by Claret
The Pre-Keep
There are as many different methods to do this as there are people doing it. This is mine, of course a few minor details (secrets of feed contents, ECT) are left out but I assure you everything I use is all natural. Contrary to popular belief no drugs or steroids are used. No hormones other than those naturally produced by the subject fowl and only the best feed water and care I can provide.
21 months ago I set eggs in hopes of hatching a number of fowl by which to continue the lines I have chosen to keep, a variety based on their performance and my preferences. They hatched, grew, were culled thru, well cared for and have survived mother nature's wrath under my watchful eye and the protections provided by "Blossom" my gentle giant guardian Great Pyrenees dog.
We started this past weekend by first checking 24 individuals for conformation, health and disposition. 4 were set aside for being too fat, 1 was removed for being an uncontrollable man fighter. He was a well bred rooster but just seemed to hate everything that moved. (He was sent to a farm where he will be allowed to free range with some good hens.) 3 were set aside for being too thin thus leaving 16 Bull stags to be sparred and checked for mental maturity as well a athletic ability. Each was identified by his own band # and weighed. They were allowed 4 hours rest in a darkened holding pen and were then we matched them by the closest weights without putting brothers against each other, heeled them with soft rubber sparring muffs and pitted them 3 times each while evaluating each bird for skill and desire, aggression and accuracy, speed and power. 7 were selected to begin the "Prekeep". 7 tie cords (6' long swivel cords with a barrel for housing) were set aside, as well as 7 fly pens (4' X 8', 8' tall stall in the barn with fresh tilled soil and straw on the floor) and 7 4' X 4', 4' tall wire outside pens with a roof in preparations for the keep. (conditioning period).
The 7 band #'s were recorded and weights were confirmed and recorded on the daily log that will be kept on each bird. The 7 roosters were each treated for internal and external parasites, each were given an injection of respiratory specific antibiotics, the first of three and placed in the tight pens (small darkened holding pen) for a rest and cool out period then placed on the tie cords, fed and watered.
Post subject: Day 2
This may get boring from time to time but you should follow each step to understand and appreciate all that we do.
Bring all 7 in from the cords, one at a time. Rub each one down and fly to the table (The table is a padded work out station on which the roosters are given aerobic style work outs). Give a bite out of an orange and the 2nd of 3 injections of tylan 50 (antibiotic). Place in tight pens and cup feed 3 oz of moistened vitamin enriched feed. Allow 1 hour for birds to eat, rest & move to the fly pens and place water cups at roost poles, 6 feet up. Close 2 pullets up in barn for all to see and chase.
Post subject: Day 3
Bring the 7 cocks from the fly pens back into the cock house, one at a time. Massage each bird, breast - thigh - back - legs. This helps them to calm down and trust me more so not to work against me. The third of three injections of tylan 50 (antibiotic) is given and each is inspected for signs of health and parasites. Each bird is place in his tight pen and cup fed 3 oz of feed each as before. They are given 1 hour to feed and rest and then are one at a time taken from the tight pens and stroked (firm rubbing on the breast) 3 times b-4 being flirted (flown from a short distance with a flick and upward motion so to tilt him forward and require him to correct upright b-4 landing) to the table, Give a bite of an orange or apple, catch, flirt again, to the climb board ( a horizontal padded board, provides an exercise surface on an incline and causes the rooster to utilize wing and breast muscle more) catch and flirt to the table for a final time. Let him relax catch and return to the cords for the next day.
Burrrrrr it's cold. After cording I bonus each cock 10 grains of corn to help with the cold night.
Note. Every cock gets fresh water every day. If their bowl is full I remove it, dump it and refill with fresh, this is a must.
Post subject: Day 4
Bring all 7 in from the cords, rub them down as before and put them in the tight pens. Once all are in, one by one, flirt to the table, give a bite of orange, toss to the climb board, (do not pull on their tail), lightly place your hand on their back and press down gently near the tail and let him walk & pump his wings. You can also lightly pull at their feet for the same result. After a few days they learn to use the board and all you must do is take them down from the top. Flirt to the table again give a raisin or bite of banana, one more flirt, let him stretch, light rub down and back in the tight pen. Feed 3 oz of feed and give 1 hour to eat and cool out.
