American Game Chicken Breed – All you need to know

The American game chicken breed, also known as the American gamefowl,  was developed to be a game fowl, a bird for cockfighting.  With its many varieties and colors, the American gamefowl is mostly kept as a show bird (Ornamental bird), due to the stick laws on cockfighting. 

An interesting fact about the American fowl is that it has countless colors and is categorized into strains rather than varieties, with strains being given names of breeders whose birds performed well in the pits (Cockfighting rings). 

Most American gamefowl chickens have old English Game, oriental fowls, and Irish Game chickens in their bloodline,  with some having strains from the Sumatra breed and the Spanish strains.

American Game background information.

The American gamefowl has its roots in the United States of America. It was bred specifically for cockfighting. It was famous among politicians who owned gamefowl farms. The American gamefowl was developed from oriental and European game chickens.  

Some strains of the gamefowl are recognized by the American Poultry Association and American Gamefowl Society. 

The Bantam of the American Game Fowl was developed in the 1940s by Frank Grey, who bred fighting bantams with the wild red jungle fowl. 

Cockfighting became illegal in the USA as of August 2008 and the American Gamefowl is primarily kept as a show bird. 

American Game Physical attributes (Size, color, weight, comb, plumage).

Fierce and ferocious, the American gamefowl has beautiful plumage. They are hardy, noisy, and will not stand confinement. American Game Chickens have single large combs and red wattles, though these were traditionally dubbed (Cut) to avoid injury during fights. The comb and wattles are prone to frostbite. 

American gamefowl hens lay medium-sized white eggs. The quantity does not warrant the bird to be kept for laying eggs They are good brooders with fierce motherly instincts. 

They are strong flyers and care must be taken, or else you will find them at the neighbors. The American fowl has great survival skills, will protect itself, and is a great scavenger. 

Depending on the environment, the American gamefowl will live for between 8 to 15 years.

Varieties of American Game chickens.

Unlike most chicken breeds, The American gamefowl is categorized by lineage strains (Bloodline strains) rather than varieties. Examples include Kelsos, Marsh Butchers, Sweaters, and so on. 

American Game Chicken Breed Profile

• Egg Shell Color: White
• Egg size: Medium
• Egg Productivity:  80 eggs per year
• Skin Color: White
• American Game Chicken Breed Standard Weight.
  • Hen: 2.5 lbs
  • Rooster: 3.5lbs
• Purpose: Ornamental
• Temperament: Ferocius fighter. Will not stand confinement. Very noisy. Cockerels cannot be kept together as they will fight.
• Size: large
• Broodiness: Hens get broody
• Comb: Single
• Climatic Tolerance: Can tolerate both heat and cold
• Varieties: Multiple Strains
• Color Description: Different colors depending on the strain. 
• Conservation Status: Study
• Country of Origin: The United States of America