The Old English Game chicken is a hardy, strong-willed breed that is used for ornamental purposes.
They do not lay very well, producing only about 140 medium white eggs per year. Hens are highly likely to go broody, further disrupting their egg-laying and sometimes becoming overly aggressive mothers.
They have excellent muscle distribution and make good table birds, but are not commonly used for meat. They are some of the longest-living chickens in the world, often living for over 15 years.
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Old English Game Chicken Breed Quick Info
Old English Game Chicken Description
| Old English Game Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Varies |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Yellow |
| Skin Color: | White |
| Old English Game Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Difficult |
| Old English Game Special Care Needs: | Yes |
| Is the Old English Game breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare, “watch” status |
Old English Game Use
| Meat | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Dual Purpose | No |
| Old English Game Temperament: | Flighty, aggressive, active |
| Old English Game Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Old English Game Egg Production
| Egg Color | White/Tinted |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | 140 |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | High |
Old English Game Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | N/A |
| Dressed Weight Female | N/A |
Old English Game Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Poor |
| Cold | Excellent |
Old English Game Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 6 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 6 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | N/A |
Old English Game Size at Maturity
| Male | 4 lbs |
| Female | 3.5 lbs |
Origins of Old English Game Chicken
This ancient breed dates back to before the 1st century AD. Bred for hardiness and longevity, they were mostly used for fighting.
When cockfighting was banned in 1849, the Old English Game chicken became ornamental. They have a very gamelike appearance, which is the result of their 2,000-year history of fighting.
Some Things to Know About Old English Game Chicken
There are two main types of Old English Game chickens: the Oxford and the Carlisle. The Oxford is distinguished by being more active and long-tailed, coming in 30 color varieties. The Carlisle is slightly larger and meatier with a horizontal back. This type comes in only 13 color varieties.
These birds have the body style and shape of wild Jungle Fowl, with adaptations for fighting. They have compact, muscular bodies and are tight-feathered. Oftentimes their combs and wattles are trimmed or dubbed, which gives them a tenacious look.
Some of the color varieties that exist include white, black, spangled, blue-breasted red, and lemon blue. There is also a bantam variety of this breed.
How Easy is it to Keep Old English Game Chickens?
Old English Game chickens are flighty and can be aggressive. They are not ideal birds for beginning chicken owners. They are easily able to turn feral and go back to the wild.
They fly well and can be noisy, but they can take care of themselves and avoid predators. They are good foragers and do well in a free-range environment. They are hardy in the cold but do poorly in the heat.
This is a breed that does not do well in confinement. They prefer to have room to roam and forage and will often roost in trees if given the opportunity. They can also fly quite well, so fencing should be adequately high to keep them contained.
Having multiple males can cause issues, as they can become territorial and aggressive toward one another.
Special Care and Considerations for Old English Game Chickens
As with all chickens with a single comb, there is a risk of Old English Game chickens developing frostbite in the winter. You can use a swipe of vaseline on their combs and wattles to prevent them from freezing in low temperatures.
It is best to separate male chicks from one another after 6 months of age; otherwise, they will become aggressive and fight.