Now is the time to add weight to any fowl that may not be where you want them. I keep my fowl close to show weight and sometimes add a few ounces during the prekeep and take it down during the keep. You can do this by adding whole corn and cat food to their feed. It is easy to add a few ounces, just be sure its converted to muscle rather than gut fat. Never adjust weight down at this stage, if he is a little over it will work out, if he is a lot over he shouldn't be here.
By now they should be more calm in your hands and willing to cooperate more. But they will be getting excited about getting to the table for that orange or raisin treat and generally should already be feeling a little harder, more intense and much more familiar to you. You should know each rooster by the way he feels in your hands.
Once they have finished the feed and cool out period, we move them to the fly pens with fresh water (soon to be ice) and bonus them 10 grains of corn and put the pullets back in the barn.
During the week I adjust the feed a little each day from my daily feed. I add popcorn, barley, and rice to increase the carbs in the feed and shift up to 18 % protein level from 16%. I use Oranges, bananas, apples and raisins throughout the keep as treats, bonuses and enticers so I do not add them to my feed.
Post subject: Day 5
Not much different today. From the fly pens, massage then to the table, bite of orange, flirt three times and fly to the climb board, rub a little more and place in tight pens for feed and rest. After 1 hour take to cords and freshen water.
Weather man calls for sleet, snow, and worse tonight. About bed time return to the yard to put all cocks inside their barrels. If you don't, a good coating of ice will settle down and will find your cocks on the ground in the morning with their tails in the ice on top of the barrel. If your cocks are in good health and are coming along as they should they will have a "raspberry" under their eye. A raspberry is simply the area just below the eye as it becomes full it swells and reddens slightly.
Post subject: Days 6 and 7
As before, bring into the cockhouse, fly to table, bite orange, flirt forward and backward 3 times each, toss to climb board and tight pen, cup feed. By now they should be fully on your keep feed and adapted to it. End of day 7 return cocks to the fly pens and water.
* Get up early on day 8 and put in tight pens, cover for darkness before 8 AM
Post subject: Day 8
7:30 AM place cocks in tight pens and cover front so to darken and allow them to rest until noon, place in pen on floor large enough for the cocks to stretch and wake up. Give them I dip of water and weigh them. Record weights next to the weights you took when you first selected them. Pay attention to these and the differences in them. By knowing which cock should gain and which cock should stay steady you can see how they are responding to the treatment, feed, handling and rotation. You can adjust certain cocks feed to compensate and you may have to throw one or two out if they reflect a great weight loss.
After they are weighed they are matched as closely as possible by weight, the soft rubber Muffs (gloves) are placed over their spurs and they are allowed 3 buckles (when to embattled cocks meet they 1st break, fly upward off the ground, and then buckle, attack with wings and feet almost simultaneous) From these buckles you are allowed to evaluate each individuals performance and compare it to the first time they were spared.
After the sparring, the cocks are rotated to the cords, given fresh water and fed on the cords.
For the record my fowl
1 Lost 2 oz
2 gained 2 oz
1 gained 1 oz
3 stayed the same
None were thrown out and they are all coming along nicely as I had hoped and each as I have wanted them to.
Post subject: Day 9
Bring them in and place in the tight pens. One at a time, rub down, fly to table, bite the orange, flirt forward and backward 3 times each, fly to the climb board and lightly pull at his footing to make him learn to use the board. Take him down, stand on the table, lift and roll onto his side, being careful not to damage the tail lay the cock flat on his back and allow him to get up on his own. Return to tight pens and feed vitamin enriched, moistened keep feed, adjust volume based on weights you got yesterday. After 1 hour place in fly pens and give fresh water.
Tomorrow is day 10. If you remember we wormed on the first day, most wormers will kill the live parasite but not the egg. So we will worm again tomorrow and dust for external parasites so that we know our fowl are pest free. We will also prepare a solution of 1 small bottle of oil of sassafras and 1 tub (large) of Vaseline to apply to the roosters head and knees to keep external parasites away during the keep. This will be applied on day 1 of the keep. We are still in the 14 day prekeep.
