C oc k e r

’
s Ma n u a l,
D EV O T E D TO T H E

TH E I R O R I G I N
.
A N D BR E E D I N G

R U L ES F O R

FEED I N G H EELI N G H A N D LIN G Et c

, , ,
I

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,

D e sc r ipt ion of t he D iffe re n t Bre e ds,

D I S EA S ES A N D T H EI R T R E A T M EN T .

SEC O N D ED I TI O N (R evised ) ,

F . H . G R A Y .

PUBLISH ED A N D SOLD BYTH EA UTH OR .

1 87 8 .

BA TTL E CR E EK. MI C H I G A N
F ROM TH E JOU R N A L STE A M P R I N TI N G H OU S E
FM
.
 CON TE N TS .

O r igi n t h e G am e ,
oi
T h e G am e o w l, F
B ree d n i g
G am e s
i B
,

S e l e c t on of r e e d e r s,
l : t l e of
‘ '

B ree d n i to g
B r e ed n i g
I n - au d - I n ,
C r oss n i g
of t h e am e , G
B r e ed n i g
for t h e P it ,
I n fl u e n c e of t h e S r e
,
i

R u l e s for
p
S t a m e r s R u le s ,
G e n e r al
Tr im m i n F
ow ls for t h e P i t
R u l e s for
D e sc r ip t i
on of

F u ll D r op S oc k e t
H a l f D r op S oc k e t
,

R e m a r k s on t h e F owl ,
R u le s of t h e
N ew Y r
o k R ul e s,
P h i la d e lp h i a R u l e s ,
W e s t e r n R u l e s,
S ou t h e r n R u l e s ,
E n g l i sh R u l e s,
E n g l i sh N
ot e s on oc k s C an d Cu c k e r s ,
A P le a for t h e
.

D e s c r i p t i on of G a m
Ear l D
e r b y s,

I r i sh D a r e D e ve ls
-
,

H e a t h w ood s ,
R e d H or se ,
Cou n t e r fe i t s,
R e d Q u i l ls ,
C lai b or n e s ,
Th e T
ar t a r
Jac k M c Cle l lan s,
D i
u s t y M l le r s .
Th e E s li n
I ri s h S las h e r s,
S t on e fe n c e ow l F
N e w b old

He n n y
B r e e d i n g Coops an d
R ou p ,

Pip or G ap e s
, ,

In di
Mou t i n g
C h ic k e n
R u n n i n g at t h e N ose , or
 CO N T E N TS .

D iar r h ma , or
Cos t l ve n w s. 0 00 0 0 0

L im ed Log, O 000000 0000CO . I I I I I I I I I I

Rh e u m at i sm ,

Th e S t a n d a r d of E xc e lle n c e ,
B B
l ac k - r e as t e d R e d G am e s
B o w n - R e d G am e s ,
r
G i n g e r - R e d G a m e s,
Y e ll ow uc k w i n g D
S i lv e r uc k w i n g D
R e d Pi le G a m e s,
W h it e P il e G am C S’ OI I Q I O I UO I OO OO O O O O O O O O O O O O OO O O O O O OOOOOO O O O O OOO O OO O O O O OO O O O O O O O O l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

Blac k G ‘
a m e s, O O I I O O oooooo oooo o o oo o ooo e o o o o o oo o oo o o o o o o oo o o o o o o o o o o o oo o o o o oo o o o o oo ooooo00 o o o o oo o o o o o o o o o o

B l ue G a m e s ,

S pa n gl e d ,

I LL US T R A TI ON S .

Du c kw in g Gam e s , .

D om i n i c
Br ow n Re d G am e s -
,
Y e llow D u c k w i n g G am e s ,
B lac k R e d Tar t a r G ame s
-
,

R e g u la t i on S p u r ,
S i n g le t on 8 u r
C i n c i n n at i e e l ,

T h i m b le H e e l
F u l l D r op S oc k e t H e e l
H a l f D r o S oc k e t H e e l
,

,
R e d P il e o o o o o oo o o o o o o o o oo o o o o . 0.

Br ow n - R e d G a m e s -o u "
B B
n u u

lac k- r eas t e d R e d G am e s ,

P i t F o l, w
AD V E R T I S E MEN TS .

H S t od d ar d , H ar for d
H on n t C
t W
. . .

W m J H e a le y. i n e r al Poi n , i s ,
. M
H a y K W e lsh, o k , Pe n n ,
rr . Y r .

L ou i s S e n d k e r , P a k e i y , Pe n n , r rC t .

L E S i n sa b a u g h , S y ac u e ,
. . e b as k a , r s N r
C J W a r d , h i oa o,
. . C
H H .S t odd ar d , . ar t for d , on n , C .

F H . G a y , B at t le r e e k . i c h ,
. r C M .

D an i e l l le n , G a it n a i o,
A O t r
Jos ih M W ad e ' S i n g ie ld , pr f M
g
. as s ,
H .S t oddar d , H a o d, on n , rtf r C
 P R E F A CE .

Wi th re sp e ct to t he pres e nt wor k,
i t has man y advantag e s over th at
o f the first addit i on Everyth ing has been t reated i n so plai n a man
. .

n e r that all may und erst an d i t .The rules laid down by t he b e st

’
sportsmen have been carefu lly attended to Wi th the author s pr ac
.

t ical knowledge of the di fferent subj ects he has advanced n othi n g but
,

what he knows to be co n sistent , and the fancier wi ll m eet wit h m or e

accurate ide as of the subj e ct whi le his pract ice will give hi m dail y
,

proo fs of its ut i li ty A s such it is present ed to the public , w i thout a

.

doubt but that i t w i ll meet wi th a candid and favorable r e c e pti on

"
.

We feel obliged to acknowledge an indebtedness to t hos e who h ave

favored us i n many parti cu lars , and by thei r cont ribut ions have mate
r iall
y lightened our l abors , and t hose mani fe st in g an int e r e st in our
w e l fare have our best wishes In clo sing it is but just to say , in our
.
,

work we have been aided by m any standard and rel iabl e works on
p oult iy, to all of which we h ave given due cr e di t .
 O RI G I N O F TH E
_ G A ME .

The ori gin o f the Ga me Fowl is a poi nt that would in volve am im

m ense a m ount o f labo r and conside rable ti me wi thout l eading us to
an y p rac ti cal conclusi on It has proved a m ost pe rplexin g quest i on
.

n otwi thst and ing n aturali sts histori ans and ga m e fanc ie rs have written
, ,

m uch concern i n git and st ill n o one theory has been accepte d by all
,

as c orrect in every part icular We find al m ost eve ry known part o f

.

the globe has been honored with t hei r origi n M any r e fe r to Ind ia .

as t he origi nal count ry and possibly aver fro m thence they were car
,

ried over the world O thers t o the con trary forcibly asse rt that
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,

E nglan d o r the Isle o f R hodes or some ot h er place were the i r ori g

, ,

n al coun tries In this way perhaps we could go on and gi ve arti cle

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, ,

u pon art icle yet be n o n eare r thei r origin than we were at fi r st and '

we do n ot intend t o furnish m any n ew ideas u pon t his subject as i t

w ou ld only be filling our work u p wi t h what m any care so l itt le about .

In c losi n g we si m ply say by per m issi o n we have bee n allowed t o

,

p ubli sh extracts from a short lett er wri t ten us some ti me si nce upon
.

this subject and we have n o hesi tati on i n saying the writer has wri tt e n
,

more con cern ing G ame Fowls than any othe r person li ving havin g ,

trave led i n all parts o f t he globe and seen e very variety he speaks o f
i n t hei r n atural state We cannot do otherwise t han take h is ideas for
.

gran ted knowing full well that he is con ve rs an t with what he is wri t
,

i ng about : “A s fo r all Game fowls co m ing from In dia i t i s n onsense ,

but one yellow and willow legged sort co me fro m that country The
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.

w hi te b rown black carp an d blue legged are the old Bri tish sorts
, ,
-
,

but as the whole o f thei r ancestors of bot h Bri ton s and Saxons came
fro m Persi a i n A si a ori gin ally i t is probable t hat al l our white ski nned
,
-

ga m e fowls are of Persian origin and that al l the yellow s ki nned sorts
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,
0
2
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 MANUA L
'
r o COCK ER S .

are o f Indian origi n and also the gyps y combed and dark faced w i ll
,
- -

be fro m t here t oo There are five colo rs i n Ind ia sr ill : Fi rst , Black
.

bre asted Reds legs w illow e yes red an d co m b red

,
Secon d G inge r
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,

R eds legs yellow eyes red and co m bs red

, ,
Thi r d Gi n gers legs yel .
, ,

low eyes ye llow and co m bs yellow Fourt h B ro wn reds legs d ark

,
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-
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wi llow dark eyes and dark faces Fi fth G inge r brown R eds legs
,
.
,
-
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dark wi llow , dark eyes and dark faces A ll o f t hese colors are t o b e .

found small and qui te wi ld an d are al l origin als

,
A ll the others are
,
.

m ade up colors except perhaps t he R e d D uns o r G i nge r B lues , w hi ch

-
,

som e say are origin al D uck Wings and all grays are made up colo rs
.
-
,

though many wi ll say the contrary White Pi les and B lacks are t he .

"
m ost arti ficial colors o f all and t ook m uch trouble t o make u p .

TH E G A M E F OW L .

For the pr ese nt t ype o f the Ga m e Fowl we are wi thout doubt ia

debted t o the con test s t hat for cent uries i ncited that st ri fe amon g the
breede rs of i t wh ich has i n this way given so go od resu lts
, The E ng .

li sh Game Fowl as n ow see n is u nequaled i n form an d carriage and is

everywhe re regarded as t he highest possible t ype o f gallinace ous be au -

ty. J ust be fore the abolishin g o f cock figh t in g i n En gland by law -

w e find N ewcastle C helten ha m C heste r Gloucester N orwich L an

, , , , ,
o

caste r Sta m ford and other s malle r places were noted fo r t hei r fig hti ng
,

st rain s o f Games an d at one t i me t he cocke rs o f N ewcast le challenged

,

the world This was j ust subsequen t t o one o f t hei r last m eeti n gs at
.
,

w hi ch ove r t wo hu ndred cocks we re fought C oc k fight in g i n Eng .

-

land i s greatly on the decl in e owing t o strin gen t laws We also have .

t he sa m e i n this c oun try but fro m readi ng the re ports o f several

,

mains the past few seasons we should j udge i t was m ore on t he i ncrease ,

as seldo m before h as such large su m s been placed on eac h si de or

m ain s bee n more frequent In consequen ce a de mand has been ex

.

cit ed for a ga m e fowl greater than ever be fore known and not on ly is ,

atte ntion bein g paid the m by fanciers and c ocke rs alone bu t ot her ,

breede rs o f fancy poult ry whose yards are n ow cons idered in complet e

wi thou t on e o r more varie ties .

I n this count ry fancie rs beli eve m ore i n crossi ng and for this re aso n
, ,

many of our best ga mes can n o t be clai m e d as any parti cu l a r s t rain but ,
 COCKER S
’
MANUA L . 11

ge ne ra lly take the name o f the breede r o r some fanc y name , giv e n
t he m by hi m for some known fighting quali ty and amon g such per ,

son s are they t o be found i n the highest degree of pe rfe ction and c an ,

be shown o f v ari ous col ors Every count ry has i ts games , as we have
.

stated and j ust s o long as they are grown so long wi ll more or less o f
,

t hem be obliged to endure t he severe tests wel l k nown to cocke r s in

on e or mor e b attles .

We do n ot i ntend to t reat at any length upon the subject o f coc k

fight in g as perhaps the vi ews we m ight express would be unpopular
,

wi th some and at the sa m e t i me do us no real good Eve ry cocker wi ll as .

readi ly bet on his own fowl as a love r o f a good hors e w ill upo n his
an imal A l l ki nds o f sport has i ts ad m i rers and each one wi ll stand
.
,

up for his j ust as strong as the other will cry i t d own , conse quently w e

shall n ot poi n t out the c ruelty of i t n or speak o f any o f the charges

b rought against i t .

G a mes c o m pared wi t h othe r fowl look small but o n han dli ng it ,

w ill b e found t he y are large r than t hey look and are more than t he
.
,

ave rage size but owing to the i r quarrelso m e dispositi ons are a har d
,

fowl t o m an age ; sti ll t hey w ill often run p eaceably together as soon
.

as one beco m es m ast er Ga m e fowls o ften reach as high as ei ght

.

pounds i n wei ght and ye t the cock wi ll appear as light and act ive as
,

an ord inary fo w l wi ll o f s m aller si z e A t rue game fowl should be o f .

bold carriage t he eye large an d b right the beak well shaped and
, ,

st rongly made the body should be broad betwee n the shoulders , grad
,

ually taperi ng t o the tail the breast should be broad , full and straight
, ,

t he t hi ghs short and well turn ed t he legs stout the foot flat an d , ,

stron g w i th a long claw and the spur rather low on the leg For t he .

game cock t o show fight well he m ust be i n t he best of health for ,

t hough possessing superi or quali ti es physical w e akn e ss an d general de

'

b ilit y wi ll someti m es cause him to seek fl ight A ct ivi ty , determi na .

t ion w illi ngness to e ncoun ter force i n fight i ng etc are the disti n
, , , .
,

gu ishin g c haracte rist i cs o f t he ga m e N o othe r fowl possesses t o s o.

great an exten t these peculi ar quali t ies N ot only are t hey n oted fo r .

t hei r bold carri age but for the i r d isposi ti on t o receive seve re pun ish
m en t i n a most courage ous m anner .

We find i n the Journal of Horti cult ure the fol lowing article upo n
this subj ec t wri t ten by one o f the oldest an d most reliable breeders in
,

E n gland whi ch we con side r worthy o f n ot ice

,
 MAN UA L
’
12 c oc k an s .

Game fowls have n ot gai n ed thei r populari ty as other breeds by ,

'

one class o f admi re rs on ly M an y breed the m for table purposes

. ,

j ustly p re ferrin g the i r d el icate wh it e ski n an d flesh , ro un d pl um p ap ,

p e ar an c e and rich nut riti ous gam e li ke flavo r both o f flesh an d eggs
-
, , ,

t o all other poult ry O thers b re ed t hem for the beauty o f thei r ele
.

gan t m uscular symmet ry and bri lli an cy o f feath e r w hi ls t a few o f t he

old school sti ll breed t he m fo r t hose points so om i nous o f sudde n
death and eve ry Eng lishman ad m i res t he ir un rivaled courage N ow
,
.
,

how far do exhibi t ion birds supply e i ther o f th e se re quiremen ts ? Ce r

t ain ly not as a table fowl as fully ni n ety pe r cen t o f sh ow bi rds have
, .

dar k legs and sk in s alt h ough the pu r e st an d best Game fowls eve r se e n
,
'

in Englan d consequent ly i n the world , have had wh it e legs ; an d i n

,

shape a roasted or boiled exhi bi ti on Gam e fowl m ore n early rese m bles
a Heron in its na r row shape and length than a true Gam e fowl whi lst ,

for tenderness an d flavor o f t he two breeds , well , you can di n e on on e

an d t r y to o n t he othe r .

A s fo r symmetry t he tr ue Game fowl was bred so as t o have t h e

greatest possible stren gth and act ivi ty combi ned wi t h the li ghtest ,

weight possible to go to scale wi th The show bird is bred wi th a .

beak and h e ad as lon g an d weak as a sni pe yet we are asked to be ,

l i eve wi th al l t his want of leverage h e can ho ld an d tear l ike a haw k ;

h e i s thin lon g n e c ke d, has lon g legs an d i s st i lty upright c on se
,
~

, ,

quently has n ot the least spring o r force t o fight i f he w ished — has n o

forehand i n fact , a c up w in n e r is out o f all proport ion for i f a 5 lb
~

,
-
.

cock has on e quarter i nch t oo m uch length o f body le g or head he , ,

m ust n ecessari ly be so A s to col or t he origi nal Black breast ed D ark

.
,
-

R e d has n ot bee n seen i n a show pen si n ce the fi rst few shows at Bi r

m in gham and i s as di ffe ren t i n colo r to our p resen t Black breasted
,
-

R eds o f t he show pen as t hey are t o Brown breast ed R eds w hi ch are -

,

also a new m ade color being totally unkn own to the old fr equen te rs
-
,

o f t he R oyal cock p it .

“A s t o t hei r fighting i t scarcely re qui res a word They we re n eve r .

i nte n ded for i t and i t would be a cruelty to put t hem t o what the y
e ither wi ll no t or cann ot do M r Wri ght has see n bo th breeds an d
. .
,
’
‘
D uc kwing has bre d both I have bred bot h an d used t he m suc
, ,

c ess fully for eac h purpose , and I qui te endorse B lack R ed s opi n ion ' ’ ’

“I d o n ot w rite with t he spleen o f a d isappoi nted exhibi tor

.

as I am ,

s ure I can compare results favorabl y w ith an y exhibitor i n Englan d

 ’
c oc k s MANUAL . 1
5

with the sam e number of en tries an d I am n ot qui te i gnoran t o f the

,

fightin g bird having fought my first mai n i n publi c wi th the parish

, ,

constables keeping order i n the pi t about the same ti m e as D uck ,

‘

’
wing began breedi n g and have seen a score or two o f coc ks j udged
,

by merits i n pri vate since he wrote h is articl e in the Journal askin g

for the points o f the M alay i n our exhibi ti on bi rds I w ould ask wh ere .

the whi p —tai l ca m e fro m carri ed as only a M alay and a craven does
,

c ar ry ? What is the first t hi ng a bad bred one and a craven does when -
,

in tend i ng t o fly the pi t ? ( I am sure D uckw ing knows as I thi nk we ‘ ’

,

have had so m e conve rsati on on this subj ect ) and i s it n ot to fold his ,

flag and put i t i n t rue exhibi ti on posture ? whilst t he up and spread

tai l belongs only to the true Ga m e cock D uckwi ng m ust surely in .
‘ ’

vari ed expe ri en ce have see n half bred M alays awarded c u ps an d on

-
,

t he second and thi rd days of t h e show see m so asha med o f the i r de

'

c e p t ion that they would n e ither crow nor fight I knew a sportin g .

A m erican colonel t o take t hi rteen coc ks to A m erica fro m our best

shows an d after j ourneying 3 0 00 m i les with the m found all were du n g
,

hi lls except two low pri ced despised yellow legged ones
,
-
I have j ust -
.

received a letter fro m a breede r and shipper o f Ga me fowls in A m erica ,

askin g m e to try t o get him so m et h in g better than the t rash exhibi ted
in this and his ow n country O ur Journal stated that m any o f t he
.

bi rds at the last B ir mingha m show we re as muc h M al ays as game and ,

an old and able corresponde nt o f this Journ al New market wrote me ,

‘
,
’

t o the sam e e ffect and no one knows a G am e cock i n or out o f con

,

di t i on better t han he does I recent ly wrote for a brood c ock t o a

.

gen tle m an who has long bred and sho wn as good Ga m e fowls as an y
m an i n England and he requested m e to see a bi rd he was s nd i ng to
,
y
a show i n my district It was awarded the cup but I t ho u ght i t the
.
,

coarsest bi rd o f the M alay type I had eve r seen him exhi bi t w rote hi m ,

t o that effect and hi s reply i n for med me t hat he fully an ticipated m y

,

verdi ct sayi n g that h e had purchased thi s on e n ot t o please hi msel f

,
l

but the j udges ; and a this bird has taken as man y i f n or mor e cu ps
s
,

than an y othe r b ird shown this season it would see m he has been v ery ,

successful i n doi ng i t .

“As t o lengt h o f head I know an e x hibi to r who has a st a only

, g
three re m oves fro m a p ri z e M alay hen whose head fo r m ere le n gt h ,

w ould beat m ost pri z e wi nning show bi r ds ;

-
and of the m an y
b i rd s I have k n own so m anufactured for the show pen a j ud ic ious se ,
 '
16 COCK ER S MANUAL .

lection has obviated all t rouble i n m old ing the head i nto the requi red
shape . N ot on ly does eve ry poultry show con tai n t hese mongrels in
abundance our j udges encourage the m and even t he i llust rat i o ns o f
, ,

our m odern poult ry books would pass m uste r for i m p roved M alays and ,

are mere cari catures o f real Ga m e fowls such as are see n i n R ural ,
‘

Sports fro m a good pain ting by M arshall of o ne o f t he m ost perfect

’
, ,

cocks ever seen : I t took centuries o f care ful breed ing to gai n that
pe rfecti on and the t rial was o fte n for a fortune thousands depend ing
, ,

’
o n the prowess o f a si ngle bi rd N ow we are told a few years breed
.
,

i ng t he m to be shown a score t ogethe r for a few shill ings or a cup has

i m proved the m and re aders are asked t o believe i t I shall gi ve the m .

Punch s advice t o t hose co n te m plati n g m arr iage and say

’

[COR N I SH D UCK W I N G .

BR E E D I N G G A ME S .

The breed ing o f Gam es is j ust as m uch a science as t he bre edin g o f

othe r fanc y poultry and i t is a m i staken idea of fanci ers t o think as
,

they have purchased perhaps at a large expense a pai r or t ri o o f Ga m es

fro m so me noted breeder s yards t hat i t i s all that is requi red t o pro
’

duce a n u m be r o f fine fo w l ; but care t im e and a large a m ount o f , ,

p at ie nce wi ll also be needed They can be j ust as easi ly raised as

.

other breeds of fowls and at n o m o re expense to t he breeder and as ,

he grows i n experience so m uch less wi ll be the work as eac h season ,

will t each h im so m ethi n g n ew They be i ng hardy can be con fi ned in

.

very s m all runs and for this reason can be bred i n s m al l places as t hey
,

have a st rong consti tut ion We fi nd the m i n t hei r p ri m e when two

.

years old b ut as a general t hing the c ock wears out faster t han t he
,

hen altho ugh the hens at an old age only lay about one clutch
, We .

n ow have a cock i n our possessi on whi ch i s ove r twelve years o f age

,

and as far as we can n ot i ce appears as y oung as a two year old and - -

his stag s co mb as strong and vi gorous as an y we raise But very few

’

Game fowl eve r live to this age as owing to the i r quarrelso m e d ispo,

s it ion s sooner or later t hey d ie by accident or so m e d isease caused

by
figh fi n g .
 ’
18 c oc xn n s MANUAL .

i s s h own many good breeds have been rui ned by so doi n g alth ough ,

t hey were on ce very successful To avo id this A m e rican breede rs

.

’
breed twice in and once out while i t is said the English breede r s rule
,

is on ce i n and onc e out O ur advi ce is i f you have a good wi nn i n g

.
,

strai n t ake good care o f t he m and breed fro m the m the best shape and
most active and healthiest and d o no t dest roy t he i r good properti es
,

by constan tly crossin g an d changin g them .

S E L E C TI ON OF BR E E D E R S .

A s the select i on and m at ing o f our breedi n g stock is n ot atten ded

wi thout so m e d i fficulty much care and pat ience wi ll be re qui red to b e
successful Fancie rs who select t hei r c ocks fro m one yard and h ens
.

fro m another must not expect t o ra ise fowls that are rel iable although ,

thei r chi c ks will n ot be related A s t he hens gi ve us si ze an d shap e

.

t oo much care ca n not be taken in selecti n g the m Each fan c ier has .

his own ideas as to what h is breeding stock should be yet we o ften ,

’
see so me ve ry poor fowls on such breede rs yards Som e fancie rs pre .

fe r small bir ds , others mediu m si z e an d agai n ot he rs extra large ones,

,

and each one wi ll show his own i nd i vidual pre fe re n ce for one ove r t he
othe r Perhaps there are so m e grounds on this poin t fo r questi on
.
,

but for us we have n o hesi tat ion i n givin g our j u d gmen t for th e large r
bi rd as we can then ge t al l the s m alle r ones we wan t wi thout breed i n g
,

especi ally fo r t he m as we co n tend t hat a good large on e i s be tter than

,

a good small one and one o f ext ra si ze wi th all t he ot he r good qual i

,

ti es should n ot be d isposed of but be highly pri zed as on e o f our

breeders A n othe r wrong is also d one by so m e fancie rs i n let ti n g
.

thei r old and well t ried stock run out and breed in g so m e n e w b reed s
they know n othing o f whe n perhaps they find they d o n ot equal
, ,

their old favori tes and t hen lam en t for n ot breed ing from them The y .

are t oo apt to be taken up with so m e n ew b reed an d e ach seas o n t ry

in g somet hi n g n ew and for t his reason the breeder shou ld unde rstan d
,

his stock thoroughly It is a wel l known fact that good q ualit ies i n
.

paren ts will be come fixed in t he o ffsprin g i f care is shown i n the se

lect ion o f the breeders The age of the breed i ng stock is an i mpo rt
.

an t conside rati on So me fanciers clai m n o hen should be selected as

.
 ’
c oc a s MA N UAL . : 9

a b reeder un t i l she i s tw o years old , as pulle ts eggs have a ten denc y ’

t o produce weakly ch i cke n s and also c lai m the same i n breeding from
,

t oo young a cock We always have ou r bre edin g sto c k full grown if

.

po ssible i f n ot we p re fe r to breed cocks t o p ullets and hens t o stags .

If the fanci er s object is breedin g to feathe r great care should be

’
,

t aken i n selecti ng his breeders or otherw i se the object sou ght wil l n ot
be o b tained If i t is desi red t o preserve a part icul ar color t he hen
.
,

selected for the purpose should be the same i n colo r as the cock but o f
d ifle r e n t blood that is t o say n ot closel y or nearly r e lated So m e
'

.
, ,

clai m t he prin ci ple in breed i n g t o be obs e rved is “l ike produces ,

”
like but sti ll this i s n o t an unerring guide as we can breed fro m an y
,

stock o f fowls and n ot un frequen tl y an extra fine spec i m en w ill ap

,

pe ar an d by breed in g such speci m ens or pai rs we cannot obtai n thei r

,

like in all cases at leas t a port ion o f thei r progen y wi ll possess th e quali
,

ties distinguish i n g the ori gin als I f however w e select the best pro
.
, ,

d uc e d by Such fowls as breeders and con tinu e from s eason to season

select ing the best sam ples we shall i n t i m e arr ive at our desi re and ob
tain a per m an en t i m prove m en t on the origi nal stock I f si z e an d .

strength are desi red t he selec ti o n s should i n clude large he n s or pul

le ts wi th good bui ld legs and gen eral make
, I f inte n ded for the p it .

s peci al att enti on should be given to abt ain in g a breed of good size
wi t h large bone and muscle — the cock well set upon hi s legs broad at ,

the shoulders wing st ron g and o f good le n gth and a t ough wi ry

,

feather on e t hat cont inually urges the battle an d gives his adversar y
,

n o rest and a stock whose ga m eness you have often seen tested Wi t h
, .

such a cock placed with hen s selected for the m an y fin e poi n ts wh ich
they possess being good layers and setters the chicke ns wi ll be noted
, ,

for t hei r courage and gam en ess So m e like a cock to be full o f mo

.

ti on while i n hand and con ti nually talking and cha tt ing wit h h is leg s ,

d rawn close up to his body .

CA R E O F BR EE D E R S .

A ll fanc i ers m ust bear i n m i n d that great care and attent ion m us t
be pai d to our breedi n g fowl durin g the breed ing season Pa rti cular .

a tt en t ion should be given t o our breedi n g cocks as they m ust be in ,

 ’
ao c oc k s MAN UAL .

best of feathe r and health as i t is well known th at bre ed ing fro m

t he ,

d iseas ed fowls result i n chickens w i th weak and si ckly const itut ions ,

small i n leg bon e and m uscle

, We d o n ot be lieve i n t oo exp ens ive
.

coops for our breeding pens but light and roomy as we use ou rs o n l y
, ,

durin g thi s seas on but i f i nte nded for wi n ter as well as summer use
mo re expense wil l be added i n maki ng t he m C are must be take n in .

feeding the m and n ot su pply t oo m uch food as t he bi rds may beco me ,

fat an d t hus de feat ou r object It is not well t o keep them confin e d

.

t o one kind o f food but a change sh ould be given the m o ften fresh
‘

water m ust be supplied t hem dai ly and i f extre mely war m weat her ,

at least twi ce each day I f a cock t akes a disl ike to a he n she

.

should be re moved at o n ce as i t would be useless t o e ndeavo r t o breed

from her and would result i n he r death , o r at least he r i nj ury The eggs .

should be collected regularly each day marki ng t he n ame o f bree d ,

an d d ay on each I f this plan be adopted g reat di sappoin t m ent will

.

be prevented i n the hatchin g o f t he eggs .

B R EE D I N G TO FE A T H E R .

Sinc e our Poultry Standard has come i nt o existence and our poul tr y
shows more n u merous we fi nd m uch atte n t ion bei ng paid t o breed in g
g ames t o feather caring m ore for exhibit i on bi rds t han our old p it
,

fowl which , owi n g to t he stringent laws now i n forc e has d one much
t o put the m out o f use Y et , n otwi thstandi ng this fact we fi nd that
.
,

many old cockers d iscard breed ing to feat her cari ng m ore fo r t he ao ,

t i on and fighting qual it ies o f t he cock than for hi s appearanc e .

A mong the cockers t his cl ass are greatly i n the maj ority A fanc ier , .

however, whose obj ect is t o breed exhibi ti o n o r prize bi rds gives clos e
a ttent i on t o breed ing to feat he r t o do whic h successfully several
,

t hings are n ecessary to be obse rved Just as m uch sc ience wi ll be .

n eeded i n breedi ng fowls to feat her as fo r any ot he r purpose and i n ,

breeding for this poi nt i t is generally expected t hat we w i ll produce

fowls o f t he same feat he r but experience shows all wi ll n ot be t he same ,
,

an d so i t is w ith standard bi rds M an y c hapters have bee n wri tten in

.

w hich are given vari ous rules and i nst ructi ons fo r breed i n g t o feat he r
i f thi s or that advi ce is followed
. But t here are man y i mportant po i n t
s
.
 c oc k n n s
’
MANUA L . 23

bes ides these which must be c onside re d as wel l as plu mage although ,

i t i s o ne o f the mai n objects i n jud ic iously mat ing fo r breedi ng to

feathe r yet we have othe r well know n poi nts that we must n ot over
,

look but have an eye on form si z e vi gor and act ion as whi le we are
, , ,

breed ing to feathe r n one o f these othe r quali ties should be lost sight
o f Select onl y you r best bi rds m ate them carefully for color avoid
.
, ,

i n g as much as possible breedi ng brothers and si sters toge ther keepin g ,

our select ed stock closely by the mselves By care fully followi ng the .

c ourse s uggested you will succeed i n gett ing a large r nu mber o f chick
ens of the right color and the more valuable for breeders .

BR EE D I N G I N -
A N D -
I N .

It has lon g been a disputed poin t whether the syste m o f breed in g

in and ih o r the oppo si te one of cross ing had t he greatest tendency t o
- -

mai ntai n or imp vove the quality o f the breed B oth s yste ms we find
‘

here have able and earnest ad vocates each con fident o f bei ng i n t he ,

right A s a general t hi n g in and in breed ing is n ot looked upon i n

.
- -

t his coun try w ith as much favor as i n Engl and sti ll we n ow and t he n ,

find so m e old cocker who perhaps brought w it h him a t rio or pai r of ,

so m e favo ri te breed of ga mes an d has kep t breeding t he m togethe r

,

eve r si nce i n orde r to keep his breed pure and t o his sorrow he gives ,

t he m up as worthless for fighting T here has bee n m uch wri t ten upo n
.

this subj ec t t he past season We fin d one E nglish bre eder o f so m e repu

.

