Habagat, meat chicken that could fight, has Andalusian blue gene

( Habagat, ang manok pangmesa na pwede sa rueda ay ginawa batay din sa kunting kaalaman sa genetics at malawak na karanasan sa manok panabong. Wag maliitin ang genetics, dahil ang mga wild type genes ng manok na nakapagpanatili nitong buhay sa ilang ay siya ring mga katangian na makatutulong sa pakipaglaban sa ruweda. Napakamalaking bagay na alamin ang mga ito. Lalo na't kung gumagawa tayo ng manok na pangmesa na pwede sa rueda. )

Habagat’s breed standards include Andalusian blue gene.

The plumage Blue, as in Andalusian Blue, is caused by an incompletely dominant gene (Bl). It is a modifying gene that, when bred to a black bird, produces the "Andalusian Blue" plumage. And with laced feathers. The lacing (border at the edge of the feather) is either black or dark blue.

The breed Blue Andalusian was originated in Andalusia, Spain from mating of Spanish fowl and its sport. The Spanish fowl or Spanish gamefowl is believed to be among the oldest breeds of gamefowl in the world.

In modern gamefowl the gene Andalusian blue had been associated with the mug, and the fighting traits of modified speed, agility and aggressiveness. No wonder, because the blue gene modifies black. Blue is diluted black. In turn black or melanism, in the wild, is believed to be linked to stealth and quick reflexes. Plumage color is somehow linked to some physical traits.

Don’t underestimate wild type genetics. After all, the same traits that helped chicken survived in the wild and avoid extinction for thousands of years, might be exactly the same traits which may help gamefowl to survive in the pit. Knowing and understanding them would be a great help in your breeding program.

Photo: Note the prominent lacing in the breast feathers of the Habagat, trademark of Andalusian blue gene. Habagat (Philippine Fowl) is a meat chicken that can compete in the pit.