Roundheads

Origin of Boston Roundhead.

In 1864, John Harwood was head stevedore at East Boston docks for the Cunard Steam Ship Company. In that year one of the streamers brought over from England a trio of gamefowl. The address and shipping bill of this fowl was lost. The company kept the fowl for three months and gave them to Harwood. He paid the shipping charges. Harwood gave the fowl to his friend Ned Gill, who breed and fought them. They called this game strain the Gill Roundheads or Boston Roundheads. They were light red fowls with black breast, more or less streaked with ginger. The hens, light wheaten color. All had YELLOW legs. The imported trio had small ROUNDHEADS, pea combs and heavy feathers (same features of an Allen Roundheads if you noticed).

After Ned Gill died, John Mc Coy of Marblehead,Massachussetts got some of the Gill fowl and crossed this with John Stone"s fowl. The progeny from this mating went to Frank Coolidge and from him to Mr. Duryeas. Mr Duryeas Boston Roundhead has been one of the strain used for breeding the mean and vicious Sanford Hatch. Also, Frank Shy infused a fine Boston Roundhead from M.J.Bowen in 1933 for this Narragansett strain.

History of Allen Roundhead By: A.J. Jarret

 For the original cock of this family I am forever indebted to Dr. Fred Saunders of Salem, Massachusetts. I paid him the highest price ever paid for a gamecock in America. I took this cock and breed him a Grist yellow legged Grady hen. I raised 4 stags and 7 pullets. I then bred the old cock back to his daughter each season line breeding him until his offspring were 1/8 to 1/16 Grady and Balance Roundhead. By this method I increased their size, station, bone and muscle. They nearly all come yellow legged and often with white in their wings. The old cock was a spangle.

I then got from Mr. John M. Vines of Jefferson, Texas a very old cocker, 3 hens of his old inbred Cripple Tony family. These hens were dark fowl and legs. I bred the old original Roundhead to these hens. The cross was a hit and kept breeding the old cock to his daughters each season, breeding to the Roundhead side. This stock often throws a dark pullet or stag coming of course from the Cripple Tony blood. This family of Roundheads is one of the Greatest on earth. They are dodgers and smart cocks like a pro boxers of today. They use their head as well as their feet and they have won more mains and tournaments than any cocks known to the south.

Morgan Whitehackles - A little history

How to breed

Cock vs hen
Dad to daughter (3 times = 15's/16's cock), set a family

Mother to son (3 times = 15's/16's cock), set a family

Bring them together every 5 years
You have to be really strong minded in how you select.

BRIAN CORKREN 

SWEATER by Jesse Horta

a very smart gamefowl breeder, said that in order to win in today's competition, you should have bloodlines that can kill Sweaters. The current reigning champion of the pit throughout the Philippines is the Sweater, its swarming attack always overwhelming all comers after the last infusion by Carol Nesmith enabled a bird that once lost steam in a long fight due to its relentless attacks to sustain a fight until its opponent gave up the ghost. Because of this, almost all cockers in the country have Sweaters as part of their broodstock. Jesse

To make his Sweater Killers ( Jesse christened them as his White-Legged Sweater ), he crossed a Kearny Whitehackle and Junior Belt's Cowan Roundhead together at a 3/4 Kearny Whitehackle x 1/4 Cowan Roundhead ratio.

Curt Langston, another cocker who was lucky to get original stock from Floyd Gurley himself in the 90s, before the old man retired. Both exchanged ideas on how to cross and raise the Whitehackle for better fighters. Mr. Langston chose to breed with Oriental fowl, and the outcome helped him win 13 straight fights in long knife in his outing with the Whitehackle hybrid crosses years ago and recently he won 4-cock derby using the same Kearney Whitehackle cross.

Most other Gamefarms in the Philippines that had the precious opportunity to acquire Floyd Gurley bred Kearney Whitehackles to cross with their own broodstocks, like RED GAMEFARM have had very good fight records against othewr local top cockers.

The Kearney Whitehackle is always bred as pure stock and are often crossed with the Sweaters and Roundheads for a modern pit fighter that can go head to head with any rooster.

THE HISTORY OF THE SPANGLE HATCH

a letter from Dee Cox

Contributed by: thaGamest

The great speckled bird or better known as the Garrard Hatch or whatever you

want to call them, is an old breed of gamefowl that have stood the test of

time and are still winning with an utmost high percentage today. These fowl

have a long history of great breeding behind them, Billy Ruble who was a

famous man for his power Hatch cocks, Harold Brown had these Hatch cocks that

he and Curtis Blackwell got direct from Ted McLean. Harold let Billy have

these cocks; the ones they liked best were getting old. Billy bought the old

cock and bred them brother and sister, which came out spangled. Harold Brown

and Billy Ruble did not want spangled chickens so Ed Garrard got the spangled

fowl from Harold Brown. These were strictly POWER cocks.

Foxie was Ed Garrard's wife's brother, who was a referee. Richard Bates at that time had

the highest breaking power and cutting cocks at that on the circuit. Richard Bates was in a short heel derby and had a cock that had a broken wing and could not see. Ed got Foxie to buy the cock from Richard which was a tall, high stationed spangle cock.

This cock had to be fed by hand to mouth for a long time. The cock never did get to where he could see. Ed Garrard was determined to breed this cock; he was put in a 4 by 4 pen. The cock learned where his feed and water was. Ed bred this cock over the

spangled McLean hens then put them together. The Bates and McLeans came out

Green and Yellow legged. Harold Brown bred to the Green legged side, but got a

few Yellow legged chickens. A man by the name of Massey in Mississippi took

these and bred to the Yellow legged side with great success(but that is

another long story). Ed Garrard bred the Yellow legged side 5/8 by 3/8; Richard Bates bred both 5/8 by 3/8 together and made a set strain. The cocks were not only good but also reproduce well, and I have had the fowl since 1964.

