Scientific way of selecting brood fowl
The ability to select brood fowl will make or unmake you as a breeder. There is a scientific approach to the matter.
For example, let’s discuss selecting a brood cock. We select a brood cock based on phenotype and fighting ability. However, we also want to determine if it is prepotent of the traits we desire. Because, science had explained there are roosters that look nice and fight good but are not prepotent of the traits.
So say, we have a potential brood cock in hand. Nice looks, great fighting ability. How then would we judge the cock’s potential to be a prepotent brood cock? Well, ask yourself or the breeder, as the case may be, the right questions based on the science of breeding.
If the particular cock is a product of our own breeding, then, you know if the traits it manifested are fixed in its phenotype. For example if it manifested speed in sparring, and you have been breeding this particular line for speed over an ample period, then you will know that the speed on the cock was bred into it, and not just acquired through some lucky draw of genes. Because science says speed is polygenic and quantitative inheritance.
If you didn’t breed the cock, ask the breeder the right questions. Ask the breeder what kind of matings were done to produce this particular cock. Say, was it linebreeding to a great individual and what kind of linebreeding. or is it a product of inbreeding a particular bloodline and how did he do it. Or is if it is a cross, ask the respective characteristics of the bloodlines involved.
The point is to establish if the traits you like in the potential broodcock are fixed by the breeder by design. You can gauge the breeder’s knowledge in breeding by the way he answers questions. You will know if he has an idea about seed fowl, prepotency or the traits that affect fighting style.
Try to get an idea of his breeding philosophy or the lack of it. Then ask the breeder if you can see the full brothers of this cock spar. If its full brothers possess the same traits you like in the potential brood cock, then chances are good that these characteristics are deeply rooted in their bloodline and thus can be passed on to succeeding generations. Many are now learning science of breeding. Soon buyers will be asking the right questions. Sellers must be ready with the right answers.
Scientific way of selecting brood fowl
[if !supportLists]1. [endif]Determine how it was bred. By linebreeding, inbreeding, or crossing. How the process was done.
[if !supportLists]2. [endif]By knowing the process, you will have an idea if the traits you see and desire are fixed in the bloodline and not just result of lucky draw of genes.
[if !supportLists]3. [endif]Take a look at the full sibblings. If the traits you desire are common to the sibling, then, chances are these traits are fixed in the bloodline.
[if !supportLists]4. [endif]Determine if the breeder understands breeding and he did fix the traits by design.
[if !supportLists]5. [endif]Detemine the breeder’s breeding philosophy or his lack of it. It will give you an idea how to proceed.
[if !supportLists]6. [endif]The main point is to determine if the traits you desire are fixed in the bloodline.
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