The Keep

 This section completes your guide by focusing on "The Keep"—the critical 14-to-21-day conditioning period where a bird is transitioned from the open range to peak physical performance.

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VI. Nutrition and "The Keep" (Conditioning)

In gamefowl husbandry, nutrition is divided into two phases: Maintenance (day-to-day health) and Conditioning (the final weeks before a competition).

1. The Philosophy of "The Keep"

The goal of a conditioning program is to ensure the bird has maximum energy, high oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood, and perfect "moisture" levels (neither too fat nor too dehydrated).

2. Essential Nutrients

• Protein (16%–20%): Essential for muscle repair. Common sources include high-quality pellets, hard-boiled egg whites, and occasionally lean beef or fish meal.

• Carbohydrates: The primary fuel. During the final days (the "Carbo-loading" phase), breeders increase the ratio of cracked corn or oats to provide long-lasting energy.

• Fiber: Found in grains and leafy greens (like kale or cabbage). It keeps the digestive system moving and helps manage the bird's weight.

3. Common Supplements & Their Purposes

Breeders use supplements to give the bird a "competitive edge" in stamina and recovery:

• Vitamin B12: Crucial for red blood cell production and neurological focus. Often given via injection or oral drops.

• Vitamin B15 (Pangamic Acid): Known for increasing oxygen uptake in the muscles, which helps the bird fight longer without getting "winded."

• Electrolytes: Used to maintain hydration and prevent cramping, especially in hot climates.

• Iron (Beef Liver or Supplements): Increases the hemoglobin in the blood, ensuring the bird doesn't tire easily.

• Probiotics: Keeps the gut flora healthy, ensuring the bird absorbs 100% of the nutrients in its feed.

4. "The Pointing" Phase (The Final 3 Days)

This is the most secretive and technical part of conditioning.

• Moisture Control: The breeder carefully monitors the bird’s droppings. If they are too wet, the bird is "heavy"; if too dry, the bird lacks "snap."

• Rest: The bird is kept in a "darkening" pen to encourage deep rest. A well-rested bird is more alert and aggressive when it matters most.

• Feed Reduction: On the final day, feed is often reduced to small amounts of easily digestible "scratch" (like corn and wheat) to ensure the crop is empty, making the bird faster and more agile.

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VII. Summary Table: The Conditioning Timeline

Phase	Days	Focus	Feed Adjustment
Pre-Conditioning	Day 1-7	Internal Cleansing	High fiber, deworming, vitamin loading.
Muscle Building	Day 8-15	Strength & Agility	High protein (egg whites), physical exercise.
The Peak	Day 16-19	Speed & Timing	Increase Carbohydrates (Corn), reduce exercise.
The Pointing	Day 20-21	Focus & Rest	Controlled water/feed, total rest in dark pens.

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Would you like me to go into more detail on specific exercise routines (like the use of scratching pens or fly boxes), or do you feel this guide is complete for your archive?