Fighting roosters facilitate cockfighting, a blood sport where two birds fight each other for the entertainment of spectators. These birds are specially bred for this purpose and usually outfitted with sharp spurs on their legs.
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Fighting Rooster Breeds
While cockfighting is illegal in many countries, the breeding and keeping of fighting roosters are not. If you’re interested in fighting rooster breeds and owning one of these birds, there are a few things you should know. You should also consult a fighting rooster breed chart to become familiar with their physical traits.
This article will discuss the different types of fighting rooster breeds, their characteristics, and what makes them good at fighting.
Important Things To Look For
First, let’s analyze what to look for in a fighting rooster breed. A good fighting rooster’s two most essential qualities are strength and aggressiveness. Strength is vital because the bird needs to be able to take hits from its opponent and keep going. Aggressiveness is key because the rooster needs to be quick to attack and not back down from a fight.
Not paying close attention to these standout characteristics in a fighting cock can make or break your success in the long run.
Where Is Cockfighting Banned?
Cockfighting is banned in 30 states, including:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- France
- Japan
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Philip[ines
- Poland
- United States
Best Fighting Rooster Breeds
There are several different breeds of fighting roosters, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most popular breeds include the following:
1. Indian Gamecock
One of the most popular breeds of fighting rooster is the Indian Gamecock. These roosters are domestic but have physical and behavioral characteristics and traits that make them suitable for cockfighting. These birds are large and muscular, with long legs and sharp spurs.
They’re known for being aggressive and quick to attack. One disadvantage of the Indian Gamecock is its speed. They’re not the fastest birds on the battlefield, which can give their opponents an advantage.
2. Malay Gamefowl
The Malay rooster is another popular breed of fighting bird. Its roots date back 3500 years. The Malay has always carried the reputation of one of the tallest, strongest, and most powerful gamefowl breeds weighing in at up to nine pounds. Like the Indian Gamecock, the Malay is also known for being aggressive.
These birds are less common than the Indian variety and thus more expensive. These birds are native to Malaysia and Indonesia and are known for their strength and aggressiveness. They’re also quick on their feet, making them difficult to beat in a fight.
One drawback of the Malay Gamefowl is that they’re not as resilient as some of the other breeds. They can be injured easily and may not be able to recover from their injuries as quickly as other birds.
3. Thai Gamefowl
The Thai Gamefowl is a popular breed of fighting rooster that’s native to Thailand weighing up to seven pounds. These birds are known for their strength, speed, and agility. They’re also quick to attack and have sharp spurs that can inflict severe damage on their opponents.
The Thai Gamefowl is another breed that doesn’t recover from injuries fast. While it is a master in the ring, its attack time and aggression will decrease if it sustains an injury during the fight.
4. Asil
The Asil is a fighting rooster that’s native to Pakistan and India. These birds get characterized by their long, thin necks and legs. Asils are some of the most aggressive and territorial rooster breeds which is why handlers choose them often in cockfighting.
Asils have broad shoulders, a small beak, and weigh up to 13 pounds. Unfortunately, their attack is usually slow. Many breeders combine the Asil with other breeds for higher stamina and more speed.
The Asil has a reputation as one of the best fighting rooster breeds because each time it is combined with another breed, the breed’s overall quality improves.
5. Shamo
The Shamo is a Japanese breed of fighting cock developed in the 18th century. The Shamo is a giant rooster, with cocks weighing up to 12 pounds and hens up to 8 pounds. They have a lengthy body, with long legs and a small head. The plumage of the Shamo is entirely black, with a green sheen.
The Shamo is an aggressive breed and is known for being particularly territorial. The breed was created specifically for fighting, with its top qualities being ferocity and courage. Shamo roosters have the title of world-renowned Gamecock.
6. Old English Game
The Old English Game is a British chicken breed developed in the 19th century. It is a lightweight breed, with cocks weighing up to five pounds and hens up to four pounds. The plumage of the Old English Game is variegated, with black, white, and red feathers.
The Old English Game fighting roosters are known for being very aggressive and are a popular breed used in cockfighting. Old English Game roosters fall into the pool of one of the oldest fighting rooster breeds dating back to the 1st century.
7. Peruvian
The Peruvian is a breed of fighting rooster developed in Peru. It is another large bird, with cocks weighing up to 19 pounds. Typically, they weigh closer to 17 pounds. The Peruvian has a long, broad body and a large, rounded tail.
Peruvian fighting roosters are known for their courage and aggression in the ring and are considered one of the best fighting rooster breeds in the world. They can cost up to 4,400 USD, making them one of the most expensive fighting rooster breeds as well.
8. Spanish Gamefowl
The Spanish Gamefowl was developed in Spain. It is a smaller bird, with cocks weighing up to six pounds and hens up to five pounds. The Spanish Gamefowl has a long, broad body and a large, rounded tail.
The Gamefowl is courageous and known to execute aggressive attacks in the ring and is considered one of the best fighting rooster breeds in the world. They can’t be housed with other roosters because they are territorial and need to feel dominant. The Spanish Gamefowl never runs away from battles, making them one of the most dangerous fighting rooster breeds.
