Breeding is all about fixing traits
A little knowledge in genetics and lots of common sense are enough to set one self as a game fowl breeder. Yes breeder, in the true sense of the word. And, not just propagator, replicator or ‘mater.’
A little knowledge in genetics is necessary for one to engage in real breeding. Because breeding is governed by the science of genetics. However, in game fowl breeding lots of commom sense is also necessary because of the absence of comprehensive and scientific studies on vital aspects of genetics that make a game fowl a good game fowl.
Studious game fowl breeders might be able to take advantage of the studies on chicken genetics in general such as those concerning color, comb type, and other simple hereditary traits. But the genetics that govern fighting ability is not scientifically defined yet. There are no published studies yet on these matters. Certainy, fighting ability is not simple. It must be dictated by several genes or combinations.
It is for the aspect of fighting ability that a game fowl breeder needs common sense and experience.
Because breeding is genetics and not mathematics, there are no set formula on how to produce good game fowl. Diagrams on breeding methods are useless, if one does not understand that the pre-requisites. So therefore, instead of drawing fixed diagrams, better if you set objectives.
Breeding is all about fixing traits. So set as objectives what traits to fix in your bloodline. Then take necessary steps all aimed at achieving those objectives. For example if you want a strain of chickens that are straight combs, then do not use pea combs as breeders. If you want game chickens, then don’t use runners as breeders.
However, unlike breeding other chicken breeds, breeding game fowl is not as simple as that. The most important aspect of game fowl breeding is fighting ability. It is also the hardest to fix. Because fighting ability is likely dictated by several genes at different loci, in various chromosomes.
Thus, in the absence of conclusive scientific studies, fixing fighting traits is trial and error if you want to see it that way. This is where common sense and experience come in. In trial and error, common sense and experience help. An educatedt guess is more than just a guess.
(We, at RB Sugbo, have been trying for years to find correlations between colors and some traits helpful in fighting in the pit. We some day will be releasing some of our theories or intelligent guesses, if we prefer to call them as such.)
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