They have kept on producing and the offspring have kept on reproducing. Personally I think they are better now than they have ever been. I took the Spangle Hatch and made a family, and also took the Red ones and made another family. Bud MacPearson was the only one I would swap bloodlines with. When Ed Garrard got sick, Bud and myself inherited these fowl. We got the ones we wanted. Bud MacPearson who was a great friend of Red Richardson got an Albany cock and bred it to the Spangles, then went to the

Albany side(the Albany fowl from Mr. Red Richardson is another long story of

great history). Richard Bates right nose Blueface bred to Percy Flowers Hatch..... May everyone have friends such as I have ,and had...

Dee Cox

Gamefowl Glossary

aluminum spur- Type of cockfight similar to postiza, but using aluminum.

baby stag- a rooster under 1 year old.

balentia (Chamoru Word) - An endurance match between two fighting birds

until death, without any weapon such as a knife or gaff.

bantam- a full grown fowl under 4 pounds

banty- a slang term for bantam, full grown fowl under 4 pounds.

battle cock- a rooster 2 years old or over used for cockfighting.

battle royal- when more than two cocks are pitted for fighting at one time. The bird that stays standing the longest is the victor.

battle stag- a rooster under 2 years old used for cockfighting.

bitaw - in filipino it means the sparring of 2 cocks sometine with gloves it is a means of training your cocks;letting go of the cocks to fight.

Blinker- a rooster who is blind in one eye.

bola- a female bolo.

bolo- a Hispanic breed of gamefowl, this breed has no tail whatsoever. It is a natural characteristic, and fowls are born tail-less.

botana- a Mexican term for "Knife boot." It is the boot used when tying the Mexican Short-Knife.

Boxing glove- A name for sparring muffs.

Breed- A variety of fowl with certain characteristics which separate it from other fowls.

brood cock- a rooster 2 or more years old used strictly for breeding.

brood fowl- fowl used strictly for breeding.

brood hen- a hen 2 or more years old used strictly for breeding.

brood pen- a pen used to hold and contain brood fowl in order to breed them.

brood pullet- a hen under 2 years old used strictly for breeding.

brood stag- a rooster under two years old used strictly for breeding.

Bubblefoot- A condition to the feet. From a bird being on hard ground, like a stone bruise.

cock- a rooster two years old or over.

Cock of the game- A gamecock.

Cock-bag- A bag used for moving gamecocks to and from a cockpit. It is no longer used, but was usually used in England. Poor cockers use linen, while rich cockers used velvet.

cocker- a promoter, attender, or fan of cockfighting. Also can refer to someone who engages in cockfights through handling, breeding, or conditioning.

cockerel- a rooster under 5 months old.

cockfighter- a person that engages in cockfights.

Cocking- The Sport of Cockfighting, called a sick activity by some, or a royal pastime by others.

cockfighting- pitting two or more roosters, usually in a cockpit with artificial spurs. However, sometimes cockfights do not take place in cockpits and/or with artificial spurs.

Cock-match- A cockfight.

cockpit- an enclosure used for cockfights. The handlers, referee, and gamecocks are in this enclosure during a cockfight. Most cockpits are round or square.

conditioning- the art and science of putting roosters into proper fighting condition.

Cross breeding- Breeding two fowls of a different breed together. Usually this is to produce battle cocks or stags.

culling- killing inferior fowl in order to improve the flock's health and quality.

cupple - When a rooster has taken a blow to the neck or back making him unable to stand or walk.

delouse- to treat a fowl for mites, lice, ticks, and/or external parasites.

Devonshire Main- A cockfight where cocks are matched in pairs according to weight. Usually it starts at four pounds and each pair of cocks after the ones that weigh four pounds weighs on additional ounce. Usually it follows through to five pounds.

dub- to use a scissors, dubbing shear, or other such cutting tool to remove the comb and/or wattle off of a gamecock.

Dubbing shears- a special scissor manufactured for the trimming of the comb and/or wattles.

Dunghill- a fowl of non-game breed which is not bred or used for fighting. This term can also refer to a cock of the game breed which is useless in breeding or fighting. Sometimes refers to hens that areuseless in breeding for cockfights.

Exhibition Gamefowl- fowl used for exhibiting in gamefowl shows. Usually refers to Old English Gamefowl, but sometimes refers to Pit Games.

Feeder- One who feeds and conditions cocks for fighting.

fight- a cockfight, used casually.

fowl- chickens collectively, it refers to both sexes, and sometimes means gamefowl.

gaff- a needle-like weapon used during a gaff cockfight. One gaff is fixed on each spur of the cock. Gaffs range in size.

gaff cockfight- a cockfight using gaffs. Usually gaff cockfights are longer than knife fights. Gaff cockfights require gamer cocks.

game- bravery in a fowl.

game pit- another word for cockpit. Sometimes it refers to the building in which cockpits are located.

gamecock- a rooster of fighting breed, refers to both stags and cocks.

gamefowl- fowls used for fighting or show purposes.

gamehen- a hen of fighting breed, refers to both pullets and hens.

glasher- a rooster used for long-knife fighting.

Hackle- The feather located on the neck of a chicken. Often called the cape.

Handler- A person who handles cocks in a cockfight.

Heeler- A person who is an expert at affixing the heels onto a fighting cock. Also refers to a cock who has extreme power.

hennie cocks- a rooster that resembles a hen.

hennies- breeds of fowl whose male members resemble females.

heel- a weapon fixed to a cock or stag's spur, the heel is used in a cockfight.

heeling- the placing of a cockfighting weapon on a gamecock's spur. It is sometimes referred to as an art.

Inbreeding- Breeding together closely related fowls. For example a brother and sister.

Itim - a Filipino term for black.

kristo - in filipino it is the person who places the bets for you, one who helps in dealing for the bets that you want

keep- a certain method of conditioning gamecocks for fighting. Many cockfighters have their own personal keep. Sometimes this refers to a book, booklet, or pamphlet that describes a cockfighter's method for conditioning.

Limpio - To describe a fighting bird that won and didn't get cut in battle.