_
t at ion hold ing t o it as if it w e r e his only h ope showi ng how i t worked i n ,

a ni m als why n ot the sa me i n ga m e fowls ? N o doubt they can be in

,

bred for a n umber of years but i n doing so i ntelligence o n t he part o f

,

t he breeder is requir ed also great care and stud y i n the selec tion o f
,

his breeding stock It is al m ost i m poss ibl e no wadays t o obtain a breed

.

of gam es pure Y ou wi ll fi n d when you breed the m that they have

.

one o r m ore crosses and sooner or late r t his w ill show i tsel f and ye t
, ,

t his in and in breeding will produce bad results whe n pract iced by an
- -

inexperienced breede r , an d to d o i t successfully must unde rstand his

fowl . I t i s a well kn own fac t that so m e o f our finest horses cattle ,

an d shee p have been produced by this i n and ih breedi ng To pre ~ -

.

s e rve ce rtai n characte ristics an a m o un t o f close bre ed ing is n ecessary ,

24 COCK ER ’
’

S MANUAL .

but for strength of co n sti tuti o n th e less th e better When our fowl s .

have been bred in and in t oo lon g they begi n t o be slowe r i n th ei r

- -

m ot i ons the hens do n ot lay as well as be fore and they m oult late r
, ,

an d slower each season .

The questi on o f ih breeding has ne v er b e en settled by t he un i for m

-
.

custo m o f any consid erable nu m be r o f br eeders The practi ce i n .

Englan d appears to be once i n an d on ce out avoid ing in cest w hi l e , ,

t he A m erican practice leans to the practi ce o f twi ce i n and on ce ou t .

So m e o f the best English aut hori ti es have reco mm ended the custo m
that pr e vails i n t his coun try t ho ugh it is n ot red uced t o an ythi n g lik e
,

u n i for m ity a m ong A m erican breeders By ih an d in bree d i n g is un .

- -

d e r st ood to i m ply the uni on o f n ear relat ives avoid i n g kin dred o f t he ,

first degree L ong c on ti nued ih breed in g would ten d to di m i n ish t h e

.
-

bone an d reduce the d i m ensions o f the m uscular for m an d propo r

tions I t therefore be co m es n ecessary to breed out to st ran ge rs t o
.
,

kee p up si z e an d bone A s soon as this end is acco m pli shed we can

.
,

breed back t o ki ndred and refin e bon e and m uscle By thi s si m ple
,
.

process o f e n largi n g an d refin in g w e get t he m ost substance in t h e ,

least com pass .

The wi ld h orse i n pro m iscuous in tercourse avoi ds consa n gu in ity

, , ,

or con t i nued in breed i ng i n the highest degree by t he si m ple law of

-
,

n ature . It is a wi se provisi o n design e d to perpet uate the race Th e , .

st ro n gest of th e m ale speci es gove rn t he floc k an d pe rpet u ate the i r .

ki nd. The kin g o f the hare m soon gets displaced by so m e youn g ,

cou rageous ri val who usurps the thro n e and holds d o m i n ion throug h
, ,
'

his day and gen erat ion H e is succeeded b y so m e other ri val wh o

.
,

holds do m in ion ove r the flock t ill his successor beco m es qualified by ,

brute force to displace h im

,
We have here the syste m o f in breed in g
. -

an d out crossi n g agreeable to the laws o f n ature The deducti on s .

fro m the wi ld horse rovin g at large are d e cidedly in favo r o f ih

, ,

breedi n g I t would be a natural conclusi on fro m t he co mmo n course

.

o f thi n gs t hat w hen we have the best possi ble for m an d act i on m a
,

t u r e d i n the breed not to lose hal f t he ben efi t o f superio r e xcelle n c e

,

by crossi n g ou t to st range rs e xce pt to en large t he reservoi r to hold

m ore substance We must keep all the i m pr ove men t we have god an d
.

" /

ge t all we can .
 ’
2 6 c ook ER s MANUAL .

a l ight red R eds will always spoi l the color o f grays gi vin g t he m a
.
,

t i n ge of red and brown but grays d o n ot spoi l the red s ,The b e s t .

c olored D uc kw in gs are bred fro m t he dark gray c ross though this

spoils dark grays I t is we ll known to all good breede rs t hat crossi ng
.

co lors i s very inj udicious as a rule all t he best breede rs liking each
,

s ort t o be exactly alike both i n shape i n feathe r and i n blood and , ,

d isliki ng all mongre l m ixed colors and crosses .

In crossing colors when the he ns are o f a st ronge r and harde r color

than the cock m os t o f the cock chic kens w ill be t he color o f the h e n
,

and t he pulle ts the colo r of t he cock For i nstance i n c rossing brown .

,

red hen s wit h a w illow legged black breasted red cock m ost of the
- -

cocks wi ll be brown reds and most o f the pullets of t he part ridge c o lo r

-
.

"
This however is not a good c ross
.
, .

D arwi n says There can be n o d o ubt that crossi n g w i t h the aid ,

of rigorous select ion during se veral gen e rati ons has bee n a pote n t ,

m eans i n m od i fying old races and i n for m i ng n ew ones L ord O r , .

ford crossed his famous stud o f greyhounds once wi th the bull do g -

,

which breed was c hose n fro m be i ng deficien t i n sce n t in g powe rs and ,

fro m having what was wan ted courage and pe rseve rance I n t he , .

course of six or se ve n ge nerat ions al l t races of the exte rnal fo r m o f t he

bulldog we r e eli m i nated but courage and perse ve rance re mai ned
, .

C e rtain poi nters have be en crossed as I hear fro m the R e v W D , . . .

Fox w it h t h e fox hound t o give them dash an d speed

,
-
, C ertai n .

strains o f D orki ng fowls have a slight i n fusi on of G a me blo od ; an d I

have known a great fancier w ho on a s ingle occasio n crossed his t ur
bi t pigeons wit h barbs for the sake bf ga in i ng greate r widt h o f beak
-
, .

“In the foregoing cases breeds have bee n crossed o nce fo r , t he sake
o f m odi fyi ng so m e particular c haracter but with m ost o f t he im
proved races of t he pig wh ich n ow b reed t rue there have bee n r e
, ,

e at e d crosses — for i nstance the i m proved Essex owes i ts excellence

p ,

t o repeated crosses wi t h t he N eapoli tan t oget her probabl y w i t h so m e ,

i n fusion of C hi nese blood 8 0 w ith our Brit ish shee p ; al m ost all t he
.

races exce pt t he Southdown ha ve bee n lar ge ly c r osse d

, this i n fac t
,
‘

'
, ,

h as b een t he history o f our prin ci pal breeds To give an exa m ple .

’

t he O x fordshi re D owns now ran k as an established breed

‘ ’
T hey .

were produced about the year 1 8 3 0 by c rossi ng H a m pshi re an d so m e ‘

i nstances Southdown ewes wi th C otsw old ra m s n ow t he Ha m pshi re

r am was i tself produced by repeated crosses betw ee n t he nat ive Ha m p

 MANUA L
’
c oc k ak s . 27

s hi re s hee p an d Sou t hdowns and the lo n g wooled Cotsw old w e re -

impr oved by crosses wi t h the Le icester , whic h latte r is again be li e ve d

t o have bee n a c ross be tween seve ral long wooled sheep M r Spo on
-
. .

e r , afte r consideri ng the various cases which have bee n care fully t e

c orded c on cludes ‘ that from a j udicious pairi n g o f cross bred an i

, ,
-

m als i t is practicable to establish a n ew breed

’
O n t he Con ti ne n t .

t he hist o ry o f seve ral crossed races of cattle and other an i mals , has
been well asce rtained To give on e instance : The Ki ng o f Wur t e t n
.

’
be rg afte r twenty fi ve years care ful breeding that i s a fte r six o r sev
,
-
.

e n gene rations made a n e w breed o f cat tle fro m a c ross bet wee n a
,

D utc h and Sw iss breed combi ned wit h othe r breeds

, The Sebright .

bantam which breeds as t rue a any o ther ki nd o f fowl , was formed

,
s

about sixty years ago by a co m plicated cross D ark B rahmas , which .

are bel ieved by some fanciers t o consti tute species were undo ubtedly ,

form ed i n t he U ni ted Stat es wit hi n a rece nt peri od by a cross be

, ,

twe en C hi ttagon gs and C ochi n s Wi th plants I believe there is littl e

.

doubt that some kinds o f t urnips now extensi vely culti vated , are ,

crossed races an d the history of a variety o f wheat which was raised

fr o m t w o ve r y d isti nct variet ies and which afte r six years culture
’
,

presen ted an eve n sample has been recorded on good authori ty

, .

“U n t il qui te lately caut i ous and experienced breede rs t hough n ot

, ,

a ve rse t o a si ngle i n fusi on o f foreig n blood we re al most un iversally ,

convi nc ed t hat the at te mpt to establish a new race i n termediate b e ,

t ween two widely d is tinc t races w as hopeless , Th e y clung wi th su .

‘

p e r st it ious te naci t y to t he doct rin e of puri ty o f blood beli evin g i t t o ,

be t he ark in whi c h alone t rue safety could be fou nd N or was t his ,

’

convic ti o n un reasonable : when two dist inct races are crossed th e ,

offsprin g o f the fi rst generat ion are ge nerally nearly un i fo rm i n char

acte r ; bu t e ve n t his so meti mes fai ls to be t he case especi ally wi t h ,

c rossed dogs and fowls t he young o f which from the first are some
,

t i mes m uch d i ve rs ified A s cross bred ani mals are generally o f large
.
-

size an d vi gorous t hey have bee n raised i n great numbers for i mme
,

c on sumpt i on But for breedi ng t hey are found to be utterly useless ;

.

for t hough t hey may be the mselves un i for m i n character when pai re d ,

toget her t hey yield du ri ng m a n y generati ons offspring ast on ishingl y

d ive rsified The breeder is dri ve n to despai r and concludes that he
.
,

wi ll n eve r form an i n te r m ediate race But fro m the cases alread y .

g iven an d from ot hers which have bee n r ecord ed i t a ppears that p a

, ,
C
 MANUA L
’
28 COCK ER S .

t ie n alone is necessary ; as M r Spo oner re marks ‘ n atu re oppose s

ce .
,
'

n o b arri e r to successful ad m ixture i n the c ourse o f t ime by t he aid ,

o f selecti on and care ful weedin g i t is practicable t o establish a n e w

,

b reed A fter six or seven gen erati ons th e hoped for result wi ll in
.
- -

m ost c ases be obtain ed but even th e n an occ asi onal re versi on o r ,

failure t o keep true may be expected ,

The attemp t however wi ll .
, ,

as suredly fai l i f the cond it i o n s o f li fe be decidedly un favorable to t he

c haracters of eithe r parent breed -

.

“I t i s scarcely possi ble to overrate the e ffects of selecti on occas io n

ally carried on i n va r ious ways and places durin g t housands o f gene
rat i ons A ll that we know and i n a sti ll st ron ge r degree all t hat w e
.
, , ,

d o n ot kn ow o f t he history o f t he great maj ori ty o f o ur breeds eve n

, ,
,

o f ou r m ore modern bre eds agrees wi th the vi ew that thei r p roducti on

, ,

t hrough t he act ion o f unco nsci ous an d m ethodi cal selecti on has been ,

alm ost i nsensibly slow Whe n a m an at tends rather more closely than
.

i s usual t o the bree d ing o f his an i m als he is almost sure t o i m p rove ,

the m to a slight exte n t They are i n consequence valued i n his im

.

m ediate neighborhood and are bred by ot he rs , and t hei r charact e r

,

istl e features whatever t hese m ay be w i ll then slowly but steadi ly be

, ,

increased someti m e s by methodi c al and al m ost always by un consc i ous

,

selec ti on A t l ast a st rain dese rvin g to be called a sub variety be

.
,
-
,

c o m es a li ttle more w idely kn own receives a l ocal n am e and spreads , ,

.

The spread ing wi ll have been ext re m ely s low du ri n g anci e n t and le ss
c ivi lized t i m es but n ow is ra id
p , By t he ti me that the n ew breed had
.

as su m e d a so m ewhat disti nct character i ts hist ory hardly n ot i ced at , ,

t h e ti m e wi ll have be e n co m ple t e ly forgot ten

, for as L ow re m arks , ,
‘
we kn ow how quickly t he me m ory o f such events is e flac e d .
’

BR E E D I N G F OR TH E P I T .

We do n ot find at t he p resent day as m uch atten ti on paid to bree d

in g Ga mes for the pi t as i n ti m es gone by sti ll m an y old cockers tak e ,

as m uch pai ns as eve r and show j ust as m uch care an d attent i on i n .

b reed ing as i n an earli er day T he best breede rs for t he pit c onside r

.

t he cock as ahead o f all the quali ties consequen tly show great care in ,

s elect ing t h e m as in breed i ng fo r this speci al pu rpose we must n ot

,
 MANUA L 3m
’
c oc u s .

see k color but st rength and endu rance with all the g ood fight ing qual
i ties
. Color , as will be observed is o f secondary i mport ance and
,

should not be pre fe rred t o the essen ti al requisi tes for t he pi t I t is .

ge nerally con sidered that a cross fowl i s best fo r th is purpose and fo r

t hi s reason the breed selected t o c ross wi th must be equally as good '

an d bet t er i f possi ble i n thei r fighti ng quali ties than those possesse d

by t he breed i ntended to be crossed I n t he select i ons made i t is

.

ha rdly need ful to be re m arked t hat great cau ti on should be obse rved ,

for i t is frequently t he cas e that so m e games are good billers but very
p oor strikers and such i t is hardly d esi rable to bre ed from A se le c
, .
c

ti on sh ould be made of a well tested cock of a reliable breed a good ,

biller and stri ke r a savage and i nvet e rate fighter quick i n movemen t
, ,

an d w ho shows n o quarte r t o his an tagon ist B reeders for the pi t .

ge n erally allow t hree hens t o a stag and five hens to a cock Some , .

however pre fe r onl y two hens t o a cock

, .

I N F L UE N C E OF T H E S I R E .

It is sti l l an unsett led quest i on as to the len gt h of t ime i t is n e c e s

sary to keep a hen after a cock has been changed befo re the e ggs can
be se t w ith a certain ty o f getti ng chicks si red by the new c ock We
have seen state m ents to t he effect that a per man en t i nfluence resulted
from copulati on i n the case o f fowls— that absolute puri ty o f blood
could n ot be depended upon i f the hen at any ti me had run wi th a
cock o f di fferen t breed O n the other han d we find with man y a
.
,

com mon i mpression that i m pregnat ion takes place but a short time
be fo re the egg i s laid If we wish to be doubly sure we should n ot
.

breed from a hen unt i l she had fin i shed layi ng her li tte r and w ishes
to set then we would place her wi t h a cock we desi red to breed from
, .

I n t his way we thi nk we could be m ore assured that we had t he br e e d

we most d esi red .

The followi n g was wri t ten by a well known weste rn breeder w ho ,

has gi ven the subject much care ful attent ion and which we conside r ,

worth y o f men t ion

“A correct an swe r t o thi s q uesti on i s i m portan t t o the bre e der o f
hi gh cl as s poultry to enable him to kn ow when a breedi n g he n should
-
,
 '

3 2 COCK E R S MANUAL .

be co nfi n ed or re m oved fro m the cock to mai ntai n puri ty i n her pro

gen y ; also wh at nu mber of eggs being laid by one hen are ferti le
, , ,

after t he cock has bee n re m oved fro m t he yard I shall not atte m pt .

t o answe r this question fully but give such obse rvati ons as have co m e ,

t o m y notice .

“I n e xam i ni ng so m e o f t he leadi ng works on poult ry such as ,

Wright Te ge t m e ir aud othe rs I fi n d t he chapte rs on eggs t he ir

, , , ,

fo r ma t io n etc do n ot touch upo n the subj ect bu t slip out o f i t e as ily ,

,
.
, ,

and fail to gi ve a hin t tendi n g to a so l ut ion A ll the answe rs I have .

eve r seen h ave appeared i n pe riod icals and were wri t te n by bre eders ,

who gave the ir i n d ividual op ini ons j ust as the subscri be r is n ow do in g ,

.

The ir answe rs are t hat the peri od at whi ch a cock can be re m oved
fro m t he he n and still have t he eggs she may produce fe rti le at four ,

six eight t e n o r m ore days and I belie ve one man had such wond er
, , ,

ful hens tha t the characte r istics o f a certai n cock were seen i n thei r
p r ogeny alt hough th e y had been re moved fro m h im t he year p re
,

vio n s For fe ar of conta m inati on or fo r effect so m e person s adver

.
, ,

t ise th at they ke ep t /z e z r var iou s br e e ds sep a r a t e d t he e n t ir e y e a r Tliis

'

carefulness is well en oug h but fully sli ows t he i gno rance of the bree d
,

e r who seeks t o make reputati on by such procla m ations

, .

A fter the yolk has fully m atured the sac w hi ch contai ns i t i s de

‘
,

r ached fro m t he o vary and p as ses into the oviduct o r egg passage , It -
.

i s in t he egg pas sage i n m y opi n i on that t he eggs beco m es fe rti li z ed ;

, ,

T hat at d i f ere n t seasons m ore or less eggs are so mat uring in this n as
sage ; and t hat all the eggs so m aturi ng which have n o t beco m e e u ,

ve lope d w ith t he skin wh ic h we fi n d next t o t he shell are i m pregnated ,

i f the hen co m es in con tact wi th t he cock Hence as product i on goes .

,

o n faster at one peri od t han at another i t is i m possib l e to fix any give n ,

n u mbe r o f days t hat one i m pregnat ion by the cock may las t
It is well establi shed t hat a pure bred he n m ay re main wi th cocks -

o f other breeds wit h safety t o the purit y of he r proge n y at an othe r

t i m e than durin g the prod uci ng seasons It is also wel l establishe d .

t ha t her eggs m ay be fert ili zed by a coc k o f any othe r breed an d on ly

produce cross bred chi cks fro m a l i mi ted n u mbe r of eggs
-

P hysiolo .

gists m aintai n that i n m ost breed ing fe m ales the first m ale by w hic h ,

t hey are i m pregnated i n fluences t hei r subsequen t progeny n o matte r ,

by what m ale i t may be produced ; and that such a fe m ale absorbs in

t o her own blood through t he o ffspring some o f t he characte ri st i c s o f
, ,
 ’

34 COCK E R S MANUAL .

.
a

oldest and best b reeders i n Cheshi re — that I had great di fficult y in

keepi n g him alive I deter m i ned t o breed fro m him this spri ng n ot
.

wi thstanding his i n jury so I plac e d si x broo d he n s wi th him i n N o

,

ve mbe r an d n ot un ti l M arch
,
afte r si ttin g several n ests o f eggs by
,

h im w ithout pro d ucin g a s ingle ch ick did I beco m e sati sfied that he had
t otal ly lost all proc re at ive power as all the eggs were marked w i t h t he
,

date t hey were laid an d all set I fou nd t he eggs became prolific on
.

an d after the fi fth day fro m the in troduction o f an other stag an d n ot

before A gai n I had occasion t o t ake a cock fro m a brood walk

.
,

early i n the spring A black hen was then run n in g wi th a bro od o f

.

you n g chi ckens and after l eavi ng the m she laid away privat el y i n t he
,

woods and n in e weeks an d two days after the cock was taken away she
,

appeared wi t h a brood o f el even strong chi ckens There was n o pos .

sibilit y o f her getti ng wi th an othe r cock n o o ther fowl b ei n g k e p t ,

wi thi n a mi le o f the place R equi ring a few gam e fowls o f a p arti e n

.

lar c olor for ; some friends i n A ustrali a , I last year placed a gr ay pulle t
wi th a brown red cock bot h having been care fully bred in an d in an d
-
,
- -

t o th ei r resp ective feathers for m an y year s previ ous t he prod uc e b e

, ,

in g exactly w h at I requi red viz : blotch breasted dark gra ys wi t h

,

m arigold shouldered cocks and a m ore uni for m brood i n c olor shap e
-
, ,

an d sty le i t would be di fficul t to find Bei ng so successful I th is y e ar

.

placed w i th the cock three othe r sisters t o the p n lle t wh ich h ad n eve r
pervi ousl y heard a cock crow The produce o f these b ear t he closes t
.

rese m blan ce t o t hose hatched last year but their sister ( m other o f las t ,

’
year s t r ial brood ) has hatched n i n e chi ckens all qui te u n d ist i n gu isha ,

ble fro m t rue brown red and good brown reds too Is t hi s cau sed ,
.

by an y lat en t i nfluence o f the bro w n red cock fro m last ye ar ? A n d -

'

wi ll her sisters i f left wi th the sam e cock un t il next year prod uc e

brown reds instead of grays ? I have n ot iced variati ons o f colors c aused
-

by change o f co n sti tuti on water soi l and es p ecially by food

, , , .

I had a weakness i n m y boy ish d ays fo r breed ing fro m an y

st ran ge cock I saw di sti n guish hi mself i n a m ai n an d t h e ,

m otley colors I often got we re a sight to see even when th e he n s ,

happened t o mat ch the cock through t he hot meals and sti mu lat i n g
food which t he cock had been fed on duri n g his preparati on for bat
t le but n one o f these t hi ngs can have a f e c t ed t he birds i n questi on
,

i n t he least an d although I have m y own opi ni on as t o t he cause I

, ,
”
shall be glad t o have that of so m e m ore co m peten t person .
 MANUA L
’
c oc k an s .
37

S E TT I N G H EN S .

I n set ting hens only the largest eggs should be selected , and i n n o
in stance should a m is formed egg be used fo r t his purpose The hen .

should be set i n a clean dry place so situat ed that othe r fowls can no t
,

d isturb her She should come off regularly for food and water bot h
.
,

o f whi ch th e re should be a plen t i ful supply w i thin reach Thi rteen .

eggs i s the ave rage sett i n g 3 freque ntly m ore than t his numbe r are set ,

but t he study o f the fanc ier should be rather as to the n u m ber o f

chi cks the hen can cove r than the nu m ber o f eggs ‘
D uring the t im e .

of set ti ng the eggs should n ot be m ole s ted but n ature should be al

lowed to take i ts cou rse The t i me requi red for hatchi ng as a gen e
. ,

r al rule is twen ty one days , but wi th good and c on t in ah se t t i n g t he

u
-
,

chicks w i ll come out i n twenty days If t he eggs used are fresh they .

w i ll hatch wi thi n a fe w hours o f each other i f n ot fresh t hey requi re

at le as t twenty t hree days and should n ot be dest royed be fore t he ex
-

p ir at ion o f that ti me M arki ng t he eggs is conducive t o con ven ienc e

.

an d c e r t ain t
y as i t forms the m eans for knowi ng whe the r any have
b ee n laid sin ce the day of sett ing I t i s also well , though n ot o f
.

c ou r se necessary t o mark the day of the month

,
The state of t he .

w eather should be taken i n to c onsi derat ion as we find that a hen c a ,

p ah le o f sett i n g and hatchi ng a certai n n u mbe r o f eggs in the w ar m e r

m onths ca n not give an equal share of heat to more t han two thi rd s
,
-

t he nu m be r i n the early part of t he season .

A n ot her considerat i on wort hy o f noti ce is s pri nkl ing t he eggs wit h

w ate r . This process u ndoubtedly assists the hatching fro m t he fac t ,

t h at the chicks recei ve an incre ased supply o f fresh ai r and i n t he ,

su mm e r season pre ven ts to a great exten t t he i nner me m b ran e o f t he

, ,

egg from beco mi ng hardened and contracted So in moderately cold .

w eat he r as i n the spri n g of t he year by a care ful spri nkli ng the e gg

, ,

is in a great m eas ure preven ted fro m chilli n g Se tt i ng hens occa .

s ion ally desert t hei r nests The causes of s uc h de sert ion are qui te
.

n u m erous princi pal among whi ch could be men ti oned the i rri tat i n g
,

e fle c t produced by lice When these are found the eggs s hould be

'

c arefully removed t he n est t horoughly cleaned , and fresh straw

’

sp ri nkled wi th sulphu r and ashes placed therei n after wh ic h care full y ,

r eplace the eg gs sprinkled w ith sul phur The hen also shoul d be .

spri nkled w it h sulphur , t hou gh spari n gly We know o f man y cas es .

 '
Coc KER s MA N UAL
.
38 .

w here th is method has bee n used and can rec om men d i t as l ikely t o ,

p rod uce ben eficial results .

“Whe n several he ns si t n early at the same t i me i f any acciden t ,

s hould happen to on e o f t he m he r eggs may be d istributed amon g

ot hers provided they had n ot t oo many eggs i n t he fi rst i nstance
,
.

The best ti me t o make such a transfe r w ill be whe n t he he n is off t he

”
n e st , lest she be d issat isfied at receivin g the m .

S ome cockers raise many objections against sett i ng eggs u nder

d unghill he ns ; but th e se objecti ons are really e nt itl ed t o n o wei ght ,

an d i n fact are only false not ions for such hens are m uch less incli n ed ,

t o be quarrelsome and less apt to be d isturbed by other hens I t has .

be en the experi e nce o f m an y breed ers t hat chi cke ns so brough t up do

n ot partake of the qualit ies o f t he dunghill and now i t i s n ot un usual ,

t o find c ockers want in g two clutches from the same hen sett ing t he ,

fi rst unde r a d unghi ll an d t he secon d unde r a game hen .

A n early w rite r on th is subj ect has t he followi ng : “ The de si re to

s it is made known by a parti cular sort o f clucki n g whi ch is c on ti nued ,

un ti l the chickens are full grown and a feverish state ensues i n which ,
’
t he natural heat o f the he n s body i s very much i n creased The ih .

c lin at ion or as physi ologi sts te r m i t the st ar ge soo n bec omes a

, , ,
‘
,
’

st ron g and ungovernable passi on The hen flutters about han gs her .
,

w ings brist les u p he r feathers searches ever ywhe re fo r e ggs to sit up

, ,

on and i f she finds an y whet her laid by he rsel f or others she i mm e

, , ,

d iat e ly seats he rself upon t hem These signs of an i n cli nati on t o se t

.

ought gen erall y to be i ndulged i n al l hens : but t hose are best adapted
for set t i n g which have rathe r sh ort legs a broad b ody l arge w ings , , ,

w ell f urnished w i t h feat he rs and t hei r nai ls an d sp urs no t t oo l o n g

,

n or sharp The setti ng hen wi ll s o m e times exhi bi t i mpat i e n ce at he r

.

c lose co nfine m en t and wan t to get fre quently off the n est Whe n
, .

t his is obse r ved on e hal f o f the food t hat u su ally forms her m eal
,

should be w i t h held and w hen she h as had on ly hal f her d ue allow

, ,

a nce replace he r o n t he nest and hold out to he r in t he hand some

, ,

hemp o r m ille t seed This second m eal has the e ffect o f reconci li ng
.

he r to si t constan tly without deserting her eg gs Wi th t he same view .

some put food and water so near the nest t hat t he set ting hen may
feed wi t hout leaving her eggs for any great length o f t i me ; whi le
ot hers hold that th is is no t so conducive t o healt h as the more n atu ral
m ethod o f lett ing her co m e off t o enj oy good wate r and food at so m e
 ’
COC KER S MANUAL .
39

li t t le distance U ndoubtedly i t is i mportan t that sett ing he ns sh ould

.

have a li t tle exercise as well as t hat the eggs sho uld be exposed t o the
,

c irculat i on o f ai r t o carry off any st agnan t vapor which has bee n

,

proved by experi me nts to be delete rious and de str uct ive to t he ch icks
s t ill i n t he egg We have o urse lves rem arked t hat sett ing he ns are as
.

fond o f rubbing t he mselves i n t he dust as they are o f food and water

and we have always i ndulged t he m evidently wi th benefit i n this habit , ,
.

O the r he ns wi ll si t so closely and long that they are i n da n ger o f

starvi n g t he mselves fo r want o f food O f such i t has bee n sa id t hey .

have been known to faint outright as i f dead and w hich whe n the , , ,

chickens were hatched we re so e x hausted as scarcely to be able t o at

,

tend t he m It is reco m m en ded that such should be fed on the nest

. .

We fi n d in the A pri l nu mber o f t he Fanciers j ourn al a well wri tten ’

article upon t his subj ect and o f interest to all breeders

“Burn out every nest box new or old be fore and afte r usi ng The -
, ,
.

c har r e d surface wi ll not favor the lodg ment o f ver m in Fi ll eac h .

nest botto m w ith freshly cut sod slightly hollo wed towards the ce n te r
-
,

coveri ng wi th fine straw S prinkle nest and hen wi th carboli c p ow

.

D on t use t oo m uch sul phur ; i n fact i f carbolic powde r is oh

’
der.

t ain able d on t use i t at all

’
L e t your hen ge t accustomed to t he nest
.

be fore t rusti ng her wi th the eggs ; t hen give t he eggs t o he r quietly , ,

i nsert in g the m under her rather t han gi ving he r to the eggs M ake .
‘

D on t give he r m ore t han she can co v e r and care for

'
haste slowly .
’

w el l . M ark t he eggs wit h I N K giving ki nd i f ne cessary and date o f , , ,

s it ting prese rvi ng a d uplicate record i n a book kept for t he purpose

,
.

Exa m i ne the n est daily If an egg is broken or eve n cracked r e .

, ,

m ove it .I f t he re m ain ing eggs have any t race o f the disaste r clea n ,

t he m fro m i t by washi n g the m care fully i n te pid wate r The conten ts .

of an egg are alive or dead I f alive they m ust have ai r If the pore s . .

or ai r —ducts o f t he shell are close d t he con tents die of suffocat ion , .

The grave is m ade and her m etically sealed I t is our plan to moisten .

t he eggs and nests t hree t i m es during the last t en days o f i n cubation

when t he nest is i n a dry war m situati on and the hen not per m itted , ,
'

t he freedo m of out of doors We have found i t done m ost easily an d

- -
.

e ffectually by a fin e rose sprin kler using tepid water I f a chick must , .

be helped fro m the shell give i t aid i n the for m o f war m th and " , ,

war m t h only In sert t he pipped or un p ipp e d egg i f you are assured

.

t hat i t conta ins li fe i n war m water be ing care ful to keep the Open ing
, ,
4o COCK E R ’
S MANUAL .

of the pi pped shell above the surface It is wonderful how qu ickl y .

n e w li fe w i ll be i n fused an d the li ttle b ird gai n st rength t o help i tself

,
.

I f i n the cou rse of hat chi ng i t i s n ecessary t o exa m in e t he n est and it s

con ten ts re m ove the hen , t he n t he co ntents A llow the hen to r e
,
.

t u rn to the nest then gi ve chi cks and eggs t o her ; she wil l carefully
,

t uck the m away where they shal l not be inj ured M ar k t he chi cks .

w he n take n fro m the nest i n a web o f the foot e it her wi t h on e of

Scri bne r s st eel punches or wi th a d arn i ng need le filled wi th coarse
’

twisted si lk leaving the si lk in the hole u nti l i t is healed

.

,
M a ke .

record o f the m ark an d i ts purpose D o n ot fe e d t he chicks fo r t he .

fi r st twen ty fou r hours afte r hatching then give hard boi led eggs or
-

“
bread an d m i lk The best brood o f chi ckens we ever saw were neve r
.

fed m i xed or artificial feed o f any kind but si m ply broken grai ns
‘ ’

,
.

c oarse corn m eal -

oat m eal an d bird seeds
,
-
It was an experi m en t
, .
,

and a s u ccess Exa m i ne each chi ck s head for the long li ce that ar e
.
’

s o often found t here K erosene oi l is an exce llent re m edy simpl y

.
,

applying i t wi th the finger the lice are exposed t o V iew an d t he y , ,

gen erally yi eld t o the fi rst applicat i on G ive y ou n g chicks every ca r e .

an d atten ti on D o n ot let the m be stunted by exposu re t o cold

.
,

d a m pness or lack o f food

, Feed often but n ot m ore at a t i m e t han
.
,

w i ll be eaten u p clean R e m e m be r that c hi cke ns are early as leep an d

.

and earl y awake and prepare food for the m t o find as soon as t hey
,

are out i n the m o rn in g at daylight in stead o f allo w ing the m to chi rp

, ,

around h alf starved for two or three hours

-
I f you can m an age t o .

give t he m a late even ing feed the y w ill t hri ve u n der i t A ny on e

, .

cari ng t o m ake t he expe ri m ent wi ll be ast onished at t he di ffe rence i n

t h e growth o f chi cks fed early o ften and late and that regularly and , , , ,

t hose fed as they too freque nt ly are

, wi thout any syste m — when I ,
‘

h appe n to thi nk o f it "

Y OU N G CH I C KS .

