A Guide to Practical Breeding A Guide to Practical Breeding First edition, 2012 | Page 17

17 Tools of the Practical Breeder Start right Whether you are a dogmatic (traditional) or pragmatic (practical) breeder, it is always wise, however, to heed the advice of Mayor Juancho Aguirre, the legendary breeder of the lemon guapo and the Aguirre grey, that there is only one way to start it right. Mayor Aguirre meant: Start right by getting the best materials from reliable sources because it will cost about as much to produce and raise mediocre chickens as real good ones. And, that the greatest reward in breeding the game fowl is in knowing you are doing it correctly. Basic genetics What the good mayor said was the rationale or why we should The point is start with good materials. To do it, however, aspiring breeders even small chicken of game fowl should first possess knowledge in basic genetics. raisers have the right This comprehension of fundamentals will help us determine to enjoy every aspect what a good material is and be able to acquire them as Mayor of sabong, including Aguirre and other authorities on breeding suggest. Genetics, the science that governs reproduction of genes, is a complicated breeding. study on how genes are passed on from one generation to the next. The complexity of genetics is one reason why game fowl breeding is not a simple matter. No breeder, regardless of ability and resources, can be certain of the outcome of a mating. Because of this, breeding is regarded as the highest form of involvement in the chicken sport. It is not easy to become a successful breeder. But this should not discourage us from taking up the challenge and perhaps the satisfaction in creating bloodlines of our own name and liking. In cockfighting breeding is of utmost importance. It is the chickens’ foundation. Other factors that will contribute in enhancing the good traits set by successful breeding are environment, nutrition and exercise. This book on how we bred the blakliz is also a guide to the ordinary chicken raiser. It is in line with one of the objectives of RB Sugbo Gamefowl Technology which is to design and transfer technology suited to the means of common sabungeros in order to narrow down the gap between the big and the small timers. The point is even small chicken raisers have the right to enjoy every aspect of sabong, including breeding. Also, because at any rate, breeding the game fowl, may it be for big time or backyard, can be a source of additional income. Genetics is important. But it doesn’t mean we have to earn a master or doctorate in genetics in order to be able to breed the game fowl. Basic knowledge in genetics and a lot of common sense would be enough. We need fundamental knowledge in genetics in order to enjoy and get satisfaction from what we are doing. We cannot enjoy doing something we are ignorant of. Basic knowledge will enable us to set genetic objectives that we can use