Standard Varieties of Chickens:

Pit Games

The Game fowl is one of the most interesting varieties of domestic poultry. Its origin and history are seemingly linked with all topics concerning poultry and its origin, and even unto this day the Game class is looked upon differently from all others. There are two distinct classes - the Pit Game and Exhibition Game - in the Game family, perhaps three, which are as vastly different in character, as though of other families. The Pit Game is not reckoned in the standard varieties of poultry, yet for practical and profitable poultry keeping it surpasses the more pretentious Exhibition Game. The type of the Pit Game is as distinct, thorough, and characteristic as any of the standard Games, differing only perhaps, in plumage and feather markings. Color is not considered in breeding Pits; it is muscle, bone, and strength that are sought after, bred for, and that distinguish it from its relative - the Exhibition Game. Note the contrast in character between the two types: The Pit is short, stout, and stocky, with abundant tail feathering; while the Exhibition Game is long, lanky, close feathered throughout, and spare in tail feathering.

For the farm and general purposes the Pit Game has always been considered a practical and profitable fowl. It is hardy, matures early, a good layer, and fine for table purposes. Its flesh is considered of exceptional value for eating, being fine grained, tender, and sweet. The hens are splendid sitters and careful mothers.

FOR FURTHER READING...

The following images come from the FeatherSite, "an on-line zoological garden of domestic poultry". The Standard Old English Game, the Modern Game, and the Saipan "Jungle Fowl" pages contain further information about pit game poultry history and more images of these fowl.

Image Credits (from left to right): Courtesy of Shahbazin; Courtesy of Shahbazin; Courtesy of Shahbazin; Courtesy of Dennis Sherer; Courtesy of Allen Campbell

Please note: These links point to pages that are being served off of the cyborganic.net web server, which is not officially part of the Chickscope project. Because of this, the pages may be missing or corrupted, and control of this is generally out of the hands of the Chickscope development team.

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