A Guide to Practical Breeding A Guide to Practical Breeding First edition, 2012 | Page 32

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In the breeding of the blakliz, RB Sugbo has put these principles
to test. We might have been breeding the blakliz pure for some simple
traits such as plumage, leg color, and perhaps comb type. But we will be
going for more genetic variations for traits that have something to do
with fighting ability. Because unlike simple hereditary features, the ability to fight well is determined by several attributes such as power, speed,
flight, cutting ability and others. And, each of these attributes is separately dictated by a number of genes in a number of locations. In this regard
we will cast our lot on the better-genes-are-dominant theory.
Inbreeding
Inbreeding is the mating between individuals with a common ancestor or ancestors within six generations. In short, the mating of relatives. Examples of inbreeding are the mating between full siblings or
brother to sister mating; son to mother; father to daughter. These are intense forms of inbreeding. Less intense forms are half-brother to half sister; nephew to aunt; uncle to niece. There are also milder forms of inbreeding using far more removed
relatives. Inbreeding is done in
order to purify succeeding generWe might have been
ations for certain desired quali- breeding the blakliz pure
ties. The object of purification is
to increase the chances that these for some simple traits such
traits will be passed on the suc- as plumage, leg color, and
ceeding generations. For exam- perhaps comb type. But we
ple a flock of chickens pure of will be going for more
the feature of straight comb, genetic variations for traits
when mated, will pass on noth- that have something to do
ing but gene for straight comb.
So if we desire to have chickens with fighting ability.
with straight comb then we
ought to breed individuals that
are pure of the straight comb trait. This is the reason why inbred or purified chickens are preferred as breeders.
Breeding the gamefowl is not always as simple as that. Comb
type is a simple hereditary trait, even trivial, but fighting ability and other
attributes are not. Thus there is always the possibility that inbreeding will
result not only in purifying desired traits but also undesirable ones. When
this happens, the results are called inbreeding depression. As a rule, the
more intense the inbreeding, the higher the chances of depression. The
intensity of inbreeding is measured by what is called inbreeding coefficient. But for practical purposes we don’t have to master the inbreeding co-efficient of every mating combination between relatives. It is
enough that we know inbreeding is resorted to in order to purify good
traits for our brood fowl to pass on these traits to the succeeding generations. It also helps that we are , as well, aware of the dangers thereof.