Breeding Systems

by Ed "Fulldrop" Piper (1956)

Members of the cocking fraternity have used all types and variations of types, of breeding systems. Most of them will give a strong argument as to which is the best system. Each system was designed for a particular purpose and is best for that purpose. No single system is BEST OF ALL.

The most commonly used systems are: (1) Inbreeding, (2) Linebreeding, (3) Outbreeding and (4) Crossbreeding.

INBREEDING - The simplest and most understandable definition of inbreeding is the mating of closely related individuals. Just how close this relationship should be before it is called inbreeding is debatable. The very closest inbreeding which can be practiced is continued brother and sister matings for successive generations. A lesser dgree of inbreeding results from the mating of sire to daughter, dam to son, or half-brother and half-sister.
In order to develop uniform characteristics in game fowl, some degree of inbreeding is essential. Close inbreeding makes the strain more uniform. However, in doing so, there is a concentration of the undesirable genes as well as the desirable genes in the inbreeding line; therefore, the effect on the fowl is frequently disappointing. Less close inbreeding is more desirable as there is a better opportunity to select individuals that do not have so many of the undesirable genes.

LINEBREEDING - Linebreeding is distinguised from inbreeding by the fact that a given individual appears more than once in the pedigree. It is practical in an attempt to gain some of the benefits of inbreeding, while avoiding some of the disadvantages. An example of this system is the mating of an ace cock to his daughter and again to his granddaughters. The strain is then said to be linebred to that particular cock. In later generations, the cocks and hens chosen are closely related to the original cock. Successful linebreeding depends on how carefully the original stock was selected for gameness, cutting, ability, and the other characteristics that go to make up a good game cock.

OUTBREEDING - Outbreeding is simply the mating of fowl that are very distantly related. This system is generally spoken of as adding ne blood. With gamefowl in which several desirable characteristics are well established, the adding of the new blood should be done with caution, if at all.

Many good gamefowl have been ruined because of this practice. The breeder should introduce new blood in such a manner as not to involve the entire flock. Single mate the new blood, then test the offspring before undertaking to add new blood on a large scale.

The addition of new blood has a tendency, as a rule, to increase the average performances of the individuals in the next generation. Thus, the breeder thinks he has made a big improvement. However, if the truth was known, he has lessened their chances of being able to carry their good characteristics to the next generation.

If the outbreeding is done to produce pit cocks only, this type of breeding is alright. If this is practiced, none of the cocks or hens should be bred. In other words, eat the pullets and hens and fight the stags and cocks.

CROSSBREEDING - Crossbreeding usually improves the average performance of the first generation as in outbreeding, and many aces are thus produced. However, generally, the breeding value of the offspring is greatly reduced. A simple definition for crossbreeding is the crossing of two unrelated closely inbred lines. Hatch fowl crossed on the Derby fowl of England, or Redquill crossed on Aseel would be good examples.