to express beautiful trees meant to be. A free tool (because it is a stripped down version of professional tools) can be found here: www.tenset.co.uk/fspeed/ the program with a table, we "fed" in which each row the number of the animal, the father and mother separated by commas are written.
The inbreeding coefficient of the example of "Jonge Merckx" 
The "Jonge Merckx is "one of the most important pigeons, the Janssen brothers have grown, because not only does he flew 15 times 1st prize, virtually all are good sires and Zuchtauben the recent past of the Janssen brothers from him. Examples of what I call only three of his grandchildren: "Blue Winter Jonge" (father of "Klamper" and "Vechter (alloying) and Grandpa" Lowieke (vdPasch)), "Afgekeurde" and "rockets" (critical strain dove for the blow G. & C to. Koopman).
As far as the family relations were documented, I have tried the course of inbreeding coefficient in the pedigree of "Jonge Merckx" calculate.
Since I have the exact relationships to the Janssen Pigeons before 1950 could not figure out completely, the Janssen brothers but have previously operated Verwandschaftzzucht is of generally higher inbreeding coefficient than the stated assumed, however, one can show well in this example, a few things.
By a click on the picture is the lineage it enlarged.
The "Jonge Merckx" had to say after my research, at least one inbreeding coefficient (abbreviated pedigree IZK) of 45%. This means 45% of its genetic material were probably from homozygous, was thus secured transferred to its offspring. It is no coincidence that He was known as a more lasting sire.
45% is an extremely high value, because this is almost twice as high as the inbreeding coefficient of a daughter x father product! One can also see how the inbred from generation to generation increased steadily as more and more equal relationship occurred in the family tree (part of the family tree, is beyond the 5th generation not shown). is also apparent that for the consideration of inbreeding within a breeding strategy is very much important to know a family tree as completely and as far back as possible leader.
the repeatedly expressed view that trees in the breeding plan are important, because they are "no fly" can be dangerous because you might lose sight of the important relationship links, and thus, for example in breeding pairs, without that you are aware, because the same relatives already be older. It would have the pairing of the parents of the "Small ads of 65" not recognized as a breeding relationship, although with her already inbreeding coefficient of 9.4% is present (ie more than a father x grandson mating).
has, however, the "Jonge Merckx" itself never directly produced an outstandingly good flying juvenile, were found more successes in the following generations, and they were usually celebrated with other breeders. And in any case were the travel services of the Janssen brothers from that date in the 70's, downhill! What had happened? Finally, had the "Jonge Merckx" but obviously a big package of "good" genes, which he passed on to his offspring. Why then were the successes in the Janssens getting worse? inbreeding depression and heterosis The concentration of genes by inbreeding concentrates the genes of a common ancestor in a random composition and not only the "good" genes . If a common relative of a rare recessive gene as a specific disease susceptibility has, then is not this gene in pairs with related animals probably never negative impact because it is the only stock in the pigeon with this gene. But then his offspring were mated in breeding, so this gene may occur suddenly homozygous, and thus phenotypically visible. Say morbidity would occur with this breed animal.
By inbreeding so connect recessive rare qualities to light, and some of them can have a negative effect on the phenotype. It is clear that the higher the homozygosity, the higher is the probability that such negative effects come to light.
influence Furthermore, different genes, too each other (epistasis or also called overdominance). The more homozygosity in the genome is available, the more likely are epistatic interactions. And again: some thereof have a negative effect on the phenotype.
The more the inbreeding that is, the higher the probability that negative so far hidden in the genetic material properties are visible. This effect is called commonly by inbreeding depression.
Another effect of inbreeding is that the genetic variation decreases the inbred animals in the extent to which decreases the number of different ancestors. This may have the positive effect that one has the genetic material present very good animals less concentrated. But this can also have the negative effect that decreases the adaptability of these animals to changing environmental conditions. For an allele that has been "bred out" is irretrievably lost.
