Exclusive Interview – Brent Easterling

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Purebred Warrior exclusively interviewed Brent Easterling on his views about the success and hardships that he experienced over the course of being the main man breeder and owner of L&L Gamefarm in Alabama, USA. Here’s to a series of questions where you will find the truthful and reliable answers.

MD: Who is Brent Easterling?
Brent: I am one of the few people in this world who are fortunate enough to be able to do what I love for a living, breeding and raising game fowl has always been my life’s goal!! I am also blessed to have a wife and family who supported me when I decided to make this my lifestyle!! Without God and family, nothing is possible, with them, the sky’s the limit!! I’ll never be perfect or the best at this game and would never claim such, all I can ask for is to do the best I can and earn the respect of the man across from me!!!,

MD: Who was your biggest influence  on breeding and why?
Brent: My biggest influences would have to be my dad and my brother Billy. I have watched them evolve normal fowl into something superior simply through breeding. Anyone can put together a brood pen, but to maintain and improve that blood line for 30 to 40 years through traits says a lot about a person as a breeder.

MD: How did you come about obtaining  your bloodlines?
Brent: All my lines were acquired through family and friendship. My dad, Jim Easterling, has had the Bruner Round Head and the Regular Grey’s since the mid 70’s. I, Myself have over the past 12 years acquired the Kelso, Butchers, And Rubel Hatches through friendship.

MD: How did you get into this great sport?
Brent: It has basically been a family heritage. My dad acquired his first fowl from Blondie Rolland in 1963. Both of my brothers were born in the mid 60’s and then myself in 1984. We all have a passion, drive, and love for the sport.

“Anyone can put together a brood pen, but to maintain and improve that blood line for 30 to 40 years through traits says a lot about a person as a breeder.”

MD: In your opinion, what is the right amount of station for your fowl, and how do you obtain this trait?
Brent: A lot of people disagree with me on this topic, but I do not like a super tall rooster. I personally believe that they lose some of their natural ability and get clumsy when they are to tall. I like medium to medium-high station birds. I believe that you get height, health, and body conformation through selective breeding.

MD: What are the differences between straight comb and pea comb, and what are the differences in their abilities?
Brent: More often than not, the power and bottom come from the straight comb side. Speed, ability, and cutting comes from the pea comb side. I have always liked breeding the pea comb rooster to straight comb hens. You’ll lose a little power but gain a tremendous amount of ability. For the Filipino style, I almost prefer both sides to be pea comb.

MD: How do you manage your farm  and fowl effectively?
Brent: ROUTINE. I believe this is the most important, followed by dedication and more work than any man should have to do. It all starts with good health because without it you are losing already. Health should be second to nothing. I de- lice and worm the first day of every month. I also give vitamins and electrolytes for 5 days twice a month. The cups are cloroxed and the pens are moved after cutting grass every Sunday. It’s all routine and hard work, but I do it for the love of the sport.

“This is a sport that brings people of all nationalities together. I have met and made some of the best friendships I have ever known because of this sport.”

MD: What are your best performing bloodlines and how would you describe each of their ability?
Brent: Bruner R.H.- speed, brains, ability, and tremendous cutting. Kelso- Vicious, high breaking, cutting ability. Butcher- break very well, cut great, and have the ability to make the opponent miss, aims for their opponent’s weakness. Ruble Hatch- this breed is a lot like Bruner, but with more power and viciousness. Regular Grey- power and gameness.
For the LK I like the Bruner Kelso, Bruner Ruble, and the Bruner Butcher. I’ve never seen a breed of fowl that are Bruner R.H. didn’t make better.

MD: Do you have more buyers and or Customers in Mexico or the Philippines?
Brent: I sell to both, but I would say as a whole I sell 3 to 1 to Mexico than to the Philippines, but my goal since I started breeding my own fowl is to be predomitaly in the Philippines.

MD: What is your thoughts on man fighting fowl?
Brent: This is one thing that I do not tolerate!! A breed that is naturally a man fighter or really mean, I don’t trust in the pit. I believe these traits in a breed show the possibility of them quitting on you.

MD: Are you in charge of selecting your fowl for a fight?
Brent: Yes Sir, I always have and always will know my fowl better than anyone else. If my name or my money is on the line, then I have the final say so. My dad is the only other person that I would trust to have the same selective judgement as my own.

MD: What supplements or enhancers do you use during the keep?
Brent: I use absolutely nothing!! If you must change or enhance a rooster then he was never any good to start with. I use the same feed in the keep as I do on the yard.

MD: What is your message to those just starting a breeding program?
Brent: Spare no expense. Don’t take anyone’s word for your brood fowl. Do your homework and lots of research. Cheap fowl are the most expensive in the long run. Don’t pay attention to the person, pay attention to the fowl. A name does not put a “W” on the board, the fowl does.

Brent: In Closing, this is a great sport and if you’re lucky enough, it’s the best way that I can imagine making a living. This sport alone provides for my family in excess. Always stay humble and remember that every rooster man that ever lived started from scratch. This is a sport that brings people of all nationalities together. I have met and made some of the best friendships I have ever known because of this sport. Always strive to do and be better. Always look 6 to 8 years down the road, if not next year will be all that you have.