I f possible the feed for the fi rst week should con si st of hard boi led
eggs oat m eal bread crum bs etc Where a l arge n u m ber are raised
, , , .

t his syste m o f feed ing would pe rhaps be attend ed wi t h to o m uc h

t rouble and expense ; but even where such is t he cas e efforts sho ul d
be m ade t o give the m at least two or t hree feeds as above C hi cks .
 ’
42 c oc k an s MANUAL .

d iseases o f galli n aceous fowls arise fro m cold m oisture A t the e nd .

o f fou r weeks the he n may be allowed to le ad he r li ttle ones i nto t he

,

p oult ry yard where she wi ll soon wean the m and co mm ence lay i n g
,
.

agai n The featheri ng o f c h i ckens d e mands at ten ti on i n as much as

.

wi t h t he m i t is a m ost tr yi ng ti m e I f chi ckens feather rapidly whe n .

ver y young they are always weakly howeve r he althy i n othe r respe c ts , ,

fro m the fact t hat the i r food goes t o sustai n thei r f e a t /z e r r i n stead o f
t he i r bodie s and they frequen tly languish and di e fro m t his ci rcu m
,

stan ce alon e ; but i f on t he other hand the y feather slowly t he food

, ,

i n early li fe goes to n ourish an d sustai n thei r bodi es unt i l t hey becom e

more vigorous an d old enough to sustain t he shock of featheri ng wi th
out detri men t C hickens which feathe r rapid ly m ust be kept perfect ly
.

dry and war m howeve r st range i t may appear or they w i ll d ie whi l e

, ,

n ake d chick ens as t hey are called ,

or t hose which feathe r at a m ore ,

advanced age and very slowly seld o m sufle r fro m th e cold from t he ,

fact that t hei r d own is very war m an d thei r blood i s hott e r an d ci r

c ulat e s m ore rapidly as t hei r food prin ci pally g oes to blood flesh and
, ,

bone an d n ot t o feat he rs
,
.

In closi ng we wi ll only say don t t ry t o rai se too m an y fo r a place

,
’
,

t hat wi ll acco m m odate a large n u m ber when chicks wi ll be foun d

m uch t oo s m all w hen grown C lose quarters cause ve r m i n an d d is
.

ease . W e th i nk these i nst ruct ions an d the aid o f a li t tle co mm on

sense will i nsure you success .

R U L E S F OR F E E D I N G .

N early every old cocker has rules fo r feed i ng o f his own whi ch he
follows o ften producing g ood r e sri lt s but ou r object is t o give rules
,

whi ch have been extensi vely used and which o n t hat accoun t can be
regarded as standard authori ty and the followi ng i f care fully obse rve d ,

wi l l res u lt i n m arked SU CC € SS ’

The first t hin g t o be provided is a coop o f su fli c ie n t s ize and s ui ta ,

ble fo r a cock to exercise in Probab ly one two and on e hal f fee t

.
-

wide t hree feet hi gh and three fe et deep wi th a roos t runn i n g th rough

, ,

the m iddle would be su fficien t

, A nother requ isi te is a place wi t h . ,

s uffi cie nt lig ht an d air P ut up your cocks i n the eve n i n g t w o wee ks

.
 c oc
’
a s MANUA L .
43

b e fore t hey are t o fight i f stags ten days will do For the fi rst thre e .

or four days let the feed be mush and molasses I f yo ur cocks be ve ry .

fat m ix a li ttle vinegar wi th t he evening food A fte r t he thi rd day .

p h ys ic the m w ith one ounce of Epsom salts to three ounces o f butter ,

m ix well toge ther and at n ight be sure t hat t hey have no food i n t hei r
,

c oop . Give each cock a pi ll the size o f a marble The next day let .

t he m have as much wate r as t hey w i ll d ri nk The fi rst fe e d a ft e r giv

.

i ng the physi c should be mush and m ilk , one tablespoon ful t o each
c ock and one feed o f t he whi te o f hard b oiled eggs chopped fin e an d
,

m ixed wit h barley D uring the last week do no t feed an y barley but
.

fe ed bre ad an d eggs i n the mornin g and cracked corn and eggs i n the
,

evening Was h thei r feet once a day and sponge t hei r heads wi th
.

rum reduced w it h vin egar ; equal part s should be used Before feed .

i n g i n the morni ng exe rcise for a short t i m e i ncreasin g the length o f ,

t ime each feed To give t he m thei r exercise toss the m on a bag

.
,

st u ffed wi th straws or a soft cushion un t il t hey beco me ti red I f you .

h ave a very fat cock give hi m ext ra exe rcise and i m m edi at ely afte r
s ponge an d wi pe dry ; the n place hi m i n t he coop and do n ot gi ve

him d rin k unti l he has beco me sufli c ie n t ly cool Be care ful to exam .

in e each coc k be fore coopi ng to see i f there are any signs o f dise as e
,

a bou t him ; and i f so re move at once I f po ssi ble let t he d rin k be

.

sp ri ng wate r and that o nly t o be give n once a day at noon ;

,
two or ,

t h ree swal lo ws are sufli c ie n t If the cock is ve ry t hi n i n fles h be at

.
,

u p the w hi te o f an e gg w ith a l it tle boi led m ilk and gi ve t w o s w allo ws ,

twice a day . The u t most care m ust be take n to keep t he coo ps clean .

I t is best to remove the stra w eve ry mo rni ng and put i n fresh Ft c .

que nt use o f t he wei ghts is necessary to sho w t he orde r an d condi tio n

o f the cocks Extra fa t c ocks wi ll requi re longe r exercise and others
.

pr oporti o nately I f a fowl i s extre mely eage r to d ri nk , i t shows too

.

m uch fever ; i n this case give a li ttle n it re wi th the water and the ,

fever will be reduced in a short ti m e This should be repeated unt il

.

t he desi re fo r dri nk s ubsides In no case feed a cock unless his crop

.

5 empty . L arge fat cocks can be reduced from eight to fourt e e n

ounces s m aller ones fro m t hre e to eight ounces .

The following is to be foun d i n t he Edinburg E n cycl op ae dia

The fowl is supposed to co me fro m his walk in good c ond i ti on i n ,

w hich case he wi ll be too fat for fighti ng an d wi l l have n o wind unti l

he is reduced To effect t his med ici ne and abst i nence fro m food are
'

.
 ’

44 c oc R s MA N UAL .

r equi red for seven or eight days be fore he can be brought t o the h it ,

at least such is the regi m e pursued b y ou r first feeders and i s prett y

.

gen erally as follows H is t ail and spu rs being cut sh ort he i s p ut i n t o

h is p e n and the fi r st day recei ved n o food ; second he has hi s physi c
, , ,

c o n sisti n g of crea m of tartar or j alap o r both un i ted i n t he d ose of

, ,

about five grai n s o f each ; or if it be a very fat an d large fowl t he ,

d ose m ay be increased to t e n grains o f crea m of t artar These ar e .

given him m i xed i n fresh but ter 3 this ge n erally purges briskly an d
s cours out the in testi nes I mm ediately after the physi c is give n an d
.
.

be fore i t affects h im he i s placed on loose straw or a grass pla t wi t h

another cock and allowed to spar wi th h im the boots or m uffl e s be i n g ,

p reviously t ied on thei r short spurs In this way he i s exe rc ised t il l

.

h e i s a l itt le weary ; he i s t hen returned t o his pen Be fore putti n g .

him u p i t i s n ecessary t o exam i n e his m ou th to see i f he has been

'

pi c ked or w ou n ded i n the inside as suc h wound is apt t o canker To

, .

preven t this it is washed wi th a li ttle vi negar an d b randy H e is n ow .

allowed his w ar m n est t o work off his physic This i s a d i et m ade of .

w ar m ale o r swee t wort and bread i n i t w i th a li tt le sugar candy or

, , ,

bread and m i lk and sugar candy a large tea cup full , He i s the n .

shut up close ti ll the next m orn in g or abou t twen ty fo u r ho u rs I f

,
-
.

t he weather i s cold the roo m should be m ade war m o r a blanke t ,

placed over t he pen i f i n war m weather he m ay be clipped out for

fi ght ing ; but i f t he weather i s cold this should be le ft t i ll the t i m e of
fi ght ing . The roo m should be kept dark except at feed in g Early on .

the foll owing m orni ng that is about the third day his pen m ust be
, ,

cleaned out fro m the e ffects of t he physic etc and clean d ry st raw , .
,

put in ; this should be do ne eve ry day H is feet should be w ashe d .

and w i ped clean be fore he i s returned to his pen I f his feet feel cold .

h is pen sh ould be m ad e war m er He is n ext t o be allowed so m e

.

b read ; that is a sort of bread m ade of i ngred ients i n t he following

, .

p roport i o n s : about thre e pounds o f fine flour two eggs four whi tes , ,

o f eggs and a li ttle yeast this i s kn eaded wi t h a su fficien cy o f wate r

for a proper consisten cy and well baked S om e add as a great secret
, .
,
,

a s m all nu mber of ann is seeds or a l i ttle ci nna m on O f thi s bread as .

m uc h as would fill a tea cup cut i n to pieces is given h im twi ce t hat

, ,

d ay ; n o water is allowed h im then as i t is c onsidered hi ghly in ur i

,
j
ous at the early part o f t he feed ing O n t he fourt h day early i n t he
.

m orn i ng he s h ould receive half a tea cup o f good barle y and a li t tl e

 ’
c oc k n n s MANUAL .
45

w ate r in which a toast has been stee ped some t i me

, Having eate n .

t his clean his pen e tc and let i t be u n covered fo r about an ho ur

, .
,

w hi le he scratches and picks the st raw So m e thi nk i t is highly ad

van t age ous to prepare the barley fo r the m by bruising i t and thus tak e ,

away t he sharp points of the barle y and the husky she ll or cove ri ng

which is blo w n away In the afte rn oo n the sam e quanti ty o f barle y

.

may be repeated but n o water O n t he fi ft h or next day he may have

, .

t he bread as be fore but thre e port ions o f i t and n o wate r

'

, O n t he .

s ixt h or weighi ng day very early i n the m orn ing gi ve h im the bread

as be fore He is the n to be weighed and afterwards a good feed of

.
,

barley and water should be gi ven So m e hold i t a valuable sec re t t o .

give the m flesh as shee p s he art for t his and t he succeed ing d ay
.

,
’

, ,

c h opped s m all and m ixed wit h the other food O n the sevent h day .

o r day before fight ing early i n th e m orning let h im h ave t he sa m e

,

feed of barley ; i n the afte rn oon bread and t he whi te of an egg boi le d
‘

h ard and a li ttle water O n the eighth or day of fight in g he may have
.

"
a li ttle barley as about forty grai ns
,
.

We give below Stam pe r s r ple (a well know n Sou thern sports man
’
-

w ho m an y years ag o m e t wi th great success th rough the Southe rn

,

S tates ) Wh ich was presen t e d to us by F E Grist o f Blakely Georgia

,
. .
, , ,

w ho had a pe rso nal acquain tance with h im

’
STAM PE R S R UL E .

Ten days be fore the cock is taken up fro m his walk to be prepared
for battle he should b e carefully exa m i n ed to see t hat he is a sound
'

fowl his feat hers should be glossy har d and lie close
. i f you are , ,

f ully sat isfied fro m this exa m inat ion o f his sound ness you can the n
weight un ti l he beco mes weari ed ;
'

s par hi m w it h a cock of his ow n

should he turn black i n the face turn him out as i t wi ll be i m p ossible ,

t o ge t h im right i n ti m e fo r the con test If he does not show an y sig n .

o f d isease give h i m a dose of the followin g physic

, Six grai ns crea m
tartar and six grains rhubarb m ade i nto pi lls w i th unsalted butter o r
A fter givi n g t he ph ysi c fl irt hi m a few t i m es t hen give him a
"

l ard .
, ,

w ar m m as h of bread steeped i n sweeten ed water o r boiled rice and

m i lk leave him for twen ty four hours and this wi ll have acted suffi -

c ie n t ly ; he can now be tu rned out Give one feed of bo iled rice an d .

m i l k For the bal a

. nce o f the ten days feed on such gra i n as he m ay
 ’

46 c oc R s MANUAL .

h avebee n acc u sto m ed to givi ng an occas ional feed o f r aw me a t ,

chopped fin e w hi ch wi ll be o f great advant age should i t agree wi t h

h im .

r 1thHavi ng been p re pared as above s u ggested the cock wi ll n ow

. ,

be taken u p p reparatory t o bei ng fed and d ri lled for the pi t C u t off .

h is spurs whi ch should be d on e wi th a s m all sa w m ade for t hat pur

,

pose leavi n g about half an i nch Fli rt h im un ti l h e se e m s ti red t hen

,
.
,

give him w ar m s ulph u r w ater L at e t h at eve n in g physic as be for e .

di rected spar h im then give him a m ash of barley or oat bread an d

, ,
.

m ilk to w ork off the physi c .

1 2t h . A t twelve o clock t o day feed boi led ri ce and m i lk

’
-
, late in
t he e veni n g fli rt h im t hen give war m sulphur wate r .

C lean out you r coop wel l then w ash you r cock s m outh leg s
'
1 3 th .
, ,

and feet w ipe d ry and p u t him back i n to the coop

, H is fi rst feed .

should be barley or oat m eal bread m oistened w i t h ski mm ed m ilk or

water Gi ve h im three feeds o f this and his d rin k should be barle y
.
,

water three t im es that day Fli rt him . .

1 4thFeed oat bread and scald ed barley m i xed ; at twelve o cloc k

.
’

oat bread and t he whi te o f a hard boile d egg ; lat e in the e ven i ng ex ~

e r c ise by fli rting feed wi th scalded barle y and corn bread

, G ive him .

free stone wat e r t hree ti mes for d rink

-
.

1-
st h
Feed corn bread and raw bee f c h opped fi n e an d m ixed in t he
.

m orn i n g oat bread and the white o f a h ard boi led egg at twelve
,

o clo ck flirt h im i n t he eveni n g for exerc ise fee d oat bread an d

’
, ,

scalded barley ; give barley w ater cool three ti me s an d le t him roos t:

at ni ght .

1 Feed oat bread an d raw bee f chopped fi n e an d m ixed i n t he

6 111 .

m orn ing ; at twelve o clock feed w i th c orn bread and the whit e’

o f a hard boiled egg Exercise him in th e even in g by fl irt ing and

.
,
.

feed him oat bread and scalded barley His d rin k s hould be spri n g .
.

w ate r and m ilk L et him roost at n i ght . .

1 Feed cor n bread and scalded barley m i xed in the m orn in g

7t h .

at twelve o clock feed on oat bread and the white of a hard boi led e gg
’
.

I n the eveni ng fli rt him fo r exercise and feed corn bread and scalde d ,

barley m ixed H is dri nk should be barley water three t i mes L e t

.
.

h i m roost at ni ght .
 ’

5o c oc a s MANUAL .

G i ve h im drink an d e xercise an d i t wi ll soon go off R educin g t he .

w ei ght o f t he cock depen d s en ti rely on the si z e and orde r w hen the y

ar e put u p La rge fat cocks should lose fro m ten t o si xte e n o u n ces
.
, ,
'
a cock i n m ed iu m orde r should lose fro m si x to te n oun ces s m al le r one s ,

in pr oporti on L ean cocks wi ll lose on e or two ounces but wi ll n ear ly

.

gain i t i n feedi n g and eve ry cock when fo ught should be rat h er i n

,

t he rise i n weight I f the weather i s war m they should be t ri mm ed

.
~

t he day be fore the fight but m ust be kept w ar rn that ni ght

, Be care .

ful and n ot cut thei r w in gs an d tai l too short .

Care should be taken to keep the cocks clean ; shi ft t he stra w at .

le ast on ce i n two davs i n t hei r coops Every even i ng three days be .

,

fore the fig ht wash the head legs and feet i n cha m be r ly e a n d in

, , ,

t he m or n in g i n wate r n ot t oo cold an d wi pe d ry ; thi s w il l he al the ,

bruises about the ir h eads and t he cracks i n thei r toes .

Stagsought t o be put the n i nth d ay be fo re t hey are to fi g ht an d ,

o ught to have but one sparri ng afi d one purge They are t o be tre at .

e d i n other respects as an ol d c ock .

Sulphur wate r is m ad e by a pi nt of bo il i ng wate r on hal f an ounce

o f sul phur an d p ourin g off as i t cools .

The scalded barley is prepared by pouring on scaldi n g wat e r an d

n ot letting i t s t and m ore than ten m inutes th en pou r i t off and spread ,

the barley on a table to dry T he wat er t hat is poured off serves for
.

thei r d rink whi ch ought to be m ade fresh e ve r y m orn i n g

, It is best .

weak a slight taste o f the barley being su fficien t ; otherwise i t is rat h

,

er heat i ng In m ixing m il k and water fo r thei r d ri nk observe not t o

.
,

put m ore than on e fourth sk i m m ed mi lk to t hree fourths spri ng wate r ;

- -

a greater pro port i on of m i lk i s not so cooling T he di ffe ren t sorts o f .

bread for feed suoh as oat barley or c or n m e al m ust be heated and

, ,
o

ought to be b aked the day be fore t he v a r e used They ar e m ade in

'

the follow ing m anner : take equal m easure of the whi te o f e ggs and
m i lk beat well togethe r then add as m uch m eal as will m ake up fo r
, ,

bre ad whi ch m ust be well worked up and baked care be ing used to
, ,

preven t t he crust fro m burni ng I n n o i nstance m us t sou r mi lk be .

u sed , for i t will cause the m t o pu rge whi ch is very hurt ful Whe n , .

raw beef is reco mm ended if it should be found to pu rge d isc ont i nue
,

i t s use .
 ’
c oc xn n s MANUAL .
5r

T R I MM I N G F OW L S F OR TH E P I T .

K n own among cocke rs as “cutti ng out

i s done by the handl e r,

i mmedi ately afte r weighing and tends t o give the cock greate r forc e
and acti vity in the pi t This practice has been i n vogue for years
.

am ong handlers and consists i n cutti ng or t ri m min g t he n eck an d

,

hackle feathers close fro m his head to his shoulders and c li pping of
all the feathers fro m his tai l close to h is ru m p The m ore scarle t ap .

pears the bett e r st ate o f health he is i n The n take hi s wi ngs and .

extend the m fro m the fi rst feather cli p the rest sloping lea ving shar p ,

points tha t i n rising he may end an ger the eyes o f hi s adve rsary Thi s
,
.

pract ice we are glad t o say i s n ot followed as m uch at present as in

, ,

form er years as m ost fowls are requi red to be shown i n full feather
,
.

R U L E S F OR H E E L I N G .

Holdi ng the fowl on either side fit the he el tightly t o t he stub hav ,

ing the poi n t just pass the outside or back o f the leg an d fas ten i t
w hile i n that posi t ion H old ing on t o t he leg just h e eled turn t he
.
,

fowl and proceed to heal the other i n the sa m e m an ner wi th the poi n t ,

occupyin g a si mi lar posi tion Fowls heeled i n this m an ne r wi ll be

.

found to do good cutt ing i n the bod y and n eck and fre quen tly wil l
bring down thei r oppone nts with ei the r a broke n wi ng or leg A fowl .

fi ght i ng for the head and neck exclusively requi re a m uch closer heel
in g to accomplish whi ch i f the heel is to be placed on the rig ht leg
"

, , ,

set it so t hat the poin t w ill be o n a lin e with the ce n te r : of the sligh t
hollow percept ible i n the upper joi n t o f t he ri ght leg The point of .

the heel on t he le ft leg should be placed on a li n e w ith the outside of

the u pp e r j oin t of the le ft leg .

O n this subj ect D r C ooper advises as follows

.
“L et your fowl be
held so that the i nside o f the leg wi ll be perfectly level then take ,

your t humb and fore finge r and workthe back toe of the fowl Whi l e .

d oing this y 0u will see t he leade r of t he leg r i se and fall at the u ppe r
j oint Y ou wi ll set t he right gaft on a li n e wi t h the outside o f t h e
.

leader at t he upper join t o f the leg and the le ft gaft you wi ll set o n a
,

li n e w ith t he i nside of the leade r at the upper joi nt Be care ful n ot . .

 ’

5 2 c oc k s n s MANUAL .

to set t he gaft t oo far i n , as i t would cause the cock t o cut h imself .

The spurs should be sawed off when the cocks are put up fo r fee d
i n g and should be le ft wi th a length su ffi cie nt t o reach nearly t hrough
,

t he socket of the gaft Thin pape r folded and dam pe ned o r so ft

.
,

buckski n can be used to fi t t he spur t o t he socke t o f t he gaft The .

two m e thods given above are extensi ve ly pract i ced and when fol ,

l owed cann ot lead astray Ye t perhaps no thin g conne cted wi th the

. ,

handl ing o f bi rds depends so m uch u pon undi vided pre ference as
heeling and nearly all fan cie rs have o ri gi nal methods for he el in g ,

a n d by n o m eans qui etly a ffi r m thei r methods superi or to all others

known
! .

D E S CR I P TI O N OF G A F T S

Forthe bene fit o f those u nacq uainted wit h t he di ffe ren t styles of

G aft s w e give i llustrat ion s of all the lead ing kinds n ow in use To .

t he old cocke r they would be o f li t tle use but the re are m an y fanci ers
,

w h o are n ot acquain ted w i th the m who have asked fo r a m ore care ful
i llus t rat io n whi ch we t rust we have given
, .

R EG ULA T I ON SPU R .

The fai rest and best he el i n use for all purposes be i ng nearl y ,

straight an d perfect ly round fro m socket t o poi nt w it h a short ro un d ,

socket varyi n g but lit tle from the Singleton which is also ve ry muc h
, ,

in use and a favori te wi t h man y .

 MANUA L
0
oc c u r. 5 .
1
.

3 3

SI N G L ET ON SPU R .

The Si ngleton Spu r i s n ow e xtensively used by heele rs The sock .

e t is light sho rt and rou nd

, wit h the spu r nearly s t raight run n in g
, ,

fro m the lowe r part . This i s cons idered on e of the fai rest heels in
use is highl y fi nished fin ely te m pe red not easily broke n and can be
, , , ,

obtained of an y des ired length .

C I NC I NNA TI H EEL .

The C in ci nn ati Heel d i ffe r s from the Sin gleton h ee l i n man y par
t ic ular s
. The socke t i s heavy long an d dee p wi th the spur curved
, ,

upward fro m the bottom o f t he socket This spu r is dese rved ly a

.

favori te a m ong all heelers , and cann ot be b arred from any pit be in g , .

p er fectly round , like the Si n gleton spur from socket to poin t

, .
 ’

54 c oc k s n s MANUAL .

THI MB L E H EE L .

The Thi m ble Hee l is e xte nsi vely used , and m an y of t he ad van t a
g e s clai med for i t are possessed by n o other spur The socket i s
.

thi mble shaped wit h n o open ing at th e

-
,
end c onsti t uti n g t he on ly
,

essential difference fro m other heels . It i s cla i med that by filli ng up

t he soc ket t he he e l i s re m oved fa rt h er leg givi ng
, fowl
g reate r p u rchase .

F ULL D ROP SOCK ET .

Full D rop Socket Heel was a favori te a m on g he eler s of early

day A s will be n oti ced the blade co m es d irect ly fro m the back and
.

lower p a rt o f the socket and droppi n g al m os t throws t he spur even

w i t h the foot. L eat her is frequently placed on the unde r par t o f the
s ocket to m ake the d rop greate r .
 ’
c oc xs n s MANUAL .
55

H AL F D R O P SOCK ET

The Hal f D rop Socket d i ffers fro m the Full D rop i n havi n g the
b lad e co m e d i rectly from t he fron t part o f the socke t w i th a less long
an d deep drop . D ro p sockets can be obtai ned of any d esi red length .

T he revised rules o f t he pi t ho w eve r declare d rop socket hee ls un fa ir ,

an d conseque ntly i f used a special agree m ent will be necessary .

R E MA R KS ON TH E F OW L .

H E EL I N G H ANDL I N G
, , EI C
' '
.

N O gene ral rule can be laid down fo r handlin g ye t a few s pe c ial ,

se mar ks concern ing t he qualificatio ns o f handle rs and what they oh

s er ve m ay be m ade .The hand ler ne ver should allow h i msel f to be

c o m e exci ted by t he remarks o r act ions o f t he op posite pi tter w h o ,

w ill undoubtedly seek to get him con fused but re m ain ing perfectly ,

c ool sho uld give an und ivided at tent io n to his bi rd duri ng the count .

I n handling do n ot allow your op ponen t to ove r bi ll fo r the purpose -

of fat igue in g your bi rd I f i t beco mes necessary to gi ve eithe r cock

.

t he w ing it should be done i n a gentle m an ner and not w i th force

suffi c ient to t hrow him upon his fe e t I f one cock beco m es fast i n the
.

other the pi tter should at once advance and see to t he d rawing of the
,

heels . I mm ediately afte r t he fight see to the weighing o f t he bi rds .

H andlers should be m e n capable of m ain tai n ing the ut m ost c om p osur e ,

end owed w i t h quick perception an d thoroughly c on ve r spn t wi th the

r ules o f the pi t . They should strive for every advan tage possible
 ’

56 COCK E R S MA N UAL .

w i thi n the rules A good handler is a m an o f m any resources

. Nu .

m e r ous fights have bee n w on m ore by the handl in g than b y the heel
i n g or t he fighti ng quali t ies of t he bi rds .

A s regards heeli ng we re m ark that many fowls are clos e hi tte rs ,

while others are wide The lat te r should be heeled m ore closely i n
.
,

t his respect difle r in g greatly fro m the m anne r of heelin g close hi tti n g
bi rds wi th who m the greate r caut io n is to be observed t o preven t
,

t he m fro m cutting t hemselves Every heeler should be thoroughly

.

ac q uai nted wi t h his fo w ls be fore he at te m pts to heel them The am a .

t e u r after heeling should t ry the cock and followi ng this prac t ice wi l l
,

learn t he prope r way o f setti ng the heels .

N ever pit a fowl that is si ck or out o f cond i t ion , for n o m at te r how

good a heeler you have you can hardly be successful i n fact c ond i ,

ti on is everything as otherwise t he fow l wi ll lack w i nd m uscle will

, , ,

be weak and his style o f fighti ng w ill not be dete rmi n ed but extreme
,

ly feeble The fowl that i s in t he best cond iti o n i nvari ably wi ns the
.

battle alt hough t hrough chance his opponen t w i ll ge t i n a blow that

,

w ill d isable hi m It has been ou r experien ce that cond it ion an d style

.

of handling is of gre ater i m portance t han t he heeling for if i n poo r ,

c ond it ion t he fowl can hard ly use t he he els to advan t age .

The p it should be e ithe r sixteen o r e ightee n feet i n d iam et er an d ,

c an be m ade wi th ei ther six or eight c orn ers or i f pre ferred can be ,

of ci rcular form I t should be fro m sixteen to twen ty fou r i nches in

.
-

height i n orde r t o preven t the cock fro m br akin g hi s heels should he

e
wh ile fighting force his oppone n t t oo n ear t he side o f the pi t I t .

should be li n ed wi t h so m e cheap m aterial dark colo r pre fe rable w i t h , ,

a stuffing o f ei ther cut hay or straw m aki ng a soft cushio n the enti r e
,

d istan ce around i t In all regular pits the bott om i s cove red w i t h

.

c arpet or ot her suitable material a m ark be ing m ade as n ear the cen
,

t e r as possi ble ; two other marks are drawn one foot each w a
y fro m
t he center .
 ’

58 COCK ER S MANUAL .

told shall have wo n the fight

,
The pi tte rs are bound t o tell each ten .

as they count t hem as follows : once twi ce e tc , , , .

A RT — N o pi tte r afte r the fowls have bee n delivered i n the p i t ,

.
9 .
,

shal l be per m i tted t o clean the ir beaks or eyes by b lowing o r other

wise o r of squeezing his fo w l or pressi ng hi m against the flo or durin g
, ,

the p endency o f a fight .

A RT . r o .
—When
a fowl i s pound ed and n o person takes i t u nti l the
“
p itter coun ts twent y tw ice an d calls t hre e t i mes Who t akes i t P an d
”

no person does take i t i t is a battle t o the fowl the odds are on but ,

t he pitte r o f the pounded fo w l has t he right t o have the pound put up ,

t hat is t w en ty dollars against on e should not this be co m pli ed wi th ,

,

t he n t he pitter shall go on as though t here w as no poundage .

A RT . r r .
-
I f
a fowl is pound ed and t he pound age taken and i f the ,

bird t he odds are laid aga inst should ge t up and knock down his ad
ve r sar y t hen i f t he ot he r bi rd is poun ded an d the poundage n ot take n
,

“
be fore the pi tte r counts twen ty twice and calls out Who takes i t P ”

t hree t i m e s he wi ns although t he re was a po un dage be fo re

, , .

A RT . r 2 .
—I t
shall be the dut y o f the respect i ve pi tte rs to del iver
t he i r fowls fai r on t h ei r feet on the outer mark o r sco re facin g each ,

o the r and in a sta n d ing po sition except o n t he fi fth t e n bei ng t old

, .
,

a n d als o o n the n i nt h t e n be ing told when t hey shal l be placed on ,

t he cen te r score bre ast to breast and beak to beak i n li ke

, ,

manne r A ny pitter bei n g gui lty o f sho ving his bi rd across the sc ore
.
,

o r o f pinchin g hi m o r using an y ot her un fai r means for t he purpose

,

o f m a k ing his bi rd fight shall lose t he figh t , .

A RT . r
3 .
—
I f bot h birds fight toge the r
and the n i f both should ,

re fuse un til t hey are counted out in such case a fresh on e is to be .

hove led an d brought int o t he pi t an d t he pi tters are to toss fo r wh ich

b ird is t o se t t o first ; he t hat wins has t he ch oice ; t he n t he o ne which
is to set t o last is to be t aken up but n ot carri e d ou t o f the p i t The .

hove le d bird is t he n to be put down t o t he othe r and let fight whi le ,

t he j udges or one o f t he m shal l count twen ty and t he o ther i n like

, , ,

m anne r ; and i f one fights and t he ot her re fuses i t i s a bat tle t o t he

q
fi ghti ng bird ; but i f both fight d r bot h re fuse i t is a d rawn bat tl e .

N B —This rule is rarely carried in to e ffect but an y pit te r can '

. .

, ex

ac t i t i f he t h inks proper to do so .
 ’
c oc k ER s MANUAL .
59

A RT . 14 ,
— I f both
bi rds r e fuse fight in g unt il four five o r mor e or ,

le ss t ens are co un ted the pi tters shall con ti nue t he i r count un t i l on e

,

has re fused t en ti mes for w hen a pitte r begins to coun t he co unts for
both .

A m . I S
— I f a bi rd should di e before t hey
. ar e counted
i f he out ,
fight s last he wins t he battle Thi s howeve r is n ot to apply when H is
,

ad versar y is run ni n g away .

A RT . r . é — . The cro w i ng o r raising o f the hackle o f a bi rd is n ot

,

fight n o r , is fight in g at the pi tter s hands ’

A
'

RT — A breaking fowl is a fighting one but breaking from his

. 1 7 .
,

a dversary is n ot fight .

A RT . i 8 — I f
any di spute arises between the pi tters o n t he res ul t o f
.

t he fight t he bi rds are not to be taken out o f t he pi t nor the gaft s

, ,

taken off unt il i t is d ecided by the j udges o r referee

, .

