The Best Feed For Breeding

The Best Feed For Breeding

Articles, Feature Articles

Proper pullet management is vital for the long-term success of your gamefowl breeding business because it is directly related to the quality of eggs produced. The pullet develops reserves in its body for future laying during its developmental stage; thus, good management during this time determines optimal egg and chick production.

Growth Stage

Pullet preparation starts at day one by ensuring that the chicks have ready access to high-quality feeds and water, promoting early growth and development. Reducing stress during the first month of the chick’s life positively impacts feed digestion and nutrient absorption. Early feeding enhances small intestine development. A sufficient quantity of feeders and waterers ensures flock uniformity, and adequate living space promotes social development, decreases pecking, and increases the comfort and performance of the pullets. 

Ideal breeding for pullets starts at 8 months old. But, as a breeder, it is still essential to monitor your broodstock’s developmental phases. Week 6 to 12 is the period of rapid growth where the pullet builds her structural organs like feathers, bones, and muscles. Growth begins to slow down at Weeks 12 to 18, while the reproductive tract matures in preparation for egg production. At this stage, muscles and fat continue to develop as it reaches sexual maturity. 

Routine visual check is necessary because weight and body composition determine the sexual maturity of a pullet rather than specific calendar age. The ideal weight at Week 12 is 800 to 900 grams per bird. The optimal body weight of the pullet depends on the breed but it mostly ranges from 1.35 to 1.65 kgs at the start of egg production. By providing the right feeds and environment during the growing stage, breeders can reach a minimum of 85% uniformity of pullets before point of lay at 18 weeks.

Best Feeds

Gallimax 21 Chicken Pre-Lay is designed to prime the pullets’ fleshing and reproductive development for optimum egg size, reproductive longevity, and better chick quality. With optimum levels of selenium yeast, inactive yeast, balanced proteins, and organic minerals, it boosts the pullet’s fertility and ensures uncompromised egg size and ideal hatchability. 

Gallimax 21 Chicken Pre-Lay is ideal for pullets with an age range of 4 to 8 months. It also has a calcium level of 1.5% to 2.20%, which helps prepare the pullet’s reproductive tract for breeding.

Once the eggs hatch, it is essential to provide the correct temperature, lighting, and humidity during the chick’s brooding stage to minimize mortality. They still cannot regulate their body temperature; thus, their environment must be monitored and adjusted. The chicks should have access to clean water and high-quality feeds in the first 48 hours.

Salto Baby Stag Developer contains the ideal amount of VITAMIN B-COMPLEX to combat the stress of the transition from brooding to ranging. It also contains a coccidia inhibitor to protect the chicks from coccidiosis during ranging. Additionally, Salto Baby Stag Developer has ImmunoDigest properties to ensure a healthier gut for full absorption of essential nutrients and a more robust immune system for protection against diseases. 

For gamefowl breeders, knowing the stages of development of pullets and stags will help identify the proper management practices for implementation. Salto’s Gamefowl Specialists, with their hands-on experience and extensive technical knowledge, are always ready to support the breeders in ensuring they are in the right direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should pullets be prepared for breeding, and what developmental milestones should breeders watch for?
Ideal breeding for pullets starts at 8 months old. However, breeders should monitor key growth phases: weeks 6–12 involve rapid structural development (feathers, bones, muscles), while weeks 12–18 see slowing growth as the reproductive tract matures. Body weight is a more reliable indicator of sexual maturity than calendar age, with optimal pre-lay weight ranging from 1.35 to 1.65 kg depending on the breed.

Why is flock uniformity important during the pullet growing stage, and how is it achieved?
Flock uniformity ensures that pullets reach point of lay at roughly the same time, maximizing production efficiency. It is achieved by providing adequate feeders, waterers, and living space from day one. Sufficient space reduces pecking and stress, supporting consistent feed intake and development. Proper early-stage management can help breeders achieve a minimum of 85% flock uniformity by 18 weeks.

