Fighting cocks: origins and characteristics, 17 best breeds, training, feeding

Fighting roosters are the oldest species, popular with lovers of bird slaughter. There are about 17 breeds, each of them has a unique appearance, physical qualities.

Before buying a fighting cock, you should read the recommendations for its content, nutrition, fights.

Origin and Features

The birthplace of fighting birds is Central Asia, from there the trend for bird competitions began. The breeds are distinguished by the following characteristics:

weight - from 0.5 kg to 7 kg;
body stocky, strong;
powerful beak;
sharp claws, widely spaced paws;
muscular sternum;
cocky, short temper.

Most fighting chickens are characterized by a large amount of muscle due to the dense bodily construction. Their meat is quite tasty.

Rules and types of fights

There are 3 types of bird competitions:

match - pairs of competing birds are determined, the one with the most points is declared the winner;
royal battle - participants enter the ring, the winner is the surviving fighter;
Welsh fight - during the first competition, 8 pairs fight at the same time, 4 winners fight in the 2nd round, after - the two remaining players.

All participants were grouped based on their age:

young animals - up to 1 year old;
re-breasted - over 1 year old, molted 2 times;
tretyaki - 3 year old;
old - over 3 years old.

Young animals were released into battle in October, adults - in November. Previously, victory was awarded after the death of one feathered one. In modern times, the rules have changed. During any period of the bout, you can pick up a competitor, even if he is seriously injured.

There are 4 styles of fights:

direct - the fighter flies up to the opponent, hits on the head;
circular - one rooster is spinning around the opponent so that he is exhausted, then he beats;
messy - birds hit each other on the back of the head;
thievish - fighters take cover, run under the wings or paws of the enemy.

Some roosters combine combat tactics, resort to different techniques. This increases their value in the eyes of breeders.

Best breeds

The following are the most persistent, popular varieties of fighting cocks. Detailed and description will allow you to have a clear idea of the view.

Azil

This is the most ancient breed of fighting birds, originally from India. Birds are divided into 2 types: reza, weighing from 2 to 3 kg, Kulangi, Madras, South Indian - chickens weighing up to 6 kg. Representatives of the species are strong, with short but strong paws, of medium height. They have a quarrelsome character, a shortened body, powerful shoulders, and highly raised wings. Azil are excellent fighters who tend to become attached to the owner. Mature roosters are considered from 1 year. Their color is variegated red, but it can also be piebald, gray, black and white.

English

The breed comes from India, but the British greatly improved the birds, modified them. The posture of the chickens is proud, the muzzle is long, flat, the eyes are large, perky. The scallop is red, erect, the body is extended forward. The bird stands steadily on the surface due to long, spread fingers. Weight fluctuates within 3 kg. Individuals from six months of age are allowed to fight.

Belgian

Fighters bred in Belgium, in the 17th century. They have a strong body, a long neck, a protruding sternum. The muscles are well developed, the tail is raised, the comb is shaped like a pod. They sometimes have double spurs. Sometimes birds suffer from a sinking back, a high-set sternum. Feathers are soft, which is considered a disadvantage. The weight of males reaches 4.5-5 kg. Birds are considered sexually mature at the age of 2 years.

Indian

Indian fighting type birds belong to an ancient breed, bred artificially by symbiosis of several breeds - Malay and English. The birds have strong, powerful paws, a massive body, and medium height. The feathers are smooth, the wings are shortened. The color is yellow, white, but there are also brown, black, bluish individuals. The advantages of the breed include powerful paws, awesome dimensions. Roosters prepare for competitions for a long time, often get sick, unstable, aggressive.

Dwarf Indian breed

Fighters of this breed first appeared in England in the 19th century. Dwarf Malay, Indian and English species were crossed. The weight of the roosters is 4.5 kg. The color of the feathers is pheasant-brown, the body is short, wide, low growth. The sternum is massive, the beak is strong and curved.

Kulangi

Black-colored cockerel, small, head flattened on the sides, powerful and short beak. The body is set vertically, the neck is long, massive. Salmon paws with black pigmentation. Individuals have an aggressive nature, but they are easy to train.

