Ang Mundo ng Sabong: GUIDE TO GAMEFOWL BLOODLINES AND CHARACTERISTICS

I. Overview of Major Bloodlines

The "personality" and fighting style of gamefowl are largely dictated by their genetic lineage.

McLean Hatch: The standard for power and "gameness" (endurance). Built for heavy hitting.
Blueface Hatch: Faster and more aggressive. Known for a dark, purplish face when excited or under exertion.
Gilmore Hatch: Exceptionally durable; known for being "dead game" and staying focused under pressure.

Kelsos: Known for "shuffling" and "weaving." They are "brains over brawn" birds that wait for an opening.
Radios: Developed by Johnnie Jumper. Famous for being "busy" and maneuvers mid-air with high-speed timing.

Sweaters: The modern derby favorite. They are "high-breakers" (fly high) and have a relentless, swarming offensive style.
Roundheads: Known as "Ring Generals." They use agility and side-stepping to evade strikes and deliver counter-cuts.

Butchers: Famous for accuracy. Often called "snipers" or "cutters." Visually identified by "brassback" or spangled feathers.
Greys: Speed-oriented with silver-grey plumage. They are high-stationed and strike with great elegance and velocity.

Use these physical markers to identify or verify a specific bloodline.

Physical traits are often selected because they assist the bird's natural fighting style.

High Station (Upright): Built for aerial combat. Height provides better reach and allows the bird to strike from a higher angle during the "break."
Low to Medium Station (Crouched): Built for power. A lower center of gravity provides stability and leverage during the "ground game."
Leg Color & Bone Density: * Green legs are traditionally associated with thicker, heavier bones (Power).
- Yellow/White legs are associated with lighter, more flexible bones (Speed/Agility).

Pure Birds: Defined by uniformity. If a group of siblings looks identical in height, color, and comb type, they are likely pure. They are kept as "broodstock" to preserve the DNA.
Crosses (Hybrids): Bred for "Hybrid Vigor" (Heterosis). These birds are typically used in competitions.
- Split Combs: Crossing a Straight comb with a Pea comb often results in an uneven or oversized Pea comb.
- Leg Color Blends: Crossing Green-legged birds with White-legged birds often results in Yellow legs.

The Brood Hen: Experienced breeders consider the hen to be 70% of the equation, contributing the majority of the temperament and gameness.
Linebreeding: A technique where birds are bred back to their parents or siblings (carefully) to "lock in" specific physical traits like cutting accuracy or speed.