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Questions and Answers

    Through the years I have answered many questions, by emails and phone conversations, concerning the raising, breeding, and caring for American Games. And it has been my pleasure.

     I thought it would be a good idea to put together the 100 most general and interesting of questions, ones that we all have as cockers and gamefowl enthusiast, and answer them in a book format. In order to do so I need your help. I would like to know from you, the average cocker, what concerns you most. With your assistance, I will answer those nagging questions.

     I do not believe there is such a thing as a stupid question, so "No Holds Bar". All questions are welcome. As usual, I am here to help you. However, to do so I will need to hear from you.

     You can email me at: maximustroypublications@yahoo.com

     I thank you in advance for all your input. If you would like to stay anonymous, that if fine. Just please let me know.

Your friend,
Kenny Troiano



	This page is devoted to bringing you useful information on all aspects of the great sport of cocking. These are excerpts from my new book “The Gamefowl Breeders Manual and Cockers Guide - Chronicles of Kenny Troiano - A Practical Dissertation of American Gamefowl and their History - Vol. One", I welcome all comments and suggestions. Please feel free to email me at: maximustroypublications@yahoo.com I will get back to you as soon as possible.

		SEEKING PERFECTION It is good to have a healthy concern for the selection of your fowl The originators of many of the most popular varieties of American Games, and indeed those who have produced outstanding strains, were known to combine intense observation with an inbuilt belief that all traits were inherited unless proven otherwise. Although they didn’t know how genetics worked, they were very aware that many of their mistakes were caused by “factors” inherent in their strains. This knowledge led to a healthy concern in the selection of their broodfowl, a practice which we use to this day. They certainly were not students of poultry genetics, and even if they were, they most likely would not have benefited from the knowledge that was available in their day. They bred their fowl with the understanding that each bird, fixed within it, already has the established genes required for both improvement and degeneration alike. They also understood that it is the accumulation of minor genes (or modifiers) that is what breeding is about. For most of these breeders all that a study of genetics would have taught them, was what they already knew – and that was, that all things are inherited until proven otherwise. Today we have a better understanding of how genetics works, and we are quick to share general knowledge on the subject, in sometimes interested but often in heated discussions. The observational powers of the successful breeders are therefore necessarily quite highly developed, and extend to other aspects of breeding not immediately obvious. For instance, many breeders have only a limited budget available, for the simple reason that they are self-financing. Many also wish to exhibit their best fowl at peak fitness, usually for a particular event. Consequently they have to time their development to perfection so that their fowl are just right when it counts the most. When it is all said and done, it is the enthusiastic and successful breeders that are willing to learn the practical rules of their trade, while the apathetic ones are left scratching their heads in wonder and utter failure. No longer can we ignore the powers of selection and the influence that modern genetics has on the success and failure of our breeding programs. KNOWING A GOOD BIRD WHEN YOU SEE ONE: The most important ability possessed by successful breeders is the ability to “see” the quality of the bird at which they are looking. Recognizing attributes that are beneficial, while discriminating against the poor ones is the difference between success and failure. But having this ability is all depended on the individual breeder. It is achieved by acquiring the proper knowledge and being committed to the purpose at hand. This can come from reading and studying books, having good mentors, and from personal experience, such as taking advantage of your successes, when they come, while learning and benefiting from your mistakes. Preference Also Plays A Part In Having This Ability: Everyone has in their mind what the ideal bird should look, act and perform like. If you were to ask ten people what their ideal bird was you would most likely get ten different answers. It is important to understand what your ultimate aim is. Do you want to create your own strain of fowl, or do you want to perfect an existing breed? All breeders aspire to produce attractive birds, but what is the proper definition of an “attractive” bird? Once again, this is all depended on the individual breeder. As they say, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” or better yet, “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” In creating a strain you must have the ability to breed and develop fowl for very specific qualities of form, function and beauty. If your aim is to perfect an existing breed, and you accept the interpretation of the “Standard of Perfection” as your ultimate guide, it will give you the picture of the ideal bird that is required for showing. However, be aware that these standards are so brief and to the point in their descriptions that they do not permit a sufficiently detailed explanation of “all” the attributes of a true champion. Some of it is left to your imagination and in your knowledge of genetic inheritance. They must be balanced: The American Gamecock is the Olympian athlete of its specie. Every characteristic, trait and attribute has a specific function and purpose. As a result, the underlying essential quality of a top-class gamefowl is balance. Without balance no bird can be really attractive and competent for which it was bred. Without balance it cannot help but appear and act awkward or clumsy in some way. The further out of balance the bird, the more awkward looking it appears. For this reason, it is essential to assess your fowl while on the ground as well as in the hand. You must understand and appreciate, that no matter the bird, they are either balance or they are not. There is no grey area when it comes to the form and function of a bird. Improving balance in a family: In order to breed birds that are well balanced, the breeder must select broodfowl that are well balance as well. However, what if the breeder has no choice but to breed to something that is somewhat imbalanced? In this case, the breeder must have the ability to assess the reason for the imbalance. In most cases, the reason is quite simple, it stems from defects of the skeletal system. Parts of the skeleton may be the wrong shape or size, or are in improper angles. Although the answer may be obvious, where everyone has difficulties, is deciding how or where it is incorrect. This is not as easy to ascertain as you might think. The most important single reason for imbalance is: • Incorrect positioning of the shoulders, causing undesirable alteration in the carriage of the wing, which then alters the relative distribution of weight. • To be balanced the length of shank and thigh is another very important feature. The shank should be slightly shorter than the thigh. It is