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Modern Game
Modern Game
Modern Game
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Modern Game
A brown-red pair
Conservation status
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    • Standard: 3.20–4.10 kg
    • Bantam: 570–620 g[4]: 185 
  • Female:
    • Standard: 2.25–3.20 kg
      Bantam: 450–510 g[4]: 186 
Classification
APAall other standard breeds[5]
EEyes[6]
PCGBhard feather[7]

The Modern Game is a British breed of ornamental chicken which originated in England between 1850 and 1900.[8]: 62  It was bred from gamecock stock, but solely as an exhibition bird.

History

[edit]

Cockfighting was made illegal in Britain in 1849; in the following decades, some breeders cross-bred fighting birds of Old English Game and Malay stock to develop an ornamental bird for exhibition.[9]: 131 

This was initially known as the Game, and in 1865 was included in nine colours in the Standard of Excellence in Exhibition Poultry, the first edition of the British Poultry Standard by William Bernhardt Tegetmeier;[10]: 20  a Game bantam was also listed.[10]: 47  From about 1870 it was known as the Exhibition Game or Exhibition Modern Game.[11]: 204 [12] Eight colours were included in the first edition of the Standard of Perfection of the American Poultry Association in 1874.[5]

Characteristics

[edit]

The Modern Game is tall and upright, with a long neck and long legs. The body is broad at the breast and tapers towards the tail, somewhat like a clothes iron in shape; the back is short and flat. Thirteen colours are recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain: birchen, black, black-red, blue, blue-red, brown-red, gold duckwing, lemon-blue, pile, silver-blue, silver duckwing, wheaten and white.[11]: 204  The colour of the beak and legs varies according to that of the plumage, from black in the birchen through willow-green in the duckwings and the black-red to yellow in the pile and white. The comb is single and small; the face, comb and wattles vary from black though deep purple to a bright red, and the eyes also vary from black to bright red.[11]: 204 

Standard-sized cocks weigh 3.20–4.10 kg and hens 2.25–3.20 kg,[4]: 185  while bantams weigh 570–620 g and 450–510 g respectively.[4]: 186 

Use

[edit]

The Modern Game does not lay well, nor is it valued for meat production. It is kept almost exclusively for showing, particularly in the bantam size.[8]: 62 [11]: 208 

[edit]
  • A birchen hen in the United States
    A birchen hen in the United States
  • A red pyle cockerel
    A red pyle cockerel
  • A red pyle hen
    A red pyle hen
  • Another rooster
    Another rooster

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Modern Game

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Modern Game is a British breed of ornamental that originated in during the mid-19th century, developed primarily from crosses between Malay and Game following the 1849 ban on cockfighting. This slender, upright bird is characterized by its exceptionally long legs, tall carriage, and sparse feathering, making it a striking show rather than a practical utility . Weighing approximately 6 pounds for cocks and 4.5 pounds for hens, the Modern Game is known for its calm temperament and the hens' tendency to go broody, though it produces a moderate number of small, tinted eggs. The breed's development reflected a shift in poultry fancying toward aesthetics over combat utility, with emphasizing elegance and proportion for exhibition. Recognized by poultry standards organizations, including the American Poultry Association since 1874, the Modern Game comes in various color varieties such as black, red, and pyle, and is particularly popular in bantam form due to its compact size and ornamental appeal. While not critically endangered, the breed's population remains relatively low outside show circuits, valued for its historical ties to Victorian-era poultry breeding innovations.

History

Origins

The Modern Game chicken emerged in between 1850 and 1900, developed through selective crosses of the Old English Game, a native fighting , and the taller Malay gamecock imported from . This breeding aimed to create a striking ornamental with elongated legs and upright carriage, preserving the aesthetic appeal of gamecocks while adapting them for non-combat roles. The primary catalyst for this development was the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1849, which outlawed cockfighting across , effectively ending the breed's traditional purpose. In response, English fanciers and breeders redirected their efforts toward exhibition shows, which gained popularity in the , transforming the aggressive game stock into a show valued for its elegant form rather than fighting prowess. This shift marked a pivotal transition in breeding, emphasizing visual spectacle over utility. Early specimens were simply known as "Game" fowl, reflecting their roots in cockfighting lineages, but by the early , particularly around , as refinements emphasized taller stature and refined proportions, the breed was distinguished as the "Modern Game" to differentiate it from older types. The origins centered in , where longstanding gamefowl breeding communities, particularly around regions like and Carlisle, drove initial experimentation and dissemination. These efforts by anonymous but dedicated local breeders laid the foundation for the breed's ornamental legacy, with later standardization formalizing its traits in the late .

