DUBBING

These are my own thaughts on this subject. Many will dissagree with me but many more will agree. Either way if you wish to be heard concernig this subject (pro or con) please use the e-mail link on the left to contact me and as far as time and space will allow I will publish your coments at the bottom of this article. Please do not flame.

WHAT IS DUBBING;

Dubbing is the practice of surgically removing the comb and wattles of a Game Cock. This is most often done when the bird is still a chick and it is believed by most, before there is nerve development in the affected area.

WHY DUB;

Is there a useful purpose for dubbing game birds? Lets look at some possible reasons for this practice.

1. Under APA rules any gamecock that is not dubbed is disqualified from competition.
   
   The APA rule demanding dubbing only applies to game birds. In fact if a cock of any other breed was shown with it's comb and wattles removed it would be disqualified, other wise breeders could use dubbing to get rid of a faulty comb. If a Gamecock has a faulty comb, no matter, we just cut it off anyway.
   
   
2. If the bird is used for cock fighting, dubbing is done to prevent the comb and/or wattles from being ripped off in a fight. This is in fact is where the practice started.
   
   This is true but we are talking about show birds here and not fighters. Since fighting cocks often get scarred up in their fights they are not, as a rule, shown at poultry shows after they start their careers in the cock pits. The practice of dubbing all game birds makes it much easier for those who fight cocks in areas where it is illegal to get away with it.
   
   
3. In cold climates a dubbed bird has no problem with the comb freezing and some people believe that the comb being frozen causes temporary sterility.
   
   This may be true but since we don't dub cocks of any other breed and they have the same problems with freezing I don't think this is the real reason that any one dubs their games. Would it not be possible in he colder climates to breed game cocks with small combs like the Chantecler?
   
   
4. Since game birds are naturally pugnacious dubbing will prevent damage to the comb in the event of accidental contact with one another.
   
   All cocks are naturally pugnacious, I had a meat type cockerel killed by another meat type cockerel, but there again we only dub games.
   
   
5. Dubbing is a practice which started when cock fighting was common and is carried on today for aesthetic reasons.

I must admit that a dubbed cock looks more sinister than his undubbed counter part but see this as no real reason to continue the practice.

I have heard all of these given as reasons for the practice of dubbing but must conclude that dubbing is unnecessary surgery to say the least and in my opinion and that of many other breeders is cruel and inhumane treatment. The poultry fancy is missing the expertise of many very good breeders because they will not participate in this practice.

The APA rule should be amended to at least allow undubbed gamecocks to be shown as well as those which have been dubbed.

There is a strong and well-financed animal rights movement in Canada as well as the U.S. and these people do not want animals kept for any reason; they would stop the ownership of ALL animals as cruel and inhumane. This includes your and my birds as well as our dog or cat and all other animals. To continue the practice of dubbing is to allow them ammunition with which to attack us.

These are my own opinions but I have heard them repeated by others also. You may not agree with them , but I hope this article has given you reason to think about the subject. If so drop me an e-mail.