Post subject: Day 10 and more
Day 10 we move the cocks from the fly pens to the tight pens and rub each down, give worm medicine and dust for mites. Place them out on cords unfed. 1 hour later feed 1 � oz rice cooked with raisins per cock.
Day 11 and 12
Continue rotation to tight pen, massage, flirts then out again.
Day 13 Bring the cocks in rub down, table, check cocks closely for swollen joints, sore muscles, fever or respiratory sounds or smells. Table and flirt, fly / climb board and back to the tight pens for moistened vitamin enriched feed and then to the fly pens. Take their water away and lights out.
Day 14 8:00 am tight pen, 1 dip of water and black out. Noon tight pen, 1 bite of egg white and black out. 2 pm drop out allow to stretch and back to tight pens to black out.
While you wait, put grass hay or corn shucks or wheat straw hay in your fly pens; add a pullet and a little scratch.
4:00 pm drop out (to drop out is to place in a small holding pen large enough to allow the rooster to stretch and move and wake. He will also take this opportunity to "dump" his droppings and begin to clean his bowel. After they dump, weigh, record the weights for comparison and match weights for sparring. While sparring watch closely to see how each cock uses his feet to attack his opponent, (where he strikes at and how often) watch for bad traits like ducking or "giving a free shot" letting the other rooster hit him with out moving, sidestepping or counter attacking at the same time. If every action causes a reaction, you want to have the action and let the reaction be the other guy. You want your rooster pushing the action, forcing the opponent to react and possibly make a mistake. You also want him to place his feet under the other cocks wings or on his back as often as possible.
Watch closely and look for mistakes or bad habits that will be bad in competition and likely cause a loss. If such problems arise, remove that bird from the program now, you are about to start the keep period where you prepare your fowl physically for the competition. You want the best candidates you have to start with and they should be in excellent health and body. The "prekeep has been about getting them there and getting them accustom to your daily handling without them getting mad and attacking you. So far this show has been excellent, the only time they have bitten me is when I hang an empty feed cup on the tight pen and none have hit me. They are anxious to get to the table and seem to enjoy the handling and massages. They all cluck and "talk" throughout the process and cut their wings and dance to me on the table. A very nice show of young cocks. I hope the female company doesn't change them too much.
After the sparring return them to the tight pens for a cool out period and make notes. One of the cocks was a bit sluggish and ducked the other cock twice, this cock is rejected from the keep but is kept for a punch cock (a cock other than one in the keep used to hand spar the other cocks with. Hand sparring is getting your cocks to break of the score line and fly up to meet the other cock without actual combat taking place.) Once the cocks cool out and settle down, cup feed and then take to the fly pens with the fresh pullets and the hay. Scatter a small amount of corn chops or scratch in the straw and give them 2 hours before lights out.
The work is about to start next will be "The Keep" Day 1.
The Keep
Day 1
One at a time; bring the cocks into the cockhouse, massage as follows. Breast, 15 strokes front to rear open handed, then back, with fingers, 5 repetitions of gently rubbing back muscles, thighs, gently rubbing downward into the legs 15 times. The roosters usually enjoy this and relax very quickly after they get used to it. Be cautious not to break up their feathers. After the massage, fly to the table and offer a bite of orange and begin the work out. Normally you never work a rooster beyond the point where his mouth comes open to aid in breathing. The workout must be aerobic in style to be effective (fast paced). After the prekeep I use I have no trouble getting the following #'s out of the roosters with out them being over worked.
Forward flirts 15
Reverse flirts 15
Side steps 5
(A side step is simply that, place your hand on his right wing and gently cause him to walk sideways to the left 2 steps, then trade hands and move to the right 2 steps for a 1 count.) Some say this is useless others say it binds the muscles; my grand father always believed it worked muscle that otherwise wouldn't and taught them to step sideways more fluently than they normally would and helps with their balance also.
Fly's on the climb board 5
Get off back 2
Bite of orange
Fly to table
Wash their feet and legs with water and witch hazel; apply the Vaseline with oil of sassafras's to their knees and feet lightly. Wash their head with fresh water and lightly apply the Vaseline.
Place in the tight pens and allow them to cool out.
Feed
1 hour
Take to the fly pens with the hens but place in different stalls than before.