Development and Standardization

The development of the Modern Game breed began in the 1860s, when British fanciers shifted from cockfighting to exhibition breeding following the 1849 ban on the practice, selectively breeding Old English Game and Malay stock for tall stature, long legs, and elegant carriage rather than combativeness. This emphasis on aesthetic traits like height and graceful proportions transformed the breed into a show , with early specimens standing notably shorter than modern examples but prized for their upright posture and hard feathering. The breed received formal recognition in the inaugural British Poultry Standard of 1865, which included nine color varieties and established guidelines for its exhibition qualities. Around 1870, it was renamed "" to reflect its ornamental purpose, prompting further refinement of standards to enhance its leggy, aristocratic appearance while maintaining the spirited demeanor of its game ancestors. In , it was renamed "Modern Game," and the Modern Game Club was formed to promote the breed's tall, sleek form. In 1874, the American Poultry Association (APA) incorporated the Modern Game into the first edition of its Standard of Perfection, acknowledging eight color varieties and facilitating early international adoption among American breeders. This recognition spurred transatlantic interest, with U.S. exhibitors importing birds to compete in poultry shows. Bantam varieties of the Modern Game emerged in the late , bred specifically for easier handling and transport at exhibitions, allowing smaller-scale fanciers to participate without the challenges of maintaining large . These miniatures retained the breed's elegance and were quickly integrated into show circuits, broadening the breed's appeal.

Characteristics

Physical Appearance

The Modern Game chicken is distinguished by its tall, upright posture, featuring a long, slender neck and extended legs that contribute to a striking, elegant . The body conformation is uniquely shaped like a smoothing iron or when viewed from above, with a short, flat back, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow , emphasizing aesthetic appeal over utility. This morphology results in a lean, angular frame that highlights the breed's ornamental qualities. According to standards, standard cocks weigh between 3.2 and 4.1 kg, while hens range from 2.25 to 3.2 kg; bantam varieties are smaller, with cocks at 570–620 g and hens at 450–510 g. (Note: US standards, as per the American Association, specify lower approximate weights of around 2.7 kg for cocks and 2.0 kg for hens.) The head is long and narrow, often described as snaky, topped with a small single comb of fine texture that is upright and evenly serrated. Wattles are fine and small, complementing the comb, and earlobes are similarly compact; eyes are typically dark, adding to the bird's alert expression. According to the Poultry Club of Great Britain, the breed is recognized in 13 plumage colors, including birchen, black-red, lemon blue, and white, among others such as blue, brown-red, and silver duckwing. (The American Poultry Association recognizes 9 varieties.) Feather patterns vary by variety, encompassing solid colors, laced edges, or penciled markings that enhance the sleek, hard covering the body. Legs and feet feature long, unfeathered slate-blue shanks and toes, which are well-rounded and free of feathering to maintain the clean lines of the conformation.

Temperament and Behavior

Modern Game chickens exhibit an active, alert, and spirited disposition, a trait inherited from their gamecock ancestry including and Malay breeds developed after the cockfighting ban in . for exhibition purposes has significantly reduced the aggression typical of their fighting forebears, resulting in generally calm and personable birds that are easily tamed and form bonds with handlers. However, individual roosters may occasionally display territorial aggression, particularly if derived from less selectively bred lines, though this is manageable in small flocks with a recommended ratio of up to nine hens per cock to minimize conflicts and hen bullying. Their high-energy and flighty behavior stems from keen senses and agility, making them prone to escaping enclosures and vulnerable to predators like foxes or hawks, thus necessitating secure, spacious aviaries or runs with at least 4 square feet per standard bird or 2 square feet per bantam in the coop, plus ample free-ranging space. Hens often become broody, especially in summer, and serve as attentive mothers capable of raising their own or even adopted , though their slender build may limit brooding efficiency in adverse conditions. In social dynamics, these birds establish hierarchies but integrate reasonably well in mixed flocks as somewhat independent loners, provided they receive sufficient exercise to maintain . Suited to backyard or aviary keeping, Modern Games thrive in temperate climates where they demonstrate moderate hardiness, but their minimal feathering and elongated structure—referencing their leggy physical build—increase sensitivity to extreme cold, often requiring heat lamps or insulated shelters below 50–60°F to prevent hypothermia. They are curious and friendly toward humans, recognizing familiar faces and responding well to handling or treats, which enhances their appeal as pets for adults, though supervision is advised around children due to occasional skittishness. Health considerations include general vulnerabilities to parasites like scaly leg mites under stress or exposure. With proper care, including high-quality feed, parasite monitoring, and adequate shelter, their average lifespan ranges from 3 to 7 years.

