By Cjeanr on Sunday, April 14, 2002 - 08:51 pm:
Bledsoe, You need to know more than looking at the "Best" male and female and choosing them. What did their parents, grandparents look like, what else did they produce. If they were the "best" male or female, by whose opinion? And what did they look like 6 months or a year later.
There is no fast way of getting Best of Breed birds consistantly. (Except purchasing them--and that is no fun!) Breeding winners is a time consuming project. And there are a number of plans to do it. None includes the pattern as you have suggested it. (But there is no reason not to do it, if you wish. Just don't expect the results you want.)
Double mating is still the best long term breeding plan for OEGB and some other breeds. You need to study the material available and learn to recognize in the birds, what you read about. Rokimoto is a library himself--a skill he may have been born to!!!!And he is still learning (and we are truly blessed to have him read and answer on this Board!) There is no shortcut to experience!
After 10 years, I entered a cock and a cockerel that I was satisfied would do well at a show--flew with them a 6 hour flight, and they did well, (my first big poultry show) 125 birds in my breed: BV on the cock, RV on the cockerel, Reserve of Breed (where you get to be cooped on CH row). I felt I was on the right track with my breeding program. And this, especially since I have been pretty disease free, and do not bring a bird home from a show. Naturally these birds sold (actually before they were even judged) for a good price. And I left BETTER birds at home to go on with. . .I am rarely able to fly to shows as I would like to. And so I sell my birds for others to show. Year 2001, more than 30 BB, BV, RB, RV, SCCL placings and 3 BEST IN SHOW, all breeds, 1 Reserve Best of Show--and these birds are all over the country--E to W. It has now been 17 years, and when I sell a good bird, if the new owner fits and presents the birds well, they can be expected to place well or win. It is up to the new owner. (There has been 1 BEST IN SHOW, all breeds so far this year.) I am happy, and I am sold out of my best birds year around! I DO NOT have to raise very many to have a good selection of BEST birds. And I concentrate on one main variety. I have breeding plans for matings up to 3 years ahead (if the birds continue to produce what I expect?)There are different methods and none foolproof, but all take time-- so make long term plans!! And then you can do it. Good luck and enjoy the people you will meet, even if they all have "better" birds than yours. (or maybe they don't??) CJR