A RT . 1 9
—Each fowl w ithin two oun ces of eac h other shall be
.
a
match ; except blin kers when fight in g against two eyed bi rds , an -

a llowa n ce of fro m t hree t o five ounces s hall be made 3 wh en bli n kers

are mat c hed agai n st each ot her t he sa me r ule to apply as t o t wo eye d -

c on testa n ts .

A RT z o — A ny person fighti ng a b ir d heavier t h an he is represe n ted

.

on t he match list shall lose the fight although he may have won , .

A RT . 21 .
—I n all cases o f appeal fightin g ceases un t il the j udges o r
the re fere e give t hei r d eci sio n whi ch shall be final and st rictly t o t he ,

questi on be fore t he m .

A RT 2 2 — When a bet is m ade i t cann ot be decl ared off un less by

. ,

conse nt o f both parti es all outside bets to go accordi ng t o the mai n ,

bet .

A RT 2 3 — Each pi t te r when deliveri ng his fowl on the sco re shall

. .

take his ha n ds off hi m as quickly as possi ble .

A RT 2 4 — A n y person v iolat i ng any o f t he above rules shall be

. .

dee m ed t o have lost the match .

PHI LAD E L PH I A R UL E S .

A RTI CL E r .
— The pit m ust be a z ground floor , unless ot he rwis e
agreed t o .

A RT . 2 .
— The cock or stag m ust be weig he d enclosed in a small bag ,
an d then t wo ounces d educted for the we ight o f t he bag and feathers .
 ’
6o Coc k E R s MANUAL .

A stag fighti ng a cock has an allowance o f four ounces i n we ight , : a

bli nke r cock fighti n g a t wo eyed one has four ou nces -
a bli nke r cock
and a stag of one weight are a m atch .

A RT .
3
— The cocks be in g w eighed and m atched , you w i ll
t hem c ut

out ; you must cut the hackle wi th all t he shi ne rs off ; you can use
y our own pleasu re about cutting out othe r parts o f your cock .

A RT — Y ou r cock n ow bein g cut out you wi ll heel h i m you can

.
4 .

heel hi m wi t h pape r and water an d not hin g but that i f you do you
w i ll lose the ba t tle i f t he opposi te party finds i t out .

A RT —
Your cock being h eeled you will bri ng h im i n t he pi t for
.
5 .
,

bat tle you will bi ll the cocks on e m inute and t he n p u t the m d own ,
o

behi nd yo u r scores fo r the i r battle .

A RT . 6 —I
fighti ng a battle accord ing t o Phi lade lphi a R ules whe n
. n , ,

y ou delive r you r cock on hi s score you m ust stand back o f h i m an d ,

!

n ot lean over him t o hide hi m fro m the ot he r co ck .

A RT —A
cock breakin g w i th anothe r cock i s fi ght an d a cock
.
7 ,
,

pi ckin g at an y t i m e whe n on the gro u n d i s fight ; but pickin g whil e

i n your hands i s not fight ; he m ust make fight afte r you del ive r him .

out o f your hands .

A RT S —W he n the cocks are fast you must h and le by my d rawi n g

. .
, .

your spu r out o f m y cock and you drawing my spus out o f you r coc k ,

you t hen have thi rty seconds to n urse your cock ; the j udge wi ll cal l
“down c ocks then you must st rictly obey and put y ou r cock down
,;
t o renew the b att le In case one o f the cocks gets d i sabled you can
.
,

c oun t h im out ; you can lay you r cock down on hi s wing on his sco re ,
'
v

a n d c ou n t te n wi thout the ot her cock m aki ng fight ;

'

you can hand le

h im agai n and so on unt il you count five tens ; t hen you can ge t
,

ready to breast you r cocks ; you m ust put the m down on thei r fee t
and breast to bre a t and i f the c ri ppled cock refuses t o figh t w h ile t h e
s
,

o pposi te hand ler coun ts twen ty m ore he has lost the b att le , .

A RT 9 — Y ou are n ot bound to la v you r cock on h is w i n g you can

. .
,

u se your pleasure whet he r to lay hi m on hi s wi n g or on his fe e t

; if it
is t o you r advan tage for your cock t o fight put h im d own o n his fee t ,

and let hi m fi ght .

A RT t o — . I n count ing a co okout aft e r you b reast the c oc ks an d

.
,

you are coun t ing twen ty i f t he cock should ge t i n the d isabled cock ,
,

you dare n ot put yo u r hand on t he m unless the disable d c o ck m ak e s

 ’
COCK ER S MANUAL . 63

fight ; and i f he does make fight you can hand le and by his m ak in g , ,

fight i t wi ll renew all the coun ting fro m the first and i f t he disabled ,

coci should m ake fi ght las t i t is his coun t .

A RT . I r .
—The
judges cut the heels off and i f all is ri ght you mus t ,

get ready fo r the n ext bat tle ; you ar e allowed twen ty m inutes t o be .

in t he pi t w it h t he next cock The judge s are to keep t he ti me . .

A n . 1 2 .
-
A ll outside be ts go as the m ai n stakes .

A FI
‘
I — A ny m an n ot payin g be ts t hat he lost will n ot be allowed
.
3 .

in any pi t i n Philadelphia hereafter .

WE STE R N R UL E S .

R UL E I — A ll bi rds shall be we ighed , give

take two oun c es shal l or
.
,

be a m atch o r otherwise i f parti es se e fi t t o m ake i t so .

R UL E 2 .
—A l l heels t o be fought wi th shall round from s ocket t o
p oint , or as n ear so as c an be made .

R UL E 3 — When a stag is m atched against a cock the stag w ill

.
,
be
entitl e d to four ounces advan ce i n we ight .

R UL E 4 — I r shall be fai r for han dlers to pull feathers and sling blood
.
,

or any other thi n g t o help the bird between handlings .

R UL E 5 — I tshall be fou l for A or B t o t ou ch thei r bi rds while fi ght

.

i n g un l ess one is fast to the other but i f a bird sho u ld un fortu n at el y ,

fasten hi m sel f w it h his own heel i t shall be fai r to handle bu t on n o ,

ot her con side rati on and e i ther handler vi olati n g or devi ating fro m
,

the above rules shall lose his fight .

R UL E 6 —
'

. Thi rty seconds shall be allowed between each and e ve ry

rou n d .

R UL E 7 .
—
coun ti n g the bi rd showing fight last shall be e n t i t le d
I n ,

t o the coun t but i f his han dle r refuse to take t he coun t the opposi t e
,

h andler shall be en t i tled to it .

R UL E 8 The handle r ha vi n g the coun t shall pi t hi s bi rd i n his

.
-

respecti ve place w hen t i m e i s called and coun t t en then handle three , ,

m ore successive ti m es ; wh en ti m e is called again the bi rds shall be ,

p laced i n the center of the pi t breast t o bre ast an d forty m ore coun t , ,

e d an d i f the bird n ot havin g t h e coun t re fuse t o fi gh t the one hav

, ,

in g i t shall be the wi n n er .
 ’
Coc k ER s MANUAL .

R UL E 9 — A peck or blow at the oppon en t s bi rd and n ot at hi

’ '

. ,

lh an dle r , wi l l be considered fighti ng .

R UL E I o .
—
When ti me is called the hand le rs m ust let go t he i r b ir ds
f ro m thei r respect ive places fai r and squ are for i t shall be foul for ,

pi t ch o r toss his bi rd upon his op p on en t s an d

’
e it her hand le r to ,

e i ther on e vi olatin g t he abo ve rule shall lose his fight

n .

Each party shall cho ose a j udge an d t he j udges c h cose

R UL E r r .
—
,

a d isinte rested p ar t y as referee N o referee wi ll be co m peten t vho .

h as be t on e i the r si de or is otherwise i nt ereste d ,

.

R U LE —I t
shal l be t he duty o f the judges and refe ree to t c h
5 1 .

2
. 11 m ove m e nts
o f the fig h ts and j udge accordi ng to the above rules .

T he re feree w ill be confin ed to the opin i ons o f t he j u d ge s on ly an d ,

ib iS de cisi on final
‘
.

R UL E shall be t he duty o f the re fe ree t o keep ti m e betwe e n

I
3 .
— I t
t t he
’

and n oti fy the hand le rs t o get ready at twenty fi v e seconds -

rounds ’
,

“hen call t i m e at thi rt y seconds whe n t he handlers m ust be pro m p t in

t ,

Qp it t in g t h ei r bi rds ; and i f e i ther han dle r re fuse to do so he shall lose ,

t he fight .

SO U TH E R N R U L E S .

A RT I CL E r .
—
W hen t he cocks are i n the pi t the judges are t o ex
m i n e w hethe r t hey are fai rly tri mm ed and have fair hee ls I f all be .

ight and fai r the pitte rs are t o deliver the i r cocks six fe e t apart ( or
rt he rre a b ou t s ) an d reti re a ste p o r t w o back ; but i f a wron g cock should
i

Fae produced the party so offend ing forfe it s that bat tle .

A RT . 2 .
— A ll heels that are round fro m the socke t t o t he p oi n t are
a l lowed t o be fai r ; any pi tter bri ngi ng a cock i nt o the p i t w i t h any
! o the r k i nd of heels except by particular agre e m en t forfeits the battle
, , .

A R T 3 — I f ei ther cock should be t ri mm ed with a c lose u nfai r back ,

. .
,

I t he j udge shall d irect t h e ot her to be cut i n the sam e m an n e r

'

an d at ,

t t he t i m e shall observe t o t he pi tter that i f he bri n gs anothe r c ock in

t t he like si tuati on unless he shall have be e n previously tri m m ed he ,

s hall forfe i t the battle .

A RT — A pi tter when he delivers his cock shal l reti re tw o paces

.
4 .

b ack , an d n ot advance o r walk around his cock un ti l a blo w has

p
! assed .
 ’
66 c oc R s MANU A L .

whi ch when coun ted out is n ot t o be counted agai n du rin g the bat t le
, ,
.

Then the pi tters s hall catch the i r cocks and carry the m to the m iddl e
o f the pi t and deliver the m beak t o beak ; but to b e shouldered i f
e i ther are blind as be fore Then i f ei ther cock re fuses or n eglec ts t o
.

fi ght t he j u dge shall coun t ten an d shall direc t the pi tte rs t o brin g ,

t h eir cocks agai n t o t he m i dd le of t he pi t and pi t as be fore an d if

the sam e cock i n li ke m an ner re fuses he shall coun t te n agai n an d call ,

ou t
“twice re fused and so proceed unti l on e cock t hus re fuses si x
t i mes successively The ju d ge shall then de term i ne the b attle agains
.
t

su ch cock .

A RT —I f either
cock d ies before the j udge can finish the count
. 1 5 .

in g of the law the battle is to be give n t o t he living cock an d i f bot h

, ,

d ie the longest liver wins the battle .

A RT . 1 6 .
—The
pi t ters are n ot to t ouch thei r cocks whi lst the ju d ge
is i n the act of count in g .

A RT . I 7 .
-
N o pi tter is eve r to lay hold o f his adve rsary s cock ’
, n u

less t o d ra w out the heel and then he m ust t ake h im below the k n ee
, .

Then there shall be no se cond delivery that i s afte r he i s o n ce d e , ,

l ivered he shall n ot be t ouched unti l a blo w is s truck un less ord ered ,

A RT . r 8 — No
pi tter shall touch hi s cock unless at the t i me m e n
.

t ion e d i n the foregoi n g rules .

A RT 1 — I f an y
pi tter acts con trary t o these rules the judge if
.
9 ,
,

c alled upon at the t i m e shall give the bat tle agai nst h im
, .

E N G L I SH R UL E S .

1 That eve r y pe r so n sh ow and put his cock i n to the pi t wi t h

.
a

fai r hackle n ot D o near shorn or out n or wi t h any o ther fraud

, , , .

2That every cock fight as he is first shown i n the pi t wi tho u t

.

shearing o r cutting an y feathe rs aft er w ards exce pt wi t h t he c onsen t ,

of both t he m asters of the m atch .

3When bot h cocks are set do w n t o fight and on e o f the m ru n s

.
,

away be fore they h ave struck t hree m outhing blows i t is adj udged n o ,

battle to the perso n s w ho bet .

4 . N o persons to set to but those who are appoi n ted by the m aste r s
-

of the m at ch .
 COCK ER '
S MANUA L . 69

5 W hen a cock shall com e se t t in g t o and both c ocks re fuse t o

-
,
.

fight t en ti m es successively accord ing to the law then a fresh cock ,

shall be hovel e d and the masters o f t he mat ch m ust agree w hi c h o f

,

t he m shall turn the cock d ow n ; afte r that i f bot h fight or bot h r e , ,

fuse t o be deem ed a d rawn bat tle bu t i f on e should fight an d the

, ,

other re fuse , t he battle to be allowed won by the fighti ng co ck '

6 . A fte r the person appoin t ed by the mast e rs t o t e ll the l aw shal l

have t old twi ce twen ty t he cocks to be set to beak t o beak i f they
,
-
,

bot h see but i f ei ther be blin d t hen the blind cock t o touch ; and on
, ,

t hei r re fusi n g t o figh t the pe rson appoi nted as be fore is t o tell te n

,

between each setti ng t o t ill one of t he c ooks has re fused t o fight ten
-
,

ti m es successively .

7 When te n pounds t o a crown are l aid on the battle an d n ot

.
,

taken after twice twenty is told t he battle is de t er m i ned as won by

, ,

that cock the odds are on .

8 That n o person shal l make any cavi l o r speech about m atchi n g

.

of cocks , ei ther t o m atchers or owners a fter t he cocks are once put ,

toget h e r .

9 . A master of a m atch has a ri ght to remove any pe rson out o f t he

lowe r ri n g .

10 . N o p erson can mak e a confirmed bet void w i thout mutual

con sen t .

1 1 Bets t o be paid on clear proo f by credi tab le wi tn esses eve n

. ,

though they have not been de m anded i mmediatel y aft er the battle i s .

ove r .

12 It is recom m ended that all disputes be finally dete rmi n e d by

.

the m asters o f the m atc h and two othe r gentle m en whom they sh all
,

appoint ; and i n case t he four cann o t agree then t hey shal l fix on a ,

fi fth whose d eter m inat ion shall be final

,
.
7o COCK E R ’
S MANUAL .

EN G L I SH N O T E S ON C O CKS A N D CO CKE R S .

The follo w in g brie f n otes on t he past and presen t cocks cockers ,

and cockin g i n England were fur n ished at the request of t he aut hor
b y J Harris who has been en thusias t ically d evoted to t he sod fro m a
.
,

c hild and who has n ot m erel y had a local experien ce o f a few birds
,

an d m e n but has assisted and also fought m any o f t he best cocke rs all
,

ove r t he kingdo m
The origi n o f the gam e cock is enve loped i n consi derable obscuri ty ,

for whi lst m an y nat uralists affi r m that i t is the reclai m ed w ild j ung le
fowl as st ill found i n India m any others who have given t he subject
, ,

m uch ca re ful considerat io n and research are o f an opi n i o n that our

ga me f owls were ori g i n ally fro m Pe rsia w he re t hey dee m i t probable ,

t hat a race of whi te legged birds we re very early reclai me d but whose
-
,

o rigi n als li ke many wi ld an i m als have long si n ce beco m e exti nct

, , ,

and thei r sporting history d a wns in t h is count ry o f Persia an d the

e arly records of C hi n a althoug h m ost books etc po int us to The mis , .
,

t ac le s as the first cocke r k nown to fa m e who so m e aut ho ri ties state , , ,

rece ive d a n o men o f t he success o f t he ar m y he was leadi ng fro m t he

c ro w i ng o f the cock s bu t A olie u the a uth or c it ed says he saw t he
, ,
,
,

c ocks fi ght in g l Y et I do m e usus long be fore t hat t i m e bore on his

s hi eld the e ffigie s of a cock as a martial bird Hist ory i n forms us .

t hat they were b r e d for fig hting in the rei gn o f C r oesus ki ng o f Lyd i a ,

(A M. . The ancient D or d an ii had represen tat i ons of cock

fi ght i n g on thei r coins The fight in g cock w as o ne of t he pri nc i pal
.

go ds o f the Lyr ian s and the learned Hebrew D r R ab bi D avid in

, , .
,

t e r p r e t in g t he 1 7th chapte r o f z u d K i n gs ve rses 3 0 and 3 1 says , ,

“N e r e l” w as a cock fo r war o r fight ing o r champio n cock and by
g , ,

t he Samari tans wo rshi ppe d for a god .

A volu me m ight be wri tten on t his subj ect o f i n te rest to the an t i

q u ar ian but e nough has been said t o satisfy the sports m an t hat t his
,

sport wi ll bear favorable co m parison wi th an y othe r i n poi n t o f ah

t iq u it y .
Its i nt roducti on i nto England has bee n attributed to t he
R o mans w ho history i n for m s us we re called on t o wi tness cock i n in
, ,
g
t h e i r ow n coun try i n order to i nc i te the m to deeds o f bravery an d
c ourage previous to the i r departure to conquer our t ight l i ttle isle
,
,
 ’
c oc k ER s MANUAL .
7:

b ut fr om a fai r t ran slat ion o f J ulius Cae sar s wo rds t he nat ives reared ’

fowls for pleas u re and dive rsion although i t was un lawful to eat t hem ,
.

It requi res n o great stretch of i m agi nation to suppose t hat the spo rt
was pract iced he re previous t o the R om ish invasi on I t is t rue early ,

English hist ory i s ve ry ret icen t on co cki ng as well as man y m ore im ,

p ortant m att e rs and but li t tle in for mat i on can be gleaned fro m t hat
,

s ource un ti l t he 1 2 t h ce nt ury
, when i t was so c o m m on as to be prae ,

t ic ed i n scho ols as we find i t has cont i nued to be up t o a l most t he

,

p resen t t im e A s recen tly as 1 8 6 8 M r L G Fitch on e o f the assist

. . . . ,
.

an t school i nqui ring co mm i ssi oners ca lled att e nti on to the fact that ,

t he al most obsole te custo m of cock fight ing is at this m o ment a pre

t ext for chargi ng a gui nea to the head m aster and a hal f guinea to t he
ushe r fro m each scholar at t he Le dbu r gh school i n order to provide
c o c ks at S hrove t ide for the e n t ertai n m en t of the boys and the i r
p are n ts addi ng that t he boys have ceased t o requi re any s port fro m
,

thei r mas ters as an equivalent and that at othe r free schools a si m i la ,

rule prevai ls This gratuity has fro m ti m e i m m e m orial been know n

.

as the cock penn y but in m any schools and coun tries the penn y has
-
,

been t ransfor m ed i n to a more valuable coin as at Le dbu r gh or i n t he , ,

stat istical account o f Scotland (Vol 3 Ed inburgh I 79 2 ) t he scho ol .

, ,

m aste r a i A pp le r oss in cou nt y R oss i s m e n ti o n ed as havi n g a m o n gst

, , ,

o th e r perquisi tes the cock figh t dues equal to one quarte r pay
,
-
,
-

m e nt to e a ch s c h olar Welsh princes so m eti m e s made presen ts o f

.

ga me cock s t o the Eng lish princes and n o bili ty and whi ch we re m uc h

valued an d w it hi n t he presen t century a si ngle county i n Wales has
,

pu b licl y challenged all E n gland to fight an ann ual m ai n for five suc
c e ss ive years for a large su m I have seen a great m an y m ains foug ht
.

i n Wales an d very fe w plai n c ocks a bad one neve r , .

Early in the 1 4 th cen tury cocki ng beca m e a royal am use m en t and ,

was carried on to t hat exte n t t hat i t had to be i ntroduced i n the royal

house hold In the accoun ts o f Henry the VII i s found the followi ng
. .

ent ry “M arch 2 n d 7t h Hen ry ; i te m t o M aster Bray for re w ards t o

,

t he m that brought cocks to West m i nster at Shrovet ide twenty fi ve ,

-

shi lli ngs In the early part o f the r ot h cen tu ry a royal pi t was added
.

t o t he palace at Whitehall for the more m agni ficent exhibition o f the

sport A lthough prohibited by Hen ry the VIII as well as by t hat
. .
,

pr ince o f hypocri tes O liver C r omwell a fac si m i le of whose seal an d

, ,

.
p rohibi ti on I n ow have before m e Cocking as well as all othe r sports .
72 COCK E R ’
S MA NUAL .

was m u c h patron i z ed i n the days o f glorious Q ueen B ess who rule d ,

t oo wisely and generously to i n terfe re wi th the sports o f her l oyal

subj ects Ja m es I was so fond o f t he sport that he pu b li cly at tended
. .

i t twice a week and C harles II was a great patron o f the sod and
, .
,

i n t rod u ced the Pyles (so called ) fro m t he ve ry dist i n cti ve colors o f
-

white and red and de rived fro m an cient English g am e o f C ross 8:

,

Pyle A t t his ti m e so e n a m ored o f the sport were the people t hat

.

cocks we re very frequen tly fought i n t he public st ree ts o f L ond on ,

n otw ith stand ing t he re we re i n L ond on s e ve ral cock pi ts besi d e t he -

royal p it In afte r t imes when t he latter was take n down anothe r

.
,

be aring the sa m e designati on w as i m m ed iatel y e rected by su bscri ptio n

i n Tu fton street D erb y Lane theatre was o ri gi nally a cock p it an d
.
-
,

m any provi n c ials w ere under the pat ron age o f their re s pective corpo
rati ons The C a n terbury corporati on p it was an apart m en t of a splen
.

di d gateway that for med part o f S t A u gusti n e M onaste ry and so me .

,

o f the old rules and reg u lati o n s that we have seen fo r the govern men t
o f those pi t s p rove that am ateurs o f t hose d avs had t o conduct t he m
selves wi th all t he grav it y o f de p ort m en t and language beco m i ng a
church co n grega t i on of our own ti m e as no l oud talking sweari ng or ,

unsee m ly behavi o r was ever allowed i n those places This would for m .

a striki n g con trast t o the exci te m en t roars shri eks offe rs t o t ake o r , , ,

lay t he odds co n se q uen t on t he spri nging fro m the se tte r s hand of a ’ “

,

pai r of ras pin g C orn ish hen cocks a m i dst a pe r fect B abe l o f tongues
i ndescrib able ; o r yet t o the m ot ley gr oups H og art h so cleve rly de
p ic t e d on canvas i n the ro yal pi t at N e w m arket and o n w ho m that ,

rare cock feed er N an R awli ngs a lias D uchess o f D ept ford is l ookin g
-
,

down so co m plaisantly and wh ose characters I would l ike t o port ray

i f space pe r m i tted .

O ld Fra m pton was ge nerally a ckn owle d ged t o be the fat her o f t he
sod He w as m ore fond o f racing than hun ti ng and i nfini te ly pre
.
,

ferred cocki ng to e i the r H e w as hatch ed an d a ver y pro m isi n g chi c k

.

i n the reign o f C harles w a s doubtless a fine crowin g stag when

C harles II Pyles we re fight in g an d w as placed i n a fin e walk by

.
,

W i llia m I I I as keeper o f the run ni ng horses t o hi s m aj esty a part he ,

re tained under Q ueen A n n G eor ge I a n d George I I , He d ied .

.

i n M arch [ 72 7 aged 8 6
, Fro m so m e original lette rs of hi s sti ll e x
, .

tan t he n ot on ly ap peared to have bee n co nve rsant w it h m an y o f the

,

modern tri cks of cocking but also to so me ext e n t wi th the m ethod o f

,
 ’

74 COCKER S MA N U A L.

ered an d when cut out for the pi t those birds so closely rese m ble each
,

other i n shape and fe athe r as do wi ld d ucks The last o f t he breed .

was a few years si nce in possessi on of a noted feede r who was always
won t to swear by them He left three hens w i th a gent le m an he was
.

in t he habi t o f feed in g an an nual coun ty m ai n for and at t he deceas e ,

0 f the feeder the wri ter was request ed t o take the o ffice and after wi n ,

n ing a closely contest ed m ai n was asked to state hi s charges whi ch ,

were expenses and one o f those sam e hens an d since the n she has ,

n ever hatched anythin g but gray chi ckens alt hou gh she has bee n ,

mated wi th a b lack brass back an d a black red as well as a gray cock

,
-
,
-
.

I t is sai d the celebrated M r N u n is (or butcher ) grays w ere o f th is

.

st rai n one o f whi ch after winnin g i n eleven mai ns had thi rty six sons
,
-

fought i n a m ai n at the royal pi t and only four o f t he m were whi pped ;

so m uch fo r blood A portrai t o f this bi rd with part iculars w as pub
.

’ ’
l ishe d at the t i me Halford s yellow legged li ght reds and Elw e ss red
.
-

duns on e o f whi ch fought twen t y seven battles , were equally fam ous,
,
-

’
and on e o f Sir Francis Boynton s won the same n u mbe r o f bat tles and,
was kn own as the Yorkshi re herd C ol Millish, who t he late D uke . .

of Wellingt on declared was t he best aids d e e arn p t hat ever crossed a - -

horse , also bred a wonderful strai n of cocks whi ch he backed for fabu
lous s u m s The D ean of Y ork strai n and Sir Henry Goodric h s were
.
’

gen eral favori tes wi th the dark reds o f M r Green ; but all t hese coul d .

scarcely equal the Tassels o f J ohn Weight man , known as t he Park

House R eds Weight man fough t and beat the L ancashire m e n at
.

Burton wit h these cocks fo r t he larges t a m ount ever fought for , n ot

wi thst anding it is stated in R ural Sports t hat the mai n fo r a

bat t le and t he odd which was won by G i lner at L incoln were

, ,

the largest stakes I have j ust see n one ( i f n o t the ve ry l as t ) o f t he

.

pure bred P ar khouse s on a brood walk whe re he has got fin e chicken s

-

t h is se ason although he is fro m twelve to twe n ty years old and is a ,

real good type o f the breed having a long narrow t assel short tape r
, ,

head very stron g boxin g beak pro m inen t quick , fearless red ey e ,
, , ,
'

long s tron g t hi ck n eck short broad flat body , wh i te clean blo od

, , , , , , ,

li ke feet and legs d ark shady bre as t light red , wi t h the bri ghtest an d
, , ,

glossi est plu m age .

The St r okshir e Reds and D uns have p roved more than a m at ch ge n

e r ally for the very best cocks that could be pitted agai nst them an d ,

t he fig hting q uali t ies of t he C hes hi re Piles are proverbial and u n sur

 c oc a s
'
MANUA L .
75

p as sed . They have been kept pure and clean from any c ross fo r a
numbe r of years by t he proudest fa milies of t he country and M r , .

Rilan ds who bred them for a great number o f years was so care ful on
this poi nt that he scrupulously kept t he light and dark variet ies apart .

M r Walke r also bred and fought agai nst m any of t he m and all have
.
,

found when c rossed even wit h Beve rly and o the r noted Piles leavin g ,

out other colors t hat have i n variably been a falli n g off of the ir first
a n d grand requisi te
“ ”
the bloody heel which has rendered t he m so
, ,

notorious The ce lebrated M r H e t c hle y who bred some o f the be st

. .
,

bi rds i n England upwards o f half a cen tury after t rie d t o cross the m ,

but could neve r reproduce thei r equals .

The black cocks o f Stafford L ord V eres were m uch sought after , ,

and we re very success ful fo r many years and so e na mored was the ,

n oted N athan iel M onk of the m that aft er seein g a week s m ain at ’

Boston he fell asleep durin g service at churc h on — the following Sunday

and star t led t he m i n ister and congregati on alike by pee ri n g ove r t he
pew wi th hal f awakened eyes and shoutin g at t he top o f his voi ce ,

“I ll have t he black cock for a crow n

’
The D erbyshi re striped
hackle dark reds of M r Saut and t he N orfolk spangles o f M r Gurne y
, .
, .

could always fi nd backers i n any co m pany whic h t he Sm ocks o r whi t e

cocks o f Z e alhamp t on i n D evon were for a lon g ti m e ann ually pi tted
, ,

agai nst t he C orn ish li ght reds o f Couth The latter we re only an off .

’
shoot of the Earl of D erbys and M r Taylor s st rai ns which were one ,
.

and the sa me fam ily C outh kept t hose birds carefully bred and were
.

very successful fo r up wards o f fo rty years when he crossed t he m t o ,

gai n bon e With larger bon e t hey we re j ust as u nsuccess ful as they
.

had bee n successful when he put an old hen o f a pure strain alth ough
, ,

t hi rtee n years old wi t h her brot her an d the produce brought hi m

, ,

back his for m er successors .

The Earl o f D erby st rai n had been bred at K n owsley a lo n g t i m e

previous t o the Earl s appearing on the sod M any cockers obj ected
’
.

’
to thei r dun eyes Busley was his lordshi p s first feeder
. O n h is de .

ce as e Pott er t ook t he o ffice and was followed by Potter , Jr But thei r

, .

oppone n t i n feeding Joseph G illie n was always too much for ei the r
, ,

had they not bee n bett er cocks But for a great nu mber o f years h is .

lordshi p s breeder R oscoe senior and j uni or placed out to walk up

’
, , ,

w ards of cock chi ckens annually and from this n u m ber i t was ,

e asy t o pick mai ns o f c ocks faultless in shape and perfect in c on st it u

 ’

76 COCKER s MANUAL .

t io n They we re ch ie fly black breasted re d s wit h whi te legs an d a

.
-
,

whi te stream e r i n tai l an d flight feat he rs although he latt erly fought ,

so m e o f a slashing gray strai n an d h e n ever bred a finer cock than t he ,

Pi le of t he old C heshire strain whi ch Pollard pri n ted for h im and e n

graved i n 1 8 2 6 and the Earl s l as t m ai ns were fou ght so m e si x or
,
’

e ight years afterw ards Potter al w ays consi dered his own red duns as
.

’
superi or t o his lo rdshi p s bi rds .

D r Be llyse t he best j udge o f a horse greyhound and cock Eng

.
, ,

lan d ever produced first bred t he Piles of hi s ow n coun try but soon
, ,

got an idea that eve n w i t h thei r m atchless heels t hei r consti tuti ons .

w ere n ot equal to the punishi n g preparat i on o f m odern feed i n g so ,

took t o breedin g the old dark red st rain so successfully fought by -

,

G illie r o f W arwickshi re as well

,
He also bred largely fro m t he ,
.

n oted W e st gor t h cock an d his crow alleys becam e so m uch sought

,

after that li e w as offe red fi fty guin eas for a si tt i ng he n by a v isiti n g

n oble m an O n handing him t he hen there and t he n and crushi n g the
.

eggs wit h h is foot his lo r d sh ip r e mar ke d tha t he had p u rchased the

'
-
,

”
eggs as well i n the p rice or I shou ld have re fused a t housand
.
,

w as t he reply He seldo m walked out m ore t han a t housan d chi ckens

.
.

a year but the qual ity was so superior that at two years old he could
,

always select en ough fro m t he m to defy all England Six pullets t o .

thei r own fat her or m other an d two o r three sisters t o he r own son
,

w as hi s favori te plan and he always pe rsist ed t hat he could n eve r

,

breed t he m t oo clos e ly Phi li ps fed a great m an y m ain s for h im but

.
,

wh oever fed had t o supply the m wi th fres h sod and gra vel every third ‘

day R alph Benson o f St r opshir e and Walk e r o f hi s own coun ty

.
, ,

usual ly fought him t he closest but beat i ng h im was fai rly out o f the ,

questi on The re was a su ggesti on m ade t o one of the sport ing peri
.

od ic als t hat as n o on e else had a chance i n fightin g him t hat the Earl

o f D e rby should fight h im a grand mai n to prove w hethe r t he D octor

was really i nvinci ble as his fri ends supposed h im , But t he Earl s .
’
.

party had too m uch j udg me nt to avail t he m selves o f the beati ng that
would have be en i n store for the m H is bi rds we re never be tter t han .

at the ti m e o f his decease an d alt hough he l ived t he al l otted space o f ,

t hree score years and ten age neve r quenched his love of the sod ,If .

an y m an eve r bred a superi or strai n o f cocks to h is i t could on ly have

been t he late M r C lark of Taun hall bet ter kn own as Vaun hall C lar k
.
, ,

and his phen o m enon that won t he Westmi nste r gold c up besid es
, ,
 MANUA L
’
c oc R s .
79

seve ral other mai ns , was allowed by good judges to be the m ost cleve r .

and terrific fighte r ever seen i n a pi t often t akin g his cock and flyin g ,

screaming across the pi t w ith hi m droppi n g him as dead as a k n ocke r ,

with kickin g en ough t o kill a doze n But i n whatever compan y hi s .

cocks fell i t w as a foregon e conclusi on that considerable m o re than

half thei r oppon en ts would n eve r fight agai n Indeed whole m ai ns .

have be en fought against t hem withou t sco rin g a single battle 8am .

