The best breeders and individual cockfighters in the country are always on the lookout for the best breeds to raise. Gamefowls have violent tempers from an early age because they are breeds intended for fighting with other cocks.
Breeders will need to isolate these roosters from other roosters to prevent them from fighting with each other. So what are famous fighting cock breeds in the Philippines?
Of course, a top gamefowl is determined by many factors that include diet, breed, environment, training, and vitamins. Though experts agree that there is no single perfect breed of gamefowl, if a breed produces a lot of winners in a lot of contests, it has a better chance of producing winners down the road than other breeds. Of course, even the best breed of rooster will be affected if it is insufficiently fed and trained.
Well, join 777Live as we explore the most famous fighting cock breeds in our country.
Sabong Overview
Fighting cock have been bred to be extremely aggressive and have almost supernatural lengths of strength and endurance. The best famous fighting cock breeds, also known as gamefowl, are also incredibly beautiful, meaning that you can introduce these roosters to gamefowl and shows.
As such, while Sabong is banned in many other countries around the world, it is by no means an end for gamefowl. Let’s cast a light on these breeds.
4 famous fighting cock breeds in the Philippines
Roundheads
Roundheads are one of the most well-liked bets during a live sabong because of their reputation as born killers in the cockpit arena. Tracing the gamefowl’s lineage can help determine whether it is a well-bred, high-class batch. With this fighting cock, winning also comes naturally if it is from a robust and vigorous breed.
Roundhead Cock is always bred and conditioned for increased stamina and strength to produce chickens that either cock or hen are called game fowls. These hens are not bred to fight when matured, but they are bred, fed, and groomed with protein and calcium-rich food to enable them to produce chicks that are highly resistant to flues and other fowl illnesses. Also producing resistant and long-lasting generational fighting stamina 100% purebred Roundhead Cock.
Sweater Gamefowl
Among the most famous fighting cock breeds in the Philippines, the Sweater Gamefowl stands out for its agility and resilience.
Known for its strong legs and quick reflexes, the Sweater is admired for its high-flying attacks and relentless spirit. Many Filipino breeders favor this breed because of its versatility and consistent performance in sabong events.
From a batch of roosters deemed inappropriate for use in competitive events, Carol Nesmith developed the sturdy breed known as the Sweater. This breed has excelled in derby competitions held in some of the toughest cockpits in Mexico and the Philippines for years. Consequently, the Sweater became well-known as a breed due to its many successes all over the world.
The early Sweaters were infamous for their lack of stamina, but when new bloodlines were added over time, they changed into the speedy and deadly Sweaters of today, with fast and relentless attacks being among their traits.
They are very harmful when on the ground in the cockpit and can fly very high. These lethal characteristics limit their opponents’ only two options they possess: to fight or to fly.
Kelso
Kelso is the hybrid breed of poultry invented by Walter Kelso. To develop his breed, Kelso paired the hens she was given by John Madigin with several roosters. Some were given by other breeders for multiple years of trial and error.
Most of the progenies produced were failures because of their low quality. However, in 1951 Kelso’s progeny won two battles and that resulted in success. This cock then became a brood cock and sired offspring that won even more derby championships.
Kelso roosters are respected in the ring for their keen instincts and intelligence. This breed is known to study opponents and perform accordingly to ensure strategic victories. The Kelso’s adaptability and premeditated approach make it one of the famous breeds of fighting cocks celebrated by Filipino breeders due to its strategic advantage.
The Kelso breed of game fowl is one of the traditional varieties used in many tournaments nowadays and is presently quite popular in the Philippines. Quite one of the smartest cocks in the combat ring, a Kelso is often a red bird with black breasts, straight or pea combs, white or yellow legs. More often than not, Kelsos attack from the side and avoid engaging their opponent in mid-air.
Most breeders know Kelsos and create many new strains though most of them claim that purebred Kelsos are not granted permission to enter into modern entertainment games. As of this date, several breeders have begun most of their efforts crossbreeding purebred Kelsos to produce other deadlier bloodlines with retained fighting styles of their ancestors, the original Kelsos.
Hatch
Of all the favored Philippines fighting rooster lines, one is the famous Hatch Gamefowl lines of the late 1800s. Some Supremacies are noted to have lots of strength, quick attack, and extreme endurance during ground combat.
This kind of fighting cock is just perfect for sabong fights since it doesn’t wear out easily. Modern hatches are usually quicker, smarter, and fly higher than the parent’s generations, but they still retain the vigor and aggressiveness typical of the hatch. Besides that, Hatches go well with Sweaters, Kelsos, and Radios.
Hatch is known for its vicious power and strength, usually chosen because of its muscular appearance and fighting behavior that is highly aggressive. With their thick feathers and heavy bodies, Hatch roosters are very durable, which, therefore, enables them to be one of the most well-known fighting cock breeds that can give heavy blows on any opponent. Filipino breeders respect Hatch for the ability to stand its ground against the fiercest opponents.
=> Read more: What is Sabong? Why is it a tradition in the Philippines?
A Lasting Tradition
For those passionate about sabong, the journey of these famous fighting cock breeds continues to inspire and shape the future of this enduring tradition.
The leading gamefowl breeds in the Philippines are indicative of a vibrant and varied poultry culture. These varieties, which range from the fabled Sweater and Kelso to the hardy Hatch and Roundheads, demonstrate the enthusiasm and commitment of Filipino rooster lovers. Breeding gamefowl requires careful attention to detail, appropriate diet, and moral behavior.
