by Nino Bugeja [For PDF version Click Here]

The reason there are many variations in appearance is due to the wide variation of genes, and nothing more in my opinion. This along with selection of one man’s vision over another coupled with not having a true breed standard to follow. These are the main reasons for why you see a large variance in type.

Oskar Zovich Tippler

Now to answer your question further on why Hughes look different than Oskar’s for example is due to the fact that both of these men and others have for many years selected for a certain look along with flying ability. They have created a strain or as some say a family of birds that took years to acquire. Their gene pool has been tightened to the point that a certain look or resemblance has come to the top like thick cream.

Gordon Hughes Tippler

As far as our culls are concerned, of course, they are all still Tipplers, but they do not meet ones criteria as well as others do plain and simple. That does not make them mongrels of any sort. No, I am not saying that only certain birds make the cut as a Tippler, not at all. They are still a Tippler. As far as a Tippler goes, it does not have to fly long hours to be a Tippler genetically, rather a fine representative of a Tippler would have all the qualities it should have, flying be one of them.

In all breeding terms there are those specimens produced that just do not have what it takes, and should not to be allowed to pass on their genes, they are not the best that can be. This is where I for one among others have the discipline to recognize this fact and work around it. As Davey commented, myself among others test our stock, why? For just the reasons I am mentioning to you now. Are they what I expect them to be or do they just look good? Each of us must find a way to insure that our direction of breeding is in keeping with the bird we are breeding and trying to create an animal of greater excellence.

When you say “genetically pure”, in the context you ask it do you known what you are asking here?

Look at it this way for a moment please. Take me for example; I think that most on this forum would agree that I have a family of birds that are in fact close when it comes to their genetic pool. If I raise 50 young birds in a said season, some of them would not make my cut in terms of being a cull or not. Does that mean to say that they are not closely related genetically,? By no means is that a fact. They simply in my opinion are not good enough to pass on their genes for whatever reason I deem.
These birds are a product of artificial selection, they are in a sense man made.

You see, I have a reference in my head, a picture if you will that I am always searching for my ideal of what a Tippler should look like.
Purely, these birds are a vision of my likes and dislikes, as are everyone’s when it comes down to the selection process. The time will come when even you will breed too many and you realize that some will have to go. This is when, even if you haven’t given it a thought before, you will start to select for what your personal likes and dislikes are. Should you keep a long faced bird if you really like a shorter faced bird? On the other hand, does one bird has better feathering than another? So what should you keep? Are they any less a Tippler, no they are not, just not up to your standard is all. Are they genetically pure, yes they are as a whole. Are they genetically pure for a certain “Trait”, well that’s where it gets more tricky.