Chicken Breed Focus - Old English Game

[sumi]

The Old English Game fowl is one of the oldest strains of poultry and they are well known for their gameness – their courage and indomitable spirit. The male of the species is very territorial and will defend his ground against other invading roosters. It is recommended to keep the males separated after six months of age for this reason..

Through the Middle Ages the breed was developed by the English nobility into many varying colours, while traits desirable for cockfighting were chosen by breeders. Cockfighting has since become illegal in many countries and English game fowl are nowadays kept just by enthusiasts and used for poultry exhibits and breeders. Most breeders aim to preserve the present strains of this species as well as trying to keep the colour and traits for poultry showing and exhibits.

There are many varieties in this breed, some examples being the Black Breasted Red, Spangled, Black, Dun Breasted, Blue Dun, Silver and Gold Duckwing and Brassy Back. Normally a single-combed breed, males were originally dubbed for fighting. This means that the comb and wattles were removed. It is still necessary to dub the birds to show them in the US and Britain.

OEGs are very hardy and excellent foragers. The hens go broody often and make very good mothers.

Details:

Purpose: Exhibition
Egg laying: ±160 eggs annually
Colours/Varieties (some): Black Breasted Red, Spangled, Black, Silver and Gold Duckwing.


Pic by @blackred


Pic by @raph

BYC Breed Discussion:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/409709/standard-old-english-games/0_30

Do you own Old English Games? Are you an Old English Game breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!


Please note, from the BYC Rules/TOS

14. No discussions about animal rights organizations or Cock fighting

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

 

[shoelby08]

I have a small flock,1 cock and 15hens half are setting right now.I apologize if mine are not OEG? They are Curtis Blackwell+McClean Hatch This strain has been owned by us for 20years only a few have come from Chucky Badger before he passed.We don't outcross.They are free range and take good care of the biddies, especially the hens with spurs.We don't eat the eggs,this flock is sentimental to us.At one time we had about 50cocks on tie cords and round pens,now we are down to the 1 roo and his girls.

 

[wornoutmomto3]

I can't be 100% certain, but I believe I have a bantam variety breeding pair OEG along with two chicks. This is the first time I have had true Game birds. I love their personalities and they are so smart.

 

[jophus]

I breed OEGB, but am very interested to see replies and pics. These large fowl Old English Game are absolutely beautiful, and I'd love to find someone with good stock to get a pair or trio from. Thanks for this thread.

 

[cmsagirl]

We have a blue hen in our mixed flock, she was given to us as a chick by a friend who have us a barnyard mix to get our chicken addiction going she is named Spite for a reason. She is by far the most curious, demanding and independant, out of all the hens. She lays 2-3 times a week now, she's just under a year old. We believe she is the bantam variety.

Our friend is breeding for more like her, and if she would allow new hens to join her flock we would have a twin for her! But she won't so she's our one and only old English girl

 

[cmsagirl]

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Warning: picture heavy!!


I have some OEGBs. My original pair came with the first group of chickens we got last year. I got 7 - 3 week old chicks soon after.

I had no idea there were such tiny chickens and it was really more of a lovely accident than anything in getting them. I've/we've grown to love their larger than life personalities and their sweet dispositions towards us. On the other hand I find their gaminess fascinating in how they stand up and rule the largest of our chickens...and how they will travel around in a gang so-to-speak to stand up for themselves. All of our 79 of our chickens are very sweet...but this breed has completely won our hearts over. I've decided to phase the majority of our Silkies out in favor of keeping more OEGBs and EEs. The roosters also cross very well when put on hens of other breeds.

My original pair of silver duckwings




Their offspring.

Mr. Peeperton & Ms. Peeperton

One male and two females from the New Years Eve HAL

The three above as chicks...lol.



Crele chicks (purchased second)



As adults; some of the males




The females


The crele females' offspring. (The two smallest chicks bottom and left)

Their offspring now. (The 2 barred birds at the front left.)



Babygirl plus a male crele =

And he turned into

this bird. He is much prettier now.



Our OEGBs in size comparison with our Easter Eggers.

These EE pullets are not full grown.

Mr Peeperton and Mr. Red (our main EE rooster)

 

[varidgerunner]

Old English Game Bantams are not just smaller versions of Standard Old English Games, I think about the only thing they got from the Standard OEGs was their color. They were made by crossing straight bantams into the game breeds and subsequent backcrossing. They are mostly bantam. They are cute little birds though.

There are versions of the standard fowl that have been selected for smaller size, but these are pretty rare. Standard OEG are pretty rare too, only a handful of breeders have real OEGs. The hatchery versions are color bred strains of American Game, and many breeders of American Game mark their NPIP paperwork as OEG, show as OEG and etc. because they fit easily into that category. Essentially the same bird, both sharing much with the Spanish Gamefowl. All could easily be categorized as 'Bankivoid Gamefowl'.

Here is a pic of a hatchery "Black OEG", although the hatchery in question used to sell Black Sid Taylors at one time?



I had these around for a while, they weren't quite the same as my American Games, so I got rid of them. Egg production was a little higher, they weren't as broody, stags got pretty large, and got along together for a long time. So clearly not "pure".

 

[shoelby08]

Old English Game Bantams are not just smaller versions of Standard Old English Games, I think about the only thing they got from the Standard OEGs was their color. They were made by crossing straight bantams into the game breeds and subsequent backcrossing. They are mostly bantam. They are cute little birds though. There are versions of the standard fowl that have been selected for smaller size, but these are pretty rare. Standard OEG are pretty rare too, only a handful of breeders have real OEGs. The hatchery versions are color bred strains of American Game, and many breeders of American Game mark their NPIP paperwork as OEG, show as OEG and etc. because they fit easily into that category. Essentially the same bird, both sharing much with the Spanish Gamefowl. All could easily be categorized as 'Bankivoid Gamefowl'. Here is a pic of a hatchery "Black OEG", although the hatchery in question used to sell Black Sid Taylors at one time? I had these around for a while, they weren't quite the same as my American Games, so I got rid of them. Egg production was a little higher, they weren't as broody, stags got pretty large, and got along together for a long time. So clearly not "pure".

Completely agree.I do like the banty version but hubby will not allow them fearing one could get loose and cross with our flock.Our young stags usually go to Alabama to serious breeders and any banty cross would be disastrous.I do have a few layers,but they are fat,lazy and don't care about being loose,very happy in the coop.I had the the opportunity to order OEG from Cackle but did not since I have never seen a grown bird in person from there.I must admit they (and the bantys)do come in some awesome colors,mine only brown red.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

oops! Perhaps I have made a mistake posting here.

Should I edit and delete my previous post from this thread??