Chifn e y t he famous raci n g j ockey , had some o f the breed but he

, ,

crossed them and so spoiled t he m It would be very easy to m en t ion .

scores of other n o ted st rains t hat have fought t hei r way i nto n oto riety ,

as D r Waiys o f L ei cester, t he C u m be rlan d Mufi s, I sle o f Wight Y el

'

.
,

lows t he D evonshi re Tassels an d C ornish Henn ies but we have

, , ,

already far exceed ed our space and will just state t he co lors m ost
,

valued i n the pi t i n i ts palmy days of hal f a cen tury si nce N ot t hat .

we are colo r fanc ie rs A good cock cannot be a bad color ye t n o

.
,

on e wil l den y but that a set of full brothers o f similar shape feather , ,

const itution and fighti ng quali ti es are m uch more desirable i n a m ai n

than bi rds bred wi thout any rule o r uni for m i ty whateve r So m e wi ll .

be good som e bad and so m e i ndifferen t The principal colors o f

, , .

birds used fo r the p it we re as follows I black breasted dark reds 3 2 ,

-

brown breasted light reds ; 3 black bre asted birche n D uc kw in gs 4

-
,
-

b rown bre as ted be rry b ir c he n s ; 5 Piles

-
6 black breasted si lver , ,
-

grays ; 7 sm ock or shaded breasted m ealy grays ; 8 black breasted

,
-
,
-

dark gray ; 9 gin ge r br e ast e d reds t o blacks ; I I br ass b ac ks 1 2

,
~
, , ,

spangles 5 I 3 smocks or whi t es ; 1 4 duns an d although so m e were

, , ,

estee m ed m ore than others i n di fferen t localit i es thei r m erits we re ,

pretty gen erally acce pted i n t he orde r n am ed The first n am ed is the .

old true Blac kR e d o f t he cock pit for a descr ipti on o f which we ao ,

cept the best known and ackn owledged authority i n England who has ,

bred and fought more cocks for upwards o f fifty year s t han an y other
man i s that the bi rd i n quest ion should be a clear , vivi d red e x tend
,

in g fro m the hackl e to the extrem i ties t he red upon the hackle above
and black ben eat h ; the upper converse side o f the wing equally red
and black even though surroundi ng the posteri or ; the whole o f the
,

tai l feathers the t ips o f the wi n gs the breast beak and legs black
, , , , .

The hen dark partri dge color wi th bright red hackle above and black
, ,

beneath clean brick breasted an d such to the posterior wi th black

,
-
,

beak and le gs I f a Black R e d has an y ot her color t han black an d red

.
 ’
80 COCK ER S MA NUAL .

’
he is n ot a r rue Black R e d The brown at ti p o f wings o f an y black
.

breasted R e d is n ot at al l ad m i ssible In a true Black R e d or p rop .

,

e rly dark breasted Black R e d who has a crow w in g p oi nt black and

-
, ,

bro wn and a Black R e d could have n o othe r colored breast o r he

,

would not be Black R e d t he breast bein g al ways named in m atch

,

bills .

We have not space t o enter on breedi ng m ore t han t his I f you .

have a real good sort be care fu l n ot t o spo il t he m by crossing and a ,

ve ry old cocker has sai d a fai lure needs n o cro ss but t otal eradicati on ,

and I would add the best way to perpetuate an y gran d quali t ies i s to
,

breed t hose that have those quali ties i n the greatest p erfect ion and i f ,

t hose should be o f the sa m e fa m ily whi ch is n ot like ly t o be the case , ,

provided t hey are i n perfect health and vigor and are t he best y ou
know then by all m eans breed fro m t he best although they should
, ,

be brothe r and sister I am aware m an y w ill object t o this as r idic u

.

lous but here i s a fact that all t he crack breeds i n Englan d have been
, ,

so bred t hat scarcely a breeder i n England has beco m e celebrated for

a strain o f cocks t hat has n ot adopted t his in and i h syste m H ow - -
.

o ften have we k n own two of t he ve ry best strai ns t hat could be put

t oge ther get very i ndifferent produce and i t holds good wi th an i m als ,

as well M r Balkw e ll bred his cattle o n the sa m e prin ciple as well

. .
,

as othe r celebrated breeders of sheep pigs an d dogs and t he best , ,

horses we have ever had on t he turf are proved by pedigrees t o have

been bred i n the sa m e m anne r O n e t hing neve r lose sight of and
.
,

that is that the brood cock has that first an d greatest req uisi te heel
, , ,

for i t is that which wins and w i thout which all other fi n e quali ti es are
useless .

O f feed ing I shall say st ill less Every feeder thi nks his ow n syst e m
.

best and has so m e i n fallible secret whi ch is j ealously kept a n d I have

, ,

so me half do z en reci pes by me now whi ch have bee n obtained at fab

ulou s p r i ces fro m so m e o f our m ost celebrated feeders by gen tle m e n

of fortune and there is scarcely one I ent irely agree w it h In fallible .

recipes are m ostly in fallible nonsense and so m e t hat are published i n ,

recent wo rks on ga m e fowls i n A m e ri ca would i nsure death i n

England i f followed There i s a vast di fference i n t he constitut i on o f
.

cocks cli m ate seasons of the year fight ing i n steel and si lver whi ch
, , , ,

t he best reci pes n eve r allow for I have seen strange t hi ngs gi ve n .

fowls , and I have never yet seen condit ion forced i nto a pe n o f cocks
,
,
 ’
82 COCK ER S MANUAL .

would never stand and as he never knew how t o m ix the alloys prop
,

erly and as Faultless obtai n ed his recipe under secrecy he wou ld not
,

d ivulge i t t o him Thei r sort o f spurs w as m ad e o f steel and w as hed

.

ove r with si lve r t o pass for si lver spu rs They often broke and M r .
, .

Bald Houghton on ce lost a m ai n to L ord D erby by the sp ur breakin g

i n t he l ast bat tle The very best m aker o f t hi s class o f spurs was Sin
.

gle t on o f Ireland These can be m ade ve ry good at presen t i n

, .

England althou gh n o cocker wou ld t rust the best S ilve rs m i th i n L on

,

don to m ake a pair o f silver spurs an d fight a bat tle for m on ey i n

the m Steel spurs were m ade very good i n Irelan d by Singleton an d
.

others but the largest quanti ti es were m ade i n S he ffield and generally
, ,

were very reliable 3 although t he best m aker o f steel spurs w as a

residen t o f Exeter i n D evonshi re who has been dead so m e thi rt y,

years ; his na m e was J ohn Wat tli ng and at present his spurs are m uch ,

sou ght after and half a dozen pai rs o f any other m ake can be gotten
,

for a pai r of his for in addi ti on to thei r bei ng a very ki lli ng spu r
, ,

n o cock can ei the r break or bend the m altho ugh t hey are so light an d ,

elegan tly m ade .

M ain bags were m ade o f di ffere n t colored si lk velvet e m b roidered

in gold an d si lver lace were used to carry the bi rds i n to the pi t an d
, ,

this alone was o ften wo rth the e n trance fee .

There w as a d ifference i n m ains but a lon g m ai n and those gene ,

rally fo ught was that each coun ty and party should show and we i g h
sixty on e or m o re or less coc ks betwee n three pounds si x oun ces an d
-

fo u r pounds eight ounces three days be fo re fightin g and as m any as ,

fell wi thi n on e ounce o f each other had to fight i n t he m ai n wh i ch

began w i th the lightest pai r of cocks on the t hi rd d a y afte r an d t he ,

battles were as equally di vided as could be i nt o five or six sin gle o r

dou b le day s play — a double day bei ng w hen five o r seve n battl s
’
e

were fought i n the first ingo or be fore di nner and the secon d i n go
, ,

of the sa m e nu mbe r who were fought i n the aftern oon But at race .

m ains single day s play or ingo i n the m orni n g on ly were fought t he

’

aftern oon bei n g devoted t o raci n g Whe n the cocks were w eighed
.

the colors an d m arks were m ost carefully and accurately taken by bot h
parties i n order that the bi rd s m ight n ot be chan ged A ll birds n ot .

falli n g i n on e ounce but falli n g wi thi n two ounces o f eac h other we re

fought by battles for ten t went y or forty pounds a si de
, Thre e .

pounds six oun ces and four pounds e ight ounces we re t he regular fixe d
 MANUA L
’
COCK E R S .

w eights o f the royal pi t West m i n ster all above t hat weight wen t for
,

byes an d n o n e less we re allowed

, The light est bi rds co mm enced .

fighting an d proceeded up When the bi rds were brought i n to t he

.

pi t they were care ful ly e x am in ed t o see that t hey answered the de

scri pt ion on the match bill and i f correct the bi rds were hand ed t he
,

setters to figh t except i n the fi rst bat tle o f th e main when i t is u sual
, ,

for the m aste rs o f the m atch i e t he backe rs o r pri nci pal own ers o f
, . .
,

the cocks t o t oss t he first pai r upon the mat or rod

, In th is case n o .

cocks ar e weighed after the w eighi ng day i t bei ng le ft t o the feeders ,

to weigh the bi rds as li ght as they can and to raise them as high on ,

the fight ing day t hree days after Eight days is the usual ti m e for .

feeding but the heavy o r last cocks fightin g i n th e lon g m ain o f si x

,

days are i n fou rtee n d ays and there have been mai ns fought for a
,

longer t i m e for a fort n ight i n the north many years sin ce an d

, , , ,

w hich after al l ended i n a drawn m ain and so m e twen ty years since ,

a week s fight in g t ook place at Easter i n t he G allogat e pi t where si x

’
, ,

feeders sat upwards o f two hundred and seve n t y cocks on th e m at

ranging i n we ight from t hree pounds four ounces to five pounds two
ounces and a n oti ce was at the ti m e hu n g up i n the pi t that t he cocks
,

for t he 6 t h of M ay main were to co me i n on the 2 6 t h of A pri l and

w eigh on t he 3 d o f M ay and o f an other mai n to we igh off scales o n
,

the I 3 t h So i t wi ll be seen there was not much lack of sport at t hat

.

ti m e Prin ted lists o f the nu mbers colors weight s feed e rs n am es ,

. , , ,
’

and winners were at that t i m e publ ish ed to be sen t to those parties ,

who had cocks there but could not t he mselves atten d on accoun t o f
busin ess or distance M an y o f those lists ar e n ow be fore m e as I wri te
.
,

especial ly one o f the m ains I have just re ferred t o Frai ley c om m e n c ,

in g wi th a win n i ng t hree poun d four ounce fu rness cock n am ed

Mungo an d losing the las t bat tle of t he m ai n with a five pound t w o
,

ounce cock n amed Waterl oo .

Sh ort m ains are when part ies each fi nd twent y on e cocks m ore or -
,

less , between a sti pulated wei ght E ach suppli es a list of t he we igh ts .

of thei r cocks t o a re feree who co m pares the m and matches all that
,

fal l withi n on e ounce un der four pounds ei ght ou nces and wi thi n two
oun ces o f those above four pounds eight ounces but u nder five pounds
fou r o r eight ounces t o fight for th e stakes p r eviously agreed upon . .

The cocks are weighed in the pit on e ounce bein g allowed for spurs , ,
 '
86 COCKER S MANUAL .

an d any cock e xclud ing one fourt h ounce o f the we ight he was -

matche d for loses the battle .

A set weight m ai n is on e whe re each party n ames the weight of

eleven cocks more o r less between certai n specified weights , an d hi s
,

opponen t m ust fi nd cocks t o m atch the m They t hen toss for choice .

o f weight for odd batt le which the loser m ust match and they usually ,

m eet an d fight fourteen or twen ty d ays after choosi n g weights .

A Welc h m ai n is sixteen cocks under a certai n weight are wei ghed ,

and th e lightest pai r mat ched t o fight and so upwards un til ei ght bat ,

t les are fought The eight wi n ners are matched and make four
.

bat tles and the four winners m ake two battles an d the two wi nners
, ,

fight for the purse cup or stakes .

A m ai n R oyal is when any n um ber o f cocks under a ce rtai n wei ght

are throw n on the sod t oge ther an d the last cock fig hti ng takes t he ,

stakes This accord in g to t he R e v D r R obert Wi ld the historian ,

.
,
. .
,

poe t w i t , d ivi ne an d cocker i s o f D utch origi n

,
The D oct or al
, .
,

t ho u gh a m inister was an enthusi asti c cocke r and wrote the best poe m
, ,

o n t he subje ct i n the English lan guage A t one t i me he and an othe r .

p reached probati onary ser m ons for the rect orshi p o f A ynho in N ort h ,

amp t on sh ir e an d a fri en d so m e ti m e after asked hi m whi ch had r e

,

c e ive d the livin g he replied

“We d ivided i t I t ook t he ayes and m
, , y
”
rival the nays .

The re is someti mes fought what is ter m ed a shake bag or turn out - -

m ai n Each party get a speci fied nu m ber o f the largest cocks the y
.

c an and proceed to fight the m wi thout weighin g In d eed we ighin g '

cocks at all is o f c omar p at ive m odern date as cocks were for m erly ,

m at ched by lengt h gi rt h stren gth e tc , , , .

Se ttin g i s the most di ffi cult art i n the whole routi n e o f cocki n g .

Hu ndreds t hi n k t hey can set a cock when t hey kn ow n o m o re o f the

art than a cock knows o f his fathe r A n old aut ho r has said “A se t .
,
’ ’ ’
ter should have a ladie s hand a hawk s eye a fo x s head and a lion s
, ,
’

”
heart A cock should be handl ed as t enderly as i f he were foam or
.
,

so m e equally as perishable m atter Y et how o ften do we see m e n .

roughly handle cocks i n distress He should not only be quick t o .

’
see any hurt t o his own bi rd but to h is oppon en t s , an d thus recko n
where to force t he fighting o r slacken it A cool , calculat i ng h ead is .

i ndispensable From thir ty t o sixty gui n eas we re formerly paid t o

.

s o m e of our cock sette rs for a good mai n

-
and Stradlin g , G ladd ish , ,
 c oc k n n s
'
MANUA L . 87

Fishe r , E aton , Ove rt on and Lun we re thou ght highly of i n this c a

p ac it y by t hose great pat ron s o f t he sod L ord Lon sdale , We xbor ough, ,

H ami lton N orthu mberland , Warburt on H al ton Wharto n B ullock,

, , , ,

Halford etc as we re t he feeders Br om be y L ister Watling Laule y

, .
, , , , ,

etc I t hought t o have give n some t hin g more than t he m ere n am es

‘

of those pas t celebri ti es but space wi ll no t pe rmi t and I would j ust

, ,

remark t hat O wen P r olyn was generally supposed t o equal an y man

that eve r en tered a pit Porter too w as ve ry clever whils t a t t he
.
, , ,

R oyal pi t D ick Flem in g w as always supposed t o be several batt les

ahead i n t he long main o f any se tter ever entering there and t he old ,
.

c han t
“ I ve see n D ick Fle mi ng handle cocks
’ ”
is sti ll re m e m bered
, ,

by m any a sexagenarian His father w as a great feeder and a ri val o f

.

the celebrated N ash , and both youn g N ash and Fleming were n o m ere
adepts at that ar t But i n t his lin e none could be found to equal
.

J oseph G illin e r publicly pron ounced t o be the greatest feeder that

,

ever lived But all the se , alon g with thei r opponents Pot ter Weight
.
,

man Phi li ps Woodcock and a host o f othe rs have man y y ears si n ce

, , ,

passed away and we re succeeded by Bailey B rough Parke r M orton ,

, , , ,

Boot al Jones Gi llham D avis Fault less Calicott and ot hers

, , , , , .

Fo r so m e t i m e p ast the police have been constan tly on t he alert to

stop all fight ing in England so t hat i t has to be carried o n in private , .

The Society for Preve nt ion of C ruelty t o A n i mals hound the m on and ,

many good men amongst t he m thi nk cocking a most cruel spo rt ,

whilst t hey ar e practicing much worse cruelties every day A ll o f .

Nature s laws are c ruel fro m the spider that e nsn ares the fly t o t he
'

hawk that pounces on the bird but vain man would be wise r t h an his ,

maker an d i t is o ne o f the wise laws of t he Creat o r that thi s b at t le o f

,

li fe should be carried on we will suppose a cock i n his nat ive wi lds i s ,

a rmed w i t h spurs more fatal than even wi th steel for wi th the m two ,

strong co mbat ants di e whi lst wi th the steel on e would probably c ome
,

off scathless I woul d ask , what are t hose spurs p rovided by nature
.

for ? When t he old cock beco m es i nfirm he is engaged by a younger

an d m ore lusty rival an d soon falls a vi cti m ; and well i t is so as he ,

is th us saves from decrepi tude hunger and a li ngering death whi le , ,

’ ’
his younge r rival s p rogeny keeps up nature s stan dard o f excellence ,
i

and i t is n o more crue l t o look at two fowls that are only followin g .

t he ir own natural i nsti ncts and in cli nat i ons and i n which they can n ot
b e forced t han i t would be were they to fight i n t hei r natur al wi l d
 ’
88 c oc k n n s MANUAL .

habi tati on There i s a vast d eal o f d ifferen ce be t w een this natu ral in
.

c l in at ion and grat ifi cati on and t he cruel back door work o f staki ng
-
,

bai tin g and i ll usi ng creatures enti rely under our own cont rol an d
-
, ,
’
tr ied i n t he balan ce o f reason I am sure cockin g is the least c ruel o f .

all sports but I am passi onately fond o f fishing lau ded as one o f t he
, ,

m ost i nnoce nt am use m ents wi thout considering t he pain i nfl icted on

live bai ts — w or m s fro gs et c — on bar bed hooks and the play
, ,
. ,

in g an d t orturi ng t he fish i n to weakn ess t o enable m e t o land

i t I have never got ove r the pan g given t he beauti ful t ro u t when
.

d rawin g the h ook fro m i ts throat an d gills The sa m e wi th shooting . .

How m any m ai m ed inj ured bi rds escape the gun ner t o d i e a l i ngering
,

death fro m hunger m or t ifi c at ion and dreadful wounds ,

Th e .

glorious chase and the exci t i n g race course are not wi thout thei r ‘

drawbacks .

A ll count ri es have m erged fro m a state of barbaris m t o a state of

civi li z at i on then ce to a state of luxur y and t hen ce rtai n and m e re
, ,

effe m in acy and th e re i s at present an am oun t of m ock hu m an i tarian

,

ism dandyis m and effe m i nacy d isgrace ful to the n am e o f En gl ish m an

, .

Even the sports o f our fathers are de n ounced as horrible coarse vulga r , , ,

whi lst the am use m en ts o f t h ose conde m n i ng the m are p r ofligat e and
effe m inate t o the last degree I acco m pan i ed a C heshi re coun t y .

squ ire to the opera the night succeedi ng the last D erby an d a m or e ,

philanthropic ki nde r hearted m an does n ot exist n otwi thstandi ng he

.
-
,

had attended t h e D erby seen a few cocks fight and is never so happ y , ,

as w hen foll owing his h ounds A fter lookin g at the hal f n ude crea .

tures that cam e on the stage for a sh ort t i m e he turn ed thoughtful ly , , ,

“
and leaving sai d : This John i s a m ost m iserable si ght wi t h all its
, , ,

glare and gl itter , and this i s on e o f England s fas hi onable a m use ’

m en ts an d fro m t he pale sickly youth that fre quen t those places we

, ,

’
are t o draw t hose who will uphold En gland s glory t o a certai n ext en t .

In coun try places m agist rat es poli ce etc keep down the rust i c , , .
,

am use m en ts o f youn g John Bull The w r e st le in g ring cud gel i n g .

, ,

stage boxing etc m ust give place t o tea fights c roquet etc t i ll
, , .
, , , .
,

England gets in dan ger t hen put a red coat on his back clap him on , ,

“ ”
t he shoulder and say you re a fine sold i e r b u t n ot of that dare ’

, ,

devi l i lk t hat Wellington had in t he peninsular wars .

A great chan ge has an d is sti ll tak in g place i n English m e n Som e .

m e n feelingly but proudly recollect a vessel n a m ed the Bi rkenhead ,

 ’
c oc k n n s MANUAL
90 .

A ll these amusemen ts must of cruel but they are sanc

n e c e ssit y be
'

t ion e d by the upper cl as ses and t he cruelty is igno red

,
Wit h respect .

to the cham pi ons of the cock pi t i s i t a greater boon for a cock t o be

-
,

well fed and reared t o fight a battle i f vict orious to be p etted for the ,

re m ainder o f his li fe with half a do z en lit tle hens for his comfo rt , or
,

t o cut his throat e arly i n li fe to sat isfy the appetite o f a carn ivorous
m an .

It must be clear t o every man that i n this cou ntry there is on e law
fo r the ri ch an d ano the r for the poor The sn ob sticks to t he for m er . ,

bu t t he thoroughbred gentle m a n stands by the poor m an In an cien t .

ti m es the ga m ecock w as co nsidered an e m ble m o f divi ni ty by the

Syna u s an d Greek s When The m istocles besi eged D al m atia he c om
.
,

m an de d that two cocks should be fought i n the open view o f his ar m y ,

and e xor t e d the m to behave as these stout hearted creatures fought -

.

P om p on ius M ela the histori an asserted that the R o m an e m pi re did

, ,

n ot begi n to de cli ne un ti l cocking had fallen i nt o disreput e am ong i ts

g overnors He proves that Se r ve r us was not able to co nquer Bri tai n
.

unti l he had rendered his princi pal officers passi onately e m ulous of
glory by exhibi t in g a m ain of cocks every day be fore the m The .

soothsayers warned M ark A nthony to take heed o f C aesar because his ,

cocks we re al ways beaten by him The great Gus tavus told the Ki ng .

of D e n m ark he had n o cause to fear the I m perialists sin ce they had ,

given up cockin g and were devoted t o d ri nki ng an d dan ci ng Chris .

ti an king of D e n m ark said : “Were I t o lead an ar m y against the

, ,

great infidel o f C onstant i n ople I would choose n o ne but cockers for

m y co mm ande rs and n one but lovers of the sport for m y sold iers ”
,
.

O ur He nry VIII bui lt a state ly pi t i n Whitehall where he o ften d is

.
,

ported h i mself a m ong his m ost n oble an d lovi n g subj ects The dyi n g .
‘

sp eech o f Sir T U rquhart who was wounded at the batt le o f N aseby

.
, ,

was : “M y ki ng and a good cock I have ever loved an d li ke a good ,

cock i n m y sovere ign s servi ce I gladly n ow expi re

'
A M r W ilson , . .

i n t he last cen tury advised all m e n who take delight i n t his ple as an t
,

an d delicious pasti m e n ever to forsake or al ienate the mselves fro m i t ,

so long as i t shall please the A l mighty to bless and prosper the m 3 and
he adds that w e are bound to en courage cock fi gh t in g among ourselves -

and d iscourage i t a m ong all foreign n ati ons If cockin g whi ch for .
,

m e rly w as a great sport w ith the great nobles of this ki ngdo m be n ow ,

a si n I am an old and hardened si nne r I n 1 8 2 7 i n co m m an d o f

, .
,
 co c R s
’
MANUA L .
9r

t he Ra i nbow ,I brought ten English bred cocks from Sydney t o M a -

.

lacca an d fought ten bat tles wit h a Chinese merchant w ho had

,

de feated al l the M alays We won eve ry battle , and I would go two

.

hundred mi les to see a mai n bet w ee n t he C heshire Piles and the Lan
c as hir e black breasted Reds , i f t he re was n o legal prohibi t ion
-
A ny .

a m use ment which creates alliances and augmen ts fri endly acquain tance
adds to the strength o f the e m pi re , for un i ted we stand ; an d t he
monoton y o f human li fe is relieved by every salutary di versi on .

D E S C R I P T I ON OF G A ME S .

O wing to t he nume rous breeds strai ns and crosses of the Ga m e

,

Fowl it would be quite i mp ossible to not ice all o f them the re fore i f we ,

fai l t o m en t i on an y well kn own vari et y we would n ot be unde rstood

as c onsi deri n g them unworthy o f notice .

E A R L D E R BY S .

This breed of games for m any years noted i n E n gland for t hei r
,

courage and almost u nive rsal success i n bat tle , is estee m ed by all
cockers and fanciers throughout t he land It is ge n erally understood
.
.

t hat by ski llful breed in g and crossing this breed w as kept in al l its
purity fo r over a hundred years M any stories are writ ten concern ing
.

thei r history , an d many disputes concern in g the i r importat ion t o this

count ry U po n t his subj ect we have t he followin g wri tte n by one o f
.
, ,

the oldest and most reliable cockers i n England who has fought man y
battles agai nst the D erby fowl , and he says : “
,

M any believe that

D erby s fowls were the most successful fighters i n England A lthough
’
.

he w as the m ost ext en sive breeder walking an nually fro m t hree to

,

five t housan d cocks , he could fro m t his n umbe r select many good o nes ,

biit many breeders who never bred so largely but bred more good
ones were equ ally successful i n thei r m ains But from so m any i t is .

an e as y matte r t o pick mai ns o f cocks faultless i n shape and perfect in

c ond it i on H is chie f succe ss was m ostly t o be found i n nu m bers

.

rathe r than in excellence , as fo r year s Potte r had a pick o f three thou

sand two year old cocks , and even i n that great choi ce o f the Earl s
- -
’
 ’

92 c oc k n n s MANUAL .

cocks be m any a t i me found that old Joe wi th M r L eigh s bi rds car

, .
’
,

ried off the cas h and had won the m aj ori ty o f t he battles at t he en d of
’
t he week s fight ing . I t w as on ce proposed t o mat ch a great mai n of
t hose cocks , te n years be fore t he Earl gave i t up agai nst Bllyse at , ,

C hester , but the Earl and hi s friends would never risk the beat in g
that was pretty sure to be given the m as i t had for a n umber o f years
,

E A R L D E R B Y G A ME .

to all co m ers , both from England and Ireland including the note d ,

birds o f Benson Walker , etc In fact when or whereve r Bllyse

, .
,

fought he proved i nvi ncible .Phili ps cheerfully fed for him , an d he

seldom put out more t han one thousand chickens a year or only on e ,

thi rd t he n u mber of the Earl C lark s bi rds gene rally mad e short
.
’

work o f all that came against the m and whe n p it ted agai nst t he
,

D erbys i t was always two to one on C lark A gai n , m an y who ough t

.
 ’
c oc k s MANUAL .
93

to kn ow assert that a pu re D erby cock was n ever sen t t o A m erica You .

m ight as well have asked t he Earl for a chu rch living as on e o f his
b rood stock ; i t would have bee n the least favor o f the two Some .

twenty years si nce we applied to O ld Roscoe (wh o had charge o f the

cocks as his father had be fore him ) for so m e of the breed , be ing som e
eighteen years afte r the Earl had fough t hi s l ast main and all t hat ,

R oscoe could then find of the pure breed was so m e half dozen an d ,

h e was most anxi ous to ge t t he m for us as we were an i nti m ate friend

of his I am aware th is assert i on wi ll not be c red i ted wi th you , but I
.

would take lon g odd s that o ne hal f d o z en real D erby s were never -
’

s ent t o A m erica i f i t could be proved

, but those that know best i n ,

this count ry wi ll quit e end orse m y opinion Scores of hal f breeds .

-

th at a n swe r t o feat her m arkin g si z e etc have been sent t here as

, , ,

D erby s as well as hundreds t hat have been sold and are kept here as
,

such I t has been prove n that the whi te legged black reds were bred
.
- -

i n t his count ry hund reds o f years be fore the Earl was born t here fore
t hei r origin cannot be clai m ed to have origi nated wi t h hi m as he on ly
kept a vari ety of t he m His fowls were chi efly black breasted reds ,
.
-

w hite legs and a white stream er i n the tai l and fligh t feathers although
'

at a late day he fought a strai n o f gray cocks which were extra good ,

o nes .

SEFT O N S .

This i s also an othe r breed o f En glish fowls but have lon g bee n ,

!
kn own i n this count ry They we re never so n ot e d as the D erbys and
.

n ever , as clai med by so m e the principal con testan ts of the Earl s

,
’

fowls The ori gi nals ge nerally bred ginger reds wit h green and ye l
.
-

low legs an d are of good size well shaped and strongly built , with
, ,

large bon e an d muscle , and are still a m uch coveted fowl in certai n
qu art e rs and ar e sought after by m any cockers who have been for
,

t an at e wit h t hem .

I R I SH DAR E D E V I LS -
.

Thi s i s on e o f t he largest and best of the Irish varieties They are , .

in our opin ion , the best class o f fowls ever i m ported for gen eral use .

In color a black breasted r e d wi th yellow legs an d red e yes The

-
.

hens are bu ff w ith yellow l e gs Thi s breed has made its m ark are
,
.
,

good fighters an d de ad game They are greatly i n demand , owing t o

.
 ’

94 c oc a s MANUAL .

t hei r beauti ful plu m age and hard rapi d style o f fight ing The cocks ,
.

run i n weight fro m five to seve n poun ds and very freque ntly have ,

proved wi nn ers against stron g odds The hens are good si z e goo d .
,

laye rs , and take great i n terest i n t hei r youn g .

H E A TH WOOD S .

A n ot ed st rai n of gam es n amed i n hon or o f Thomas H eat hwood , a.

c elebrated cocker and breed e r They breed vari ous colors wei gh . ,

fro m four an d a half t o six pounds and are bred fo r the pi t ,

only For m an y years they were t he pri n ci pal win ners in m an y of

.

the large m ains fought i n ou r eastern cit ies and were so highly prized ,

t hat extr avagant prices were asked and paid but t hey n ow have b e ,

come more nu m erous and can be fou n d on m an y a fan ci er s an d c ock ’

er s yard They are re m arkably quick fighters fighti n g wi th forc e

’
.
,

and vigor stand up well and are liberally possessed of bon e an d

, ,

m uscle .

R ED H O R SE .

A fowl lon g known t o old Southern cock ers , breed black brow n -

an d ginger reds wi th dark legs and are considered one of t he best o f

-
, ,

t he Sout hern varieties They have long been fought in the principal
.

ains i n M aryland an d Vi rgini a an d n o pai ns have been spared t o ,

,

m ake the m reliable They are stro n g fas t fighters and invariably
.
, ,

force the fighti n g are quick i n thei r m ove m e n ts an d are an excellent

, ,

fowl for yard or pit purposes In ce rtai n sect i ons they have m an y
.

ad m irers who breed the m largely fo r pi t pu rposes The hens are o f a . .

dark brown color wi th dark hackle and d ark legs are co m pactly made ,

and of go od si ze .

C OU NTE R FEIT S .

A fowl m uch thought of at t he present t i m e wi th a handso m e plu ,

mage an d courageous disposi tion are a desperate fight in g bi rd quick , ,

i n m ot ion good si z e rathe r low on legs lon g win gs good bones fi n e

, , , , ,

eye i n color e ithe r brown or ginger red wi th dark legs are a very
,
-
, ,

hardy fowl and keep as free fro m d ise as e as any on ou r yard The .