Line-breeding- The name given to a certain form of inbreeding where fowls are bred together to keep fowl relatively pure.

llamado - the favorite cock, with higher bet usually, while dehado is the opposite of it.

logro - in filipino it means you are willing to let your money to win a fraction smaller in order that your bets be placed if you say in filipino ( walo diyes ) or 8/10 ratioe.g. your capital is 100 dollar if you win you will earn 80 dollars. (walo onse) eight to 11 (8/110) ratio. if you say sampu anim (10 is to 6) your 100$ will only win 60$ ; ( doblado) it means double your money bet.                   

long-knife- a weapon used during a long-knife cockfight. It is usually 3 inches long, tied on the left foot. This knife is very deadly and sharp. Long-Knives are known as Slashers by Filipinos and it is a popular Filipino style of cockfighting.

long-knife cockfight- a cockfight using a long-knife, these fights require smart and/or high breaking roosters. Long-Knife fights are rather quick.

Lunged- When a cock is stuck in the lung by a heel or spur.

Meron - a Filipino term for llamado or the party of a higher bet, the

opposite is called Wala.

moulting- the time when fowl drop their feathers and grow new ones in their place. Fowl are not mentally or physically stable at this time and should not be fought or even touched unless necessary.

Manok - Chicken in filipino

muff- a cluster of feather resembling a beard under a fowl's beak. Also refers to fighting a stag or cock with sparring muffs covering their natural spurs.

muffs- Breeds of gamefowl whose members have what appear to be beards of feathers. Both hens and roosters will have this cluster of feathers. Also refers to sparring fowl with sparring muffs covering their natural spurs.

naked heel- a style of cockfighting in which involves no use of any artificial heel.

Outbreeding- Breeding in new blood of the same breed.

 Pinfeather- An immature feather.

pit- another term for cockpit, also refers to the placing of cocks down onto the cockpit floor in order to allow the cocks to fight.

pit aid- a medicine, formula, shot, or other such product designed to enhance a cocks fighting performance.

postiza- a plastic gaff-like cockfighting weapon used during the style of cockfighting known as "Postiza." Postiza cockfighting is popular in the West Indies, in countries such as Puerto Rico. Postiza requires Spanish, Bolo, Cuban or Henny gamefowl because of the need to have cocks that hit to the head with hard, snappy blows.

Pula - a Filipino term for red.

pusta - in english bet

Puti - a Filipino term for white.

 Rattle- Noise that a rooster makes after taking a blow to the lungs.

Red Jungle Fowl- the original fowl from which all chickens derive.

Rye neck- When a bird takes a hit to the neck, making his neck roll back or turn around.

Sabong- Filipino term for cockfight.

sabungan - cockpit

Saddle- The feathers draping on the left and right side of the back of the fowl near the tail.

Shake- A cock that cannot be matched because of itís large size. Usually over 6 pounds.

short-knife- a weapon mainly used by Mexicans and other Hispanics in short-knife cockfights. It is shorter than a long-knife, ranging from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch. It is becoming popular in America.

Slasher- Another word describing a long knife.

Sota - (pronounced So-tah) a term used to describe a rooster with different colored legs, or eyes, or toes. For instance a bird might have a green leg, and a yellow leg. Or green legs with yellow toes, or different colored eyes. This term is used alot in Hawaii.

sparring- The act where roosters hit with the feet. Also refers to placing sparring muffs over a rooster's natural spur in order to select or condition him.

sparring muffs- often made of leather, sometimes red, resemble boxing gloves. They are used to condition or select fowl.

Spur- the natural bone-like material on a cock or stag's leg. It is his natural weapon.

Table Work - Physical work done to a rooster while he is up in a keep. To get him into shape for a fight.

Talisayin - a Filipino term for grey.

Tare - is a filipino term for gaf, it is made of sharp & very strong steel with variations in design, it could be a doble blade, a straight one, or it could be put in the right leg.

Toppies- breeds of fowls whose members have a cluster of feathers on their heads.

Toppy- a cluster of feathers on a fowl's head.

tupada - a cockpit done in barios remote areas, usually illegal coz dont have necessary permits.

Under Hack -When a rooster will no longer show or fight. Will not put up his hac feahers. Sometimes due to being fought too young or when there is dunghill blood in the rooster.

wala sa lugar - in filipino it meansd not in proper place gaffing style wherein the base of the gaf is place under the spur. it also aims to test the skill of the gaffer. a normal gaff is usually placed at the left feet of the cock & the steel gaff is leveled at the smallest toenail of the cock.

Wattle- The piece of flesh attached below the beak.

Welsh Main- A number of cocks of the same weight. They are fought in pairs, the victory going to the final contest between the two survivors of the preceding cockfights.

worm- to treat a fowl for worms.

wormer- a medicine given orally kill parasitic worms of an animal.

Wortham's Rules- Shortened term for Modern Tournament and Derby Rules. The Rules most people now use for cockfighting.

locker= neck wrestler

spinner= bird that moves in circular motions when fighting.

plucker= grab the feathers to strike

quick beak= bites constantly, not choosy where he bites, bites constantly to the head, face, neck, body,

line= power of the bird

sin= Some cocker said SIN is the bird's agility...good sin means bird moves smoothly with his opponent..not necessarily moving swiftly...some birds like to fight at steady pace, while some are alla bout speed..the birds that move swiftly and smoothly are refer to super-sinners..

body hitter= bird that hits to the torso, back or wings, legs, butt, tail, rib cage

qai hitter= bird that hits to the base of the neck

stand up= bird that fight toe to toe..never or seldomly going under the wing or legs

People have been misusing the word ‘SIN’. every bird has style. a stand up, his sin is stand up. the style of a bird. sin is a laos word. people think sin means style as a foot work or neck wrestle, but that is only the type of style (the type of sin). type of style is a type of sin. sin just means style. when people ask you what type of sin is your bird? if he is a stand up, you say his "sin" is stand up. if you have a super lock, they say what is his sin? his sin is superlock. if you have a low runner, his sin is low running. in all, it means the style of a bird. easy as that.