rare that the length of thigh over exceeds that of the shank to the point that is causes an imbalance. The imbalance is almost always the other way around. Elongated shanks lead to stiltiness, because the fowl pivots about its hock when walking, with the result that a stiffness develops to counterbalance the incorrect distribution of weight over the feet. Imbalances are mainly the result of faults observed in the extremities of the bird, such as the length of their wings and legs, and the size of their tails, which may simply be out of position, or the result of imbalances in the shape of their backs, positioning of their legs and shoulders. However, it is possible for a bird to be faultless in all these areas and still be completely out of balance. The lengthening or shortening of any and every bone alters the weight distribution and stance, therefore the balance. Consequently, it is not surprising that we frequent hear people saying, about winning birds, that they are “Conformationally Sound.” By this they simply meant that all parts of the bird are in proper proportion to each other. PERFECT FEATHERS MUST GROW FROM PERFECT BODIES: One of my mentors used to always tell me that “Perfect feathers must grow from a perfect body. If you neglect the body, or the selection for the perfect body, they, the family, will eventually lack the proper feathers as well.” And usually that was the case. I also noticed that good plumage can never make-up for a faulty conformation of body. If the conformation or carriage is wrong it won’t matter what color they are or how good a plumage they may have, it is still wrong. They simply do not look right. For perfection to be achieved, they must be perfect in every way, from their conformation of body to the condition of their plumage. Once again it’s all about balance, but balance in conformation of body cannot be achieved until they are in good feather too. And when it comes to American Games, the feather plumage is very important. For instance, when we look at the feathers of an American Gamecock we can see, plainly, that it is his body armor, his protective shielding from other cocks that happen to threaten his territory. For the American Gamehen, feathers are her natural camouflaging for hiding from predators and for protecting her chicks. For both the American Gamecock and hen, feathers are their protection from the elements of Mother Nature, such as the heat of the day and the cold of the night. Feathers are their natural rain coat during rainy weather. And let’s not forget, maybe the most important asset, feathers are their natural means for expressing dominance, used especial for sexual selection. Survival of the fittest is a real factor in the life and daily existence of American Games, and their plumage plays a major part of that survival. Uniformity of color is also essential: We just talked a bit about the importance of a good plumage, but to complete the picture, it is important to also focus on the proper color, which is needed to be produced in the feather. Uniformity of color and markings is essential if an impression of quality is to be created in a family. When we are dealing with breeds or a particular stain, which are very uniform, any obvious variations will destroy the overall effect. For uniformity to occur in any family or strain it is essential that the variations within the birds of the family are properly selected for or properly culled. The development of a family, which has been properly selected, due to favorable variations can have far-reaching benefits for the future of any family. *Special note: No matter what their type, condition or color of plumage, all attributes must be right for their breed and variety. INTERPRETATION OF THE STANDARDS: The problem most beginners face is that almost all breed standards that are available are, at best, incomplete in regards to their description of feather. The color pattern is well documented but the quality and quantity of plumage is not described very well. Some actually give the breeder the impression that the authors of these standards have avoided the issue altogether. The feathering must compliment the body in forming the shape of the bird and the desired outline. Unfortunately some breeders tend to compensate for a body with a narrow back or a thinly or flat sided breast, instead of having the necessary heart shaped back and round football shaped body, by perpetuation broodfowl that are excessively abundant in plumage, so much so that the overall balance of the bird is ultimately incorrect. This approach is doomed to failure because the increase in mass, due to the accumulation of excessive feather, also adds mass in unwanted areas, knocking the balance of the bird completely out of whack. The precise feather shape, which the breeder seeks to attain, will depend on the type of markings which the chosen bird ought to possess. THE MIXTURE OF BIRDS IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY: Most master breeders know that in order to breed a bird of true quality it is sometimes necessary to form a mixture of birds. This is the crossing of fowl which are superior in some respect and inferior in others. The finding of the correct combination is the true secret of breeding, but the search for such a blend is not very easy. The right bird can do wonders for a family while the wrong bird can absolutely destroy a family. However a vision of the desired end product, with a good knowledge of the faults in the existing stock, coupled with the ability to predict the possible outcome of matings, and incorporating disease resistance so that the offspring may attain their full potential, is a sound basis with which to start. Having a determination to succeed, and by persisting with the best broodfowl available, and hatching plenty of youngsters so to have plenty to select from, will steadily bring the goal closer to fruition. ONE LAST THOUGHT: To be successful as a cocker and breeder of high quality American Games you must develop a Tenacity of Purpose. You must be endowed with a rather generous amount of what would ordinarily be termed hard headedness. You must not be of a too plastic nature. A man who is easily influenced is naturally very changeable. He may be put on the right track today by some experienced and knowledgeable mentor, but tomorrow he may again be led astray by some unsound advice. A man, who is so indecisive as to take all advice, is just as hopeless as one who is so inflexible as to take no advice. This book is written on a breed of fowl that was developed and treasured by our forefathers. These birds are the exemplar of honor, valor, and courage. They are our past, our present and our future. We couldn’t lose them without losing a part of ourselves, may the American Gamecock reign supreme for generations to come. Hope you enjoyed the article, and thanks again for reading. This article is an excerpt from my new book, “The Gamefowl Breeders Manual and Cockers Guide - Chronicles of Kenny Troiano - Volume Two. Hope you enjoyed the article, and thanks again for reading, Yours truly, Kenny Troiano Fellow Cocker and Gamefowl Enthusiast www.maximustroypublications.com

Copyright © 2009 Kenny Troiano. This and all other pages created by and containing the original work of Kenny Troiano are copyrighted, and are thus subject to fair use policies, and may not be copied, in whole or in part, without express written permission of the author maximustroypublications@yahoo.com