Be patient, they will not go to bed easily tonight, when they do, lights out
Day 2
6:00 AM turn on lights in the barn and every day they are in the barn from now till the end of the keep. Cloudy days will make it dark in the barn and they will be lazy on a dark day.
6:00 PM Repeat Day 1
Bring in
Massage
Fly to table, offer orange
15 forward flirts
15 reverse flirts
5 Flies on the climb board side steps (a 5 count)
Get off back 2 times
Fly to table
Offer orange
Tight pen, cool out
Feed
Take to the cords
Remember, fresh water daily if it's froze, replace it, if it stays froze, moisten the feed.
I use cooked rice in my keep with my regular keep feed and often add yogurt, egg whites, soaked oats or unsweetened fruit juice so my feed is always wet in the keep.
Keep day 3
Bring in; fly to the table, massage
5 fly's to the table fro 8 feet away
15 forward flirts
15 reverse flirts
5 - 2 counts of side steps
5 fly's on the climb board
Get off back 2 times
Repeat massage
Go thru all 6 then in the same order
Remove each and hand spar for 5 attempted buckles
Cool out
Feed
Put back out to fly pens
Always put them in a pen other than the one they were in last.
At lights out throw a tablespoon of corn chops into the hay for them to scratch after tomorrow.
By now your roosters should act, look and feel like different birds. They should be fuller breasted, more firmly muscled, obviously stronger with a clear pep to them. They should have a good raspberry under their eye and their heads should snap with each movement. They should be cockier and should cluck and talk to you throughout the workout and feeding. If they are not here, you should take a hard look and consider putting them out for two weeks and starting with fresh roosters. You should also have singled out any lazy roosters by now, you must pay extra attention to them as they will often work you harder than they work and can be disappointing in the end if they have not developed the stamina needed and the burst of action required.
Keep day 4 and beyond
Day 4 thru 6
Each day bring the cocks into the cock house tight pens and then begin the work. Each day work each rooster in groups of 10, (10 forward flirts, 10 reverse flirts, 10 runs, 10 fly's) and work until his mouth pops open to inhale.(record this count each day to chart and gauge each roosters progress. Walk him down on the table, massage & cool out in the tight pens. Feed and continue rotation in sequence.
Keep Day 7
8:00 AM Bring cocks in to cockhouse and place in tight pens and "black out" which forces them to rest. At 12:00 drop out, peck up with a small amount of egg whites and corn chops, give 1 dip of water and black out again. 2:00 PM drop out & black out and again at 4:00 PM and 5:00. At 6:00 PM wake them, weigh them and match against near equal cocks from the yard and spar them for 3 good buckles, paying close attention to each cock for style, accuracy, aggression and of course mistakes or bad habits.
After sparring, cool out in the tight pens and feed allowing all the water they want and place in the fly pens with the hens.
Keep day 8 thru 14
Day 8 thru 13 is a continuance of day 6.
I work the cocks till their mouth pops open, count and record the flirts, fly's and runs, then massage, cool out and feed. Keeping up with the rotation along the way and replacing any hen that doesn't make the cocks work for it or stays on the roost pole all day. On day 10 we hand spar for three attempted buckles before the work out. this will lower your work out count for this day. As of day 13 we have our cocks working as follows:
15 fly's to the table from 8 feet
20 forward flirts
20 reverse flirts
10 runs
10 fly's to the climb board
4 times to get off back
and 55 bonus fly's, flirts etc.
Remember, this work out is to be at an aerobic pace to build the wind and stamina
I had 1 cock refuse to work and un able to hold up to the pace of the other 5 and have thrown him out. This is not good as I am 2 weeks away and am down to 5 birds for a planned 4 cock show. Too few cocks to show and I am out and have to start over again.
Day 14
Noon Black out and rest until 4:00 PM, wake drop out, weigh, match up and spar for 3 buckles, give 1 dip of water and rest until 6:00 PM. Then put thru an abbreviated work out, cool out, feed and continue rotation. This is the last true spar so pay close attention to each rooster and what they do, If you cant see where they are putting their feet, video tape the session and then replay until you see it.