plucker - usually top spins (see top spin), and plucks the back feathers for a bill hold before kicking, will also pluck thigh feathers, wing feathers. They're not really "plucking", they really just don't care where they get a bill hold to kick. one of my favorites is a "stand up"+"plucker" style. they'll just stand there all day getting bill holds on the back of the opponent and unleash deadly body shots. plucker style is known for it's body hitters. some examples of pluckers come from Thai lines, Brazilian lines, and Hmong lines.

top spinner - is as the name implies. they use a lot of foot work to try to get the advantage of the other opponent and stay close. Usually top spinners keep their heads up high, and get bill holds on the others head and chin. imagine 2 boxers circling each other. that is a top spinner. if you face a top spinner against a stand up, the top spinner will usually always grab the stand up bird from the back of the head because of the footwork, making it seem like a super locker bird, but it is not. top spinner style is known for being head hunters with good accuracy. Top spinners come from Thai lines, some Ganoi lines, Brazilian lines, and Hmong lines.

super locker - usually uses top spinning, but the distinction between superlocker and top spinner is that super locker will basically wrap his neck fully around the opponents neck, and either gets a bill hold on the back of the opponents head or on the opposite cheek. super locker style is a mix of good body hitting, head hunting, and neck punishment. Super locker lines are Thai I believe.

stand up - this style has no style. the only style is to take punishment and dish it out. these birds are however, usually powerful. what they lack in skill, is made up with power and good accuracy. the only traits that they are selected for, since style is not selected. they like getting bill holds anywhere on the face, comb, and under the beak. stand up birds specialize in head hunting and neck punishment. Best stand up style lines are Ganoi and Asil.

one more style..

bob and weave - these birds do not participate in top spinning or any other style. they just want to get out of the way so they can land free kicks with no bill hold, they don't know how to top spin, or pluck, and they don't want to stand still and take punishment, so they bob and they weave til they can get a good shot at the opponents head. they will use bill holds every now and then though, especially if the opponent persists aggressively in coming in close. they will run around opponents too, but this running around isn't really considered top spin, more of a wheeling style. seems like when they do get a bill hold, it doesn't matter where, they will kick. bob and weave are known for their head hunting skills and a little neck punishing. Bob and weave style is usually from Burma. these birds are also called "Pama" by a lot of Hmong folks and other cock fanciers.

