The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-04-26
RAISING GAME CHICKENS.
Secret Handed Down by Generations
OF Breeders In the South.

hSl lSVuileS Ouiy a bOOu hhONiSNeN OA
poultry breeding, while che latter in
wolves as well a number OF finer points
which are known only to a few who
have been long and closely connect
ed with the work.
These secrets have in many cases
been handed down from generation &c
generation, carefully guarded Every
breeder of game chickens in the South
feels that the success of his birds is
largely dependent upon Ghese secrets,
and they are without doubt largely re-
sponsible for the success Of birds rails
ed by Southern breeders. A few facts
concerning game birds and their rails
ing for the pit, secured from Virgin
ia planter, will be of general interest.
The gentleman says his ancestors
brought their original stock Of game
chickens to this country, and their
descendants have been raising them
ever since. He is confident that this
particular strain of birds can hold
their own with the best the country
affords. This is not Idle talk, for his
birds have won fights in the principal
cities Of the country.
First Of all, the birds have been
raised only for fighting purposes, and
then year after year OF careful breed
ing and selection has developed quail
tiles which could be secured in no
other way Birds are raised only from
winners and sisters OF winners.
The chickens are kept together from
the time they are Matched in the
spring until the young cockerels. or
stays, begin to manifest fighting pro-
clivities. That comes in the fall.
They are then separated, and each
stag is placed on walk. That means
that n farmer OF negro is paid 10 take
the cock and keep him on his farm
with not more than six hens in such
place that he will not come in con-
tance with any other cock for year.
One might think the bird should be
fighting all that time TO develop hiss
mettle. but careful study has shown
that this ls not the case. During the
year the bird sees no other cocks he
is absolutely king of the little realm
in which he rules, and he realizes IL.
He grows In stature, dignity and
courage. In few months nothing
can encroach on his territory without
a challenge and stubborn fight, be 1t
COW, horse, mule, dog or man.
At the end of the year these cocks
sometimes spread over territory
twenty miles in circumference, are
gathered in and cooped up, prepara-
tory to testing The fancier holds
little mains for his own and his
friends amusement, and in this way
finds out what qualities the cocks pos
sess. a fight means death 10 ore bird,
and in consequence there is a thinning
out.
Sometimes when two birds of ex-
ceptiopal worth are put together they
are separated after they have demon
strated their good qualities, because
they are too valuable to be sacrificed.
The best BIRDS are then shipped TO
various parts OF the country 10 take
part in big fights,
A main, or cockfight, is an interest,"
ing AFFAIR, A couple OF men. for in
stance, fight twenty birds for a purse
Df 5000, $500 or $500, with $40, 500 or
$50 on each fight. II one man wins
eleven fights, he gets the purse, plus
he amount on each fight he wins, and
The loser ge;s the money for the
lights he wins. This helps him 10
nay expenses.
Large sums Of money are also put
lp on the result the main, or on
'ach separate fig by the company
assembled. Sometimes the fanciers'
riends come with him and back his
birds TO their last cent, but generally
he money is placed by men on birds
hey fancy. and which their educated
judgment tells them will win.
The preparation OF game cock for
he pit, usually ring filled with tan
ark TO prevenr the birds from lnjur- /
ng themselves when they fall, is near
y as elaborate as that Of a prize .
ghter, First, the cocks natural spurs
re cut down 10 a short stump, per- I
APPS half an inch long, chamois strips .
re wound around this and about the
sg and over this the gan, or steel
pur is fitted and tied on securely :
Next, the wings and tail are crop
ed short, the former for the purpose
I making them hit harder, and the
after probably because it makes the
ird look fierce The hackle feathers
re then cropped and the soft, downy
fathers Of the breast are cut close
D keep the bird cool.
The cocks are held together for
lindte, and then dropped on the bark,
nd in few minutes there is a blur
{ feathers. The fight may last Ave
econds or an hour, but twenty min
ties is a good average.
When the birds get hung together,
hey are separated for a moment, and
be owners blow down their rhroats
, revive them, but the rest Is OF short
nration, and the cocks are set at II
gain.
In many cases, the training OF birds
J elaborate. The birds are dioted and
xercised 10 tougher them for the
Dntest Two birds are often put to-
ether, rigged out with muffs or min
ture boxing gloves, for this purpose.
hey are exercised by tossing them
p and down on a padded table.
A bird that is not dead game" and
Ill not stand steel" has it's throat
1t as soon as its owner finds ii out,
nd the same disposition is made Of
le cock THAI uses its bill and not its