9. Bantam
The Bantam is a breed of fighting rooster developed in China. It is a small bird, with cocks weighing up to two pounds. The Bantam has a short, compact body and a small, pointed tail. The breed is known for its agility and speed in the ring.
The Bantam often gets underestimated because of its size, but it is a worthy opponent in the ring. The Bantam has a big attitude and is not afraid to take on any opponent, making it one of the most dangerous fighting rooster breeds.
10. Hatch Twist
The Hatch Twist is a breed of fighting rooster developed in the United States. It is a medium bird, with cocks weighing up to five pounds and hens up to four pounds. The Hatch Twist has a long body and a curled medium-sized tail.
The breed is known for its tenacity and determination in the ring. The Hatch Twist fights with brute force, which works in favor of their size. Due to this, breeders often use them in breeding programs to produce other fighting rooster breeds with superior characteristics.
11. Radio
The Radio is another breed of fighting rooster developed in the United States. It is a larger bird, with cocks weighing up to eight and a half pounds and hens up to seven pounds. The Radio has a long body and a medium-sized tail that has a mixture of straight and curled feathers.
The breed is known for its aggressive attacks. They have a reputation for determined fighting. Radio fighting roosters execute quick attacks in the air and on the ground. They run down their opponents and are relentless in their pursuit. This makes the Radio one of the most dangerous fighting rooster breeds.
12. Kelso
The Kelso fighting rooster was developed in the United States. It is a large bird, with cocks weighing up to eight pounds and hens up to six pounds. The Kelso has a long body and a medium to large-sized tail that is straight and curled.
Kelsos are aggressive and powerful in the ring. The Kelso also has a reputation for its beauty and gets used in shows and exhibitions because of its beautiful feathers. Apart from its beauty, the Kelso is also a skilled fighter and can hold its own in the ring.
The Kelso is a formidable opponent and is considered one of the best fighting rooster breeds in the world.
13. Roundhead
The Roundhead breed of fighting rooster native to the United States. It is a medium bird, with cocks weighing up to four and a half pounds and hens up to three pounds. The Roundhead has a long body and a curled, medium to large-sized tail.
The breed is known for its endurance and heart in the ring. Roundhead fighting roosters get used as bait birds in training programs. They have a fantastic weaving ability. Not to mention, they can take a lot of punishment and keep on going. The Roundhead is a tough breed that is not afraid to take on any opponent.
14. Sweater
The Sweater rooster breed of fighting rooster, developed in the United States, is a medium bird, with cocks weighing up to five pounds and hens up to three pounds. The Sweater has a long body and a curled medium-sized tail.
The breed is known for its agility and speed in the ring. The Sweater is another often underestimated because of its size, but it is a worthy opponent in the ring. The Sweater has a domineering attitude and is not afraid of larger opponents, making it far more dangerous than meets the eye.
15. Modern Game
The Modern Game is a breed of fighting rooster developed in the United Kingdom. It is a large bird, with cocks weighing up to a massive 20 pounds and hens up to 15 pounds. The Modern Game has a long body and a short tail.
The breed resembles a velociraptor and is known for its quick and agile attacks. The Modern Game is a fierce opponent in the ring and is not to be underestimated. Its long legs allow it to run down its opponents and deliver quick, powerful strikes.
The Modern Game is considered one of the best fighting rooster breeds in the world. Many breeders keep them for their appearance and fighting ability.
16. American Gamefowl
The American Gamefowl is a breed of fighting rooster developed in the United States. It is a smaller bird, with cocks weighing up to four pounds and hens up to three pounds. The American Gamefowl has a long body and a medium-sized tail that is twisted and curled. The breed is known for its wide body and large breast.
The American Gamefowl is naturally aggressive. Males have to live in separate areas as they will fight to the death. Hens show aggression to new hens joining the flock. This aggression is what makes the American Gamefowl a formidable opponent in the ring.
17. Sumatra
The Sumatra is a breed of fighting rooster developed from birds imported from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is a large bird, with cocks weighing up to 11 pounds and hens up to nine pounds. The Sumatra is a distinctive and beautiful breed, with black feathers and a long tail.
The Sumatra breed is recognized as one of the best fighting rooster breeds in the world. Sumatras are another aggressive-natured breed known for winning fights. Sumatras are also known to be very intelligent birds. Owners often use them in cockfighting training.
Conclusion For The Best Fighting Rooster Breeds
So there you have it, the best fighting rooster breeds in the world. There’s so much that goes into choosing the best fighting rooster breed. Each one has its unique qualities that make them stand out in the ring. These birds will surely give you a good fight, whether it’s their size, strength, agility, or determination.
If you want one of the best fighting rooster breeds, go for a mixed breed that gives you the best of both species. Train them to be the best with the Roundhead or Sumatra roosters.
You will need to take advantage of these things to prepare for the competition properly. For purposes of identification, fighting rooster breed charts can make great tools for developing expertise on these birds.
So if you’re looking for a challenge, make sure to check out these breeds and manage them responsibly.
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