Use

Exhibition and Ornamental Purposes

The Modern Game is predominantly utilized as an ornamental breed in exhibitions, where its elegant, upright carriage and diverse color varieties—such as black-red, silver duckwing, and pile—are highly prized for showcasing aesthetic qualities rather than utility traits. Developed specifically for display following the 1849 ban on cockfighting in Britain, the breed emphasizes tall stature, long legs, and tightly feathered bodies to highlight its refined in competitive settings. The bantam variety of the Modern Game has gained particular popularity in shows due to its compact size, which enhances portability for exhibitors transporting birds to events. Weighing between 450–620 grams, these miniatures are classified under the Modern Game bantam group in standards like those of the American Poultry Association, allowing easy handling while maintaining the breed's signature elongated posture. Key events include the National Poultry Show, a premier exhibition since the late where Modern Game bantams have been featured prominently, with historical supreme champions such as black-red hens in 1975 and pile cockerels in 2007. In modern ornamental keeping, Modern Games are favored in fancy aviaries and backyard settings for their striking visual appeal, including the bold contrast of and tiptoe stance that adds ornamental elegance without excessive scratching or foraging. Exhibitors employ grooming techniques to optimize condition and posture, such as bathing birds five days prior to shows using mild shampoos and rinses to restore natural oils, followed by trimming nails and applying to shanks and combs for shine. Conditioning involves long-term practices like providing ample exercise space to preserve muscle tone and combs and wattles on males to accentuate head shape, ensuring birds present an ideal profile during judging. The breed maintains a strong global exhibition presence, with active participation in through organizations like the Poultry Club of Great Britain, in via the American Poultry Association's bantam classes, and in where miniatures are especially sought after in local shows. These regions foster vibrant hobbyist communities centered on breeding and displaying Modern Games, promoting the breed's ornamental heritage through clubs and annual competitions. Breeding Modern Games for show quality often yields economic premiums, as high-standard birds with superior carriage and coloration command elevated prices at auctions and sales compared to utility stock. Historically, traits drove premium valuations in the , a trend continuing in hobbyist markets where line-bred specimens for competitive displays fetch higher returns.

Utility Limitations

The Modern Game , bred primarily for , exhibits significant limitations in egg production that render it unsuitable for practical farming purposes. Hens typically lay 50 to 100 small, white to lightly tinted s per year, a notably low output compared to utility breeds, with production often inconsistent and reduced during winter months due to the breed's sensitivity to colder conditions. This sparse laying pattern stems from its ornamental selection history, prioritizing over reproductive , making it impractical for commercial or homestead egg operations. In terms of meat production, the breed's slender, upright build results in inadequate carcass weight and minimal edible yield, with mature roosters averaging around 6 pounds and hens 4.5 pounds, but much of this is bone and muscle suited more for than slaughter. The conformation emphasizes long legs and a streamlined frame over plump, tender flesh. Consequently, Modern Games are not viable for commercial broiler systems or even small-scale meat harvesting. The breed's foraging abilities, while active and adept at seeking insects and greens, are offset by high energy demands from its vigorous lifestyle, leading to poor overall feed conversion in utility contexts. These chickens require substantial exercise to prevent but do not efficiently convert supplemental feed into productive outputs like eggs or body mass, making them less ideal for free-range flocks aimed at cost-effective sustenance. In contrast to robust dual-purpose breeds such as the , which excels in both egg laying (200–300 per year) and meat yield with superior feed , the Modern Game lacks the necessary hardiness and productivity for systems. Brooding and rearing present additional challenges, as while hens occasionally exhibit maternal instincts and can be reliable setters, their low output and slender physique limit incubation success, often necessitating artificial methods for seeking viable chicks. The sparse feathering and lightweight build can hinder effective warmth provision during incubation, reducing overall rearing efficiency in production settings.

Recognition and Status

Breed Standards and Associations

The Modern Game breed adheres to standards that prioritize its distinctive tall, upright carriage, emphasizing overall symmetry in , a long neck, and flat back for exhibition quality. Color purity is a key criterion, requiring solid, even without white feathers or irregularities in recognized varieties such as black-red, brown-red, and pile. These standards, as outlined in the British Poultry Standards, have undergone revisions since the early to refine type and carriage while maintaining the breed's ornamental focus. In the , the Poultry Club of Great Britain (PCGB) serves as the primary governing body, recognizing 13 color varieties and enforcing standards through its breed club affiliations. In the United States, the American Poultry Association (APA) and American Bantam Association (ABA) jointly oversee recognition, with the APA's Standard of Perfection detailing nine accepted colors including birchen, black-breasted red, and wheaten for both large fowl and bantams. The Entente Européenne d'Aviculture et de Cuniculture (EE) coordinates standards across Europe, promoting harmonized judging criteria for poultry exhibitions that align closely with British guidelines. Bantam varieties of the Modern Game follow separate exhibition classes established in the early , reflecting their distinct miniature scaling from large while preserving the breed's leggy silhouette and bold posture. Weight tolerances for bantams have been refined in recent standards, typically ranging from 570–620 g for cocks and 450–510 g for hens, to ensure uniformity without penalizing natural variation under 20% deviation. International standards show slight variations in color acceptance, with European bodies like the PCGB permitting more varieties—such as lemon blue and silver blue—compared to the stricter nine in the APA, allowing for broader options in continental shows.

