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.
Modern Game Chicken Characteristics
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 |