The extremely high degree of inbreeding of the "Jonge Merckx" shows how well its sophisticated must the original material of Janssens once have been, with which they began their breeding. For there to be found in the literature that shows inbreeding depression often even with an inbreeding coefficient of 10% negative impact. But the "Jonge Merckx", despite the value of 45% with 15 1.Konkursen in flying an exception dove. For him, apparently mainly "good" genes were concentrated benefits. In also shows the high value of the "Jonge Merckx" but also that he possessed only a much smaller sized gent variation, other than the pigeon breeders. For the Janssens even he could again be paired with him related animals only, so that genetic depletion and inbreeding its pure Janssen-children increased even more. Changing requirements (eg new pathogens) and increasing inbreeding depression paved the success of the Janssens to a foreseeable end.
high unabated until the 90s, but the quality of Janssen-pigeons as a sire of top prices (especially on short and medium range). They showed this ability in particular when they were not completely crossed with related animals of another breeder. And it quickly becomes clear why: In one stroke (ie in the first mating), the high homozygosity, which is mainly responsible for the problems is reduced to an inbreeding coefficient of 0%. The negative consequences of inbreeding are so strong also disappeared in a flash. But in return, the children receive a great package from the "good" genes of the "Jonge Merckx", acting through their additive gene effect continues.
This sudden improvement in his performance of the phenotype in young animals an intersection pairing is called heterosis. She is so to speak, the counterpart to inbreeding depression .
population genetics for pigeons fathers (Part 8) The breeding of racing pigeons is not without good reason, a major challenge. As described in the previous section, our goal is to breed aces, always dependent on environmental factors. The climate on the beat, the nature and quality of care, the weather on the flights, the training methods, all of these environmental factors affect the result of a flying pigeon. For this very reason, but the evaluation of the quality of a pigeon is so difficult. Because it determines not only the genetic potential, if the pigeon has what it takes to ace, but is also available if and to what extent this potential.
changed millions of children from As-pigeons in the history of the pigeon sport certainly the owner, without having at their new owners (under different environmental conditions) is ever a good racing pigeon, much less put an ace. This illustrates very clearly the strong role of environmental factors in the testing of breeding pigeons. to conclude from this that one can genetics and its findings for the pigeon breeding eventually forgotten, but would be a fatal mistake. The fact that something is difficult does not mean that something is impossible. Moreover, a glance at the pedigrees of most As-pigeons that perform very well but are just hereditary. Very often seen here in all generations of ancestors, top tier with above average benefits as a travel or breeding animal. An ace bird, whose ancestors for generations have provided no proof of performance is not met me personally.
Clear, reproducible criteria in the genetic testing Just because the environment has such a strong influence on the performance of our pigeons, we should do in assessing the characteristics, breeding which we try to minimize environmental dependencies. It is therefore dangerous to the breeding value of a dove exclusively on air power to estimate the pigeons, and even if one flight performance of birds on different beats, and even from different years of traveling compares. Alternatively, is a ranking of the pigeons within a shock that completed all the same itinerary with the same weather, including other factors much more meaningful.
I do it with me so that I in relation to me important breeding objectives (see Part 7) during a seasonal distribution points. Who scored in a criterion, a good eye-catching performance and showed a striking positive behavior, gets points here. Murder, for example, to learn something new, get the pigeons "to jump into the deep end" as the first and understand it a point to intelligence. Travel services are always evaluated relative to their impact comrades. This I try to environmental influences, such as a particularly good way to travel on the beat, the weather on the flights, flights bankrupt, ..., so the pigeons always concern all of a blow, be removed from the review.
Extraordinary flights, such as the weather flights or "bankrupt" are used to award points for endurance / regeneration ability and special ability to orient. Flights with very unfavorable wind are used to score for sense of direction and intelligence to forgive. The behavior during the acclimatization of age on the new shock, and also the behavior during the brood are used in order to award points for territorial behavior. The animals are then monitored throughout the year and distributed points for each breeding goals.
