Since the abolition of cock-fighting in America, gamefowl\u00a0have\u00a0increasingly been bred for show.\u00a0 This is perfectly understandable, as they are beautiful\u00a0birds.\u00a0 The downside of the practice, however, is that the American gamecock’s\u00a0distinctive traits — alertness, intelligence, and feistiness — are valued not nearly as much in the show-ring as in the cockpit.\u00a0 With this\u00a0reorientation, we stand to lose, thereby, a distinctive and colorful part of our historical and genetic heritage.<\/p>\n
While Appleworm\u2122 has no desire to encourage cockfighting, we do strongly wish\u00a0to preserve these\u00a0traits in these birds.\u00a0 We are, therefore, attempting to redirect rather than repress their instincts.\u00a0 Our hypothesis is that\u00a0gamecocks can effectively serve as guard chickens over free-ranging New England\u00a0flocks.\u00a0 We are testing this by placing young roosters to guard\u00a0over\u00a0standard-sized hens.\u00a0 Roosters that do this task well will be allowed to breed; roosters that fail, will not.\u00a0 <\/span>Several stags are now at watch.\u00a0 Should you be interested in participating in this experiment, please do contact us.\u00a0 You provide the flock; we\u00a0provide the rooster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Since the abolition of cock-fighting in America, gamefowl\u00a0have\u00a0increasingly been bred for show.\u00a0 This is perfectly understandable, as they are beautiful\u00a0birds.\u00a0 The downside of the practice, however, is that the American gamecock’s\u00a0distinctive traits — alertness, intelligence, and feistiness — are valued … Continue reading