C oun terfei t strain of fowls took i ts origi n fro m a black red rose —co m b - !

cock weigh in g five pounds and six ounces This cock was a ve ry .
 ’
COCKER S MANUAL .
95

beaut i ful and well m ade bird an d a m ost ext raordinary despe rate and
-
, ,

rapi d fighter It was these latter qualit i es which produced t he coi n

.

c id e n c e and drew forth the re m ark which gave to this cock the n a m e

Coun terfei t So m e twen t y years or more ago a m ai n of cocks was

.
,

fought at G avan st ow n Balti m ore coun t y M aryland O ne o f the

, , .

bat tles o f t he m ai n was between a very celebrated black whi te speckled -

cock called the C lass L eade r and the t hen obscu re black red cock
,
-
,
-

whose progen y afterwards became so celebrated The two cocks .

came t oge t he r and at first i t was said the C lass L eader had the ad
, , ,
-

van tage an d struck his an tago n ist so hard h e was crazed He quickly .

recovered howeve r an d at tacked t he C lass L eader wi th such fi e r c e n e ss

, ,
-

t hat he soon k i lled him The e xtraordin ary fight ing quali t ies d is .

played by the wi n n i n g cock led on e of t he old cockers prese nt t o

believe h i m to be hi s own and he exclai med aloud in the pi t , , ,

“A h Ski pper that s m cock ; t hat s the on e you ought to have sen t
’ ’

y ,

m e for m in e w as a d— d coun terfei t

, This occasi oned great laughter ,

and t he li tt le black red rose co m b cock was forthwi t h na m ed C ou n

- -

t e r fe it A fter t he batt le he was taken t o a gen tle man n am ed Goss

.
,

who used him for a breeder an d this originat ed the C oun terfeit strai n ,
.

He w as also the winner o f several subsequen t battles an d w as finally

, , ,

conquered by a War Eagl e cock Th e original C ount erfeit cock w as .

bred by Billv H o ffm an of C arroll count y M aryland and was fro m a , , ,

strai n kn own as the old C harley M arti n cocks .

R ED Q U I LL S .

This strai n h as an extensive reputation i n Virgi n i a an d i n a fe w

other Southern States while in others they are co m parati vely unkn own
,
.

We have bred the m for a fe w seasons and conside r the m one o f the ,

b est for pi t purposes They have a handso m e plu m age and lo ft y car
.

r iage The cock has a s m all roun d head neck full and well hackled
.
, ,

bre as t full and st ron g tai l lon g and well sickled w ings long and low
, ,

on the shank legs ei ther yellow or green and vary i n size fro m four
, ,

and one hal f t o five an d one hal f pounds

-
They have u n fli n ching -
.

gamen ess an d will soon earn an extensi ve reputati on t hroughout th e

,

W est .

CLA IB O R N E S .

This i s a n oted breed of fowl takin g thei r nam e fro m the gen tle m an ,

who bred and fought them for a nu mber of years i n the Southern
 ’

96 c oc k s MANUAL .

States . They are su pposed to be a cross be tween a good E nglish and

Span ish breed rese m bling bot h breeds i n m any parti culars
,
The c oc k .

has a s m all round head wi t h neck full and we ll hackle d black breast
, , ,

full an d st rong tai l full and we ll si ckled wings long and low on th e
, ,

shank legs eithe r clear whi te or yellow The cocks vary i n size fro m
,
.

four to five and one half pounds They are so m eti m es described as
-
.

havi ng a s m all t as sel but we have bred and seen the m b red fo r a n um
,

ber of years and as yet have failed to pe rce ive t he slightest tassel
,
.

Perhaps in crossi ng the m for m e rly wi t h other ap proved breeds to ,

i ncrease and keep up t hei r si z e and strength t hey may have lost so m e ,

o f t heir origi nal pecul iarit ies They have long been k no wn i n the
.

the N orthern and Southern Stat es and will stand all the changes o f ,

our northern cli m ate .

THE TA R TA R F O W L .

This strai n had an extensive reputat ion at one ti m e be i ng c on sid ,

e red the best fo r breedi ng and pi t purposes D r C oope r pri z es this . .

breed highly and sti ll cont in ues to breed t he m i n s uch a m anner as to

p reserve all the gene ral fighti ng quali ties We obtai ned the breed .

so m e years sin ce fro m him and have bred the m as large as ei ght ,

pounds the i r ave rage weight is fro m five to seven po unds They can .

be used successfully for producin g any desi red c ross The y breed .

blac k and brown reds w ith black an d green legs We also fin d t he m .

so m e ti m es breedi ng a blue red The cock stands up well has a large

-
.
, ,

full breast large heavy li m b long claws and large red eyes
, , , The , .

m any battles recorded show plai n ly that too m uch praise can n ot be
gi ven fo r thei r u n flin chi ng ga m eness and quick savage m anner o f ,

fighti n g They have an extensive reputati on and can n ow be found

.

i n t he hands o f n e arly every fancie r an d cocker .

J ACK Mc c L ELLA N S .

This breed o f fowls pe rhaps is little kn own i n the Western States ,

but stand high i n Vi rgi n ia and Pe n nsylvan i a They origi nated wi t h .

John Mc C le llan o f Ge ttysburg P a one o f the m ost success fu l cock

, , .
,

e rs i n t he country The cock is strongly bui lt wi t h fine we ll set

.
, ,

neck head rather large bones stro ng t horou ghly ga m e and wi ll

, , , ,
 ’
98 COCK E R S MANUAL .

worthy In bre edi n g t hey show reds blue re ds and Pi les , wi th eithe r
.
,
-

green or bri ght yellow legs The cocks are desperate fighte rs , fi ght
.

’
in g as well on thei r oppon en t s hold as thei r own are well bui lt , o f
good action , and are i nveterate talkers w hile in t he han ds The blue .

reds have pure blue breas ts light red hackles , wit h turkey red saddles ,
,
-

an d dark blue tails legs yellow e tc m akin g the m ornamen ts to an y

, ,
.
,
’
fan ci er s yard s The reds have a deep broad black red breast w i th
.
, ,
-
,

yellow legs and a fiery red eye The Pi les have e i ther gre en o r yel .
.

low legs with light robi n breas ts red saddles light hackles and tai l , , ,

and vary in weight from four t o six poun ds They are excellen t i n .

the pi t , mature early fight rapidly an d have good wind and endurance
, , .

STON EFEN C E FOWL .

This breed is said t o have been kept in their purity for more t han
fi fty y e ars by the A rlingt on fam i ly i n N ort h C aroli na, by whom
they were extensively fought i nvari ably comi n g off victori ous , At .

t h e present ti m e t his breed i s well kn own throughout t he N orthe rn

States They are o f vari ous colors as black wi th brass backs and
.
,

gray The blacks are o f good size wel l shaped strongly bui lt and
.
, , ,

are good billers and flye r s They are sai d t o carry no superfluous
.

flesh , and are soon pu t i n cond i ti on fo r the pi t .

N EW BOLD R E D S

Were i mp orted by Ed Newbold a cocke r well kn own i n t he East

.
,

e rn St ates , and from whom we obtain ed our stock givi ng the m the ,

n ame of N ewbold R eds The cocks are o f good si ze and stati on

.
,

stand well up wi th be ads erect full breasted broad across t he shoul

, , ,

de rs and tapering graduall y to the tail The wi n gs are lon g almost

, .

meet ing at the poi nt the tai l full wi th lon g si ckles breast o f a brown
, , ,

red col r the head small wi th a large dark eye ; m ost o f t he cocks
o , ,

have a l oud and savage crow Thei r wei ght runs from four t o si x .

pounds They legs are o f good si z e and e i the r a d ark gree n or black
.

color They are fast beco m ing favorites

. .

I R I SH MU FF S .

Frequen tly called N ew York M uffs are a breed o f fowls fas t gai n in g ,

a valuable reputat ion for gam e ness and when obtained pu re have fe w ,
 ’
c oc xs n s MA N UAL .
99

superi ors Former ly they were very nu m erous but on accoun t o f

.
,

being bred by fanciers an d i rrespon si ble dealers became unreliable .

L ately however n e w blood has been i m ported an d on ce m ore i n the

, , ,

hands o f expe rienced cockers are fast provin g worthy of every fancie r
an d cock e r They show di fferen t colors an d run fro m five to seven
.
,

poun ds By re ference to the sport ing papers i t wi ll be seen t hat the y

.

have wo n m any a hard fought battle durin g t he past fe w se asons They .

have a rough an d t u mble style o f fight ing are good bi llers and hard
-
,

hi t ters , have large bones and are well set upon thei r pins .

B AL TI MO R E TA SSE L S .

Have large bodies an d bre ed various colors as blue reds reds and ,
-
,

P i l e s , w i th tassels t o m atch We have o ften seen thei r ga m eness .

tested with steels and find t hey i nvariably stand unt i l deat h
, Thei r .

wei ghts run fro m five t o seven pounds are ski llful fighters stan d up ,

w ell an d are frequent ly t aller than other fowls of equal weight there
, ,

by g ivi ng the m t he advantage i n t he pit We have bred t he m fo r a .

n u mber o f years and have found them healthy an d eas y t o raise

, .

R A TT LE R S

A re said t o take thei r na m e fro m thei r style o f fightin g They .

breed a variet y of colors w i th blue o r green legs and for fancy or

.
, ,

fighti n g quali t ies have few superiors They are especially desi red .

when light weights ar e wan ted The cocks are strong fighters thor .
.

oughly gam e strongl y m ade lon g wi nded and as quick as fowls can
, , ,

conven ient ly be m ature e arly and at an early age can be t rusted i n

, ,

the pi t The cocks vary i n si z e fro m four t o five an d a hal f pounds

. .

The hens are fai r laye rs good setters and show great i nterest in t hei r
, ,

p rogen y O f t he m an y cro sses we have m ade none show bet ter than
.

the R at tlers an d Tartars .

R ED R IPPE R S .

This breed we obt ained so m e years si n ce fro m a well kn own cocke r

i n sou thern Georgia who i f our i n for m ati on be correct origi nated
, , ,
’

the m . The n ame evidently co m es fro m thei r colo r and style o f ,

fighting O ur first stock con sisted of a fine five pound cock i n colo r
.
,
 '
I cc COCK E R S MANUAL .

nearly whit e and two hens o f li ght bu ff color wi th yellow legs

,
We .

were i n for m ed that the cock was for m erly a ginge r r ed but gradually ,

c hangi n g his color each moul ti ng beca m e nearly pure whi te Si nce .

we obtained hi m he has chan ged to a darke r col or and at prese n t is ,

a s fi ne a spangle as can be found He has large pure whi te legs He

.
, .

was said t o have been t he wi nne r o f m any bat tles and whe n we r e ,

c e ive d hi m was cut ou t for t he pi t A lt hough n i n e years old h e move s

.

as quickly as a yearlin g stag is very savage and hard t o han dle

, We .

have been offered large su m s for him seve ral ti m es Breed ing hi m .

wi th the hens sen t at the sam e t i m e gave spangles brass backs an d ,

-
,

p ure reds wi th whit e and yellow legs

,
They m ake a close fight are .
,

always n ear or m ixed up with the i r opponents and force the fighti ng ,

a r e cont inually on the m ove long winded very quick i n t hei r m ove
, ,

ments lnve te rate talkers and are fast beco m i ng great favori tes
, , .

DO M I N I C G A M E S .

This breed of fowl has long been success fully cult ivated i n t he
S outhern States and have m any ad m i rers They are qui ck ski llful .
,

fighters are o f good size well m ad e and stand up well on t heir legs
, , , ;

which ar e e ither white or yellow In the N orthern States t he ir ad

.

m ir e r s are l ess n umerous havi ng a nu m be r of t i m es shown a lack o f

,

gameness yet m an y breed and fight t he m and consi der t he m equal ’

t o thei r best varieti es They have been successfully fought i n a n u m

.

be r o f large mains i n the South and have always shown great cou rage
,

and gameness We see n o reason why they can n o t be bred as pure at

.

t he N orth .

I R I SH PI LE S

A re a well known breed o f Pi les , and gen erally speakin g result from
'

crossin g They are strong of good bon e and well m ade throughout
.
, , ,

q ui ck i n move m e nt hard fighters etc

, The cocks r un i n wei ght fro m ,
.

four t o five and a half pounds and have greate r en durance than most
,

Pile fowls They show reds w ith whi te grounds and red an d whi t e
.

st ripes i n the hackle legs yellow saddle and buts o f w in gs dark red 3 ,

the feathers o f the breast are red and whi te .

 MANUAL
’
: 02 c oc k n n s .

”
can m ore read i ly clean i t out the real c ost be in g but a t ri fle more
, .

F owl s will bear confineme nt i f a change o f food is give n t he m o fte n .

Fresh cut sod does much to help them along D uri ng t he wi n ter
.

s eason we use plent y o f st raw . Select in g a place close to our coops

we spread on t he ground qui t e t hick , and whenever i t sn ows take a .

fork an d shake t he straw up . I n this way our fowls have a place to

walk an d stand on out o f the sno w w ith n o dange r o f frozen t oes an d
,

a good plac e to scratch , which t hey enj oy .

 '
c oc k n n s MANUAL . 10
3

D I SEA S ES .

A s i t is our purpose t o m ake this m anu al strictly p ractical , su ch

co m pl ai nts wi ll only be m enti oned as are most co mm on and wi t h
w hi ch fowls are m ost liable t o be t roub led The m ethods of t reat .

ment h ave been more or less pract iced and co n sequen tly we feel not ,

t he slightest h e si tat i on i n reco m m ending the m as i n eve ry respect

reliable an d adapted for t he d i fferent d ise as es W i thout doubt there .

ar e m an y instan ces when i t would be m ore pro fi table to kill than to

cure the fowl and an att e m pt to cure shoul d on ly be m ade when the
di se as e wi th w hich the fowl is afll ic t e d i s well kn own O ver t reat .

m en t shou ld be gu arded against I t is better t o use pre caut ion t han

.

m e d icine and i f fowls are kept clean ar e su p pli ed wi th fres h wat er ,

and a change of food t hey are le ss liable t o d iseas e

, .

RO U P .

Perhaps n o on e dise as e t o whi ch fowls are liable is m ore trouble

so m e than the roup It att acks the old and the young
. St rong and .

healthy fowls are less subje ct an d when attacked are m ore eas ily
,

c ured . D uri n g the con t inuance of the diseas e great care should be
shown t he bi rd D r C ooper gives the sy m pto m s as foll ows “R isi ng
. .

and falling o f the w attles at each br e at h a whooping sound i n t he ,

t hroat fet id discharge fro m the n ose

,
In so m e the head and eyes wi ll
.

swell t hen the swollen parts are fe verish and i f not soon atte nded to
, ,

a yellow m at te r will fo r m i n the eye s whi ch i f no t regularly d ressed

, , ,

w i ll des troy that m e m ber

’
The fowl s appetite fails his desire for
.
,

dri nk i ncre as es his crop feels hard and his feathe rs lose t hei r glossy
, ,

appearan ce .

TREA TME N r .
— As
oo n as t he diseas e is discerne d the fowl shou ld
s

be placed by i tsel f i n a clean d ry box w i t h plenty o f straw

, The , .

head neck and th roat should be was hed an d the eyes thoroughly
, ,

rinsed w i th warm water i n whi ch co m m on salt has been dissolve d ;

ive a h alf te as poon ful of dry black pepper supply wit h soft food — a
g
l i tt le bread so aked in ale is benefici al Whe n a fowl begi ns to im
.

ro v e place h im in t he sun fo r a short t i m e each day I f the bird

p .

co n tinu es to rat tle give a teas poon ful o f cod liver oil, o r fish oil -
.

K e e p his box clea n and suppl y wit h fresh straw each day Wi th good .
1 04 COCK ER ’
S MANUAL .

t reat m e nt and proper care the dise as e in its worst fo rm can be cured .

N early every breede r has a m e thod o f t reat m ent bu t as the d i ffere n c e ,

is not particularly great one m ethod wi ll answer eve ry purpose The

,
.

m ethod given above we have appli ed i n m an y cases and i n variably ,

w i th results m ost favorable So m e authors advise a d o$ e su ffici en t for

.

a horse ent i rely beyond t he capacity o f a fowl

,
The method of t reat .

ment as give n by Bement is : “For roup and all pu t rid affect i ons take
fin ely pulve ri zed fresh burned charcoal and n ew ye ast e ach three parts
-
,

pulverized sulphu r two parts flour on e part and water su ffic ien t t o
, ,

m ix well ; m ake in to boluses t he si z e o f a haz le n u t an d give on e t h re e

”
ti m es a day . H e also beli eves i n bathi n g t he head eyes and n os ,

t r ils wi th war m m i lk and wate r .

PIP OR G A PE S ,

Is a very co mm on dise ase am ong young fowls and is parti cularly ,

troubleso m e duri n g the war mest m on ths It is caused by d ri nking .

filthy or m uddy water and eati ng di rty food

,
So m e clai m that .

dri nki ng rain w ater also brings the m on 3 and perhaps i t we re as well
-

t o ke ep the m fr om i t This disease wi ll be detected by the fow l

.

holding up i ts h ead and gaspi n g fo r breath We have t ri ed m any .

advised cures and find n one so effectual as turpen ti n e ad m i n ist ere d

wi th a feat her Take a tai l or wi ng feather st ri p it wi thi n one o r
.
,

two inches of t he feathered end and di ppi ng i t i n t o turpent i ne gent ly

,
’
put i t down t he fowl s wi ndpi pe not his gullet A fte r tu rn i ng t he,
.

feather once or twice dra w i t out when i t wi ll be found to be covered ,

with s m all red wor ms These as we ll as those t hat r e m ain will be

.

destroyed by the turpen ti n e We would advise as likely to prove

.

b enefic i al, that cam phor be put i nto t he d rinki ng water A few .

d rops of turpentine m ixed w i th the corn m eal wi t h whi ch th e fowls

are fed wi ll in ge neral preven t t h e appearance of t he d isease
, , .

I ND IGE STI O N .

The re m arks on this subject we t ake from the works o f D r Be n net t .

r C ase s of i ndigesti on am o n g fo wls are co mm on and deserve at t e n

‘
,

t ion according to the causes fro m which t he y proceed A chan ge o f .

food w ill o ften produce crop sickn ess as i t is called when t he fowl
-
, ,
 r o6 MANUA L
’
c oc k n n s .

an d generally goes through the e nt i re flock We find it results prin .

c ip ally fro m fight i ng as when t he fowl s head has been badly p e e ke d

’
,

an d proper attent i on has n ot been gi ve n t oward heali n g t he woun ds .

Sti ll we have had i t on our yards when n o cause was appare n t an d no ne

could be ascribed Some years since , being un able t o check i t , i t run
.

through an d nearly destroyed our whole stock Si nce t hen we have .

bee n m ore successful and have found that i f take n i n t i m e — be for e

,

can ke r gets into t he throat — ir can be cured w i th but li ttle t rouble

Sy m pt o m
.

s — small yellowish specks scat tered over t he head and neck ,

gradually enlargin g un ti l the head an d neck beco me comple tely c ov
ered ; the m out h an d t hroat beco m e badly canke red 3 the eyes s well
shut an d i n this con diti on the fowl re m ains un t i l deat h ensues A s
, .

soon as a fowl becomes a ffected he should be placed i n a coop by

himself .

TR E A TME N T — M ake a st ron g brin e o f war m water and sal t an d

.
,

wit h a soft fi ne sponge wash the head and neck ; tho roughly ri nse
,

t he eyes 3 care fully scrape the m outh wi th a s mall sharp st ick to t e , ,

move the canke r wit h the fore finge r rub salt well pulveri z ed in t he
m outh and t hroat ; m ix equal parts o f sweet oil an d turpen ti n e and
apply wi th a fe ather to t he he ad an d neck N o i njury will result if .

t he eyes are t reated si mi larly The fowl should re ce ive t he same

.

t reat m ent twice each day and i f carefull y attend ed w i ll grow bett e r
,

i n two or three days 3 the scabs will co m e off t he appet it e w i ll be in ,

c reased and soon he wi ll be well D urin g the sic kn e s a slight phys i c

, .

should be given also a light fee d of bread and m i lk I f the fow l re

, .

fuses t o eat force the food d own If t he above be followed as r e c Om

.

mended the worst c as es can generally be cured .

R U NN I N G A T THE NO SE OR CA TA RR H , , .

It is al m ost impossible at the prese nt d ay t o g o o n any breede r s

’

y ard an d n ot find this dise as e existi ng t o a greater or less extent We .

have n o ti ced i t at poultry shows as well as o n t he yards Its existe n c e .

can read ily ascertained by pressin g gently wi th t he t hu m b and fore

finger on ei the r side of the n ostril whe n an offensive whit ish m atte r ,

wi ll m ake its appearance .

T R E A TME N T Wash the head i n warm water in which salt has been
.
-

dissolved P ure cider vi negar diluted wit h water will also answe r t he
.
 MANUA L
'
c oc k n n s . 107

purpose Place t he fowl in warm quarters and give hi m a warm fee d

.

wi t h a slight physi c This resembles t he roup so mewhat , and i n fac t

.

is the fi rst stage o f t hat diseas e .

D I A R R H CEA , OR DY SE NTE RY

R equi res i mmediate and careful t reatment It is frequen tly brought .

o n by givin g green or soft food i n which cas e change the feed as this
, ,

w ill d o much towards curin g the d iseas e i n the first stages Chalk .

mixed w ith boi led rice an d m i lk wi t h a li t tle alum dissolve d i n the

,

d ri nking wat er , will prove benefici al The disease is accelerated by .

dampness cold and wet weat her wi thout prope r shelte r and care
, , .

C O STIVE N E SS

’
Wil l be noticed by the fowl s frequen t attempts t o relieve itsel f .

The cause is con ti nued dry hard feed and a lim i ted supply o f clea n
, ,

water .

TREAT M EN T — Give a feed o f bread and m i lk warmed , a small

.
,

quanti t y o f fresh meat may be sa fely given wi th a change o f green ,

food as cabbage chopped fine ; m as hed boiled potatoes are also good
, .

I f thi s method be str ictly followed a cure w ill be perfected i n nearly

e very case .

L I M E D L EG

Is first percei ved by t he whi t ish appearance of t he legs , subsequent l y

becom in g sore 3 t he scales en large and the toes crack open Several .

methods o f t reat me nt are reco m m en ded w hich we have t ried wit h ,

varyin g success ; but advise the follow i n g as likely t o work a cure as

any met hod used : Was h t he fowl wit h war m water and soap afte r ,

whi ch w i pe dry and greas e wit h salt butter or lard or fish oil A n , .

ot he r advise d method is , wash the leg wi t h kerosene oi l and an n oin t

wi th salt grease o r rub the parts affected wit h red precip itate oi nt
,

men t The w hi te legged variet ies are m ore subj ect t o this d ise as e
.

t h an others .
 ’
1 08 c oc k n n s MANUAL .

R HE UMA TI SM

A rises frequently fro m con finement in a cold and dam p place , wi t h

out suffici en t light or ai r It is not i ced by the sti ffness o f the li m bs
.
,

u nsteady g ait and eviden t pai n caused by t he slightest m ove m ent

,
.

The disease can be partially i f n ot e nt i rely re m oved by placi ng t he

fowl i n a war m dry place and extern ally applying sti m ulan ts rub
, , ,

bin g the legs and thighs A soft or open ing feed wi ll be o f service
. .

The large vari eties appear t o be m ore subj ect t o this diseas e than others .

R A TT L E S, OR A STH MA .

A co mplaint parti cularly prevalent am o n g young fowls , and i s oc

c asion e dby colds or cold dam p weathe r The p re m on i tory sym p

, ,
'

t o m s are a rattl ing soun d i n t he th roat wi th a perceptible labori ng ,

for breath occasioned by phleg m obstructi ng the ai r cells

‘

.
,

TR E A TME N T — Bathe the head i n war m salted water ; gi ve a tea

.

spoon ful o f vinegar each m orn ing also a d ose o f d ry black peppe r , .

The food should consist o f bread and m ilk ; a l ight physic m ay be

given .A cure is so m et i m es effect ed by gi vin g a teaspoonful of cod
l iver oil durin g the first stages o f the disease C are should be take n .

t o keep the fowl in war m quarters .

F EVE R

Is o f frequent occurren ce am ong fowls that have been long con fi ned ,

over fed and n ot given a suffi cien t su pply of wate r Fi ghting also
, .

occasions it Fever is easily cured but when att endin g other diseases
.
,

frequent ly proves fatal Sy m pto m s : The head i s hot eyes very

.
,

red e tc
, .

TREA TMEN T — Give a li ght physi c with a li ttle ni tre i n t he d ri nkin g

.
,

w ater With light food an d change of ai r t he fowl w ill soon re cover

.
.

LO SS O F FE A THE R S .

The following re marks on this subj e ct we take fro m D r Bennet t s ’

“
.

Poultry Book This disease whi c h i s co mm on t o con fined fowls i s

, ,

by n o m eans to be con founded wi t h the n atural process o f moulting .

 ’
n o c oc k n n s MANUAL .

van tage Tw ice each d ay give one grai n o f sulphat e of i ron t h ree o f
.
,

C ayenne pepper and a desert spoon ful of cod liver oi l m ixe d i n the i r -

m eal or feed I f the head o f the b i rd feels feveri sh bathe wi th war m

.
,

salted water or warm m i lk and water two or t hree t i m es a d ay .

M E LANC H O LY A ND MO PI N G .

When a fowl han gs its wi n gs and lo oks d roopi n gly i mm ed i ate at ten
t i on should be given I f he appears purged give a te as poon ful o f
.
,

bran dy w i th a few drops of ca m phor i n a tablespoon ful of war m water .

keep in g the fowl in a clean war m place givin g h im on ly soft food

, , ,

I f this t r eat m ent is followed the bi rd w i ll soon recover unless i t has ,

been too long neglected .

A P O P L E XY

O ccurs from over fee d in g and can seldo m be tre ated i n t i m e I t is .

m ore t roublesome a m ong hens which are found dead on the i r n est s
,

or u nde r thei r roosts I f percei ved i n t i m e lessen the quan t it y o f

.

food Sti mulat ing food should n ot be gi ven t o fowls subj ect t o thi s
.

d isease It is reco mm ended that bleeding the fowl un der t he win g

.

w i ll possibly effect a cure .

C O R NS .

The large r vari eties o f games are parti cularly subj ect to cor ns ,

w hi ch ar e occasi on ed by roosti ng hi gh or by long confin e m en t in

coop s These wi ll be foun d i n t he fleshy part of the fo ot , o ften caus
.

ing lam eness To re m ove cut around the hard substance for m in g th e
.
,

corn and apply equal parts o f sweet oi l an d turpen ti ne Frequen tl y

, .

they can be re m oved w ith a kni fe Keep the foot so ft and all t roubl e.

on this acco u n t wi ll cease .

CA R E O F W O UND E D F O W L S .

When fowls are injured i mmediate atten ti on should be gi ven t o

p revent the fever which generally follows t he i nj ury When t he fowl .

has been badly pecked an d torn t he head should be w ashed in blood

,

w ar m water using a soft sponge car efully re m ovi n g the blood 3 gre as e
, ,
 ’
c oc k n n s MANUA L . 1r r

t he parts a ffected with salt butte r . G ive butter rolled i n t o a pill the
si ze o f a m arble 3 t his te nds t o re m ove the bl ood and feathers i n the
throat , an d serves as a sli ght physi c For a few days only food o f a
.

so ft nature should be given ; also a small quant i ty o f n i tre should be

placed i n the d rinki n g water Where fowls ei ther old or young have
.
, ,

been badly i njured i n the pit the closest atten t ion is ne cessary I f t he .

i njury occurs i n the wi nt er season warm quarters must be p rovi ded t o

,

avoid taki n g cold A s a general t hin g fowls inj ured wi th the steels
.

more read ily recuperate t han t hose torn w ith the naked spu r The .

day after fight in g fgive the fowl a feed o f bread and milk war m ed
‘

.
,

The blood an d feathers i n the throat and mout h should be removed ,

an d a few drops o f wi n e gi ven as st imulant I f fever is prevente d
.

from m aki n g its appearance the fowl can c afe ly be placed on the w alk
i n a fe w days I t i s n ot advisable however to place the cock on his
.
, ,

w al k aft er bat tle,

du rin g cold weather , as he is li able t o take more
cold whi ch usu ally results i n his death
, .

T A R T A R G A M E COCK .
 ’
r r 2 c oc k n n s MANUAL .

TH E S T A N D A R D O F E X CE L L E N C E .

U p t o this poi n t we have give n a bri ef exposition o f m an y subjects

i n ti m ately connect ed wit h the breedi ng and m anage m en t o f Game
Fowls studi ously avoiding everyth in g un in te rest in g t o t he cocke r
,

an d fanci er yet eviden t ly the M an u al wi ll hardly be complet e i f a

,

br ie fsp ac e we re n ot devoted t o those bre edi ng standard or exhibit io n

bi rds and for the i r benefit we give t he latest revised St andard o f
,

Excellen ce .

B LA CK B R E A STE D
-
R ED G AM E S .

D I S Q UA L I F I TI ON S
A
'
.

C olor of l e g s or p l u m age n ot m a t c h i n g w h e n sh ow n
. , in p ai r s i
t r os ; c r oo e d
or k
b ac k s ; w r y t ai l s ; m a l form e d b re ast s ; d u c k fe e t ; a d u lt -
c oc k s n ot d u b b e d an y a i rt
n oial c olor i n g ; t r i m m i n g or p lu c k i n g l ou l fe a t h r s
‘

e .

THE C O CK .

H EAD : V ery rich dark red lo ng thi n a n d taperi ng , and very

, , ,

strong at its j uncti on wi th the neck Beak wi llo wor dark horn col or , .
,
-

slightly curved and strong at the b as e

, .

COMB WA TT L ES AND EA R LO BE S : C o m b i n chickens t hat have n ot

’

-
, ,

been dubbed single small an d t hin low i n fron t serrated , e re ct an d

, , , ,

straight 3 m ature birds to be n eatly dubbed and free fro m warty ex ,

c r e sc e n c e s s m all feathe rs
, o r ridges o n t he edges Wat tles , i n chi ck
, .

ens , brill iant red very thi n an d s moo th i n texture

, Ear lobes , ric h
, .
-

red , smal l and s m oot h i n texture

, .

EY ES : L arge and promi nent bright clear deep bay wi th a quic k , , , ,

and fearless expression and perfectly alike i n color , .

N ECK : R ather long and ni cely arched the hackle bei ng rich red , ,

short and close and free fro m black stripes

, .
 ’
r r 4 COCK ER S MANUAL .

very bri ght red Wattles bright red s m all thi n and neat ly rounded
.
, , , ,

on the edges Ear lobes bri ght red very s m all and c lose to t he face
.
-
, ,
.

EY E S : B ri lli an t red or bay large and pro m i ne n t with a qui ck an d , ,

fearless expression an d exact ly alike i n color ,

.

NE CK : L ong t he hackle a bright brown ish yellow striped black

,
-
, ,

the feathers very short gi ving t he neck a slend er and grace ful ap ,

ce
p e ar an .

BACK : Brown penci led w i th black of m oderate length broad

, , ,

across t he shoulders flat and narrowi n g t o t he tai l , , .

B R E A ST AND BODY : B reast broad roun d and pro m i nen t deep sal , , ,

m on color shading O ff t o ashy brown t owards the thighs

-
, B ody very -
.
,

firm and m uscular broadest at the shoulde rs an d t aperin g towards the

, ,

tai l the general pl u m age a rich brown

,
.

W I N G S : O f m ediu m length and powerful , the butts an d sho ulders

carri ed som ewhat hi gh m aki n g a flat bac k t he poi nts n ot droopi n g , , ,

but carried co m pact ly agai nst t he sides ; pri m aries and secondaries
brown win g bows shoulde rs an d coverts brown pen ci led wi th black
-
, , ,

an d perfectly free fro m red .