When it comes to mating, the pairs are composed so that all breeding objectives, the highest possible score is achieved. In the breeding objectives no compensatory pairing is operated, then yes I would like to achieve a progressive improvement. In areas that are not part of my breeding goals, such as certain body proportions, however, is operated compensatory breeding, just to produce without extremes.
If pigeons are imported from other beats, I try to select the strokes so that the selection criteria are similar think at this blow. I would never introduce such a dove from a blow which selects preferred by eye signs, as I believe no such thing. On the other hand, I have introduced a Belgian pigeon breeder who sends his animals very often to over 500km, high demands on the innate sense of direction of the animals, because he practiced the training track hard and has a remote in his club. All similar requirements that I set my pigeons.
top sires All that we do, to give the chance of breeding in a desired direction. But sometimes there are Pigeons that seem special and very much more than other doves, to pass on their characteristics to their offspring. How can this be where we are but, as shown in earlier parts, have a random distribution of genes of the parents do to children? Also, the vast majority of qualities on which we grow in pigeons, ie quantitative need, determined by many genes properties. And their complementary alleles are additive in their properties. So there is not a dominant performance gene, which must be sent only to the descendant is an ace.
First of all, a top sire at particularly high enrichment level of "good" genes has reached in its genome. But in addition, there are two important aspects to highlight here:
first The coupling of genes . In meiosis (maturation of germ cells), although the chromosomes of the mother and father are mixed and distributed in each half on the germ cells, but the single chromosome threads (40 of 40, the mother and father) all remain in each case there! That is, if on a chromosome of the father's already a lot of "good" genes for a particular property are present, they are inherited in a row on the progeny. One speaks in this case also by the coupling of these genes. That means every second pup, and again every second of this young pup, gets the whole Block "good" genes inherited. The coupling of important genes is thus a particularly good explanation for doing away sires for generations. (Paired genes contradict the way of the independence rules of Mendel)
In certain breeding pairs can also occur once a rare coupling of qualitative characteristics (such as plumage color) and performance characteristics, for example, if the allele for the plumage color happens to be on the chromosome strand, sits on the the many performance-favorable genes sit, and all are commonly assigned to the boys. As I said, this linkage is an absolute coincidence and can not and should not be generalized. Just because example, in the young birds from a particular pair of the "greasy blue" fly best, this is not for everyone "greasy blue" birds! Stepped on, it is of course a godsend, because it is evidence for selection.
addition to coupling one must also mention that to in rare cases during meiosis, the paternal and maternal chromosome thread can cross over and then a section between the two chromosomes can be replaced. This is called the CROSSING OVER. The Crossing over can be the reason why these with "good" genes loaded chromosome strand of the top sires is ever created. It may also be the reason why this line again "broken" so that the offspring no longer inherits all the top genes at a time.
second The homozygosity: I had homozygous and heterozygous for the terms in Part 3 below. If a gene on both the paternal as exists on the maternal chromosome strand, the same allele, this is called homozygous or homozygous. A homozygous gene is present secured transferred to the children, as is present in all germ cells of the animal's parents that one allele. If we free ourselves from the consideration of individual genes, and consider the entire genome, the question arises as often occur homozygous genes. Say, what is the homozygosity of Ergutes this animal? The higher the homozygosity of the genome, the more secure the individual properties of the animal to be inherited by his descendants! To have a top sires could its extraordinary ability and a high homozygosity particular on the "good" due to genes. This then ensures that a large part of his "good" genes are transferred to the children.
the most widely used tool for increasing the homozygosity in breeding is inbreeding. This is a particular issue, so I'll explain it in a separate Part 9.
population genetics for pigeons fathers (Part 7) The genome contains the plan after a being "built" is. This was in the previous parts, a second-hand picture of me ever again. But we have seen in the last part that the environment also contributes her particular batch to "build" of the animal. This environmental influence may be the case that he is the authoritative body for the development of certain characteristics. This means that inheritance can do at this point nothing concrete.
