Modern Game Chicken

Modern Game chicken was developed mainly for exhibition purpose, not for their utility traits. And today they are kept purely for exhibition or ornamental purpose.

They originated in Great Britain. The Modern Game chicken was developed from breeding Malay chicken and Old English Game during the 1850s. They are striking birds and were bred as a sleeker version of the gamecock which was used for fighting.

Despite being classified as game chickens, the Modern Games were not bred for fighting. They reached high popularity in the early 1900s and then were selling at high price.

But throughout the late part of the 1900s century they declined in popularity. However, they have increased in demand and popularity lately, especially the bantam variety.

There are many color varieties available and a bantam version also available of this chicken breed. The breed was included in the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1874.

Characteristics of Modern Game Chicken

Modern Game chicken has a long thin neck and a very upright posture. It is a tightly feathered bird with long legs and neck, which give it a tall, slender appearance.

This chicken breed should have flat iron like body shape when seen form above, and have fine tail and hard feathering. The breed appears in many color varieties.

The most common color varieties are Black Red, Black Brown, Brichens, Piles, and Duckwings. Now there are 18 color varieties recognized in the America and 13 colors in the UK.

The colors of these chickens can be broadly divided into two groups. And these are with black legs and dark eyes, and other variety with yellow colored legs and red eyes.

The comb, wattles and skin color of the Modern Games varies from red to mulberry depending on the variety. All the varieties have a small single comb. Their skin color is white.

Although they are tightly feathered and have small combs, but this does not mean they are well protected against the cold. The males of the Modern Game chicken should have their combs and wattles removed to enhance their long, slim shape.

Standard Modern Game cock weights about 3.2-4.1 kg and hens about 2.25-3.2 kg. And bantam cock weights about 0.57-0.62 kg and hens about 0.45-0.51 kg. Photo from Pinterest.

Behavior/Temperament

Today Modern Game chicken is raised mainly for ornamental or show purpose. They are neither valued for meat production nor good egg layers. Modern Game chicken is excellent as pets and are easily tamed.

They are an unusual addition to the backyard and garden with their tall, slender looks that will not scratch much like most other chicken breeds.

They have a narrow body which coincides with the lean muscle and they need plenty of exercise to maintain muscle tone. They are usually a calm bird and very easy to maintain.

Hens are not good layers and lay 50-80 small sized tinted colored eggs pear year. And the hens do have a tendency to go broody and they are good mothers.

Modern Game chicken breed is active and noisy. They usually can not tolerate confinement. Sometimes, the roosters and even the hens can be aggressive. They are chatty, spontaneous, and love to climb all over you when you walk into their coop.

Bantam version of Modern Game chicken is much popular than the Standard size. Review full breed profile below.

Breed Name	Modern Game
Other Name	None
Breed Purpose	Ornamental/Exhibition
Breed Temperament	Aggressive, Friendly, Noisy, Can’t bear confinement well
Breed Size	Large
Broodiness	Frequent
Comb	Single
Climate Tolerance	Heat
Egg Color	White/Tinted
Egg Size	Small
Egg Productivity	Low
Feathered Legs	No
Rarity	Rare
Varieties	Black, Blue, Blue Breasted Red, Brown Red, Black Breasted Red, Birchen, Golden Duckwing, Silver Duckwing, Silver Blue, Lemon Blue, Red Pyle, White etc.
Country of Origin	United Kingdom

Modern Game Chicken Facts

Here are the most interesting facts about the Modern Game Chicken.