TA I L : D ark brown approachi n g black m o d erate i n length n ot , , ,

carried ove r the b ack b ut extendin g backwards at a slight elevation , ,

the feathers n o t spread out but held n eatly together

.
,
.

LEG S : Thighs ashy brown stout an d round and t he fe ath e rs short

,
-
, ,

and close Shanks lon g bon y clear and taperin g the scales narrow
.
, , , , ,

s m oot h and close and i n color t o m atch t hose of t he cock when

, , ,

placed on exhibi ti on Feet broad flat an d thi n ; toes long st rai ght
.
, , , ,

and spreadi ng and well fur n ished wi th strong n ails the hi nd t oes se t
, ,
-

low on the feet st andin g well backwards n ot duck footed

, , .

HA R DN E SS 0F F E A TH ER : Body feathers close short hard and fi r m -

, ,

qui lls very hard and st ron g

,
.

C ARR I A G E : N eat u pright , quick and active , .

P O I N TS I N B L A CK B R E A S TE D R E D G A M E S -
.

Sy m m et ry ,

C ondi t i on ,

S tati on ,

C olor ,

I I e ad,

Comb , Watt les Ear lobes -

,

Eyes ,
 ’
ce c R s M A NUAL . 1 15

N eck ,
Back ,
Breas t an d Body
Win gs ,

Tail ,

Le gs ,

Fee t ,

H ardness o f Feather ,

BR OW N -
RED G A ME S .

D I S Q UA L I P I CA TI ON S .

Col or or l e gs p lu m ag e n ot m at c h i n g w h e n sh ow n i n p ai r s or t r i os ; c r ook e d
or ,

b ac k s ; w r y t a i l s ; m al for m e d b r e as t s ; d u c k fe e t ; ad ul t c oc k s n ot d ub b e d ; an y a rt i
- c

n oi al c ol or i n g ; t r i m m i n g or pl u c ki n g fou l fe a th e rs .

THE C O CK .

H E AD Very dark red long t hi n and taperin g and very st ro n g at

: , , ,

it s jun ct i on w i t h t he n eck Beak n early or qui te black slightl y

.
, ,

cu rved an d st ron g at the base

,
.

C O MB WA TT LES AND EA R LO B E S : Comb in chi ckens that have n ot

,
-
,

been dubbed , si n gle , smal l an d thi n low i n front , serrated erect and , ,

st raight 3 mature birds t o be n eatly dubbed and free fro m warty ex ,

c r e sc e n c e s small feathers , or ridges on the edges

,
Watt les i n ch ick , .
,

ens deep red o r d ark purple very thi n and smooth i n texture
, , Ear .

lob es deep red or d ark pur ple sm all t hi n , and smooth i n tex ture
, , , .

EY ES : D ark brown or black large promi nen t an d bright wi th a

, , ,

quick and fearless expressi on and perfectly alike i n colo r, .

N E CK : R ather lon g an d nicely arched , the h ackle being short and

c l ose , an d ri ch red i n color , fi nely striped wi th black .

B RE AS T AN D BODY : Bre ast broad , ful l round , and black i n color ,

, ,

the shafts and m argins Of the feat hers being reddish brown , t he colo r -

b e comi ng darker as i t approaches t he thighs Body , very firm and .

 ’
r r 6 COCK ER S MANUAL .

m uscular , not soft o r hollow on t he sides broadest at the shoulders ,

and taperin g towards t he tai l .

W I N GS : O f m ediu m length an d powerfu l the butts and shoulders ,

slightly raised as i f for a sudden spring ; the re m ain der n ot d rooping

, ,

but carried co m pactly agai nst the sides the poi n ts resti ng und er t he ,

saddle feathers ; the pri m ari es dusky black ; secondaries black wit h
- -
, ,

m etalli c lustre t owards the ends o f t he feathe rs wi ng bows dark -

,

cri m so n red ; wing butts black or ve ry dusky brown ; wing coverts

- -
, ,
- -
,

r ich glossy black

,
.

TA I L : Black of m ediu m length c arri e d well t oge ther an d at a

, , ,

m oderate elevati on tai l cove rts ri ch glossy black an d n i cely curved -

, , ,
.

LEG S : Thighs dusky black rather lo ng round stout hard an d ,

-
, , , ,

fi r m and p le c e d well forward on the body

, Shanks Olive dark wi l .
, ,

low or bronzy black rat her long b on y clean and st ron g and stand
-
, , , ,

ing well and even ly apart t he sc ales s m oot h and close and t he spurs , ,

se t on low Feet broad thi n and flat ; the t oes lon g strai ght and
.
, , ,

spreadin g and well furn ished wit h strong nai ls 3 the hi nd toes set low
,
-

on the feet standing we ll backwards and flat on the ground and n o t

, ,

m erely touching wi t h the poi nts or duck footed ,

-
.

HAR DN E SS O F F E A TH E R Body feathe rs short , hard and fi r m 3 quills -

, ,

very h ard an d st ron g .

TH E HE N .

H E AD D ark dusk y brown approaching a dusky black ,lon g -

,
-
, ,

sle nder taperi ng and very neat in appearance Beak black or

, , .
, ,

n early so S li ghtly curved sharp at t he poi nt and st out at the base

, ,
.

C O MB WA TT L E S AND EA R LO BE S : C omb red or dark purple si ngle ,

,
-

, ,

small and thin low in fron t evenly serrated and perfectly e rec t and
, ,

straight Wat tles red or dar k purple s m all thi n and n eatly rounded
.
, , ,

on the edges Ear lobes red o r dark purple very s m al l an d close to

.
-
, , ,

the face .

EY ES D ark brown or black large pro m i n e nt and bright with a

.
, , ,

quick fiery expressi on and perfectly al ike i n color

, , .

NE CK : R ich gold or bright le m on color stripe d wi t h black long -

, ,

feathers ve ry short giving t he neck a slende r and grace ful appe arance , .

BACK : V ery d ark brown app roach in g black Of m oderate len gth , , ,

flat broad across the shoulders , an d narrow in g t o t he tai l

, .
 ’
r 18 c oc xn n s MANUAL .

G I N G E R —R E D G A ME S .

D I S Q UA L I F I C'A TI 0N S .

Color of l e g s or pl um a e n ot m a t c h i n g w h e n s h ow n i n pa i rs or t r i os ; c r ook e d
g
,

b ac k s ; w r y t a i ls ; m al for m e d b r e ast s : d u c k fe e t ; a d u l t c oc k s n ot d ub b e d ; an y a rt i -

n oi al c ol or i n g ; tr i m m i n g or p l u c k i n g fo u l fe at h e r s .

TH E CO CK .

H EAD : R e d lon g thi n and taperin g , and very strong at i ts j unction

, ,

wit h t he neck Beak o live or bronzy black slightly curved and

.
,
-
,

stron g at the bas e .

C O MB WA TT L ES AND EA R LO BES : C o m b i n chickens that have n ot

,
-

been dubbed single s mall and t hin l ow i n fron t serrated , e t e c t and

, , , ,

straight 3 mature birds t o be n eatly dubbed and free from warty ex ,

c r e sc e n c e s, small feathers or ridges on the e dges Wattles , red very

, .
,

t hin and s m ooth in texture Ear lobes red small t hi n , an d smoot h

,
.
-
, , ,

i n texture .

EY E S : Brown or blac k large pro m inent and bri ght wi t h a quick , , ,

a n d fearless expression and perfectly ali ke i n color , .

N ECK : R at her lon g and ni cely arc hed the hackle short and close , ,

and a rich clear red i n color

,
.

BACK : R i ch red rather short flat broad across the shoulde rs and
, , , ,

narrow ing t o the tai l ; t he stern slende r and n eat an d t he saddl e ,

feathers very short and close and a rich clear red , , .

B R EA ST AND BODY : Breas t , i n color ginger red becomin g d arke r ,

-
,

t owards t he t highs broad round and full Body general plumage

, , .
,

rich red very fi r m and mus cular n ot soft or hollow o n the s ides
, , ,

broadest at the shoulders an d tapering t o t he tai l .

W I N GS : Brownish red of m e diu m length and p owerful t he butts

-
, , ,

and shoulders sli ghtly raised as i f for a sudde n sprin g ; t he remai nde r ,

not d rooping but carri ed co m pactly against the sides t he poi nts rest
, ,

ing under t he saddle feathers 3 pri maries and secondaries , b rown ish
'

red 3 w ing bows and Shoulde r coverts rich red

- -

, .

TA I L : Black O f medi u m length carried well toget he r and at a

, ,

m od erate elevat i on ; tai l coverts ric h black the lesser cove r ts edged
-
, ,

wi th red .
 ’
c oc R s MANUAL . 1r 9

L EG S : Thighs , d usky red , rather long round , stout , hard and firm , -
,

and placed well forward on t he body Shanks Oli ve d ark willo w or .

, , ,

bron z y black rathe r long bon y clea n and strong and stand ing well
-
, , , ,

and evenly apart the scales smooth an d close and the spurs set on , ,

low Feet , broad ; thin and flat t he t oes lon g strai ght and spread
.
,

i ng and well furnished wi th stron g nails ; t he hi nd toes se t low on t he

,
-

feet stand in g we ll backwards and flat on t he ground an d n ot m erely

, , ,

touchi ng wi th the poi n ts or duck foot ed ,

‘
.

HA RDN E SS O F F E ATH E RS B ody feathers short hard and fi r m ; qui lls -

, , ,

very hard an d strong .

THE HE N .

H E AD : Y ellowish brown lon g sle n d e r in g taperi ng and very n eat -

, , .
,

i n appearance Beak oli ve or bron z y black Slight ly curved sharp

.
, ,
-
, ,

at the poi nt an d stout at the base .

C OM B WA TT L E S AND EA R LO BES : C o m b purplish red si ngle s m all

,
-
,
-
, ,

and thi n low i n fron t evenly serrated and p erfectly erect and straight
, , , .

Wat tles dark red s m all thin an d neat ly rounded on the edges
,
-
,
.
, , .

Ear lobes dark red very s m all an d close t o the face

-
,
-
, , .

EY E S : B rown or black large pro mi n en t an d bright with a quick , , , ,

fiery expression an d perfectly ali ke i n color , .

NE CK : Golden yellow , stri ped wi th black long the feat hers very-
, ,

short givi n g t he neck a slen der and grace ful appearance

,
.

BACK : Yellowish brown Of m oderat e lengt h flat broad across the -

, , ,

shoulders and narrowin g to the tail ,

.

B R E A ST AND BODY : Breast broad rou nd and pro m ine n t t he higher , , ,

part near the throat a yellowish brown ; t he Shafts and a narrow

, ,
-
,

m argi n o f feathers of a m uch lighte r shade ; t he lowe r part and sides

,

a dusky brown wi t h a narrow m argi n of a golden gi nger shade Body

-
,
-
.
,

very fi r m and m uscular broadest at t he sho ulders and tapering to t he , ,

tail 3 the gen eral colo r o f t he plu m age a yellowish brown -

.

W I N G S : O f m ed iu m length and powerful the butts and shoulde rs ,

carried so m ewhat hi gh so as to cause a flat back the poi n ts no t , ,

droop i n g but carried co m pactl yagainst t he si des 3 the pri m aries an d

,

secondari es dark brown or black ; wing coverts ye llow ish br ow n

,
-
,
~
.

TA I L : Black m oderate i n l en gt h n ot carried over t he back but

, , ,

extend ing backwards t he feathers n ot sp read out held neatly to , ,

gethe r .
I 20 COCK ER s ’
MANUAL .

LEG S : Thighs , dusky brown stout and round , and the feat he rs short
-
,

and close Shanks Olive dark willow or bronzy black lon g clean ,
.
, ,
-
, ,

bon y and tape rin g the scales narrow s m ooth and close t o m atc h
, , ,

t hose o f t he cock when shown i n pai rs or t ri os Feet broad flat an d .

, ,

PI T F O WL .

t hi n ; toes long st raight and spreadin g well furn ished wi th st ron g

, ,

nai ls 3 the hi nd toes set low on the feet S t an ding well backwards and
-
, ,

n ot duck foo ted

-
.

HAR DN E SS O F F EA TH ER : Body feathers close short hard and fi rm 3

-

, ,

quills very hard and strong

, .

C ARR I A G E 3 N eat , upright qui ck and acti ve

, .
 '
I 22 COCK E R S MANUAL .

tl es brillian t red very th i n and s m oot h i n texture

, , ,
. Ear lobes bri l -
,

lian t red s m all t hin and s m ooth i n t exture

, , , ,
.

E YES 3 R e d , or deep bay large p ro m ine nt an d bright w ith a quick

, , ,

an d fe arless expression , and perfectly alike i n color .

N E CK :long and n icely arched R athe r , t he hackle a clear straw

color free fro m black stripes
,
.

BACK : R ather short fi at broad across the shoulders an d n arrowi ng , , ,

t o the tail t he plu m age a ri ch uni for m bright copper or m aroon the
, , , ,

more even clear and u n m ixed in col or the better 3 t he stern slende r
,

and neat and the saddle feathers very sho rt and close and o f st raw
,
-
,

co lor .

B R E A ST AND BODY : Breast rich black br oad full and round Body , , , .
,

ve ry fi r m and m uscular n ot so ft o r hollow on the sides broadest at , ,

t he shoul de rs an d t aperi n g to the tai l 3 the unde r part o f t he body a

,

ri ch black .

W I N G S : O f m ediu m le ngth and powerful the butts and shoulders ,

slightl y r aised as i f for a sudden sprin g t he re m ainder n ot d roopin g

, ,

bu t carried co m pact ly agai nst the sid es t he poi nts rest ing under the ,

saddle feat he rs pri maries st raw white on the outside web dark on t he -
,

i nsi de web the secondari es whit e on the outside web dark on the ,

i n si de and also at the e nds o f t he feathers ; wi ng butts black ; wing

,
-

c ove s s steel blue or m etallic black for m i ng a w ide bar across t he

t
, ,

w ings .

TA B lack o f m ediu m length carried well t oget her and at a

1L ~

, , ,

m ode rat e elevat i on 3 sickle feathe rs an d tai l coverts a ri ch m e tallic or -

green i sh blac k -
.

L EG Thighs rich black rather long round st ou t hard and fi r m

S , , , , , ,

and pl aced well forward on the body Shanks wi llow oli ve yellow .
, , ,

or blu e rath e r l ong clean bony and st rong and stand i ng w ell and
, , , ,

eve nly apart 3 the scales s m oot h and close and the spurs set on l ow ,
.

Feet broad thi n and flat ; the t oes long straight and sp read i ng an d
, , , ,

well furn ished wi th strong n ails ; t he hind toes set low o n t he feet -

stand i ng well backwards and flat on t he gsou n d an d n ot m erely , ,

t ouchi ng wi t h the points or duck footed ,

-
,

H A R DN E SS O F F E A THE R : B ady feathers short hard and fi rm -

, , 3 qui l ls ,

ve ry hard an d strong .
 c oc R s
’
MANUA L . 1 23

THE HE N .

H EAD : G ray , lon g , sle nde r , taperi ng and very n eat i n appearan ce .

Beak willow Oli ve or blue , slightly curved , sharp at the poi n t and
, ,

stout at t he bas e .

C OM B WA TT L ES AND EA R LoBEs : C o m b bright red , single small

,
-
, ,

an d th in low i n fron t , even ly serrated and perfectly erect and

, ,

straight Wattles , bright red small t hin and neat ly rounded on the
.
, , ,

edges . Ear lobes , bright red very s m all and close t o the face
-
, .

EY ES : R e d or d eep bay large p ro m in en t an d bright wi th a quick , , ,

and fiery expressi on , and perfectly alike i n color .

NE CK : Whit e , st ri ped wi t h black long , t he feathers very short , ,

givi ng t he neck a sle nder and grace ful appe arance .

BACK : Bluish or slaty gray t he shafts Of feathe rs whi te of moderate

-
, ,

length flat broad across t he shoulders and n arrowing to the tai l

, , , .

B R E A ST AND BODY : Breast sal m o n red , shading off t o ashy gray ,

-
-

toward the t highs broad round and pro m i nen t Body , very firm and
, , .

muscular broadest at the shoulders and taperi ng t o the tail

, .

W I N G S : O f medium length an d powe rful , the but ts and shoulders

carried so m ewhat hi gh so as t o cause a flat back the poin ts n ot
, ,

d roop ing but carried compactly against the sides 3 pri mari es and s ec
on d ar ie s a slaty o r blu ish gray 3 wi n g bows an d wing coverts a slaty or
- - -

bluish gray t he shafts of the feathers being whi te 3 red o r brown on

-
,

the w ings very obj ecti on able .

TA I L : D ark gray , t he i nside approachi n g black moderate in length , ,

not c arried over the back but extendin g backwards , t he feathers n ot ,

s pread out but held n eat ly t ogethe r

,
.

LEG S : Thighs ashy gray stout and round , and the feathers short
,
-
,

an d close Shanks , lon g bon y clean an d taperi ng the scales narrow

.
, , , ,

s m ooth and close, and to match the cock i n color whe n placed on
exhibit i on Feet , broad , flat and t hi n 3 t oes , long straig ht and
.
,

spreadin g well furnished wit h stron g n ails ; t he hi nd toes set low on

,
-

the feet standing well back wards and n ot duck footed

, ,
-
.

HAR D N ESS or FEA TH ER : Body feathe rs close , short, hard and firm 3 -
,

quills very hard and stron g

,
.

C AR R I A G E : N eat , upri ght quick and acti ve , .

P O I N TS I N Y E L LO W D U CKW I N G G A ME S .
r 24 COCK E R ’
S MAN UAL .

Station ,

C olo
H ead ,

C o m b Wat tles ,
an d Ear lobes -
,

N eck ,
Back ,

B reast an d Body ,

Hard n ess Of Feather ,

1 00

S I L V E R D U CKW I N G G A ME S .

A d u lt c oc k s n o t d ub b e d , p l u m a g e n ot m a t c h i n g w h e n sh ow n i n
c olor o f l e g s o r ,

p a i r s or t r i os ; c r ook e d b a c k s ; w r y t a i ls ; m a l for m e d b r e a st s ; ( l u c k fe e t ; a n y a r t i -

n c ia l c olor i n g ; t r i m m i n g or p l uc k i n g fou l fe a t h e r s .

THE C OC K .

H E AD : Si lve ry whi te long thi n an d ta perin g an d very str on g

-
, , ,

at its junct ion wi th the neck Beak Oli ve or yellow slight ly curved .
, ,

and st r on g at the base .

C O MB WA TT L E S AND E A R LO BE S : Co m b bright red i n chickens t hat

,
-
,

have not been dubbed single s m all and thi n l ow in fron t serrated
, , , , ,

e rect and stra ight ; m atur e bi rds to be n eatly dubbe d and free fr o m ,

wart y e xcrescences s mall feathers or ridges o n t he edg es Wat t les , .

,

brig h t red very t h in and s mooth i n texture E ar lobes bright red

, , .
-
, ,

s mall t hi n and s moot h i n text ur e

, .

EY E S : R e d or deep bay large pro m i n e nt an d brigh t w ith a qui ck

, , ,

and fearless expressi on and perfectly alike i n colo r , .

I 26 COCK E R ’
S MANUAL .

bri ght red s mall thin and neatly rounded on the edges
, ,
Ear lobes ,
.
-
,

bright red very s m all and close to t he face

, .

EY E S : R e d or deep bay large pro m i nen t an d bright wi th a qu ick , , , ,

fiery expressi on an d perfectly alike i n color,

.

NE CK : S ilvery white stri ped black lon g the feathe rs ve ry short

-
, , , ,

givin g the neck a slender an d grace ful appearan ce .

BACK : Silvery o r ashy gray th e shafts O f feat hers w h ite flat o f -

, , ,

m oderate le n gth broad across the shoulders an d n arrowi n g t o the tai l

, , .

B R EA ST AND BODY : Breast sal m on broad roun d an d pro m i nen t , , , ,

B ody very fir m and m uscular broadest at the shoulders an d t aperin g

, , ,

t o the tai l .

W I N G S : O f m ed iu m lengt h and powerful the butts an d shoulders ,

carri ed so m ewhat high so as to cause a flat back , the poi nts not ,

droopi ng but carri ed co m pact ly agai ns t the sides ; the pri mari es
, ,

secondari es and win g coverts gray ; win g bows ashy gray t he shafts - -
,
-
,

of feathers whi te ; red or brow n on t he wi ngs ve ry obj ecti onable .

TA I L : D ark gray approachi n g black m o derate i n length n ot , , ,

carried ove r the back bu t extend in g backwards the feathers n o t , ,

spread out , but held neatly t oget her .

LE G S : Thighs ashy brown stout an d rou n d and the fe ath e rs short

,
-
, ,

an d close Shanks long bon y clear and taperin g the scales narrow
.
, , , , ,

s m oot h an d close and i n color t o m atch t hose of t h e cock whe n

, , ,

placed o n exhibi ti on Feet broad flat and thi n 3 toes lon g st raight
.
, , , ,

and spread ing and well furn ished wi th stron g n ai ls the hi nd t oes se t
, ,
-

low on the fee t standi n g well backwards and not duck footed
, , .

HA R DN ESS O F F E A TH E R : Body feathers close short hard and fi r m -

, ,

quills very hard and st ron g

, .

C A RR I A GE : Neat upright quick an d active , , .

P O I N TS I N SI LVE R D U OKW I N G G A M ES .

Sy mm et ry ,
C ond i ti on ,
Stati o n ,

C olor ,

H ead ,

C o m b Wat tles , Ear lobes -

,

Eyes ,

N eck ,

Back ,
 ’
COCK ER S MANUAL . 1 27

Breast and Body ,

W i n gs ,
Tail ,

Legs ,
Feet ,

Hardness of Feather ,

TOO

RED P I L E G A ME S

D I SQ L I P I CA TI ON S
.

A d ul t c oc k s n ot d ub b e d ; c olor of l e gs or p lu m ag e n ot m at c h i n g w h e n sh ow n in ,

pa i r s or t r i os ; c rook e d b ac k s ; w r y t a i ls ; m al fo m e d b re a t s ; d uc k fe e t ; ar t i fi c i al
r s -

c olor i n g ; t r i m m i n g or p l u c k i n g fou l fea t h e r s .

TH E C O CK .

H EAD : D eep chestnut red lon g thi n and tape ring an d ve ry st ro n g

, , ,

at i ts j unct i on wi t h the n eck Beak sli ghtly curved an d stro n g at

.
, ,

the bas e .

C OMB WA TT L ES AND EA R LO BE S : C o m b rich bri gh t red i n chick

,
-
, , ,

en s that have n o t been dubbed s m all single an d thi n low i n fron t , , , ,

s errated erect an d straight 3 m ature bi rds to be n eatly dubbed

, an d ,

free from warty excrescen ces s m all feathe r s or ridges on the edges , , , .

Wattles red very thi n and sm oot h i n texture Ear lobes , red small
, ,
.
-
,

t hin an d s m ooth in te xtu re

, .

EY E S : Re d or brown large pro m in en t and b righ t w ith a quick

, , ,

and fear les s expressi on an d perfectly alike i n color

, .

N ECK : Ra ther lon g and n ic e lv arch ed the h ackle light chestnut ,

r ed .

BACK : U n i form rich red rather sh ort flat broad across the shoul
, , ,

ders and n arrowin g to the tai l 3 t he ste rn sle n der an d n eat and the ,

sadd le feathers ligh t chestn ut red and ve r y short and close

- -
, .

BR EAST AN D BODY : B reast white sli ghtl y p enc iled w it h chestnut , .

red , b road , full an d round Bod v very firm an d muscular n ot so ft

, .
,
I 28 COCK ER ’
S MANUAL .

Or hollo w on t he s ides broadest at the shoulders and tapering t o t he ,

tail .

W I N GS : O f m e d iu m length an d powerful the but ts and shoulders ,

sli ghtly raised as i f fo r a sudden sprin g ; the remai nde r n ot d roopin g

, ,

but carried c omp ac t lv agai ns t t he s ides t he point s rest i n g unde r t he ,

saddle feathers 3 pr i maries w h i te 3 sec ondaries red on t he outside web

-
, ,

an d whi te on the i nside w e b wi th a white spot on t he end o f each ,

feathe r ; w i ng bo ws uni fo r m ri ch red ; wing coverts whi t e edged

-
,
-
, ,

w i th red .

TA I L : Whi te of m ediu m length c arri ed well t ogether and at a

, , ,

m oderate elevati on 3 sickle feathers whi te and handso m ely curved -

.

LEGS : Thighs white rather long round stout hard and fi r m , , , , , ,

and placed well forward on the body Shanks w illow yellow or .

, ,

wh ite rat her long bon y clean and st ron g and stand ing well and
, , , ,

evenly apart t he sc ales s m oot h and close and t he spurs se t on low

, ,
.

Feet broad thi n and flat ; the t oes long straight and spreadi ng an d
, , , ,

well furn ished wi t h strong nai ls 3 the hi nd t oes set low on the fee t -
,

standi ng well bac kwards and flat o n the ground and n ot m erely ,

t ouching wi th the poi nts or d uck footed ,

-
.

HAR DN ESS 0F F EA THE R : B ody feathers short , hard and fi r m ; quills -

, ,

very h ard and strong .

THE H EX .

H E AD : L ong sle nder taperi ng and ver y neat i n appearance

, , , .

Beak wi llow o r yellow slightly cu rved sharp at t he point and stout

, , ,

at the base .

C OM B WA TT L ES AND EA R LO BES : C o m b bright red si ngle s m all

,
-
, , ,

and th i n low i n fron t even ly serrated and perfectly e rect and st rai ght
, , .

Wattles bright red s mall thin and n eatly rounde d on the edges Ear
, , , .

l obes bright red very small and close t o t he face

, , , .

EY E S R e d or brown large pro m i ne nt an d bright with a quick

.
, , ,

and fiery expressi on and perfectly al ike i n color , .

NE CK : L on g t he feathers very Short givi ng t he neck a slender and

, ,

grace ful appe arance 3 t he hackle a l ight chestn ut w it h white i n t he ,

cente r of the feathers .

BACK : O f moderate length flat broad across t he shoulde rs and , , ,

n ar row i n g t o t he tai l .
 ’
I 30 COCK ER S MANUAL .

WH I TE P I L E G A ME S .

D I S Q UA L I F I OA TI ON S
.

A dul t c oc k s n ot d u bb e d ; c ol or of l e g s or pl u m ag e n ot m at c h i n g wh e n sh ow n in ,

p a i rs or tri os ; c rook e d b ac k s ; w r y t ai l s ; m al for m e d b r e ast s ; d u c k fe e t ; ar t i fi c i al -

c ol or i n g ; t r i m m i n g or p l u c ki n g fou l fe a t h e rs .

THE C O CK .

H EAD : L on g thi n and tape ri n g an d ve ry st ron g at i ts junct i on wi t h

, ,

t he neck Beak , yellow , wi llow or whi t e slightl y curved an d st ro n g

.
,

at the bas e .

COM B , WA TT L ES AND EA R LoBEs : Co m b ri ch bright red i n ch ick -

, , ,

e ns that have not been dubbed single s m all and t hin low i n fron t , , , ,

serrated , erect an d straight 3 m at ure bi rds t o be n eatly dubbed , an d '

free from warty excrescences s m all feathe rs or ri dges on the ed ges , , .

Wattles red ve ry thi n an d s m ooth i n t exture Ear lobes red small

, , , .
-
, , ,

thin an d s m ooth i n texture

, .

EY ES : R e d large pro m in ent and bri ght wi t h a quick and fearles s

, , ,

expression and perfectly ali ke i n co lor

, .

N ECK : R ather long and n icely arc he d the hackle m ainly whi te an d , ,

wi t h but fai n t pencili n g .

BACK : Rather short flat broad across the shoulde rs and narrow i n g
, , ,

to the tai l i n color light red ; th e stern slen der and n eat an d the
, ,

saddl e feathers short an d close m ainl y wh ite an d wi t h but sl i ght

-
, ,

penc ili ng .

B REAST AND BODY : Breast whi te broad full and round Bod y, , , , .

very firm and muscular n ot so ft or hollow on the sides broad est at , ,

the shoulders an d tapering to the tail .

W I N G S : O f mediu m length and p owerful the butts an d should e r s , ,

slightly raised as i f for a sudden spri n g 3 the re m ai nder n ot d roopi n g

, ,

bu t carri ed compactly against the s ides the poi nts restin g u nd er t he ,

saddle feathe rs 3 pri maries and se condaries , w h ite ; w in g coverts , a -

rich bright red or orange and port wi n e colo r combined

, ,
-
.

TA I L : Pure white o f m ediu m le n gth carri ed well t oget he r an d

, , .

at a mode rate elevat i on ; sickle feat hers an d tai l coverts whi te an d - -

handsomely curved .
 ’
COCK E R S MAN UAL . r
3r

L E G S : Thighs , whi te , rather long round , stout , hard an d fi r m and , ,

placed wel l forward on the body Shanks wi llow yellow or wh i te .

, , ,

and the colors pre ferred i n t he ord o t i n whi ch they are n amed rathe r ,

lon g bon y clean an d strong and stand ing well and even ly apart t he
, , , ,

scales smooth and close and the spu rs set on low Feet , broad thi n , .
,

and flat the t oes lo n g strai ght and spreadi n g an d well furnished , ,

wit h stron g n ai ls ; the hind toes se t low on the fee t stand ing well back -

wards an d flat on t he ground an d n ot m erely touchi ng w it h th e poin ts

, , ,

or duck foot ed ~
.

HA RDN ESS 0F F EA TH ER S : Body feathers short hard and fi r m ; quills -

, , ,

very hard and stron g .

THE HE N .

H EAD : L on g sle n d e r in g taperi n g an d very neat i n appearance

, , , .

Beak yellow wi llow o r w hi te in color sli ghtly cu rved sharp at t he

, , , , ,

poin t an d stout at the base .

C O MB WA TT L E S AND E A R LO BE S : Co m b bri gh t red single s m al l

,
-
, , ,

and thi n low i n fron t even ly serrated and pe rfectly erect an d straight
, , , .

Wattles bright red s m all thi n an d neatly roun ded on the edges
, , , , .

Ear lobes bright red very s m all an d close t o the fac e

-
, , , .

EY E S : red large pro mi nen t an d bri ght wi t h a quick fiery ex

, , , ,

pression an d perfectly alike i n color

, .

NE CK : Whi te long the feathers very short givi n g the neck a sle n
, , ,

de r an d grace ful appearance .

BACK : O f m oderat e le ngt h flat broad across the shoulders an d , , ,

n arrowin g t o the tai l ; i n color white .

B R E A S T AND BODY : Breast d istinct chestnut color broad roun d ,

-
, ,

and pro m in en t Body very fi r m and m uscular broadest at t he shoul

.
, ,

ders and taperi ng to t he tai l

,
.

W I N GS : O f m ed iu m length and powerful the butts and shoulde rs ,

carri ed somewhat hi gh so as to cause a flat back the poi n ts n ot , ,

droop in g but carried co mpactly against the sides the pri mari es an d
,

secondaries whi t e .

TA I L : Pure whi te moderate i n l e n gth n ot carried over t he back

, , ,

but extending backwards t he feathers n ot spread out held n eatl y , ,

together .

LEG S : Thighs whi te stout and round and the feathers short an d
, , ,

close Shan ks lon g bon y clean and taperin g the scales narrow
. , , , , , .
 ’
r
32 COCK ER s MANUAL .

’
s m ooth and close and t o match the cock s i n color when placed on
,

exhibi ti on Feet broad flat and thi n . t oes , lon g straight an d

, ,

spreadin g well furni shed wi th st rong n ails ; the hi nd toes set low on
,
-

t he feet st andin g we ll backwards and n ot duck footed

, ,
-
.

