Old English Game chicken farming is popular in it’s native area. As the name suggests, the Old English Game chicken is one of the oldest poultry strains, and it is raised mainly for exhibition or ornamental purpose.
The Old English Game chicken breed is descended from the ancient cockfighting birds (known as the Pit Game), brought to Great Britain during the first Century by the Romans.
And the breed has been seen in Great Britain since the 19th Century and has not changed very much for over thousand years.
The Old English Game chicken breed is highly popular among the poultry breeders, and it fetch a very high sale price. And today, the poultry breeders used to keep the breed for poultry exhibitions and to develop stock. But previously, the standard Old English Game roosters were originally bred for cockfighting.
But cockfighting became illegal in the 1850s in Australia and Britain, and the Old English Game chicken is now raised just by the poultry enthusiasts.
The Old English Game chicken is probably the first chicken breed ever developed in Britain. And they were also used for developing many other domestic chicken breeds.
There are many color varieties of the Old English Game chicken breed available. And today the breed is raised mainly for exhibition or ornamental purposes. There is also a bantam version of this breed available.
However, if you can market ornamental or show birds easily in your area then you can start commercial Old English Game chicken farming business. The business will be very profitable if you can easily sell the birds. Because the Old English Game chickens are generally sold at a very high price in the market.
How to Start Old English Game Chicken Farming
Starting Old English Game chicken farming business is relatively easy and simple. Because these birds are naturally very strong and hardy. Even the beginners can also start commercial Old English Game chicken farming business.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Old English Game chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Chickens
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy and disease free birds for starting your Old English Game chicken farming business. Because good quality and healthy birds are the key to successful Old English Game chicken farming business.
You can purchase either day old chicks or mature birds depending on the price and availability in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at a very high prices in the market. But the day old chicks are much cheaper. So we recommend starting with day old chicks.
The Old English Game chickens are very common and popular. So you will probably be able to easily source these birds. You can purchase from any of your nearest chicken breeding center, poultry chicks supplier or any existing Old English Game chicken farms. You can also search your local online classified websites. Just ensure that the chicks are healthy, active and very hardy.
Housing
Making a good, comfortable and secure housing system is important for Old English Game chicken farming business. Because a good and secure house not only helps the birds to stay healthy but also helps them to stay free from all types of predators and adverse weather conditions.
The type of the house can be any depending on your budget. It can be of full concrete setup or you can build the house with easily available and low cost materials such as wood or bamboo. Just ensure that the house is secure enough for the birds.
Install good ventilation system while building the house. Because good ventilation system helps to remove harmful gases from inside the house and keeps your birds healthy.
Try to build the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. And also ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house.
The Old English Game chickens are classed as a large breed. And as they are show or ornamental breed, so arranging around or up to 7-8 square feet of housing space per bird will be good.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of Old English Game chicken farming business. Because good food not only keeps the birds healthy, but also helps them to grow better and produce more.
You can feed your chickens either with ready-made/commercial poultry feeds or you can prepare the feeds of your own. Just ensure that the food is good and nutritious for your birds. You can ask for help from an expert if you are a beginner.
Never feed your chickens with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh water as per their demand.
The Old English Game chickens generally don’t do well in confinement. So free range system is good for them. And raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs. And at the same time it will help to produce better quality products.
Breeding
Like many other domestic chicken breeds, the Old English Game chickens are also naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily and produce enough fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and roosters in your flock. Generally one healthy rooster is enough for breeding around or up to 10 hens.
Caring
The Old English Game chickens are generally very strong and hardy birds. So, they usually require less caring and other management. Although taking good care along with providing good housing facilities and providing with good quality food, will ensure good growth and also good health of the birds.
So try to take good care of your birds. Monitor their health on a regular basis for any signs of diseases or illness and take necessary steps as soon as possible. Vaccinate them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing chicken products (such as meat and eggs) is not a problem. But the market of show or ornamental birds can be different. So before starting this business, try to determine whether you can easily sell your birds in your area or not. If you can’t sell the birds easily in your area, then you should start with any other breed.
These are the common steps and ways for starting and operating a successful Old English Game chicken farming business. These birds are very strong and hardy, so raising them is relatively easy. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