Glossary of Cockfighting Terms

Ace	A gamecock who has won at least eight fights.
Anchor Knot	The last knot that secures the string around a gaff. Anchor knots are usually tied below the socket in order to give more stability to the leg.
Band	See “Leg Band.”
Battle Royal	The placement of several roosters into the pit at the same time with the last survivor being declared the winner. This is sometimes done at the end of a match using injured cocks or birds that the owners intend to cull.
Bill (Billing)	When provoking the birds to fight, the handlers will cradle them in their arms so that only their heads and necks are free. The birds are then brought close together and allowed to peck at each other. Billing lasts from 10 to 30 seconds and is considered part of the fight.
Bishop	A cock that has had his spurs sharpened or filed to give the appearance of being a stag. In matching a stag against a cock, 4 ounces in weight is usually given to the stag; i.e., a stag can weigh 4 ounces more than the cock. Substituting a bishop for a stag is an attempt to cheat by using a cock and gaining an advantage of four ounces. See “Stag.”
Blinder	A handler who tries to place himself between the cocks and the referee in order to avoid a handle.
Blinker	A cock or stag who is blind in one eye.
Blinker Derby	A cockfighting event limited to birds who are blind in one eye.
Bloody Heel	A term for a cock who cuts very accurately.
Blow	1. A strike or kick by a cock, usually resulting in a gaff piercing the opposing bird. 2. To blow on a bird: A method used to revive an injured cock where the handler blows warm air over the bird’s head and neck in an attempt to stimulate blood flow to the brain.
Botana	A wooden block, sometimes wrapped in leather, with a socket designed to fit over the natural spur.
(Mounting Block)	of a gamecock. Necessary for fixing a Mexican slasher or short knife to the left leg of a rooster.
Brain Blow	An injury, usually immediately fatal, caused by a gaff piercing the brain.
Break	1. To fly high at an opponent, usually several feet off the ground. 2. To break the count: See “Count.”
Breast	1. The forward end of a rooster’s body. 2. To come to the breast or go to the breast: To move both cocks to the short score lines. See “Short Score Lines.”
Brush Fights	Smaller, less organized cockfights involving “lesser quality” fowl and usually held in remote locations.
Bull	A stag or cock that shows obvious superiority or strength over his opponent.
Bull Stag	A gamecock between 15 months and 2 years of age that has not been through a complete molt.
Button Heel	The youngest of stags, usually less than one year old, who are just beginning to develop their natural spurs.
Call Sheet	A tally form used by pit officials to record the band numbers, entry numbers, and weights of cocks entered in a derby.
Catch Weight	When two birds are fought without regard to matching their weights, they are said to be fought at catch weight. Most shakes are fought at catch weight. See “Shakes.”
Center Score Lines	See “Short Score Lines.”
Check Weight	The exact weight at which a bird is to be fought. Most cocks must weigh between 2 and 3 ounces of each other in order to be matched. Cocks are weighed immediately before a fight to determine their check weight.
Cock	A mature gamecock (usually about 2 years of age) who has finished his first molt.
Cocker	A shortened term for cockfighter or anyone who breeds gamefowl for cockfighting.
Cockhouse	A building or shed equipped with coops or stalls for keeping cocks. The stalls, which are usually in tiers at one side of the room, each measure approximately 2 1/2 feet square and are equipped with a door. When cocks are to be fought, a cocker keeps them in the cockhouse while preparing them for battle.
Condition	To prepare a bird for fighting by putting him through a rigorous training and feeding schedule called a keep for up to 2 weeks before a fight. There are many different methods of conditioning a bird, and some fighters closely guard their conditioning program since they believe it determines the outcome of the fight. See “Keep.”
Coop walk	See “Walk.”
Count	The referee’s count, called out when no fighting occurs between two birds. The bird who made the last aggressive move has the advantage of the count while the other bird is being counted out. Usually, when one bird fails to attack, the handler of the opposing bird can call for a count. The complete count before a bird is declared a winner is three separate counts of 10 and one count of 20, with 15 to 20 seconds given between each count. After each count, the birds are handled and faced, and any aggressive move by the bird being counted out will end the count. After three counts of 10, the birds will be moved to the short score lines and remain there until the end of the fight. When a cock being counted out fights back, he is said to “break” the count. A cock breaking the count is entitled to the count himself if the opposing bird does not fight back. Rules may vary. For example, some fight rules will declare a winner after two counts of 10 and one count of 20.
Country walk	See “Walk.”
Coupled	A coupled cock is one who has received an injury to the spine or certain parts of the breast and lost control of his legs. Some cocks recover partially in a few minutes, while others give up quickly. Very few coupled cocks regain complete control of their legs.
Cut	To inflict severe wounds with a knife or gaffs; to use a knife or gaffs accurately and effectively.
Cutter	A gamecock who cuts in a superior manner.
Cutting Test	A method of testing the cutting ability of a cock in which the cock to be tested is heeled and pitted against a bird fitted with muffs that a cocker intends to cull.
Derby	A large cockfighting event in which a number of cockers pay an entry fee to enter a pre-set number of birds (usually from four to 12) of various weights in different fights, and, where possible, will not meet the same opponent more than once. The cocker winning the most fights is the winner and collects the purse, which is made up of all the entry fees. Some derbies have two money purses as well as options and other wagering means. Winnings may also be divided between the first- and second-place winners, minus a percentage for the pit operator.
Diamond	A method of cheating in which a gaff is filed to a diamond point in order to give it a cutting edge.
Dora Dirza	An ancient style of cockfighting from India that is currently being introduced to the United
(Taped Spur Boxing)	States. In this style of fight, cocks of Asil breeding are pitted against each other in timed bouts after their spurs have been wrapped with cloth and tape.
Drag and Drag Pit	A drag pit is a smaller pit, separate from the main pit, where birds are placed to finish a fight when both cocks do not leave the score lines and the referee informs the handlers that time is going on. After the proper count to 20, both cocks will be moved to the short score lines in the center of the pit. The fight is now called a drag. Also, when one cock is awarded three counts of 10, both cocks will be moved to the short score lines for the last count of 20.
Drop Gaff	See “Gaffs.”
Draw	When neither cock has the count and there is no further fighting for a specified period, the referee will declare the fight a draw or tie. In a derby, a draw counts as one-half win for each entry.
Dry Day (Drying Out)	A day in which all water is withheld from a cock in order to dehydrate him in preparation for a fight. Many cockers believe the dehydration helps to lessen blood loss. The dry day is usually the day before or the day of the fight.
Dubbing (Clipping)	The surgical removal of a rooster’s comb, wattles, and earlobes. While exhibitors of gamefowl and cockfighters both believe this operation makes the gamecock look truer to breed, cockfighters know that it reduces the fighting cock’s overall weight and lessens the opportunity for injury and sight impairment from bleeding during a fight.
Dubbing Shears	Scissors used by cockers for dubbing.
Dunghill	A term used to describe a bird who runs. Also a common reference by cockers to describe barnyard fowl.
Farm walk	See “Walk.”
Feeder (Conditioner)	A person responsible for maintaining a bird’s weight.
Flat	A method of cheating in which a gaff is filed to a flat cutting edge at the point.
Flight Pens	Larger exercise pens measuring approximately 4 feet wide, 8 to 10 feet long, and 6 to 10 feet high.
Flirt	A method of conditioning that is intended to strengthen a cock’s wings and help him to develop balance while in the air. The bird is held with one hand under the breast and is tossed approximately 2 feet into the air over a bench. He is caught with the other hand and tossed back and forth between both hands in a rhythm that keeps the bird continuously flapping his wings. Forward flirts are accomplished by holding the bird with both hands and tossing him in the air with a forward flipping motion.
Fly	Any of several methods of conditioning in which one cock is held approximately 5 feet off the ground facing away from another cock held on the ground. The bird on the ground is then released to fly toward the bird being held in the air. Just as the birds are about to come into contact, the first bird is raised higher so that the flying bird misses. The process is repeated several times.
Gaff Case	A carrying case, such as a tackle box, or shaving kit, used for storing gaffs and other items a cockfighter will need for a cockfight. A typical gaff case may contain several types of gaffs, moleskin strips, waxed string, scissors, a file and sharpening stone, a suture kit, and a rule book.
