What is Random Mating? In all human populations, people usually select mates non-randomly, and are attracted to traits that are easily observable. Cultural […]

The Positive and Negative effects of Assortative Mating The term “Assortative” refers to the classifying and selecting of certain, but distinctive characteristics or traits. Assortative […]

Is Double Mating right for You? It is impossible to talk about breeding for color or mating birds to achieve certain color variations without discussing, in detail, […]

Yard Mating or Flock Mating? OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “YARD MATING”:“Flock Mating,” simply means that a number of brood cocks, maybe several, are allowed to run loose w […]

The Advantage to Stud Mating This method of mating is often discussed, but rarely ever used, yet, next to “Single Mating,” “Stud Mating” should be conside […]

The Benefits of Group-Mating (Pen-Mating) Group Mating is just as it sounds. It is the mating of a single brood cock with that of a group of hens, all together, in the same […]

How establish a proven breeding line? Single Mating! Having been a breeder for many years, I am frequently asked, “How do you establish a proven breeding line?” My an­swer involves a […]

THE BEST METHOD OF MATING? The first step in breeding, is mat­ing, to put a cock and hen together for the purpose of reproduction. This sounds very simple, and […]

WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR BROODFOWL? How Young or How Old Should They Be? Once you have established your foundation fowl (the family), and the individual breeding lines, […]

Proper Storm Care: How to Prepare Your Birds and Farm for an Incoming Storm As breeders, we all look forward to the breeding season as our favorite time of year. However, unpredictable storms can pose a […]

BROOD FOWL – How Old Is Too Old or How Young is too Young? I’m sure you’ve heard it said many times, “Never breed to that “old worn-out” cock or hen, no matter how proven they may be.” Alth […]

BREEDING TO YOUTH, A COMMON PRACTICE? We have all heard stories about the “Golden Hen” – where in her sixth year, produced some of the best stags, that would become gre […]

IN PURSUIT OF PERFECTION Progress is made by selecting one trait, not from the selection of multiple traits When selecting brood fowl, seldom does a breeder […]

AGE OF PARENTS AND ITS EFFECTS ON HATCHABILITY As compared with the larger classes of livestock, such as cattle and horses, poultry are relatively short-lived creatures. For the […]

BREEDING FOR IMPROVEMENT AND THE INFLUENCE OF SEXUAL MATURITY One of the outstanding advances in commercial egg pro­duction has been the reduction of the age at which the first egg is laid. This […]