What makes Gallimax 21 Chicken Pre-Lay the recommended feed for pullets approaching the breeding stage?
Gallimax 21 Chicken Pre-Lay is specially formulated to support fleshing and reproductive development in pullets aged 4 to 8 months. It contains selenium yeast, inactive yeast, balanced proteins, and organic minerals that enhance fertility, egg size, and hatchability. Its calcium content of 1.5% to 2.20% helps condition the pullet’s reproductive tract, making it the go-to feed for breeders aiming for consistent, high-quality egg production.

How does Salto Baby Stag Developer protect newly hatched chicks during the brooding-to-ranging transition?
Salto Baby Stag Developer addresses the stress chicks experience when moving from brooding to ranging. It is fortified with Vitamin B-Complex to combat transition stress, a coccidia inhibitor to guard against coccidiosis during ranging, and ImmunoDigest properties that promote gut health, enhance nutrient absorption, and strengthen the immune system — helping young birds survive and thrive during one of their most vulnerable developmental phases.

What environmental and nutritional conditions are critical for newly hatched chicks in their first 48 hours?
Newly hatched chicks cannot regulate their own body temperature, making controlled brooding conditions essential. Breeders must maintain proper temperature, lighting, and humidity levels to minimize early mortality. Within the first 48 hours, chicks must have uninterrupted access to clean water and high-quality feeds. These early conditions directly influence gut development, nutrient absorption, and long-term growth performance throughout the bird’s life.

    References:

    Salto Products. Retrieved September 27, 2021 from https://www.salto.com.ph/products/

    Pullet Scheduling and Management. September 17, 2020. Salto Usapang Pagmamanok. Retrieved September 27, 2021 from https://www.salto.com.ph/pullet-scheduling-management/

    Good Management Practices of Pullets Rearing in Commercial Layer Farms. July 24, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 20201 from https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/good-management-practices-of-pullets-rearing-in-commercial-layer-farms/

    Perfecting Pullet Management. March 11, 2019. Fertrell Blog. Retrieved September 27, 2021 from https://www.fertrell.com/blog/perfecting-pullet-management

    Importance of Pullet Feeding Programs in Ensuring a Profitable Laying Flock. January 1, 2008. The Poultry Site. Retrieved September 27, 2021 from https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/importance-of-pullet-feeding-programs-in-ensuring-a-profitable-laying-flock

    Everything You Need to Know About Crossbreeding

    Everything You Need to Know About Crossbreeding

    Articles, Feature Articles

    The performance of a rooster on the fighting pit depends significantly on its genetic build passed on from the qualities of its parents, which is achieved through breeding. The main objective of breeding is to improve the next generation of gamefowls in terms of gameness, endurance, cutting ability, speed, power, and stamina. Modern breeders improve the bloodlines of great families of gamefowl through a basic understanding of genetics. 

     

    Crossbreeding for Superior Gamefowl

    Crossbreeding is an effective method in producing superior gamefowls. It is the mating of two different breeds of gamefowls whose main objective is to identify new combinations of characters or genetic potential that will lead to the formation of a new and better breed. One example is the combination of unrelated strains like a Hatch and a Sweater. 

    Many of the most successful battle crosses are produced through crossbreeding of inbred family of fowls. The combination of these superior gamefowl through crossbreeding took full advantage of heterosis or hybrid vigor—a phenomenon observed in plants and animals where the first generation of hybrids exhibit characteristics superior to their parents. The gamefowls that benefited from this are faster, smarter, and stronger than their parents.

    Variations of Crossbreeding

    Here are the three variations of crossbreeding: 

    • Straight Cross is when two strains are mated—for example, breeding a Ruble Hatch and a Black Traveler to take advantage of their power and speed blend. 
    • A Three-Way Cross, for example, is the matching of an even cross with good power and cutting ability like a Hatch–Claret with a Kelso who has a superior wallop and is a power-hitter. 
    • A Four-Way Cross matches two straight crosses like the mating of a Hatch-Claret to a Kelso-Roundhead.

    Crossbreeding improves the overall health of the flock through genetic diversity as introducing a new breed can solve the challenge of lack of breeding improvement of the flock. 