HA R DN E SS or FEA TH ER : B ody feathers close short hard and fi r m ; -

, ,

q u ills very hard and st rong

,
.

C A RR I A GE ; N eat , upright qui ck and active , .

P O I N TS I N W H ITE PI L E G A M E S .

S y m m et ry ,

C ondi tion ,

S tat ion
C olor ,

H ead ,

C o m b Wattles an d Ear lobes

,
-
,

Eyes ,

N eck ,

Back ,

Bre ast and Body ,

W ings ,

Tail ,

L egs ,

Feet ,

Hardness o f Feather ,

WH I TE G A ME S .

D I S Q UA L I F I ( ”
A TI

A d u lt c oc ks n ot d u bb e d ; c olor of l e g s or p l u m ag e n ot m a t c h i n g w h e n sh ow n i n ,

p ai r s or t r i os ; c r ook e d b ac k s ; w r y t a i ls ; m a l for m e d b re ast s ; d u c k fe e t ; t r i m m i n g -

O r p l u c k i n g fou l fe a t h e r s .

TH E C O CK .

H E AD : A pure white long th in an d tape rin g and ve ry st ron g at , , ,

i t s junct ion wi th the n eck B eak yellow o r whi te slightly cu rved , .

, ,

a n d st ron g at the base .

 ’
I 34 COCK ER S MANUAL .

TH E HE N .

H EAD : Lon g slende r taperi n g an d very n eat i n appearance

, , , .

B eak , yellow o r whi te , slightly curved sharp at the poi nt an d stout at , ,

t he base .

COM B , WA TT L ES AND EA R LOBESS 3 C o m b single , small and thi n -

, ,

low i n front , evenly serrated an d perfectly erect and st raight Wat , .

t les , bright red small thin and neatly rounded on t he edges

, , Ear , .

lobes bright red very sm all and close t o t he face

, , .

EY ES : L arge pro m i nen t and bright wi th a quick , fiery expression

, , ,

a n d pe rfectly alike i n color .

N ECK : L ong t he feathers very short givi n g the n eck a slender and
, ,

grace ful appearance the hackle clear white , .

BACK : O f moderat e length flat broad across the shoulders , and , ,

n arrowing to t he tail .

B R EA ST AND BODY : B reast b road round and prominen t Body , , .

,

ve ry muscular and fir m broadest at t he shoulders and taperi ng to t he

, ,

t ail and i n plumage a clear pure white t hroughout

, , .

W I N G S : O f m edi um lengt h and powerful t he butts and shoulders ,

carried so m ewhat high so as to cause a flat back the po i n ts n o t

, ,

drooping but carried compactly agai nst t he side s pri maries second
,

ari es and coverts all pure whi te .

TA I L : C lear white m oderate i n length n ot carried ove r t he back

, , ,

but exten ding backwards t h e feathers not spread out bu t held neatly
, ,

together .

LEGS : Thig hs , stout and round and t he feathers Short and close , .

Shanks : yellow or whit e long bony clean and t apering t he scales , , , ,

narrow , smooth and close and t o m atch t he c ock s i n color when ,

’

placed on exhi bition Feet broad flat and thin ; toes long st raight
.
, , , ,

an d spreading and well furnished wi th st rong n ai ls ; the hi nd t oes set

,
-

low o n the feet stan din g wel l backwards an d not duck footed
, ,
-
.

H AR DN ESS O F FEA TH ER : Body feat hers , close short hard and fi rm ; -

, ,

quills very hard and strong

,
.

CA RRI A G E ; N eat , upright quick and act i ve , .

P O I N TS I N W H ITE G A M E S .
 COCK E R ’
S MANUA L . 1 35

C olo r ,
Head ,
C o mb Wattles and Ear lobes
,
-
,

Eyes ,

N eck ,

Back ,

Bre ast and Body ,

Wi n gs ,

Tail ,

L egs ,

Feet ,

Hard ness of Feather ,

BL A C K G A ME S .

D I S Q UA L I F I OA TI ON S.

A d ul t c oc k s n ot d ub b e d ; c olor of le gs or p l u m age n ot m atc h i n g w h e n s h own i n ,

pa i rs or t r i os ; c rook e d b ac ks ; w r y t a i ls ; m al for m e d b re ast s ; d uc k fe e t ; an y ar t i n -

c i al c ol or i n g ; tr i m m i n g or pl u c ki n g fou l fe a t h e r s .

THE CO CK .

H E AD : R ich de ep black l ong thi n and tape ri n g and very strong

, , , ,

at i ts j unction wi t h t he neck Beak Olive or b r onzy black sli ghtly .

,
-
,

cur ved and stron g at the base

, .

C OM B WA TT L ES AND E A R LO B E S : C o m b , i n chicke ns t h at have n ot

,
-

bee n dubbed b right red si ngle small and t hi n , low in fron t serrated
, , , , ,

e rect and straight 3 mat ure birds to b e neatly dubbed , and free fro m
w arty excrescences , small feathe rs or ridges on t he edges Wattles , .
,

bright red ve ry thin , and smoot h i n t exture

,
Ear lobes , bright red , .
-

s m all thin and smoot h i n t exture

, ,
.

EY ES : Black or brown , large , pro m inen t and bright , wit h a quick

and fearless expression , an d perfectly alike i n colo r .
r
36 COCK E R ’
S MANUAL .

NE CK : R athe r long and n icely arched 3 the hackle sho rt and close
and ri ch m etallic black i n colo r .

BACK : R ather sho rt flat broad across t he shoulders and narrow , , ,

ing t o the tai l ; the stern slender an d n eat t he saddle feathers ver y ,
-

short and close an d a rich lustrous black , , .

B R E AST AND BODY : Breast deep black broad an d full Bod v ver y , , .

fi r m and m uscular not so ft or h ollow on the sides broadest at t h e , ,

shoulders and taperi n g t o t he tai 1 3 plu mage th roughout a ri ch deep

, ,

black .

W I N G S : O f m e d iu m lengt h an d powe rful the butts and shoulde rs ,

'

sl i gh tly raised as i f for a sudden spri ng ; t he re mai nder n ot droopi n g

,

but carried co m pactl y agai nst the sides the poi n ts resting under the ,

saddle feathe rs -
.

TA I L : O f m ediu m le n gth carr ied well together and at a m oderat e ,

elevat ion ; si ckle feat hers an d tai l coverts a ri ch glossy or m etalli c

- -
, ,

black .

LE G S Th i ghs d eep black rathe r long round s tout hard and

, , , , ,

fi r m and placed well forward on the body

, Shanks dark Olive .
, ,

leaden black or bron z y black rather long bony clean and stron g
-
,
-
, , , ,

and standing well and evenly apart t he scales s m oot h and close an d , ,

t he spurs set on low Feet broad th i n and flat , the toes lon g .
, , ,

st raight and spreading and well furn ished wit h strong n ai ls 3 t he hi n d ,

toes set low on the feet standi ng well backwards and flat on t he , ,

ground and not m ere ly touching wi th the po int s or duck footed

, ,
-
.

HA R DN E SS O F F E ATHE R : Bod y feathers short h ard and fi r m ; qui lls -

, , ,

ve ry hard and st ron g .

THE H EN .

H E AD : L ong slende r t ape ri ng an d Ve ry neat i n appearance

, , , .

Beak dark Olive or bro n z y black slightly curved sharp at the poi n t
,
-
, ,

an d stou t at the b ase .

C O MB WA TT L ES AND E A R LO BE S : C o m b , si ngl e s m all and t hi n

,
-

, ,

low i n fro n t evenly serrated and perfectly e rect and s t raight Wat
, , .

tles bri ght red s m all thin and n eatly rounded on the edges
, , E ar , , .

lobes bright red very s m all and cl ose to t he face

, ,
“
.

E YE S : Black or brown large pro m i nent an d brigh t wi th a qui c k , , , ,

fiery expressi on an d perfect ly alike i n colo r , .

 ’
I 38 COCK ER S MANUAL .

Fee t ,
H ardness o f Feather ,

BL UE G A ME S .

D I S Q UA L I F I CA TI 0N 8 .

A d u l t c oc k s n ot d ubb e d c ol or of l e g s or p lu m ag e n ot m at c h i n g w h e n sh own i n ,

p ai r s or tr i os ; c r ook e d b ac ks ; w r y t a i ls ; m alform e d b re ast s ; d u c k fe e t ; an y art i -

n oia l c ol or i n g ; t r i m m i n g or p l u c ki n g fou l fe at h e r s .

THE C O CK .

H EAD : Very dark blue shaded wit h black , lon g thi n and taperi n g
, , ,

and very strong at i ts j un cti on wi th the neck Beak black or brown .

,

i sh black sli ghtly curved , and strong at the base

-
, .

COM B WA TT L E S AND EA R LO B ES : C omb i n chickens t h at have n ot

,
-
,

bee n dubbed dark red or purple single small and thi n low i n fron t
, , , , ,

serrated e rect an d straight ; mature bi rds t o be neatly dubbed an d

, ,

free fro m warty excrescences s m all feathe rs , or ridges o n the edges , .

Wattles d ark red very thin , and s m ooth i n t exture

, , Ear lobes dark .
-
,

red o r purple thi n and smooth i n texture

, ,
.

EY ES : Black large pro m inen t and bright wit h a qu ick and fear
, , ,

less expressi on and perfectly al ike i n colo r

, .

N ECK : Blue shaded wi th black rather l on g an d n i cely arched 3 t he

, ,

hackle short and close .

BACK : D ark blue rather short , flat broad across the shoulders and
, , ,

n arrowing t o the tai l ; the stern slender and n eat t he saddle fe at h ,

-

ers blu e , t inged w it h golden red or yellow and very sho rt and close -
, .

B REA ST AND BODY : Breast broad full and roun d Body , very firm , , .

and m uscular not soft or hollow on the sides broadest at the shoul
, ,

ders and tapering to the t ai l and i n color o f plu m age deep blue
, ,

t hroughout .

W I N G S : O f m ediu m lengt h an d powerful , the butts and shoulders

sl i ghtly raised as i f fo r a sudden spring ; t he remainder n ot droopi ng ,
,
 COCK ER S
’
MANUA L . I 39

but carried compactly agai nst t he sides the po i n ts rest ing under the ,

saddle feathers 3 pri mari es and secondaries , dark blue 3 wi ng coverts ,

- -

blue , t i n ged wi th golden —red or yellow .

TA I L : D ark blue , of medium length , carried we ll together an d at a

moderate e levat ion 3 tai l —coverts n ice ly cu rved and deep blue i n color , .

L EG S : Thi ghs rathe r long round stout , hard an d fi rm an d pl aced

, , , ,

well forward o n the body Shanks blue bl ack or olive , rathe r long , .
,
-

bon y , clean an d strong and st anding well and evenly apar t , t he scales
,

s mooth and close , and t he spurs set on low Feet , broad , th in an d .

flat ; the toes lon g straight and sp reading and well furnished with
, ,

stron g n ails 3 t he hi nd toes set low on the feet , standing well back
-

wards , and flat on the ground and no t merely touching wi th t he ,

poin ts o r duck footed

,
-
.

H AR DN ESS O F F E ATH ER : Body —feathers short hard and firm 3 qu ills , , ,

very hard and st ron g .

THE H E N .

H EAD : Very dark blue shaded wi th black long slende r tapering , , , , ,

an d very n eat i n appearance Beak black or brownish black slightly .

,
-
,

curved sharp at t he poin t and stou t at the base

,
.

C OMB WA TT L ES AND EA R LO B E S : C o m b , dark red or purple , single

,
-

small and thin low i n front evenly se rrated an d perfectly e rect and
, , ,

S traight Wat tles dark red s m all thin and n eatly rounded on the
.
, , , ,

edges . Ear lobes dark red very s m all and close to the face
-
, , .

EYES : B lack large pro m i nent and bright with a quick , fiery ex
, , ,

pressi on and perfect ly alike i n color

,
.

N ECK : Blue , shaded with black long t he feathers very short , givin g , ,

the neck a slender and grace ful appearance .

BACK : D ark blue o f m oderate length flat broad across the shoul
, , ,

ders , and narrow in g to t he tail .

B REA ST AND BODY : B reas t broad round p romi nen t Body , very , , , .

firm an d muscular broadest at the shoulders and tapering to t he tail ;

, ,

t he plumage t hroughout a rich dark blue ,

.

-
W I N G S : O f medi um length and powerful t he butts and shoulders ,

c arried somewhat high , so as to cause a flat back t he points n ot ,

d roop ing but carried co m pactly agai nst the sides pri maries and
,

s econdari es , dark blue wing coverts dark blue , bordering on black -

, .
 ’
r 40 COCK ER S MANUAL .

TA I L : M oderate i n length , dark blue not carri ed ove r t he back but , ,

extending backwards t he feathers not spread out but held n eatly to, ,

get her 3 the t aiLc ove r t s dark blue bord erin g o n black ,
.

LEGS 3 Thi ghs dark blue stout and round an d t he feathers short
, , ,

and close Shanks blue black or olive long bon y clean and taper
.
,
-
, , ,

i ng the scales n arrow smooth an d close an d t o m atch t he cock s i n

, , ,
’

color whe n placed on exhibi ti on Feet , broad flat an d thi n 3 t oes .

, ,

long st rai ght and spreading well furnished with strong n ails t he
, , ,

h i nd toes se t low on the feet standi n g well backwards and n ot duck

-
, ,

footed .

H A R DN ESS 0F F E A TH ER : Body —feathe rs , close short hard an d fir m; , ,

qu ills ve ry hard and st rong

, .

C A RRI A G E : Neat upright , qui ck and active , .

P O I N TS I N B L UE G A MES .

Sy mm etry ,
C ondi t ion ,

Station ,
C olo r ,
Head ,

C o m b , Wattles and Ear lobes -

,

E yes ,

N eck ,

Back ,

Breast and Bod y ,

Wings ,

Tail ,

L egs ,

Feet ,

Hardness of Feather ,

I OO

G RA Y G A ME S

D I S Q UA L I P I CA TI OLVI So '

A d ul t c oc k s n ot d u bb e d ; c ol or of le g s or
p l u m age n ot m at c h i n g w h e n sh own i n
,

p a i r s or t ri os ; c r ook e d b ac k s ; w r y t ai l s ; m a l for m e d b r e as ts ; d u c k fe e t ; an y ar t ifi
-

c i al c ol or i n g ; t r i m m i n g or p l uc ki n g fou l fe a t h e rs .
1 42 CO CKER ’
S MANUAL .

H AR D N ESS or F EA TH ER : Body feathers short , hard and firm 3 qui lls , -

,

very hard an d stron g .

TH E H E N .

H E AD : D usky gray , long ,

slender t aperi ng and very neat in ap
-
, ,

p e ar an c e Beak dark willow or bro n zy black slightly curved , sharp

.
,
-
,

at the point an d stout at the base .

C OM B WA TT L ES AND EA R LO B ES : C o m b si ngle small and thi n ,

,
-
, ,

low i n fron t evenly serrated and perfectly e rect an d straight 3 color ,

,

d ark red or purple Wattles red purple s m al l t hi n an d n eatly rounde d

.
, , , ,

on the edges Ear lobes dark red o r pu rple very small an d close t o
.
-
, , ,

the face .

EY ES : D eep bay or brown large pro m i n en t and bri ght , with a , ,

.

quick fiery expression and perfect ly alike i n colo r

, , .

NECK : Silve r y gr ay, stri ped w ith black , long , the feathers very
a

short , givi n g t he neck a slender an d grace ful appearance .

BACK : V ery dark gray , of m oderat e lengt h , flat , broad across t he

shoulders and n arrowi ng t o the t ail
, .

B REAST AND BODY : Bre as t broad round and prom in en t Body , , ,

.

very fi r m and muscular broadest at t he shoulders and taperin g to t he , ,

t ai l
.

W I N GS : O f m edium length and powerful the butts and shoulde rs ,

carried somewhat hi gh so as t o cause a flat back , t he poi nts n ot ,

droop ing but carried co m pactly against the sides

, .

TA I L : Black , moderate i n lengt h n ot carried over t he back , but ,

extending backwards the feathers n ot spread out , h eld neat ly t o ,

gethe r .

L E G S : Thighs , very dark stout and round and the feathers short , ,

an d close Shanks dark willow approachin g b lack lon g bon y clean

.
, , , , ,

and taperi n g t he scales narrow s m oot h and close , an d t o match the

, ,
’
cock s i n color whe n placed on exhibition Feet broad flat an d .
, ,

thin ; t oes , lon g straight and spreadin g we ll furn ished wi t h st ron g ,

nails ; the hi nd toes set low on the fee t st andin g well backwards , and
-
,

not duck footed -

.

HARDN ESS O F FE A TH ER : B ody feathers close sh ort hard and firm 3 -

, , .

quills very hard an d strong

, .

CA RR I A G E 3 Neat upright qui ck and acti ve , , .

 COCKER ’
S MA N I , AL I 43

P O I N TS I N G R A Y G A M ES .

Symmetry ,
Con di tion ,
St at ion ,
C olor ,
H ead ,

C o m b Wattles and Ear lobes

,
-
,

Eyes ,
N eck ,

Back ,
Breast an d Body ,
W i n gs ,
T ail ,
Le gs ,

Fee t ,

Hardness o f Feathe r ,

I OO

SP A N G L E D G A ME S .

D I S Q UA L I F I OA TI ON S.

A d u l t c oc k s n ot d ubb e d ; c ol or of l e gs or plu m ag e n ot m atc h i n g w h e n sh ow n in ,

pa i r s or t r i os ; c rook e d b ac k s ; w r y ta i ls ; m al for m e d b re asts ; d uc k fe e t ; tr i mm i n g -

or pl u c ki n g fou l fe a th e rs .

TH E C O C K .

H EAD : L on g , thin an d taperi n g and ve ry stron g at i ts jun cti o n

,

wi t h the n eck B eak , yellow wi llow or bron zy black , sli ghtly c u rved
.
,
-
,

an d stron g at the base .

C O MB, WA TT L ES AND EA R LO BES : C omb , in ch icken s that have n ot

-

been dubbed , s ingle , small and thin low i n fron t serrated erect an d , , ,

s trai ght 3 mature bi rds t o be n eatly dubbed , and t ree fro m warty ex

c r e sc e n c e s small feathe r s , or ridges on the e dges

,
Wattles , red very .
,

t hi n and smoot h i n t exture Ear lobes , r ed , small thi n , and s m oot h

,
.
-
,

in texture .
 44 COCK E R ’
s MANUAL .

EY E S R e d bay or dark large pro m in ent and bright with a qui ck

, , , ,

a n d fearless expression and perfectly alike i n colo r ,

.

NE CK : R ather long and n i cely arched 3 t he hackle short and close ,

a n d i n colors ei ther black an d whi te

,
red and wh ite blue and w hi te
, , , ,

buff and white or any clearly defined co m bi nati on ,

.

BACK : R ather short flat broad across th e shoulders an d n arrowin g , , ,

t o t he tai l 3 the stern slender and n eat and t h e saddle feathers ver y ,
-

short and close and O f any well de fi n e d co m bi nat i on o f spangles

,
-
.

B R E AST AND BODY : B reast broad full round and well span gled , , , , .

B ody very fi r m and m uscular no t soft or hollow on t he S ides broad

, , ,

est at the shoulders and taperi ng to the tai l 3 t he ge ne ral plu mage be
ing black and whit e red and whi te blue and whi te buff and whi te o r , , , ,

any other clearly defined and duly fixed co m bi nat i o n o f colors .

W I N G S : O f m ediu m len gth an d powerful the but ts and shoulders ,

slightly raised as i f for a sudden spri ng 3 t he re m ai n der not droopin g

, ,

b ut carri ed co m pactly agai nst t he s ides the points resti ng und er t he ,

s addle feathers -
.

TA I L : O f m edi u m len gth carried well t ogether and at a m oderate , ,

e levat ion 3 tai l coverts nicely curved -

.

LE G S : Thighs rather long round stout hard and fi r m , an d placed

, , , ,

well forward on the body Sh anks Yellow w i llow ol ive or bronzy .

, , ,

black rather long bony clean and strong and stand i ng we ll and
, , , ,

e venly apart ; the scales s m oo th and close and the spurs set on low , .

Feet broad t hi n and flat ; t he toes lon g straight and spreading and
, , , ,

well furnished wi th st rong n ails ; the hind toes se t low on the feet -

s tan di ng well backwards and flat on the ground an d n ot m erely touch ,

i n g w ith the poin ts or duck footed ,

-
.

HAR DN ESS O F F E A TH E R : Bod y feat he rs short hard and firm 3 quills -

, , ,

v ery hard and strong .

THE HE N .

H E AD : L ong slende r taperi ng and very n eat i n appearance , , , .

Beak yellow wi llow Olive o r bron z y black , slight ly curved sharp at

, , ,
-
,

t he poi nt an d stout at t he b as e ,
.

C O MB WA TTL E S AND EA R LO B E S ; Co mb single s m all and t hi n ,

,
-
, ,

low i n front evenly serrated and pe rfectly e rect and st rai ght
, Wat , .

tles red s m all thin and neatly rounded on the edges

.
, , Ear lobes ,
, , .
-

r e d very s m all and close t o t he face

,
.
I 46 C OCKER S MA N U A L
’
.
 H A R TF OR D , C ON N .

H H E D I T O R

This is an elegan tly i llust rated and carefully conducted quart o

M o n thly M agazi n e fo r the Fan cie r the Fami l , the Breeder o f Fowls ,
y ,

an d t he M arket Poulterer t o whose in terest s i ts pages are especially

,

devoted .

“The Poultry World aims t o m ai n tai n i ts reputat ion as the lead in g

A m eri can j ournal of i ts clas s an d i ts ci rculati on is admi tt e d t o be by
,

far the largest of an y strictly poult ry publi cat i on i n t he count ry .

Its Seven th V olume for t he year 1 8 78 will be an advance upon all

, ,

previ ous issues and i n that volu m e a hi ghly attract ive feature is pre
sen ted i n our series o f origi n al
,

S u p e r i or Ch r om o I l l u st r at i on s

of modern Standard specimens o f Fowls 3 twelve o f whi ch elegant full

page pictures are furn ished t o “The Poultry World subscribers at a
cost o f only 75 cents annually i n addi t i on to t he regular p rice o f t he ,

M agaz i n e .

A s an A dvert isin g M ediu m for Breeders D ealers Fanci e rs and , , ,

Poultry m e n generally t hose who have good surplus stock t o sel l will
,

readily appreciate t he advan tages o ffered by m eans of t he present very

“
large an d constantly i ncreasi n g ci rcul ion of The Poultry World
at
”

amongst the Farmers , Fanciers Fowl raise rs e tc who desi re t o pur ,

-
, . ,

chase such stock .

O ur M agazine goes largely i nto every State and Terri tory i n the
U nited Stat es and Canadas eac h m ont h A dvert ise me nts are received
, .

at reason able rates co n sideri ng t he wide spread d istribut ion t hese

,
-

cards and n ot ices obtai n A nd as we d evot e our pages exclusively t o

.

the i nt erests o f poultrymen i t wi ll be seen t hat this paper is beyond

,

co m parison t he best chann el through which advert isers m ay reach t he

buying class .

’
TER M S for fi rst year s subscri pt ion 75 cents addit i onal for .

the 1 2 C hromos a year afte r fi rst year t o sam e address

. , , .

C lubs o f two o r more ( when desi red ) sen t t o separate addresses , at

$ 1 0 0 each
. These rates in clude postage bac k n umbers always o n
. .

h an d— I o cts each Back V olu m es . each

. .

H . H . S T OD D A R D ,
“P ou l t r y W or l d ,
” H ar t for d C on n
, .
 FO R S A LE ,

O f the followi ng wel l kn own varieti es -

Bl ac k R e d s , V ir g in i a G r ay s , Br ow n R e ds,
T ar t ar s, R at t l e r s , Ce n c e r s,
D u c k w in g s .

Parties ordering fowls o f m e wi ll recei ve n othin g but choice healthy ,

bi rds .I can also furnish other st rai ns of Ga m es n ot above m en t ioned

'
.

Fowls carefully b oxe d an d shipped on recei pt o f price .

N O F O W L S S E N T C . O I )

Sen d stamp for ci rcular an d prices . A ddress ,

WM . JA S H E A L E Y, M i n
. e r al P oi n t , W is .

YO R K , P E N N S YL VA N I A ,

B re e d e r a n d S h ipp e r of

Y ellow D uckwing , Black Breas ted R eds

-

, St on e fe n c e , etc .
, etc .

Sen d fo r Prices .

L OU I S S E N D KE R ,

L ock Bo x 6 43 , PA R K E R CIT Y PA , .

I m por t e r an d Br e ede r of

P I T G A ME F O W LS .

Warranted D ead Ga m e or m oney re funded .

Eggs an d C hicks i n season C ocks an d Hens at any t i me

. . Sen d
stam p for C i rculars and Prices .
 me ric an ou ourn a
A n d R e c or d .

A splendi d 3 2 page -
,
Illustrated M on thly M agazine ,
d evoted to
breed ing an d m anage m en t of

P ou lt r y , P ig e on s, R a bbi t s an d P e t S t oc k .

It has the L argest C orps o f Practical B re ed ers as Ed it ors and C orres

p on de n t s o f any Journal of its class i n A m e ri ca and is ,

T h e F in e s t P ou lt r y Jou r n a l in t h e W or ld .

Subscri pt i on , per year for plai n edi ti on ; per year for

the C hro m o plate edit ion ( each nu m ber con tai n ing a beauti ful eight
-

t o te n color plate o f p ri z e fowls ) strictly i n advance Sen d 1 3 cents

, .

for speci me n co py o f Plai n Edi ti o n or 2 0 cents for speci m en copy o f ,

C hr o m e Ed i ti on .

w N o att ention paid to postal cards as king for spec i m en nu mbers .

PuhishedbyC J . W A RD ,
idiot and M g.
ana er

1 82 an d I 84 C lark Stree t , C hi cago , Ill .

I also furn ish the following goods at prices an nexed

CR U SH E D R A W B O NE : 2
5 lb bag .
, 5 0 lb . bag ,

100 lbs ,
per bbl .
, 200 lbs ,

C R U SHE D OY STE R SHE LL S ; 1 00 lb . bag , p er bag of 200

lbs ,

C O OK E D BEEF M E AL (an excellent t hing) : 6 cents per pound .

AM E R I CAN P OUL TR Y F O O D : Trial Packages 40 cen ts ; L arge ,

Packages — sent by m ai l post —pai d Five Pound B oxes (by

, ,
.

express ) $ 1 5 0 — expressage to be paid by person orderin g

,
.
.

A lso , R O U P PI LL S and C H O L E R A PI LL S at 5 0 cen ts , 75 ce n ts

and per box post paid ,
-
.
 TH E A M E RI C A N

A N ew , S t y l is h , W e ll -
fi l l e d , N i c e l y I ll u st r at e d ,
an d Car e fu ll y E dit e d

W E E K L Y ,

Wi ll hen ceforth be p ublished and sen t out by us from Hart ford , C onn .
,

O N LY A YEA R .

WE H A VE PLA CED t he SUBSCRI P TI ON PRI CE D OWN LOW

I n orde r that we may make i t an i nducement for Fanci ers and Poul
t e r e r s Farmers Fami li es M echan ics A m ateurs — every one who
, , , ,

keeps fowls who t hi nks of breedi ng chickens or who fee ls

, ,

any i nterest i n fowl raising i n this C ount ry — may

-

SU B S C R IBE F OR IT .

N ew o r O ld subscribers to TH E P OUL TR Y W O R LD ar e i nvited t o

orde r B O TH papers (our M on t hly M agazine and the Weekly) , at
for t he ye ar The regular price for bot h is
.

THE AM E R I CA N P O UL TR Y YA R D an d twelve
C hromos wi ll be sen t an n ually t o one address fo r , ,

B oth The Poultry World and the

Weekly , wi th t he 1 2 C hromos , at
H alf yearly , or yearl y advertisers have the privilege of changi ng t he
-

m atter i n t hei r adverti se men ts every three m onths wit hout ,

additi on al cost N o ext ra charge for cuts or dis

.

played type , which we furnish o f any style ,

and variety o f fowls desired .

A Live W e e kly P ou lt r y P a p e r
Is n ow t o be published which we shall ai m t o make a welco m e visit or
,

t o the fi reside of far mer poultere r fancier deale r , , , ,

family or am ateur at ,

H . H . S T OD D A R D , H A R TF OR D , CON N .
 -
F R OM

Th e Be s t of fl m e r ic a n an d I m p or t e d S t oc k .

H aving greatly i ncreased m y stock of Ga mes I can n ow offe r t o Fan

‘

ci ers and Cockers a selecti on fro m

N e a r ly a ll t h e Le a d in g Va r ie t ie s .

A lso , a number o f C rossed Fowl , bred especially for the Pit .

Persons can have fowls co m bi ning beauty wi th strength courag e ,

wi th skill and perseverence wi th gameness as i t i s a pride i n me t o

, ,

produce WI NN I N G F O W L M y fowls have been repeatedly test ed

.
,

an d i n point o f courage fe roci ty and celerity of act ion have n o su

, , ,
o

p e r ior s .

A ll purchasers guaranteed satisfact i on .

For furt he r particulars add ress

F . H . G RA Y,

P 0 B ox , N o
. . .
9 74 . Batt le C reek M i ch
, .
 N OT FOR I TSELF, BUT FOR A LL .

N EW S E R IE S .

P R O S P E C T U S
— F OR

F am il i ar S c i e n ce
d F an al
’
an c ie r s Jou r n .

( Es t a b lis h e d

A n Illustrated M agazine coverin g depart ments as follows

E D IT O R I A L , w h e r e n ou r v i
i e w s u pon q u e st i on s a n d i ss u e s c on c e r n i n g or of i n te r ,

e s t t o ou r , i gi v e n c a n d i d l y a n d fr e e ly u n in fl ue n c e d b y c l i q u e o r
r e a d e r s w l l be
r in g
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G E R MA N RO U P P I LLS .

TH E STAND A R D SPE C IFI C R E M E DY FOR

0R COMM ON E U WL A I LS
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THE GE R MA N R O U P PI LLS (Kun ke l s O riginal R eci pe) have ’

,

d eservedly acquired a world wide reputat ion , t hrough t heir ext ra

-

o rd inary
Eflie ac y, A dap t e dn Op er a t ive
e ss , an d R est or a t ive
Qu ali t ies,
where they are judiciously ad m i n istered to ordi nary si ck fowls The .

combinati on Of Health giving Ingred ients embodied in the peculiar

-

prescri pt ion fro m which the universally approved and prompt ly e ffect
i ve Ger m an R oup Pi lls are manufactured has proved i ndeed a won ,

dr ously successful and reliable d isco very , that i n t housands o f instan

ces h as bee n voluntarily proclai m ed by prominen t an d experienced
Fo wl Fan ciers Breed e rs , A m ateurs D ealer s and Poulterers i n every
, , ,

secti on of the U n i ted States and the C anadas , to be for a general fowl
medici n e
U NR I VAL E D , A S WE LL A S AL TO GETHE R U N EXC ELA BLE
A fter five years of steady success t he subscribe r has beco m e pro
,

of the now celebrated German R oup Pills and t hey wi ll be

p r ie t or ,

manu factured unde r his supervisi on hereafte r at H art ford C on n , , .

i n good locat ions , for t h e sale of these reli able R oup Pi lls . L iberal
discoun t , at wholesale .

Sa m ple Boxe s mai led post p ai d to any add ress , for

,
-
, 50 ce nts .

L arge r si z ed boxes (contain in g m ore than d ouble the quan ti ty ) , for

Fo r expla n ato ry c ircu lars testi monials etc , add ress
, , .

H . H . S T O D D A RD ,

“POULTRY W O RLD ,
H A RTF O R D C O NN , .