The fighting qualities and sports skills of roosters were noticed a long time ago, which could not but spawn such a phenomenon as cockfighting: in the whole world and at all times, people can not even be fed with bread, if only there were spectacles. Do not blame this kind of entertainment in cruelty: this is the way the most powerful and viable individuals are selected, suitable for further improvement of other breeds, besides, the passion for fighting in these birds is in the blood.
So cock fights became popular all over the world. Originating in Southeast Asia, rooster fighting and fighting bird breeds were perfected in England. It was there that appeared so popular breed of chickens, as the Old English fight.
Breed origin
It is difficult to say where they came from, because in England they are bred for a very long time. Apparently, the ancestors of the Old English fighting hens are the most ancient breeds from the same Southeast Asia, and most likely from India, which for many centuries was a colony of Great Britain. It is only known that the breed has been around for almost a thousand years and has not undergone almost any changes during this time, and in the 1850s these birds began to participate in exhibitions.
By the way, today you can find two types of English fighting hens: “Oxford” is a purely exhibition version, more elegant, and “Сarlish” is a real fighter, tall, large and strong.
Description of Old English Battle Chickens
These birds have strong muscles and a dense torso of medium length, striking the eyes and broad shoulders. The body is not so much hollow as horizontally, becoming narrower towards the tail.
This bird has a wide, full and strong chest, which noticeably protrudes forward and is rounded on the sides. At the same time, the breast bone does not differ in depth and does not protrude forward: it is muscles that give this form of the breast.
The Old England Fighting Chicken has a strong, rather long neck, which is rounded and widened in the back of the head. The plumage of the neck covers the shoulders.
Old English battle chickens have a flat and short back.wide at the shoulders and acquiring a wedge-shaped shape closer to the tail, as well as a narrow, taut and elastic belly. The legs and legs attract attention: they are rather long, albeit slightly shorter than those of other fighting birds, with short muscular ankles protruding forward. The legs themselves bend well in the joints, not very widely set, rather small bone and smooth.
The fingers are long, well spaced, equipped with sharp and long strong claws, with the rear finger well attached to the ground. Spurs are graceful and firm, deep-set.
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These birds have wide and large wings with truncated and wide feathers. The cores of feathers are strong and strong. The tail is also large, raised and non-flat, slightly spread. The tail plumage is characterized by strong rods, curved braids and wide webs.
For the Old English fighting hens, a short head of small size and a wedge-shaped form is characteristic. The forehead is flat. The crest, if any, is small, it is characteristic of birds of any color. Birds that have it stand out in special groups. The face is smooth, with a strong and curved beak, the upper part of which is tight to the bottom. The scallop is not very big and simple, its soft fabric is often shortened.
Usually, chickens have large and slightly protruding eyes in red.
The standard includes all elegant and energetic birds with a proud posture. Chickens of this breed should not have large bones and be clumsy.
Features
They are medium-sized birds, but very muscular and mobile. Their feature that distinguishes them from other fighting chickens can be called a more dense plumage: tough, tight to the body and brilliant. It is noteworthy that females and males practically do not differ from each other externally: neither in size, nor in color, nor in comb.
The only difference is that females have less developed and bare parts of the head and better decorated back. In addition, the tail of females may have a slightly fan-shaped form. They are distinguished by their strong temperament, mobility and cockiness.
Content and cultivation
Despite their fighting character and resilience, the birds are very sensitive and they need good training. They are completely unpretentious in food and living conditions., as easily adaptable to any conditions of detention. And yet, they need a spacious green range: without it, the development of muscles and feathers is unthinkable. These birds mature only in a year, but their strength and health allows them to stand in battle for many years.
In addition, if there is no good walking ground, then maturing cocks need to be kept separate from a certain age: their fighting instinct develops early.
Yes, and there is no particular problem with reproduction: fertilization happens quickly and easily, chickens from Old English chickens are not bad, but artificial incubation gives excellent results.
By the way, the natural instinct to participate in the battles is not enough: they need constant trainingthat start from 8 months. They are fully ready for battles only at the age of two years, but with proper care they retain their strength until old age.
Specifications
Adult cocks reach a weight of 2-3 kg, chickens - 1.75-2 kg. They are practically not bred for meat - it is rather tough in the fighting chickens. The exceptions are young individuals with tender meat, but not for this breed is needed.
They cannot boast of egg production either - in the first year of egg laying, a young bird can carry about 50 eggs weighing from 30 to 50 grams, while sitting an egg weighing less than 50 grams. they are incapable. The color of the eggs is yellowish. Ring size: for chicken - 3, for a rooster - 4.
Analogs
Relatives of the Old English fighting hens are Malay and Indian fighting chickens, as well as the New England fighting chickens (Modern) and the Old English dwarf fighting chickens.
Old English Fighting Chicken is a strong and belligerent bird. Let it not be suitable for breeding for meat and egg production is no different, but it is a real athlete, able to set more than one record.