    When starting, it is best to source a specimen from a breeder with good history and reputation who maintains a closely inbred strain. Through observation in the fighting pit, the breeder can learn the weaknesses and strengths of his fowl in terms of fighting style, speed, and cutting ability. Make the cross if the broodstock is free from defects, has strong disease resistance, and has the desired body conformation, temperament, and performance.

    Maximizing Genetic Potential Through Nutrition

    While genetics play a crucial role, the potential of gamefowl can only be fully realized with the right environment and proper growing management. Breeder and Alas ng Salto Dr. Marlo Lasutaz emphasized that the characteristics of the parents will be expressed better if the fowls received high-quality feeds and nutrition.

    Gallimax 21 Chicken Breeder Ration optimizes egg production, fortified with Selenium, Vitamin E, and Liver Protech for better liver health, stress and disease resistance and results in stronger power and stamina. 

    Engr. Arturo Bona praises Salto Stag Developer, which is specially formulated for the development of bones and muscles that helps his gamefowl achieve the ideal body frame. 

    “Tama ang timplada ng feeds at ang nutrition na naibibigay ng Salto. Nakita ko na maganda resistance ng mga manok ko. Mula noon ay iniwan ko na ang dati kong produkto at ipinagpatuloy ko na ang Salto.” LSBBA 2019 Breeder of the Year and Alas ng Salto Engr. Arturo Bona stated.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What is crossbreeding and why is it used in gamefowl breeding?
    Crossbreeding is the mating of two different gamefowl breeds to identify new combinations of traits that produce a superior bird. Its primary goal is to improve the next generation in terms of gameness, speed, cutting ability, power, and stamina. By combining unrelated strains — such as a Hatch and a Sweater — breeders can unlock genetic potential that neither parent possesses alone, resulting in offspring that outperform their parents in the fighting pit.

    2. What is hybrid vigor and how does it benefit crossbred gamefowl?
    Hybrid vigor, or heterosis, is a biological phenomenon where the first-generation offspring of two distinct breeds display characteristics superior to either parent. In gamefowl, this means crossbred birds tend to be faster, smarter, and stronger. Many of the most successful battle crosses exploit this advantage by combining inbred family lines, maximizing the complementary strengths of each bloodline to produce a more competitive and resilient bird.

    3. What are the three main variations of crossbreeding used in gamefowl?
    There are three crossbreeding methods used in gamefowl. A Straight Cross pairs two strains directly, such as a Ruble Hatch and a Black Traveler for a blend of power and speed. A Three-Way Cross matches an existing even cross — like a Hatch-Claret — with a third strain such as a Kelso. A Four-Way Cross combines two straight crosses, for example mating a Hatch-Claret with a Kelso-Roundhead for maximum genetic diversity.

    4. What should breeders evaluate before making a cross?
    Before executing a cross, breeders should source broodstock from reputable breeders who maintain closely inbred strains with documented history. The selected birds should be free from physical defects, demonstrate strong disease resistance, and have the desired body conformation, temperament, and fighting performance. Observing the fowl’s behavior and results in the pit helps breeders understand each bird’s strengths and weaknesses before deciding which cross to make.

    5. How does nutrition support the expression of crossbred genetic traits?
    Genetics alone do not guarantee superior performance — proper nutrition is equally critical for traits to be fully expressed. High-quality feeds like Gallimax 21 Chicken Breeder Ration support egg production and stress resistance through Selenium and Vitamin E, while Salto Stag Developer promotes optimal bone and muscle development in growing birds. Without the right nutritional foundation, even the best genetic combinations may fail to reach their full physical potential.

     

    References:

    • Crossbreeding: Advantages and Disadvantages. August 10, 2020. Breeders Academy. Retrieved August 29, 2021 from the Breeders Academy website.
    • Basic Breeding for Gamefowl: Inbreed to Fix Traits, Cross Breed to Add Traits. February 10, 2014. Reach Unlimited. Retrieved August 29, 2021 from the Reach Unlimited website.
    • The Gamecock – Basic Breeding Concepts and Considerations. March 22, 2013. Gamecock Care. Retrieved August 29, 2021 from the Gamecock Care website.