How to Create a Gamefowl Strain
Gamefowl are often raised for their hardiness, broodiness and beauty. Cockfighting is illegal almost everywhere, but the traits of the gamefowl are valuable for many reasons other than cockfighting. Keep a pair, trio or more, free ranging on your property and you will find they exhibit hardiness, ability to raise their own young, forage for themselves and let you enjoy a distinctive beauty amongst the fowl available to create your own gamefowl strain.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Purchase the best quality stock of gamefowl possible. Quality, rather than quantity, gives a better foundation to create your gamefowl strain from. One cock and one or more hens are necessary to begin your strain.
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2
Raise chicks from the originating cock and hens. Choose the desired traits you want to create in a strain of gamefowl. Be prepared to cull chicks not displaying the desired traits. Keep those with the desired traits for future breeding.
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3
Breed those with specific desired traits to others with the same traits. Keep repeating, culling those not showing traits wanted in the strain you are creating. Keep all males separate when the stags, young males, begin to mature into cocks -- adult males. They will fight until death, as it is their natural behavior.
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4
House the gamefowl individually if specific breeding is to take place or small groups made up of one cock to one or more hens. Place together for breeding when wanting to lock in genes. Study the basics of line breeding, in-breeding, out-crossing and hybrid vigor. Create your gamefowl strain with vigor, hardiness and a pleasant appearance to end with your overall desired strain.
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5
Continue to create your strain through selective breeding and culling. Add other brood stock as necessary. Concentrating on one strain for your first endeavor is likely to produce better results, two strains at the most. You do not need a large farm but attention to desired traits and correct breeding choices defines your strain.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Cockfighting is illegal in most areas. Gamefowl have other attributes making them valuable.