Gaffs (Heels)	The artificial steel spurs that are placed on gamecocks in place of their natural spurs. Sold in pairs, each gaff consists of the spike or needle-like spur; the socket, or base that slips over the stump of the gamecock’s natural spur; the upper and lower flanges at the end of the socket; and a leather strap that is sewn to the flanges and designed to wrap around the bird’s leg in order to provide physical support for the gaff. There are many types of gaffs, each named for the way in which the spike protrudes from the socket (regulation, bayonets, drop and full drop, jaggers, skeletons, etc.). Gaffs also come in various lengths, measured from the tip of the point to the top back edge of the socket. Gaffs measuring 21/8 inches and shorter are usually referred to as short heels, and gaffs measuring 21/4 inches and longer are referred to as long heels. A cocker will choose a particular type and length of gaff according to how a specific bird fights; e.g., a bird who stays close to the ground may do better with a drop heel and a long spike, while a bird who flies off the ground may perform better with regulation short heels. Before the gaffs are placed on a bird, strips of moleskin are wrapped around the bird’s legs above and below the natural spur (to act as a cushion), and then around the stump of the spur itself. The gaffs are then fitted and the leather straps are wrapped around the bird’s legs and secured with waxed string.
Game (Gameness)	Term used to describe the quality of courage that permits an animal to continue fighting even when totally exhausted, seriously injured, or dying.
Gamefowl (Old	Descendants of jungle fowl, gamefowl is a term given to the game (fighting) breeds and any
English Games and  Modern Games)	of a breed of fowl used for cockfighting.
Gizzard Blow	A wound to the bird’s gizzard area sometimes resulting in paralysis.
Graveyard Dead	When a bird has collapsed and appears to be unable to continue to fight, but is still alive.
Hack (Hacked Cock)	A gamecock who will not show fight when presented to another cock. When a bird loses his courage or is dominated by another, he is said to be under hack.
Hack Fights	A single cockfight, held independently of other fights. The impromptu fighting of extra birds brought to the fight location while awaiting the start of the organized matches.
Handle	A term used by the referee requiring the handlers to pick up or separate their birds, often after one or both birds have a gaff hung in the other, or in the pit wall or floor. After each handle the birds are again faced, and the fight resumes.
Hand Sparring	A method of evaluating hitting ability. A cocker holds a cock or stag he intends to cull and uses the bird as a moving target for the bird being trained, who is fitted with sparring muffs.
Hang	When one or both birds has a steel gaff stuck in his body and cannot dislodge it to continue the fight.
Heel	The act of attaching gaffs or knives to the legs of the birds to be fought.
Heel By Band Number	The act of heeling the birds according to the number on the leg band. See “Leg Band.”
Heels	See “Gaffs.”
Hen	Female chicken used for breeding.
Keep	Refers to a program of intense training and conditioning of gamecocks prior to a match, especially the last two weeks before a fight. This period is often preceded by a pre-keep, which lasts about two weeks. A cock who is being conditioned is said to be in keep.
Knife (Slasher)	A steel weapon resembling a curved blade. Varieties of slashers include the Filipino slasher or long knife, the Mexican slasher or short knife, and the socket knife. Usually, only one knife is attached to the left leg of each rooster in a knife fight.
Leg Band	A small plastic or metal band placed around a cock’s leg in order to identify him. At a derby or other major fight, a bird will have a band placed on his leg by the pit operator after he has been weighed. A number on the band will be checked before the fight begins to ensure that another bird has not been substituted by a dishonest cocker.
Main	A type of cockfight in which two parties agree to show a certain number of cocks and match all those who weigh within 2 ounces of each other. The winner of the majority of the battles wins the main.
Main Score Lines	Parallel lines drawn approximately 6 to 8 feet apart on the floor of the main pit upon which the birds are released at the start of a cockfight.
Matchmaker	The person responsible for matching birds according to such information as weight and band number.
Molt	The word molt (or moult) means to cast or shed. When used in reference to fowl, it means the period when one suit of feathers is shed for another. The process is slow, lasting an average of about 4 months from the time the feathers begin to drop until the new feathers have hard quills. It is common for fowl to act lethargic during this period, which lasts from the latter part of July to about mid-November. Cockfighting activity also generally subsides during this period.
Mounting Blocks	See “Botana.”
Muffs (Sparring or	Padded muffs designed to be placed over a cock’s or stag’s natural spurs to prevent serious injuries
Breeders Muffs)	from occurring during sparring matches.
Naked Heel	A gamecock who is not equipped with artificial spurs. A term used to describe a cockfight without the use of gaffs or other artificial spurs.
Pinfeathers (Pins)	During the molt the quill at the butt of the new feather is called a pin or pinfeather. The term also applies to a new feather, which is always encased in a soft, bloody jacket.
Pit (Arena)	1.                   The pit is generally an enclosed area in which cockfights are staged. The pit can range from 15 to 20 feet in diameter. In some cases, an enclosure is not necessary. A space on the ground need only be cleared of rocks and debris so that the boundaries and score lines can be drawn in the dirt.
	2.                   To set (cocks, etc.) in a pit to fight.
Pittings	The term used to describe the successive starts of a fight due to the referee’s calling a handle. Time between pittings is 20 seconds.
Postiza	An artificial spur made of aluminum, plastic, or turtle shell that is attached to the stumps of a gamecock’s natural spur with glue and tape. Cockfights using such implements are popular in Puerto Rico, Central and South America, and parts of the United States.
Pullet	Term for a young female fowl until she finishes her first molt.
Quitter	A bird who fails to continue the attack, even if the other bird is dead. A quitter always loses.
Rattled	A term used to describe a bird who is having trouble breathing due to a punctured lung. A rattled cock usually emits a gurgling sound due to the blood in the air passageways.
Referee	Person responsible for enforcing the rules being used, starting the fight, calling handles, keeping the counts, and declaring a winner.
Round Head	Specially bred rooster who has no comb or wattles to dub.
Run	A conditioning method in which a bird is placed on a bench and pushed along with one hand, then turned around and run in the other direction with the other hand. This exercise is intended to build stamina.
Runner	A bird who attempts to flee the pit to avoid a fight.
Score Lines	See “Main Score Lines” and “Short Score Lines.”
Shakes (Shakebags)	Roosters weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces and over.
Shoot	To shoot another cock: To pierce an opposing cock with a gaff. Often shouted as words of encouragement, such as “Shoot ’em!”
Short Heels	See “Gaffs.”
Short Score Lines	Parallel lines drawn 16 to 24 inches apart in the pit upon which the birds are released after being handled.
Show	1. A cockfight, derby, or tournament. 2. A cock who is eager to fight. 3. A cocker’s collection of cocks, as in, “He brought a good show to the last derby.”
Shuffle	A combination of blows struck by a cock.
Shuffler	A term used to describe a cock with the ability to strike many times very quickly.
Slasher	See “Knife.”
Slip Leg (Slip Spur,	A term used to describe a cock who does not have a full natural spur on which to fasten a gaff.
Slip Heel)	Special materials must be used to attach a gaff to a slip leg cock.
Spar	A brief cockfight between birds heeled with sparring muffs in order to determine fighting style and evaluate fighting ability or progress during a keep.
Sparring Muffs	See “Muffs.”
Sparring Stags	A method of evaluating a stag’s fighting ability from the age of 6 months to 1 year to determine which stags will be culled and which stags will be tested for gameness.
Spur Saw	A small saw used to trim a cock’s natural spurs.
Stag	Term for a young male fowl until he finishes his first molt (usually about 18 months of age).
Station	The height of a bird as determined by the length of his legs. Gamecocks are said to be high, medium, or low stationed. The station of a cock is a factor in the type of gaff that will be chosen for him.
String Walk	See “Walk.”
Sun Coop	A portable pen that is set on the ground outside the cockhouse for a cock being conditioned so he is not confined in a stall all of the time.
Testing	Any of a variety of methods used to determine the gameness of stags between about 10 months to 1 year of age in which the bird to be tested is pitted against other birds a number of times over a period of days. Because the tests are intended to be severe and because they are usually conducted with the combatants wearing heels, it is not unusual for a number of the birds to be killed.
Texas Twister	A type of gaff that features a twisting spike.
Tie-out Cord	A cord fastened to a leg of a cock and secured to a stake or pen in a yard. Tie-out cords prevent cocks from coming into contact with other cocks in a yard while allowing them to scratch freely and exercise.
Tournament	A large cockfighting event in which every entry must meet each other entry one time. In a tournament, a cocker may fight as many as 16 different birds, and the elimination process is long and complex. The derby is now much more popular than the tournament in most regions.
Trimming Out	The removal of certain feathers prior to a fight; usually includes the shortening of the long tail (sickle) feathers, wing primaries, and removal of some back (saddle) feathers and plumage around the vent.
Vent	Cloaca, the anal area of a rooster.
Walk	Any of several different methods for keeping and housing a cock. A country walk or farm walk allows the cock to run free and establish his own territory. This method is often used for young stags and older birds. A string walk places the birds on individual tie-out cords, each with his own shelter. Often, more than 100 cocks can be kept in a yard on separate string walks. Birds who are kept in coops or pens are said to have a coop walk or pen walk.
Wheeler	A rooster who attempts to tire and disorient his opponent by running in circles.
Wry Neck	The puncturing of a bird’s neck nerves by a gaff, causing partial to complete paralysis of the neck muscles.
Yard	The area in which cocks are kept or housed when not being conditioned for a fight.

