- Nov 22, 2011
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If disposition/temperament is heritable, then having the majority of breeders selecting aggressive cock(erel)s for show competitiveness would, over time, mean most show birds would be aggressive.
And that's why I don't personally like Games. Though they are quite attractive and colorful, they are (in my opinion) quite obnoxious little *bleeps* I wouldn't own/show them even if someone gave me the best of the best. That's what is so wonderful about the poultry world. There is something for everyone.
Houdan aren't supposed to be gamecocks, their purpose is utility, not sport. However, this may be of interest, from "The Poultry" a book published in 1904, author of the section on Houdan, Rev. C.E. Peterson of Maine, :
"How to Mate for the Best Results
The first essential to future success is the perfect health of the birds from which the breeding pen is to be made up. And of such vital importance is this selection of healthy spirited birds that if neglected will simply invite absolute and complete failure and disappointment after disappointment in future operations. We might have ever so fine a bird but if it lacks in constitution it is of no value in the breeding pen. Every chance is in favor of such a bird transmitting its own lack of constitution. Usually there is not enough strength and vitality for the transmission of some of the good points it possessed. And still worse his undesirable qualities would be intensified. Line breeding must be resorted to so as to obtain best results and fasten the distinctive qualities and characteristics of the birds so they will reproduce themselves. If in the very beginning of the formation of a strain, weakly and unhealthy blood is introduced, the result will of a necessity be fatal to success. Inbreeding therefore without good material and skilful application is useless with both it is almost irresistible. The females should as near as possible be of the same type. Whatever their faults are in other respects as far as type is concerned they should be uniform. By so doing and securing a male bird of true Houdan shape and type we shall obtain that uniformity of character so noticeable in a first class strain. The first thing of importance in the male bird is size. He should never be below the Standard weight and if two or more pounds over so much the better. He should have no grave defect of either body or limbs. Good well formed feet in the male bird is of the first importance. On this point I find his influence very potent. I consider the crest of great importance in the male. I would never use a small crested bird for stock purposes. In color I prefer a male darker than the Standard calls for of a good greenish glossy black with as good a clear white mottling as is to be obtained. In temperament he should have a great deal of vivacity and restless activity. He ought moreover to delight in caressing the females to be gallant in defending them inviting them to eat and be incessantly taken up with his mates. If he is sulky selfish. persecuting and domineering divorce him immediately, Sometimes an old male exhibits these characteristics and is of little use. In making a choice between two males equally fine in feathers always choose the most courageous"
I'm not convinced that courageous equals aggressive, but I would definitely choose one with "vivacity" and an interest in the hens over one who is flighty or "selfish and domineering."
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Lol, good points on all fronts. On a lighter note- how has everyone been? Is everyone gearing up for the Spring weather and beautiful birds bathing in the sun without snow?
