Questions On Old English Game Fowl, and OEG Bantams

[Genetic Rooster]

Recently was given a White Old English Game Roo, Who is now my free ranging yard roo, and is a nice addition for my game hen.
He was given to me because he was a bit evil to his past owner....amazingly we are not having any issues with him.
My questions arise from my research on the breed itself, and the OEG bantams.......Am I understanding correctly that the OLD ENGLISH GAME BIRD(Pit Fowl) is the oldest recorded breed of domesticated chicken, dating back to before 55 B.C?
second question: I have read from 2 different sources that the OEG bantam actually has no relation to the OLD ENGLISH GAME BIRD, and was bred from a combination of seabrights, dutch, and rosecombs, this is contrary to what my son and I had understood....what is the history, and bloodline of the OEG bantam? Also which would be the oldest known pet chicken...The O.E.G Fowl, or the O.E.G.B.?
Thanks in advance.

 

[newgoosegirl]

I believe the old english game bantam was bred as a bantam version of the old english game, but was mixed with other breeds as well.
So the old english game bantam isn't really a gamefowl, but it is a bantam old english game.

Does that make sense?

 

[Chris09]

On the OEGB's, there are basically 2 types of Old English Game Bantams.
U.S. Type and British Type, the British Type is broke down into 2 sub-types Oxford and Carlisle. Breeder who bred them strictly for show developed the Carlisle and for the breeders who believe they should contain both the pit quality and show quality the Oxford club was created.

U.S. Type,
Old English Game bantams or simply OEGBs, have a lot of confusion on where they came from originally. There are two groups that argue that they are descendants of the large Old English "pit fowl", while others argue that they are descendants of barnyard bantams that are not even related to the large fowl. After some research I believe that they are partially related to the large fowl, and the barnyard bantams were crosses that contained blood from the large fowl Old English Games, giving them the appearance and proud cocky attitude.
The date the fowl were imported is unknown, but was probably during the early to mid 1800's. Once arriving in the US they spread rapidly, mainly only in black breasted red, though other varieties were found as well here and there.
Once taken a liken to by the show ring Dutch and Rosecomb Bantams were added into them as American fanciers believed they were unbalanced and did not have the long flowing feathers many Americans believe poultry breeds should have.
The Old English Bantams were accepted into the APA in 1925 in the black breasted red and spangle variety. Over the years some other breeds have been added to create new varieties as well, a few of these are Sebright for the laced varieties, Campines, Buttercups, and Japanese Bantams.
-Above information from Ultimatefowl Wikipedia-

Now, are you sure that your Large Fowl OE is a OE and not a American Game?

Chris

 

[Genetic Rooster]

Quote:
Chris, can you point me in a direction to reference this game fowl induction into the breed? I see A POTENTIAL RELATIONSHIP in posture of the bantams that I see in both my game roo and pictures of Old english game fowl abroad...but similarities, and general posture do not support a definitive link in genealogy....Also as most OLD ENGLISH GAME FOWL are dubbed, can you clarify if all have single combs or are there pea/rose comb variations?...I will post you a pic of my white OE roo, if you will excuse his dirty feathers....he has taken to lodging under my truck during the afternoons.....silly bird!

BTW...am I sure he is an OEG .......nope...I am very new to raising chickens...It's what I was told...and from what I can see in reference books, and pics...I believe so...but any confirmation one way, or another is appreciated!

 

[Genetic Rooster]

My OEG roo

http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/zz306/HUNTERVATIONIST/Our Chickens/OurBirds081.jpg

my gimpy crele roo :

hope these help

 

[GotGame]

OEG dont have yellow legs or rose or pea combs....the white looks more like a leghorn cross to me, and looks to have a pea comb, while the crele has a rose comb, like a sebright...

 

[Genetic Rooster]

the white definitely has a pea comb...the crele is a Dominque/ RIR cross and is definitely rose combed.
I certainly had questions concerning his (the white proported OEG) comb....but as all specimens I looked at were dubbed it was had to tell, and could find no definitive info on any variations.Though the Oxford Old English Game Breeders Assoc. has a few pics of show winners that appear to have yellow legs. ???? still confused.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Chris, can you point me in a direction to reference this game fowl induction into the breed? I see A POTENTIAL RELATIONSHIP in posture of the bantams that I see in both my game roo and pictures of Old english game fowl abroad...but similarities, and general posture do not support a definitive link in genealogy....Also as most OLD ENGLISH GAME FOWL are dubbed, can you clarify if all have single combs or are there pea/rose comb variations?...I will post you a pic of my white OE roo, if you will excuse his dirty feathers....he has taken to lodging under my truck during the afternoons.....silly bird!

BTW...am I sure he is an OEG .......nope...I am very new to raising chickens...It's what I was told...and from what I can see in reference books, and pics...I believe so...but any confirmation one way, or another is appreciated!

Do a Google search for Ultimatefowl Wikipedia, the first search result should be Category: Index - Ultimatefowl
I would post a link buuuuut the filter BYC has blocks the links to some of the other poultry sites.

As for the pictures you posted I would say the off White rooster is a American Game cross and the Crele looks to have some Dominique in him.

Chris

 

[Genetic Rooster]

Thx cris....I really appreciate the help!!! You would think the info would be more readily available on breed genealogy, and uniform standards.

 

[DeadGame]

OEG dont have yellow legs or rose or pea combs....the white looks more like a leghorn cross to me, and looks to have a pea comb, while the crele has a rose comb, like a sebright...

Old inglish gamefowl are peocomb and strait. Comb yellow ,white , black , blue green legs but them chickens dont look like real oegs , they look like layer hibrids