Conservation and Population

The Modern Game chicken is classified as "Threatened" by , indicating it is not endangered but at risk due to its niche focus on ornamental rather than utility production. This status reflects fewer than 1,000 breeding birds in the United States and an estimated global population of less than 5,000 as of , supported by seven or fewer primary breeding flocks of 50 birds or more. Preservation efforts emphasize maintaining purebred lines through organized breeding programs overseen by bodies such as the Poultry Club of Great Britain (PCGB) and the American Poultry Association (APA). The PCGB works to safeguard traditional poultry breeds by promoting ethical breeding practices and breed standards, while the APA supports community-driven breeding aligned with the Standard of Perfection to preserve genetic integrity. Additionally, hobbyist networks facilitate seed stock exchanges among breeders, helping to distribute genetic material and prevent localized losses. Key challenges include vulnerability to genetic bottlenecks arising from selective show breeding, which reduces overall diversity and increases susceptibility to health issues. Small population sizes exacerbate the impact of avian diseases, such as , where limited hinders natural resistance and recovery. However, it remains rare compared to utility breeds, with global numbers still constrained by its ornamental specialization. As a heritage breed derived from gamefowl stock, the Modern Game contributes to by preserving historical traits of British poultry lineages without the homogenizing pressures of commercial . Its maintenance supports broader efforts to retain in non-commercial poultry populations.

References

  1. https://livestockconservancy.org/modern-game-chicken/
  2. https://breeds.okstate.edu/poultry/chickens/modern-game-chickens.html
  3. https://poultrykeeper.com/chicken-breeds/modern-game-chickens/
  4. https://a-z-animals.com/animals/modern-game-chicken/
  5. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-modern-game-bantam.1142840/
  6. https://ia801404.us.archive.org/4/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.139972/2015.139972.The-American-Standard-Of-Perfection_text.pdf
  7. http://www.openpoultrystandards.com/Modern_Game
  8. https://morningchores.com/modern-game-chicken/
  9. https://www.poultrypages.com/modern-game-chickens/
  10. https://www.omlet.us/breeds/chickens/modern_game/
  11. https://www.poultryclub.org/breeds/chickens/hard-feather/modern-game/
  12. https://www.amerpoultryassn.com/2021/11/the-poultry-show-experience/
  13. https://www.poultryhub.org/all-about-poultry/species/fancy-chicken-breeds/modern-game
  14. https://www.poultryclub.org/media/resources/files/2025_schedule.pdf
  15. https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2017/12/02/chickens-strut-their-stuff-at-british-poultry-show/108227150/
  16. https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/animal_science/Poultry/Bathing%20and%20Grooming%20Poultry.pdf
  17. https://www.amerpoultryassn.com/2021/10/grooming-vs-conditioning-poultry-for-the-showroom/
  18. https://www.chickenstoyourdoor.co.uk/product/modern-game-2025/
  19. https://www.thepoultrysite.com/breeds/modern-game
  20. https://www.cacklehatchery.com/which-chicken-breeds-make-the-best-broody-hens/
  21. https://www.amerpoultryassn.com/product/modern-games/
  22. https://entente-ee.eu/
  23. https://livestockconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-CPL-Poultry-PDF.pdf
  24. https://www.poultryclub.org/
  25. https://www.thepoultrysite.com/news/2019/08/the-chicken-whisperer-why-apa-breed-standards-matter-to-commercial-poultry
  26. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/breeding-modern-game-bantams-by-jeff-duguay-ph-d.77130/
  27. https://www.discovermagazine.com/lack-of-genetic-diversity-in-chicken-coops-could-worsen-bird-flu-outbreaks-13083
  28. https://moreaboutchicken.com/global-genetic-bottleneck-and-possible-solutions/
  29. https://www.facebook.com/gamefowl.enthusiasts.16/posts/gamefowl-breeders-have-long-played-a-key-role-in-preserving-heritage-poultry-the/1176838704351710/
  30. https://attra.ncat.org/heritage-chickens-a-rare-breed-in-modern-coops/
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