American Game chicken is a game breed originating in the United States. This breed once bred for cockfighting, and it has been raising traditionally and bred for reasons other than showing.
American Game chicken was raised by many famous political leaders and it played a significant role in American history. The breed was created from the various European and Oriental game chickens.
And most American Game chicken strains or lines consist of Irish Game, Oriental and Old English Gamefowl. However many others contain Spanish strains, along with gamefowl from other places including the Sumatra breed. Nowadays American Game chicken is become more popular as a show or ornamental bird.
Like the American Poultry Association, there are organizations that have standards for showing these birds, like the American Gamefowl Society. Unlike most other fowl, the American Game chicken is broken down into strains.
Albany, Butcher, Claret, Hatch, Kelso, Roundhead, Sweater and Whitehackle are some of the most popular strains. The names of strain originated from people that performed well in the pits (with the birds they made themselves through selective breeding). There is a bantam version of American Game chicken.
American Game Chicken Characteristics
American Game is one of the most beautiful poultry breed. They come in a wide variety of colors. The most common coloration of this chicken breed are Black, Brown-red, Gold, Blue, Pumpkin, White, Red quil, Silver duckwings, Golden duckwings, Black Breasted Red etc.
Their comb can be found as single and pea comb and with combinations of each. In most color varieties, they have red colored wattles, earlobes and comb.
Hens lay medium sized white or cream colored eggs. And lay mid-Spring to late Summer, but some will continue until early Fall. They do go broody and are great protective mothers.
Different aged birds are called under different names. For example: a young rooster a year old or less is called stag, a rooster of 13-18 months of age is called bull stag, a fully grown rooster of 18-24 month of age or older is called cock and a young hen less than one year is called pullet. Photo from BackyardChickens.
Behavior/Temperament
American Game chicken is a gorgeous breed and very hardy. They are very active, tend to be noisy and intolerant of confinement. And the roosters absolutely cannot be kept together (otherwise they will fight to the death).
Care must be taken if more than one rooster is kept to ensure the birds cannot reach each other. Hens can also be aggressive towards other hens. Especially if new hens are introduced to the flock.
These chickens are known for being excellent flyers and very good foragers. And they are excellent choice for free range system. Review full breed profile of this chicken breed below.
| Breed Name | American Game |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Ornamental, Show |
| Breed Temperament | Aggressive, Easily Handled, Noisy, Flighty |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Broodiness | Frequent |
| Comb | Single or Pea |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Egg Color | Whitish/Cream |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Egg Productivity | Medium |
| Feathered Legs | No |
| Rarity | Available |
| Varieties | Different color varieties are available (almost any color imaginable) |
| Country of Origin | United States |
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about American Game chicken. Here we are trying to list the most common questions about this chicken breed, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
Do American Game fowl chickens lay eggs?
Yes, sure! These hens lay brown colored eggs.
Are American Game hens broody?
Yes, these hens go broody and sit on their eggs. But the hens are not among the great egg layers, but they are excellent mothers.
How many eggs do American Game hens lay?
On an average, the American Game hens lay around or up to 80 eggs per year. Eggs of these hens are brown in color and medium in size.
What breed of chicken is American chicken?
The American class includes the Buckeye, Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Java, Dominique and Rhode Island Red.
Are game chickens cold hardy?
Yes, the game chickens are generally very cold hardy.
What are the characteristics of American Game chickens?
The standard-sized American Game is bred in a wide range of plumage colors; cock birds have long sickle feathers. The American Game Bantam has a small five-pointed single comb and small smooth wattles and earlobes.
would like to see more photos
How many eggs is ‘medium egg productivity’?
Thanks!
3-4 eggs per week. Good luck!