Murphy

by Full drop {October 1969}

Unfortunately Mr. Murphy was a reticent man, not only about chicken his chickens but everything in his life. he considered his affairs his own business and saw no reason to discuss them with any others, particularly acquaintances. had he been willing to discuss his experiences with game chickens, he could have passed on some information to fraternity that should have been and, I believe, would have been of tremendous value to all of us, particularly in regarding to breeding.

From the time i first saw him at Troy, NY , fighting a main, in late 1920 `s until 1942 , he showed consistently the most uniform fowl i have ever seen show.. don `t misunderstand me, he could be and was whipped quite often. but, he won a big majority of his mains and win or lose, his fowl looked and fought alike. as i recall, he won, during his career in cocking, forty-nine stag mains and lost none.

But let `s go back to the beginning, and please remember much of what I write is hear say.

I was not around ninety years ago when he was born, but I am beginning to feel I was. In spite of the fact he was part owner of schley and company. A large brokerage firm.

He was born only Long Island, NY. And at the age of 14 he began working around the harness horse track near his home. The owner of the horses and the trainer to a liking to him helped him in many ways. After he got to driving, some of the owners, who were in one-way or another interested in the stock market, gave him tips on the market, helped him financially.

Many of the Horsemen were interested in cockfighting. And, at the time, when Murphy descended two get into it on his own, cocking was in full swing the in and around you New York City.

Presumably, he had made his mark has a harness driver and had money to do what he’d please. It was said at one time three or four horses owners he drove for had deposit in Syracuse, New York bank $100,000 which he could draw on at any time for he saw a horse that, in his opinion, would do them some good. Eventually, of course, he became one of the greatest harness horse drivers of all times. As far as I know, he bred no horses at any time. He bought what he thought were good ones in broke records with a great many of them can.

When he got ready to go into cocking in a big way, he, of course, needed good fowl to go began thus began, what some have called, the quest internal. He could have gotten fowl from most anyone he desired the beginning of the independent nature he wanted his own and didn’t want anyone to know what they were, or where they came from. He’d begin buying fowl here and there and got exactly nowhere. From the little I knew of Murphy, I am convinced no on ever knew, or ever will no, exactly what his fowl where or where he got them.

There are two stories about it. Nick downes, and old Irish man who worked for him for 30 , claimed the Murphy fowl were lawman whitehackles. John Hoy, a great cocker around 1900 until his death in 1929, work for Murphy for seven years as a feeder and, Hoy was associated with Billy lawman and had the lawman whitehackles and muffs. He took some of the fowl to Murphies place and a great many of the a more breed, raised and fought by and for Murphy. And, after hoy left Murphy, some of the fowl remained. They were the fowl Murphy continued to raise and fight.

Another version of the a Murphy fowl is this; a horse men visited Murphy onetime and went to a main he was fighting. This was before Hoy which to work for Murphy. He lost the main, and the Horsemen who knew something of cocking told Murphy his fowl were no good, and if he intended to continue main fighting he would have to get something better. Murphy told him he knew that, but did not want to get him from Friends or men he would be fighting against, and he did nowhere else to get them. The Horsemen asked him if he was willing to pay a good price for fowl and he told him he would. The promised to get him some good ones. Not long after that, 15 chickens arrived, either five Cocks and team hens or ten Cocks and five hens, from long John Murphy of Ontario, Canada. A bill came with them for $1,500. I know that Murphy did get out from long John on several occasions, because his son is still very much alive and knows about it. At the time in Canada, there was a family of whitehackles fowl that were saved to have been some of the best fowl to land there. They came to Canada from Ireland, and long john had some of them, although he wasn’t the man to imported the them. Long John also had some Duryea fowl. As I recall, long John son said he sent Murphy, at one time, 12 Cock that were half the whitehackles blood and half the Duryea blood.

