Weighing and comparing the size and age of the cockerels is considered vital to the outcome. It can take hours. One owner swings his bird towards another cockerel's head to see if they show aggression. If they do, the owners must agree on how much to bet. The cockerels are armed with pointed fishbone spurs for the fight.
Plastic tape is wound around the bird's foot.
The claws are trimmed. It flutters in discomfort. Wax is melted onto its claws to attach the spur. He grabs it tightly. At the beginning of the fight the cocks are taunted with live chickens.