By now the cocks should be difficult to hold in your hands when you take them out of the tight pens, they want to get to the table for that morsel of food and some roosters will actually enjoy the work.
Notice this program was designed years ago and was intended for gaff fowl, however it should not be used on roundhead or oriental fowl as you will work their breast off and ruin them.
You should also notice the "raspberry" and the "popping" of the head being more noticeable and the roosters being much more of a rooster than before.
Day 15
Use a little patience tonight, try to equalize the work count on your cocks or at least get them to a manageable level / count Just above the last count you got. You can achieve this by slowing the pace a little or allowing 20 second rests between the exercises. This show is up to the following count.
15 fly's to the table
20 forward flirts
20 reverse flirts
10 runs
10 flies to the climb board
5 times to get off back
60 Bonus flies, flirts and runs
This is a satisfactory count for a good workout but don't forget the massage afterward.
Work the roosters every day to this count and speed up the pace a little each day thru day 22. Continue the rotation as before, continue the feed as before but on day 21 remove the hens from the fly pens and allow no hens on the cord yard. Place 2 or 3 young fresh hens in the barn hall where the cocks can see them but not get to them for the duration of the keep.
Day 18
Continue the same routine except b-4 you go to the work table, use the "punch cock" (sparring partner) and hand spar each cock for 4 buckles.
Then return to the tight pens. Work the base work out and return to the tight pen with a massage, give a dip of water, and then using the same sequence give them their bonus work, return to the tight pens, cool out and feed. You should consider beginning any feed adjustments now so not to shock their system with a sudden change in the last days. I begin to reduce the boiled egg whites and increase the fruit content slowly exchanging one for the other but I leave the rice in and will increase it later.
Day 23 and beyond
Day 23 with a show on day 28 you have to hold your cocks at this peak of condition while allowing them to rest a little and be fresh with an explosion of energy at the show. This is our method. Reduce the work out totals by a full 1/4 on this day and continue rotation. You should begin adjusting your feed down also. Remove the sunflower seed and whole oats due to the hulls and husks, for the next feed. Replace this lost volume with a slight increase in cracked corn, wheat and rice, cracked corn works fine.
24
Again reduce the work count by 1/4 continue rotation and feed the adjusted feed. Do not forget the fruit (banana, apple) bonuses at the table and on rotation if you do not mix it in your feed. Take the pullets out of the barn this night. I feed 1 time per day thru this day but will feed 2 times per day starting tomorrow morning just use half the amount.
25
Finally reduce the work by 1/4 again. You should be down to only 25% of you peak work. Feed adjusted feed and rotate to the fly pens for the evening and night. There are hundreds of recipes for what you should feed your cocks from now until Showtime, it is important you find what works for your cocks on your ground, in your hands. I simply continue to adjust mine to more scratch without sunflower seeds and no oats and begin to trade out my keep feed for my finish and "point feed" a little each feeding. At this point I am feeding 25% keep feed minus oats and sunflower, 25% cooked rice, 25 % boiled egg whites and 25% cracked corn. plus I still am giving bites of apple and banana from time to time.
Day 26 7:00 AM
Your cocks have been up and popping since 4:00AM, that's enough. No work. Carry them to the table bite of apple, couple of strokes as you inspect him for the show. Feed morning feed. This is the time if you don't like what you see or if he doesn't feel like he is on top of the world and act like it, consider starting again. There is simply no excuse for entering a well deserving, well bred, capable gamecock in an event unless he stands a very good chance of winning. At this point we have our 5 cocks, 4 of which we are certain about, the fifth, an alternate, just in case someone gets sick, the fifth must be an equal because he may be needed to support the team, to fill in for someone who didn't travel well. Today we know who is who. We place each in black out at 8 AM, turn off the lights, unplug the radio, close the door and cover the windows. You want your fowl to rest. Now is the time you begin to adjust the water in the cocks body. A cock that is very moist (a high moisture level in his system) will cut well but will not be able to withstand severe blows without losing moisture quickly and essentially going into shock causing you to not place in the show. On the other hand a cock that is too dry can take the blows much better but cannot deliver similar blows to his opponent, kinda like tight or cramped muscles due to dehydration. The factors are many in moisture control. Is it raining? Is the wind blowing? Is it cold & dry or hot and moist? You adjust the moisture up by simply allowing a bite of banana, boiled egg white or an extra dip of water depending on the severity of the conditions and what works for you, you adjust the moisture down by not allowing a dip of water or feeding a thumb nail sized piece of dry toast or 3 to 4 pieces of corn chops or some say a dip of unsweetened orange juice. Don't worry about getting it right today, just start adjusting. The weather and other factors will change it tomorrow; besides, you still have tomorrow and the night after.