The heritability (heritability)
Consider, for example the branches of a tree, it soon becomes clear that has not defined its genetic material, which branch shall grow out exactly how thick it is, and when he brings new cross-shoots. The genome is describing only behave according to what rules the tree, when exposed to wind, sun and Astabrüchen. What ultimately comes out of it then provides each different, unique, even if there are two trees with identical genetic material.
Two other examples, we also know from the people: the fingerprint and the iris are individually different from person to person, even in identical twins. And it was at this point is mentioned again: It is not just unlikely that the iris drawings of our pigeons are not determined solely by the genotype, but individual products of nature, whose appearance in detail the impact of environmental factors and growth processes are. Say: just the details (the detail drawings of the pigeon eye, such as "speed lines" endurance lines ", ...), to which many breeders look is still all too happy to" predict inheritance strength "of racing pigeons are probably not directly from genetic material of the dove-dependent, but in large part on "environmental factors" due! are at least but the eye appearance determinants qualitatively inherited characteristics that are attributable to only a few genes. One conclusion from these few genes on the genome of a dove or to the dependent of many genes subjected to quantitative traits (such as speed) is not permitted (see also here under the heading of "linkage of genes").
The characteristic of a living being that we can strengthen or weaken due to directional selection, or, and this is also the background, the added feature of this environment through the range of variation known in genetics as a hereditary trait. That is, the feature must be able, despite the environmental variation in the phenotype to enforce identified. The relative progress
(relative to the selection limit) , the one made in the selection of one to the next generation called heritability in population genetics. This can be best with the German art word "heredity" translate.
So when the variation of the environment is extremely large, they may, as in the case of the branch structure of a tree, the genetic instructions to make behind disguised so that they would speak of a very low heritability / heritability of the branch structure of trees, as you will can breed by selection on any particular branch structure down.
in animal breeding and breeding of pigeons, we can therefore only by selection in the features of progress achieved in the genome that have a sufficient heritability. As a very important Feature that has different statements in a very low heritability is, at this point the vitality of these (eg in the book "The art of breeding" of Prof. Alfons Anker and in "The Big Book of pigeon" by Prof. van Grembergen) . So if the statements of those few scientists who once dealt specifically with racing pigeons are true then this means: A selection of vitality, although of course the average health status of the stock very beneficial and is therefore absolutely necessary, it does not improve but the genome of the animals, to an average of "more vigorous" doves. Say also two top-vital vital little animals can be drawn animals and vice versa. For mandating the property "vitality" in the genome is hardly possible.
written focusing on a few characteristics
As in earlier parts, which are so important in pigeons properties quantitatively inherited characteristics that involved in the expression of many genes. If you wanted to do it very easily, so you could only speak of a feature to which we breed: "The ability to be an ace-pigeon or 1.Konkursflieger.
This feature is a combination of many quantitatively inherited traits and therefore depends on a very large number of genes. And that fact makes us then may enable the selection special. Why?
Now, each has a quantitative trait variation (I refer here to those already shown more representation of the frequency distribution of a particular characteristic quality, such as in milk production in cows in Part 4 below). And the variation is again significantly increased by environmental variation and change. If we now operate on this trait through selection, we will indeed achieve steady progress in the improvement of the genome through the accumulation of "good" genes. But the progress per generation is smaller, the greater the variability of the feature and its heritability is the less. Also, it is difficult to assess the characteristics and reproducibility of environmental factors rel. to create separate criteria as environmental influences may limit the reproducibility strong. It should be mentioned as an example of the weather on the flights, the assessment of the property "Speed" more difficult.
addition, the assessment produced for many features nor a systematic problem:
When selecting assessment of the first characteristic (eg nest love) could, for example, only 30% meet the all the animals our criterion and remain, and in the assessment of the second characteristic (eg muscle) only 10% of all animals, and in the assessment a third characteristic (eg distance fitness) only 20% of all animals. And it could well be that meet only 0.6% (10% x 20% x 30%) of all available breeding animals, the selection tests! Say would pups from 1000, when we have some bad luck, meets all the criteria, only 6 pups! As a direct consequence
you would gewungen, selecting for one or another feature no longer as sharp. What is, however, if this feature already has a low Heritabiliät, in reference to this characteristic very quickly, on average, sinks and obtain any further breeding progress is herein.