Lari

Chickens come from Afghanistan and Iran, are the best representatives of fighting breeds. The weight is about 2 kg. Their character is quick-tempered, assertive, they need constant training. The head is small, tightly attached to the carcass. Birds have a tightly compressed beak, strong paws. The color is white, feathers are rare, without fluff. In winter, they need a warm room because of the sparse and sparse cover. Maturity occurs by 2 years, but individuals are allowed to compete from 8 months.

Lutticher

The breed was bred in the 16th century, its progenitors are roosters with a pea comb. In its final form, cockerels appeared in the 19th century in Belgium. In Germany, they have received official recognition since 1983. Chickens are large, with a powerful muscular frame, strong claws. They have a cocky, pugnacious nature. The weight of the roosters is about 5 kg.

Malay fighting chickens

The variety was bred over 3,000 years ago in India, in the Malay Archipelago. Birds came to the EU countries in the 19th century. Adults up to 90 cm tall, with convex wings. They have a broad skull, yellowish or pearl eyes. Birds differ from other breeds in increased endurance, they are insensitive. The mass of roosters reaches about 3.5 kg.

Moscow fighting chickens

The fighting breed originates from the English variety. They were brought to Moscow by Count A. Orlov. Individuals with a small head, broad shoulders, powerful body. The legs are strong, long, the weight of the birds is 6 kg. Color varies, usually red.

Elephant chickens

Elephant roosters were bred in Vietnam 600 years ago. There are about 300 of them around the world. Their legs are unusually massive, pinkish, pimply. The body is large, tall. The character is quick-tempered, difficult, they are difficult to train. Weight is about 6-7 kg.

Old English fighting breed

There is a dwarf subspecies and Oxford. The size of the birds is medium, they have strong muscles, a long neck and a massive sternum. The weight of individuals varies within 3 kg. The color is wheaten or black, bluish birds are less common. They take part in battles from the age of 1.

Sumatra

Variety with red scallop, miniature size. The beak is strong, curved and short in length. Roosters have double or triple spurs with which they fight. The tail is lush, decorative. The character is cocky, they usually attack egg and meat breeds. The weight of adult roosters is about 4 kg.

Tuzo

Birds come from Japan. They have a graceful, small body, taut muscles, narrow shoulders. The head is wide and rounded. The weight is about 1.2 kg. Individuals are dexterous, fearless.

Shamo

There are 3 subspecies of the Shamo rooster breed, they are large, medium and dwarf. Birds are quite hardy, resistant to diseases, infections. You cannot cross them. The neck is long, the muzzle is elongated, the cheeks are muscular.

Yamato

Birds of small size, straight posture, poor plumage, arched neck. Coloring wheat or dark. Individuals grow up to 2 years weighing up to 5 kg.

Taigo

The Korean Rooster is a real gladiator, with an aggressive, hardy character. Paws cream color, pimply, long. Feathers are black with a greenish tint. The tail is spreading, decorative. Weight reaches about 3-4 kg.

Pros and cons of fighting cocks

Fighting cocks are famous for a lot of advantages, but they also have negative features.

Low egg productionHigh meat production

Pros	Cons
Delicious meat	Grumpy temperament
Terrifying appearance	Poor cold tolerance
Accelerated growth

Features of keeping and feeding

Fighting cocks should be kept warm because they have sparse feathers. The place should be dry, clean, so that there are no infections, bacteria do not accumulate. Each fighter is given a personal space - 0.5 meters. Otherwise, there will be fights for territory between birds.

Feed the chicks with a dropper filled with egg yolk and milk if the chicks are not eating well. Meals should be 3 per day. The place of the meal for chickens should be well lit. Adults are fed with cereals, in ground form. They also give greens, and in winter they make up for the lack of herbal flour. Fat chickens are given brown bread, and thin chickens are given millet.

Training fighters

The more intense and longer the training, the higher the chances of raising a worthy wrestler.

The owner must train the rooster by teaching commands. They are engaged in preparation from the age of 8 months.

To prevent injuries, aggressive attacks, scallops and earrings are stopped for birds.

Common training methods include:

hanging weights to paws;
long run in the wheel;
to develop aggression - fights with a reflection in the mirror.

First, the feathered fighters fight an old rival. After 2-3 months, it is replaced with young individuals.