Mick Hoskins / 19 Feb 2011 14:51

Hi Luka,
Without knowing your family of birds intimately, or at all, for that matter,
I'll risk an opinion.
In English Flying Tipplers as opposed to any other flying or landlocked
avian breed, I believe as intelligent breeders, our selection objectives at
all times must be governed by the need to be continually selecting for
"equally performing multiple traits" not press on blindly with the lemming
type standard view of promoting the supposedly dominant trait theory of
"time flying".
It's already there, has been established for decades, why are we trying to
re-invent the wheel at the expense of other equally valuble traits such as
homing instinct and fertility ? It's a no brainer !
All traits have to and do evolve as each of our own local climates evolves,
so when one thinks about it, the evolution of the Tippler is happening as
every single day passes and each breeding season records the results, good
or bad.
The compounded effect of this evolution, good or bad, is sometimes analysed
and measured only AFTER we run into a problem with our breeding plan,
sometimes it's too late to correct.
Hiding in each single Tipplers' collection of genes and out of phenotypic
view, it appears to me that there are many other genes that need to be given
equal respect and allow their dominance to show equally to get the mix
right.
From the way your e-mail reads, it seems for some time now you've been
selecting for, or have been trying to enhance a second trait that may not be
present in the abundant state you need it to be. Trying to raise it to a
dominant position to be equal with and to blend successfully with the
dominant primary trait of " flight time", which is already well established
in your line.
Obviously with the current collection of genes your family possesses, it's
not easy to get the balance you want.
It appears to me, that getting an enhanced relationship happening between
the two is a bit like trying to balance a dollar coin on a needle point.
I'm certain it's not anything you do, or have done wrong with your training
methods at all, as that is but one of the certain constants in the whole
equation. The two constants we can rely on are, that your breeding methods
and your training / flying methods over the years have remained the same.
I'm assuming you haven't changed either over the many years you've developed
your family, so straight away, that eliminates two variables.
With all due respect and certainly no offense meant, it may be that your
family of birds, or your branch of the Canadian family of Tipplers based on
your original parental stock is lacking in that trait, maybe it's a gene
that can only be enhanced in your family by a timely cross from another
reputable breeder.
I'm sure you've already considered it, but maybe it's time to introduce a
better version of that gene from a family that is well known for settling
easily, but also has the whole box of desirable genes you require, already
factored into their makeup.
Again with all due respect for your long experience in breeding and keeping
in mind that you've been selecting for some time for this trait, it could be
something as simple as your selection process may have been flawed from the
start and may need just a little tweak to get on track.
Dominance of this trait may not happen in your family until both sets of
genes are equal in their relationship and dominance.
Maybe a couple of questions ? has your breeding plan hit the wall regarding
the inheritance and lack of influence of that single trait ? Has your
environment and flying position influenced the slow response by this gene ?
Do you need to modify your family to overcome the current hurdle you face ?
Luka, I am by no means an expert on breeding by any stretch of the
imagination, it's only my opinion and my input into what I consider to be a
very important topic for the forum.
I have certainly read a hell of a lot material on the subject of breeding. I
feel that only by reading or becoming educated by professionals on the
subject, being up to date on the latest methods of breeding for "breeding
performance" , only then, can I have an educated path to go forward on.
Working only from an informed basis, I feel the standard procedure of
breeding by trial and error blindly is a very slow process.
I prefer projected outcomes based on facts and projections.
On another tangent and with all due respect to them, I'm very lucky, in that
I've had the privilege to speak to Manny and Harry about the subject of
breeding and I can say they are every bit as knowlegeable as any professor I
have ever read on the subject of stock breeding.
As with any good breeding plan, I find it's always wise to seek knowledge
that's balanced between the theorists and their educated logic and an
experienced stockman.

Regards, Mick.

Submitted by Mick Hoskins on 2/19/2011 2:28:51 PM