12 Noon Drop each cock out. After he drops flirt him to the table allow a peck of fruit or egg white, allow him 5 min. to stretch and look around then put back into black out. I use a half of a cedar post in my tight pens when blacking out. The cocks will rest better setting on this "Natural roost". Repeat the drop and stretch at 4 PM and again at 8 PM. 8 PM Feed the evening feed that you have continued to adjust which should now be corn chops, egg whites and cooked rice.
Your cocks need a good ride to the show with out hard bumps and a lot of wind so consider that in your preparations.
27 and "the DAY"
Before 27 begin, you should already know your schedule for the next 24 hours. Planning your feeds, adjusting your moisture and timing your trip to the show.
You must time your feed this day and adjust volume possibly so to make certain your cocks are clean and the point is coming on just before Showtime.
To calculate your last feed time take weigh in time minus 30 min.
(10 AM) - � = (9:30)
minus travel time, 1 hour for me.
(9:30 - 1= 8:30)
minus 12 hours clean out time.
(8:30 - 12 = 8:30 PM the day before show day.)
This is your last feed time b-4 the show.
And so 27 begins. At 6 AM drop your cocks out and allow them to stretch & drop, flirt them to the table 1 time, give a brief rubdown, wash their feet and head. Weigh them and adjust moisture if needed. Feed � or morning feed with apples and bananas, black out and do not bother them until noon, drop them out, allow them to stretch and put back in black out.
8PM drop each cock and allow to stretch, wash their feet and head, apply a little Vaseline to their head and knees, feed each cock 1/4 regular feed and black out.
Got company, Ill finish show day in a little while.
claret
Show time
I almost forgot, 24 hours b-4 show time, take the water away, (if its hot and dry wait until 18 hours b-4 Showtime). If you are ready then your vehicle will have been gassed, your supplies will have been checked, your gaffs sharp, a padded ride readied for your fowl, your peck feed and banana and apple and bottle of water will be in the truck, you will have eaten breakfast and packed lunch by 5:AM. Now drop your cocks out, allow them to stretch & drop, confirm their moisture. But do not peck. If it is hot and dry you may allow 1 dip of water. Load your cocks, and leave with enough time to get to the show at least 2 hours before weigh in. I like the rule of 1 hour travel equals 2 hours of rest.
Upon arrival drop out the cocks on tar paper and allow them to drop and stretch for a moment and put them back into the box. If you must adjust their water or peck them do it at this moment. Black out and rest for 30 min. Drop out and check moisture again, as soon as they drop put them back in black out.
You are looking for a dropping about the size of your nail on your thumb (dime sized) and about the consistency of dough. The early droppings should be about the consistency of an egg yolk. Drop the cocks every 20 min. until you get this small dough ball. It will often have a white cap on it. Record the time you get this drop. Then 1 hour (VERY IMPORTANT) after this drop if the cock has not been shown give � slice of 1/4 inch thick piece of banana, do this every hour on the hour until the cock is shown. **Two hours after dime drop you may want to allow a dip of water or a peck of egg white, again about 6 hours after dime drop. (this should be adjusted depending on the weather.)
When you are called up waste no time getting to your cocks, I stay with mine. Drop your cock out while you are getting ready to heal and allow him to see the hen you brought but not to chase her. Heel your cock and drop back down, allow him to walk in his heels for a min. and then catch him and bill him up with the punch cock just b-4 you go into the pit.
For those who wish to use B-12 injectable it is recommended to be used in � cc dose injected into the breast 72 and 36 hours before time for the show to start.
That's it folks.
If you choose to try this I wish you good luck, remember to adjust to your fowl, rather than adjust them to you. Keep 'em healthy.
Author,
Claret
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