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