There is a lot of confusion in this area of breeding. So much so, that many breeders are not able to produce high quality strains. They purchase birds from a reputable breeder, and are confused when the fowl they produce are not like the original breeder’s fowl.

We’ve all seen it, strains change when they are moved to a different location. The question is, are these changes temporary or permanent? And, what can we do about it? The environment can have a direct effect on the phenotype of your strain. For example, nutrition can affect growth and development, disease can weaken the strain and kill important individuals, and poor management can cause disease and stress. But, none of these factors will have a direct effect on the strains genotype.

This is an important concept, we cannot select properly, their form, function or beauty if we are not seeing their true value and potential. They may appear “better or worse” than their true genetic value, depending on whether they receive a favorable or unfavorable environment.

This episode is packed with great information, and one you do not want to miss. I know you will enjoy this episode, and learn a lot too. We also took questions from the chat room.