Show Off Your American Gamefowl and Chat Thread!!!

[roosterhavoc]

I like them. Would be a shame to waste good broodfowl on gumbo

Haha "brood fowl" missed that earlier.

 

[flypen]

Haha "brood fowl" missed that earlier.

lol

 

[B123]

Below are my criteria.

Physically sound (no infirmities)
Symmetrical in feathers, head and feet
Good feathering (coloration not important)
Good body mass (no underweight birds)
Good muscle tone (based on feel)
Tight abdomen (minimal belly fat based on feel)
Alertness based on close observation
Good endurance / rapid recovery from intense physical activity
Not bottom of pecking order (mid-ranking OK)
Not extremely small or large
Calms down after a few days of handling or less
Gameness as estimated from male kin that did not survive (very few fail this test)

I appreciate everyone's input! Several of you have mentioned size/weight. Is there an ideal size/weight to shoot for?

 

[centrarchid]

I appreciate everyone's input!  Several of you have mentioned size/weight.  Is there an ideal size/weight to shoot for?

Weight in my usage above was in reference to how well a bird is fleshed out. No skinny birds allowed. It can also refer to mass of consistently filled out birds. With that you can have an ideal weight range for a give strain or line. These days on sites like this one strains are described more by color color and station. Weight can also be used where Cubans or Spanish might average a lot smaller down in the four pound range while another "breed" might be in the five, six or in exceptional cases the seven pound range like you find with some orientals. You must be careful when selecting for size because size interacts with performance. Some strains may not perform well when above or below a certain weight range.

To keep example in realm not crossing lines I will use flight performance. One of my lines has a typical range of weight between 5 lb 4 oz and 5 lb 12 oz. Birds above that ideal range are slow and can have compromised endurance even when they otherwise feel perfect in the hand and look good as well. When I compare birds for flying ability it is based in part on birds of similar weigh compared, Some strains perform better within specific weight ranges.

 

[sdm111]

Weight will differ between breeds some heavier than others there's a general weight per breed but it only truly mattered down to the oz in the pit. I personally like to keep mine on the heavier side and if need be they can be trimmed down but that's in another section of gamefowl called conditioning or a keep.

 

[sdm111]

Station and color does matter unless you breed on ones and zeros. A "pure" is suppose to have certain color and station. When u cross u are trying to get the best of this and that breed and color is then a byproduct. When u see a certain breed u expect to see a certain color on various parts

 

[sdm111]

Lmljsl don't go looking for birds on the idea color does not matter you'll get taken

 

[B123]

Lmljsl don't go looking for birds on the idea color does not matter you'll get taken

Lol, yes, I really do appreciate all of the input! I guess I want my cake and want to eat it too. Great fowl with beautiful colors! Beauty and brawn if you will.

I have always liked the style of gamefowl, but am uncertain on the optimal size. It may be just my memory, but as a kid it seemed like roosters were relatively small, but I have seen some really large roosters too. Guess it depends on what their purpose was... Just haven't been around enough to get a good handle of on it. Perhaps they all have their place and knowing that place is in the skill of the breeder?

 

[centrarchid]

There is no optimal size for gamefowl as a whole. Certain strains do characteristically occur within a certain range of sizes. Color also variable even within strains although patterns are noteworthy because "bottlenecking" and selection for color where intended or not.

 

[B123]

There is no optimal size for gamefowl as a whole. Certain strains do characteristically occur within a certain range of sizes. Color also variable even within strains although patterns are noteworthy because "bottlenecking" and selection for color where intended or not.

Makes sense... There just seems to be so much genetic diversity in gamefowl as a whole.