So, the readers can take their choice as to have the T.W.Murphy fowl were bred and where they came from. It is not only possible, but probably, that Murphy combined the blend of the long John and lawman whitehackles was to make his own family.

A stated above, the Murphy fowl were very uniform in every way, looks, fighting style and gameness. They were sort of a rusty red with white in wings and tail, call straight comb and all yellow legs and beaks. I have heard that some of his fowl came with white legs, and that he killed them. It was also said when fowl was shipped to him from anywhere he removed the shipping labels so no one would know where they came from. I can believe that as he was one of the most secretive men I have to ever know.

One time, he was fighting Marsh a main at Troy and to be surprised if everyone came in with a main of stags that looked as though they might be red quills or crosses of red quills. They whipped marsh six straight fights and won the main. No one ever knew what they were or where they came from, or if Murphy raised them, or got them from some else. no one ever saw him again with fowl that looked anything like them.

Murphy Whitehackles

By Spectator (Nov. 1973)

The exact composition of the Murphy Whitehackles will never be known. Tom Murphy undoubtedly was the greatest short heel cocker in the history of American cocking. During one span of years he won 49 consecutive stag mains without a loss against the finest cockers the country could produce. He also was the least communicative. He followed to the letter the old biblical admonition “let not your right hand know what your left hand doeth.”

Nick Downes, his long time cocker trainer, may have known more or less of the Murphy Whitehackle bloodlines but Nick has been dead for many years, and he was never much of a talker in his lifetime either. All of Nick’s successors and they were numerous were kept in complete ignorance of the Murphy bloodlines and breeding practices. One such man complained, “I never know what is going on around here. He switches the cocks and hens around in the brood pens so often I can’t keep track of them, and I have no idea of which eggs he keeps and which ones he destroys.”

One time Mr. Murphy telephoned me requesting a certain cock to breed. I had given the cock to another friend, but recalled him for Mr. Murphy’s use. A few weeks later I spent the night at Mr. Murphy’s home where we spent considerable time looking over his numerous cocks, stags and brood pens. Not once did he mention the cock I had sent to him, nor did I see him. Then Mr. Murphy was called to the house to answer the telephone. At that same time I heard a cock crow behind a high solid board fence. I lifted myself up the fence in order to see over it and there was my cock in with two beautiful hens. He never referred to the mating, nor did I. That’s how we got along together.

Here is the story, which Mr. Murphy gave me as to the origin of his fowl. When I was a boy (which would have been in the 1880’s) there was an old Irishman who lived about 10 miles form my home on Long Island who had two old Whitehackle hens which I had my heart set upon. I used to walk over there at every opportunity just to look at them. But the old man would not let them go; he said he would not part with them for less than $50.00. The only way I had to earn any money was to shoot quail that I could sell for .25 cents a pair. It took me a long time to save $50.00 but I finally made it and went over there to claim my two hens. The old man was reluctant to part with them even then. Said I should take two younger hens or pullets., but I said no, that I wanted those two particular hens. Then he said he could not catch them because they roosted in the tall trees near his house. I said I could climb trees. So I waited until it got dark and the hens had gone to roost and then I climbed the tree and got the two hens. I walked the ten miles back home after dark with the two hens under each arm, and they were the foundation of my fowl.”

Mr. Murphy never told me to what cock he bred the two hens, or how the breeding operation was conducted during the succeeding years, just that and nothing more. But when I first knew him in the 1920’s, he had a strain established of uniform black red fowl that were well nigh invincible; terrific fighters and cutters with gameness to spare. Nick Downes was his cocker at that time and as I look back upon it, much of the success properly should be attributed to Nick’s superb conditioning procedure. Mr. Murphy was a master breeder. One of the greatest in the annuals of American cocking. Unfortunatley he divulged few of his breeding secrets to anyone. Least of all did he divulge them to the men who worked for him: Jimmy Chipps, Andy Thomason, Johnnie Monin, and Hienie Mathesius. He quarreled with all of them to the end of his days and did everything in his power to keep them ignorant of his methods.

One time, twenty odd years ago, he sent me one of his choicest stags to breed. He crated and shipped the stag himself and requested me when returning his shipping crate to send it from a different location in order that his help would not know where the stag had gone. So I drove 50 miles to another express office in order to keep Mr. Murphy’s employees in the dark as to the stag’s whereabouts.

Incidentally, the stag was a great disappointment to me. He had a tremendous body, but short hackle and a short tail with a great long curved bill like some of those seashore birds you see. I called him “the curlew” after one of them. He lived only one year before he developed a huge canker on his neck and died. But before he checked out, I bred him in late August to a fine spangled Whitehackle hen that belonged to a friend of mine. Only four chicks came from the mating, two stags and two pullets, which on the day hatched I placed in a cole hod and took over to my friend, since I did not want to be bothered with late hatched chicks. But these four little “Curlews” made history. All four were bred extensively for years. One pullet when mated to a Blonde Rollan cock produced stags that won the Lally for Joe Morgan over Sweater McGinnis when Sweater was at his peak. Other offspring from these Curlews won many matches in the Claymore for me and more offspring were big winners throughout New England for years.

All of the original blood is gone now except for mere traces here and there, but it goes to show the genius of that master breeder, Thomas W. Murphy.

I wish it were possible to record a more complete account of the great Murphy Whitehackles, but so many of his close friends have gone-Walter Kelso, John Madigan, Messrs. Hatch, Flaherty, and Story. Most of all Nick Downes who probably had more real knowledge of the fowl than anyone. Mr. Murphy confided in no one, least of all his employees. All chicks were hatched in an incubator in his basement for which he used to remove the day old chicks, take them in a tray to his little room in the house where he had a roll top desk. There he would toe mark them himself, cauterizing the hole with barbershop caustic on the end of a match, enter the record in a little black book which he carried in his inside coat pocket and which no one, No ONE, ever saw. The world is poorer from Mr. Murphy not sharing his genius with the rest of us.