So we quickly realized why the Breeder is extremely important that his breeding animals are not only good but very good in it as many of the important properties. After all the offspring will always deviate in both directions, and that the number of young animals at the same time in all important features is the "better" direction differ statistically already very low. Yet it goes quickly to zero as used in breeding animals that are with us the important features of only average or even below average.
In my view, the most complex of all possible selection criteria for an pigeon's ("The As-dove" or "the tip-plane") is already subject to many quantitatively inherited traits under. Therefore, the expected heritability is very low. Exactly why is achieved in the breeding of very good pigeons so slow and difficult progress. But that's why it's so exciting.
And it is precisely why it is important in my view, that our already difficult to access feature of the "peak-pilot" is not other, of which independent breeding characteristics (such as eye color, feather shapes of the cover feathers, toe color ,...) adds. Because then inevitably the selection of field suffers in our main feature, as we are not so many youngsters can grow without limit.
On the other hand, it would be very useful, this complex back to main feature less complex sub-features to speak of which it "exists". So you could keep the breeding progress in these sub-features in the eye in order not to risk large "decline". Because this danger is especially true if one has focused on the selection for the feature "AS-dove", and the performance of a particular animal were but in this case, unfortunately, are greatly influenced by some hereditary characteristics, such as an outstanding vigor and hybrid power .
And at this point we leave the path of the known. What they may be in the eye to remember piece of "character states". Tradition Embossed pigeon breeders enter here often appearances such as "wing shape", "body shape", "Behavior of the tail when tilting of the Dove," "broad back ",... at. This could all well be true characteristics.
But I personally have strong doubts there that many of the above selection criteria are really effective. For how do we know how practical look at these features, the good and the bad? There have been so far as I know, no biomechanical studies that have determined the optimum body pigeons. Had these features is highly relevant for a very good flying pigeon, it should be but in the last centuries of breeding pigeons at least among the top pigeons and aces have with respect to these traits emerged very common type!
exactly
And this is despite many assertions to the contrary, just not the case! As examples I would like to add only two famous pigeons: The famous "Knook" (translates to "bone", which says quite a lot about his appearance) of De Klak, and the "Sissi" of ad Schaerlaeckens, a statement of Schaerlaeckens after very small and rather unbalanced female that to the best breeders of the 20th Century is to be expected.
Let me not be misunderstood. Sure it is optimal body shape (or more give short, medium and long distance pigeons). But when a pigeon breeding, in a manner of this body in shape, which is detrimental to flight performance (and only that but we are interested), just the flight performance of that animal even worse. Say is a selection on flight performance of a dove to me the necessary agonyty a deaf body but directly accessible!
My personal favorite for the eye to remember piece of "sub-features" are rather
- intelligent behavior and learning ability
high - a high sense of direction
- strong nesting instinct and area
- fast regeneration ability after a great effort
- Distance suitability
and finally
- Speed
particular, the regenerative capacity can, however, include not necessarily a good hereditary cardio-metabolic complex, because it simply just a special (unfortunately low inherited) could be due vitality. Therefore be recognized breeders selected only as a viable breeding animals when their offspring have those features and also by the heredity of their properties was to prove to their offspring. Otherwise, this breeding animal (no matter like how its travel services are then also have been) removed from the herd and its progeny.
But as said. Here we are no longer on the specific pre-determined by the population genetics path. Rather, it is the individual interpretation of these findings and the resulting consequences of each breeder. Here it is exciting, and that competition is between the breeders of at this point in the breed!
is after the previously written word, of course, the question of whether and how the inbreeding is useful to install in a breeding strategy. If it finds such to demonize Pandora's box that will always by some authors is invoked again? Does it really any good? 
