Welcome to the world of Old English Game chickens! These beautiful birds have a long and fascinating history, having been bred for over 200 years for their fighting prowess. But there’s much more to these feathered fighters than meets the eye. In this blog post, we’ll explore the origin and characteristics of Old English Game chickens, as well as their recognized varieties and crosses. We’ll also delve into the unique fighting style that has made them legendary in the cockfighting world. So sit back and prepare to learn all about this remarkable breed of chicken!
Old English Game History and Origin
The history of Old English Game chickens is a long and fascinating one. These birds were originally bred in England for cockfighting, which was a popular pastime among the upper classes during the 18th and 19th centuries. The breed can be traced back to ancient times when game fowl were used for sport as well as food.
Old English Game chickens were selectively bred for their agility, strength, and fighting ability. They became known for their fierce nature and unwillingness to give up in battle. Over time, breeders developed different varieties of Old English Game chickens with unique colors and patterns.
Despite being primarily raised for cockfighting, Old English Game chickens also gained popularity as show birds due to their striking appearance. Today, they remain a beloved breed among poultry enthusiasts around the world.
Unfortunately, cockfighting has been banned in many countries due to its cruel nature. As a result, Old English Game chickens are now primarily kept as ornamental or backyard birds rather than fighters (except in the Philippines where cockfighting is still legal). Nonetheless, they retain their reputation as bold and beautiful creatures that have captured our admiration throughout history.
Old English Game Behavior and Characteristics
The Old English Game chicken breed is known for its striking appearance and distinct behavior. These chickens have a small size, upright posture, and elongated neck that gives them a regal look. They are alert, active birds that love to explore their surroundings.
One of the most distinctive characteristics of Old English Game chickens is their bold and fearless nature. Despite their small size, they are extremely confident birds that will fearlessly confront any perceived threat to protect themselves or their flock.
Old English Game chickens also have an independent streak and can be quite stubborn at times. They do not like being handled too much but can form strong bonds with their owners if given enough care and attention.
Another unique feature of these birds is their high energy level. They are always on the move, pecking around the yard for insects or scratching in the dirt for seeds. This makes them ideal free-range birds that thrive in open spaces where they can roam freely.
Old English Game chickens possess a variety of interesting behavioral traits that make them fascinating creatures to keep as pets or raise for show purposes.
Recognized Varieties
Old English Game chickens come in a wide range of colors and patterns, known as varieties. Each variety has its unique characteristics that differentiate it from others. The American Poultry Association recognizes several Old English Game chicken varieties, including the Black Breasted Red, Brown Red, Silver Duckwing, Golden Duckwing, White, Blue, and Wheaten.
The Black Breasted Red is one of the oldest recognized color variations and is known for its striking appearance with black feathers on the main body parts and red feathers on the head and neck. The Brown Red variety features a darker shade than other Reds with brownish-red plumage combined with black tail feathers.
Silver Duckwings have silver-white feathers around their wings while sporting rusty orange-red hackles (neck)and saddles (back). On the other hand, Golden Duckwings have golden-yellow hackles & saddles over olive-green to dark-green back feathering. Whites are entirely white in coloration while Blues consist of bluish-gray plumage over most body areas except for some distinct portions like breasts or wings which are slate-colored.
Wheatens have wheat-colored bodies along with reddish-brown hackle feathers.
The Old English Game chicken’s distinctive feather patterns make them stand out among all breeds of poultry – providing an attractive feature to backyard flocks worldwide!
Old English Game Crosses
Old English Game chickens have been bred for centuries, and during that time, breeders have experimented with many crosses to achieve various goals. One of the most popular old English game crosses is with the Cornish chicken. This cross results in a bird that has a muscular build and is excellent for meat purposes.
Another famous Old English Game Cross is with Malay chickens. The Malay breed possesses an impressive height, making them an ideal choice for fighting purposes. Hence, this cross produces birds that are both tall and strong.
Additionally, another commonly used crossbreed among Old English Games is with Asil breeds from India. These two varieties are well-matched as they share several similarities in their physical characteristics and fighting style.
One of the more recent crosses involves breeding modern game fowl with old English games; however, this practice has not been widely accepted by traditionalists who prefer to preserve purebred lines.
Crossbreeding can result in unique variations of Old English Game Chickens while also improving desired traits such as strength or size. However, it’s necessary to keep track of all breeding records to produce quality offspring consistently without damaging any strains’ genetic composition over time.
Old English Game Fighting Style
The Old English Game is known for its impressive fighting skills, which have been honed over centuries of selective breeding. These birds were originally bred for cockfighting, and their fighting style reflects this history.
Old English Games are aggressive fighters who rely on quick movements and powerful strikes to defeat their opponents. They are light on their feet and incredibly agile, making it difficult for other birds to land a hit.
In addition to their physical agility, Old English Games also have a strong instinct to fight. They will not back down from a challenge and will continue to fight even when injured or exhausted.
During fights, Old English Games use a variety of techniques including dodging attacks, delivering swift blows with their sharp spurs, and grappling with opponents using their powerful legs.
Despite the controversial nature of cockfighting today, many breeders still appreciate the Old English Game’s fighting abilities as part of the bird’s overall character and heritage. However, it is important that these birds are raised in ethical conditions where they can live full lives without being subjected to harm or suffering through illegal activities such as cockfighting.
Conclusion
Old English Game chickens are a fascinating breed with an intriguing history. These birds were bred for their fighting abilities, but today they are more commonly kept as pets or exhibition birds.
Despite their small size, Old English Game chickens have big personalities and are known for being energetic and lively. They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, each with its own unique set of characteristics.
If you’re interested in owning an Old English Game chicken, it’s important to remember that these birds require special care and attention. You’ll need to provide them with plenty of space to roam and exercise, as well as high-quality feed that meets their specific dietary needs.
But if you’re willing to put in the time and effort required to care for these magnificent birds, the rewards can be great. With their beauty, charm, and spunky personality traits – not to mention their rich history – there’s no doubt that Old English Game chickens will continue to captivate bird enthusiasts for years to come.
See Also:
- Albany Gamefowl Characteristics, Origin, and Fighting Style
- Game Chickens: What are They
- Toppy Gamefowl – Origin, Characteristics, Fighting Style, and More
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- Ayam Pelung Chicken Breed Profile