Game breeds, can I get some info?

[ThiefPouter06]

I have long been interested in game type chickens. I have a small stock of laying hens but I have been toying with the idea of getting an ornamental/game breed. Which breeds need seperated and which do not? For example, are sumatra and cubulaya roos as game as shamos? IF someone could list breeds in gameness that would be cool. I realise the game implies their inherint nature to want to fight with other roos more than normal ,but do they all need tied out like american game? I guess I am just too lazy to thaw out a dozen frozen water cups everyday lol.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

The answer to that question all depends on the breeder of the stock you are buying. Typically lines used for exhibition and showing (for poultry shows) have no gameness left in them. Sure, they'll challenge over territory and ladies as any other rooster will do but it's a heirarchy situation.

Cubalaya, from my own experience - have their moments (usually as they are just starting reach sexual maturity) but are generally okay if raised together and if they have enough space. They are also very personable and curious, which tends to get them in trouble from time to time.

I can't answer for the other breeds as I have no real experience with them.

If you aren't wanting a lot of cages to tend to, then just have one rooster and a few hens to keep him happy.

 

[ThiefPouter06]

I am mostly interested in the "elaborately feathered" game types. Cubalaya, sumatra, yokohama and other crosses. I find them spectacularly nice.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

As long as you have enough space, I do not believe you will have any problems.

Keep in mind that they are all long-tailed so you will need a bit more space per bird than the heavy layers require.

Will you be keeping them for pleasure, exhibition, or preservation of the breed?

 

[ThiefPouter06]

Right now I have a 8foot by 16foot polebarn that I use. It currently has one BR roo, one BO, one RIR and one SLW that live in it. I let them out every morning and they have complete free range of a large overgrown field(small trees, briars and brambles) to range in. I have a game hen too but she roosts in the small cedar thicket. Books I have say you can keep quite a few chickens in this. But I do not want alot.

 

[dbjay417]

i live in Puerto Rico where cockfighting is still legal and quite the past time.

i got a hold of a few of those "game" chickens, and those things are barbaric!

sheer horror, every day, horror. They fight with each other, they fight with others, they are rough with the hens, they don't play well with people or other animals either. I was glad to be rid of them when i sold them off to a neighbor.

My birds fight from time to time, as i have too many roos, but the loser retreats and the winner doesn't pursue, and thats that, no one is wounded or killed.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

I have sumatras. Although I've only had them for a bit more than a year, I've learned a lot. I went in search of a rooster (yeah..only wanted 1 rooster to sit on the fence and crow). I needed a cold hardy predator hardy bird as it would free range and take shelter with the horses. Sumatras fit the bill. They fly well and can escape a lot of predators. They have pea combs so not much worry about frostbite. Anyway, the breeder sold me a hen to keep him company. This spring I was so in love with them that I let her set on her 14 eggs. She hatched 14 healthy chicks in June. I have 8 cockerals plus the roo running around. I know I need to take the roos to auction, but they are so darn beautiful! They all get along okay. I have had a fight this week between my older sumatra roo and a young brahma roo. The sumatra is winning. The brahma will live elsewhere. They all roost together except for one pullet that insists on roosting with a horse. They aren't a cuddly breed, but they are so breathtaking to look at. I have blues and blacks.

 

[sandypaws]

this is my first time owning standard size OEG.. the rooster grew up with my marans.. i knew i needed to seperate them, so i did at about 5 months old.. he is alone with a small flock of hens.. 5 OEG hens, 1 ameracauna, 3 blue andelusians... now 6 month old, this morning he was trying to pick a fight with the wild turkey tom in the next pen over.. the turkey was not backing down either.. the fenced faught for about 5 min.. i dont know who won...
i agree VERY VERY pretty.. but not friendly at all,, even the hens are flighty... my BANTIE OEGs are much more personable

 

[RockyToggRanch]

My sumatras are from show lines, so they aren't very fight focused at all. They will protect thwhat's theirs. But mine are very respectful of me. Never a problem there. They do like to roost up high..so don't leave your garage door open if your car is in there