1. Modern Game chickens were developed in England during the 19th century for cockfighting.
2. The breed was created by crossing various types of fighting chickens, such as Malays, Old English Games, and Indian Game chickens.
3. Modern Game chickens were originally known as “pitters” because they were bred for fighting in a pit.
4. The breed was recognized by the American Poultry Association in 1981.
5. Modern Game chickens are often referred to as “games” or “gamefowl”.
6. The breed is known for its long and slender legs, which give it a tall and upright appearance.
7. Modern Game chickens have a distinctive “game” look with a small head, long neck, and slim body.
8. The breed is primarily kept for exhibition and sport but can also be raised for meat and egg production.
9. Modern Game chickens are good layers and can lay up to 200 eggs per year.
10. The breed is known for its hardiness and adaptability to a wide range of climates.
11. Modern Game chickens come in various color patterns, including black, blue, brown, and white.
12. The breed is highly competitive and aggressive towards other chickens, especially roosters.
13. Modern Game chickens have been used in the development of other breeds, such as the American Game and the Modern Game Bantam.
14. The breed is known for its intelligence and alertness, which make it a good guard animal for a backyard flock.
15. Modern Game chickens are often raised in free-range systems because of their ability to forage for food.
16. The breed is not recognized by the United Kingdom Poultry Club but is recognized by various poultry clubs in the United States and other countries.
17. Modern Game chickens require regular exercise to maintain their health and well-being.
18. The breed is susceptible to various diseases and parasites, such as coccidiosis, Marek’s disease, and lice.
19. Modern Game chickens are not recommended for novice chicken keepers because of their aggressive nature.
20. The breed is often kept as a show bird and is judged based on its physical characteristics, such as leg length, body shape, and color.
21. Modern Game chickens are often crossbred with other breeds to create new breeds with specific traits, such as the Cornish Cross, which is a popular meat chicken breed.

Best Tips for Raising Modern Game chickens

There are some tips and tricks that can help you raise healthy and happy birds. Here, we are going to share the best tips for raising modern game chickens.

1. Choose the right breed: When it comes to raising game chickens, the breed you choose will play a significant role in the overall health and well-being of your birds. Some popular game breeds include the Asil, Shamo, and Thai game.
2. Provide a spacious coop: Game chickens are active birds that require plenty of space to move around. Make sure your coop is large enough to accommodate your birds comfortably.
3. Keep the coop clean: A clean coop is essential for the health of your birds. Make sure to clean out the coop regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria and other harmful substances.
4. Provide proper ventilation: Good ventilation is essential for maintaining a healthy environment in your coop. Make sure your coop has plenty of windows or vents to allow for proper airflow.
5. Use quality feed: Quality feed is essential for the health and well-being of your birds. Make sure to use a high-quality feed that contains all of the necessary nutrients your birds need to thrive.
6. Provide clean water: Clean water is just as important as clean feed. Make sure to provide your birds with fresh, clean water at all times.
7. Provide plenty of natural light: Natural light is essential for the overall health and well-being of your birds. Make sure your coop has plenty of windows or skylights to allow for natural light.
8. Provide adequate shade: While natural light is important, it’s also important to provide your birds with plenty of shade to protect them from the heat of the sun.
9. Allow for plenty of outdoor time: Game chickens are active birds that require plenty of outdoor time to stay healthy and happy. Make sure to allow your birds to spend plenty of time outside.
10. Keep predators at bay: Predators can pose a significant threat to your birds. Make sure to take steps to keep predators away from your coop.
11. Provide a dust bath: Game chickens enjoy taking dust baths to keep themselves clean and healthy. Provide a designated area for your birds to take dust baths.
12. Monitor for signs of illness: Regular monitoring for signs of illness can help you catch potential health problems early on, allowing you to take action before they become more serious.
13. Quarantine new birds: If you’re adding new birds to your flock, it’s important to quarantine them for a period of time to ensure they’re not carrying any diseases that could spread to your other birds.
14. Trim beaks and claws: Trimming your birds’ beaks and claws can help prevent injury to themselves and other birds.
15. Provide plenty of perches: Game chickens enjoy perching, so make sure to provide plenty of perches for your birds to rest on.
16. Keep the coop dry: Wet and damp conditions can lead to health problems for your birds. Make sure to keep the coop dry at all times.
17. Monitor temperature and humidity levels: Temperature and humidity can have a significant impact on the health of your birds. Make sure to monitor these levels regularly.
18. Provide plenty of nesting boxes: Game hens enjoy laying eggs in nesting boxes, so make sure to provide plenty of nesting boxes for your birds.
19. Practice good biosecurity: Good biosecurity practices can help prevent the spread of disease among your birds. Make sure to practice good biosecurity measures at all times.