Description
Black Breasted Red Jungle Fowl Standard Old English Game Chicken
Breed History and Origin
Cackle Hatchery® offers the Black Breasted Red Jungle Fowl Standard Old English, one of 18 varieties of Standard Old English game fowl developed over decades. This variety reflects strong influence from traditional jungle fowl-type birds, maintaining many of the original traits that define Old English Game chickens—hardiness, alertness, and longevity.
While not APA recognized, it is shown in the “All Other Standard Breeds” Game Class and is listed on the Livestock Conservancy Watch Status as a sustainable heritage population. Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its own bloodline or strain of Old English Game Standard Chickens since 1974, focusing on preserving natural vigor and structure.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
The Black Breasted Red Jungle Fowl Standard Old English is known for its classic game bird appearance, featuring a bright red head and hackles paired with a glossy black breast and body. This natural coloration closely resembles early jungle fowl patterns.
It features a straight comb, blue to green leg color, and a medium to high station, giving it the upright, alert posture typical of Old English Game birds. Like others in this class, it has a lean, athletic build with strong flight ability. Mature roosters typically weigh around 5 pounds and hens around 4 pounds, with pullets and cockerels slightly smaller.
Egg Production and Broodiness
This breed is considered a poor layer, producing approximately 120 small to medium cream or tinted eggs per year. However, hens are dependable setters and are well suited for brooding, hatching, and raising chicks naturally. This makes them a strong choice for maintaining a self-sustaining flock.
Fertility typically ranges from 40–55%, with a recommended mating ratio of approximately six females to one male.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
The Black Breasted Red Jungle Fowl Standard Old English is active and flighty, with very strong natural instincts and awareness. The breed is known for its gameness, and males can be territorial, requiring separation to prevent aggression. Hens are more manageable and are valued for their brooding ability.
These birds are especially well suited for free-range environments, where their agility and alertness help them evade predators more effectively than heavier, slower breeds. They prefer higher roosting areas, typically 4 feet or more.
Production Positioning and Exhibition Use
This breed is best positioned as a heritage, free-range, and exhibition bird rather than a production layer. While they do produce eggs, their primary value lies in their durability, longevity, and natural reproductive ability.
They are suitable for poultry shows under the “All Other Standard Breeds” Game Class and are often chosen by breeders interested in maintaining more traditional, jungle fowl–type Old English lines.
Breeding Note / Color Note
Maintaining the clean contrast between the red hackles and black breast is important for visual quality. Selection should also focus on preserving the natural, balanced look and strong structure typical of jungle fowl-influenced birds.
Related Resources
NOTE: The Old English are photographed with comb, ear lobes, and wattles dubbed (cut off). As a result, entering a poultry show with non-dubbed males of the Old English breed is a disqualification. You can check your local or state poultry association/clubs for upcoming shows and check out your state fair poultry show dates. You would compete for ribbons with other breeds that are listed in the class “All other Standard Breeds.”
Also may like Standard Old English Surplus. https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/standard-old-english-surplus/
FAQ
Are Black Breasted Red Jungle Fowl Old English roosters aggressive?
Yes, males can be territorial and should be housed separately.
Are the hens good for hatching eggs?
Yes, hens are reliable setters and excellent mothers.
Do these chickens do well free ranging?
Yes, they are highly suited for free-range environments and are very good at avoiding predators.
How many eggs do they lay per year?
They lay around 120 eggs annually, which is considered low production.
Are they good for beginners?
They are better suited for keepers with some experience due to their active and flighty nature.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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| 2026-05-11 |
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Lucas –
I ordered 8 black breasted jungle fowl and 7 Wheaton standard, I was sent 10 of each but in just 6 days 15 have died, do not order from cackle hatchery, I asked for replacement chicks and or a refund I was told they do neither anymore…. dont waste your money, I lost $250 for a bunch of dead chicks
Cackle Hatchery (store manager) –
We’re sorry to hear about the losses you experienced. Our policy is a live arrival only guarantee, which means we must be notified of any losses on the day of arrival so we can address the issue right away. In this case, we did not receive any contact until a week after the chicks arrived, which is well outside our guarantee window. Because so much can happen in the days following arrival that is beyond our control, we are unfortunately unable to offer refunds or replacements in these situations.
Tyler Puckett –
We got a couple extra each time we ordered. The shipping was a breeze and they arrived healthy and happy all 3 times we’ve ordered from cackle. I am exceptionally pleased with this hatchery. It is the exact opposite of what you are told (the horror stories) when you mention ordering chickens. We will always use cackle! The red OES jungle fowl are super friendly and adventurous. They’re great free rangers and have awesome personalities. They even do great with our kids! Thank you cackle hatchery!
MtnMan –
Healthiest mail order chickens. HANDS DOWN!!!
Out of 2 order of chickens I’ve only had 3-4 die and that is very impressive. All my Old english red jungle fowl have been exceptional.
Kylie –
Great!!
I ordered 5 birds, and we got them all alive plus two extra!! All 7 chicks are adults now and beautiful feathers. They are mean birds, but very beautiful. They are all a healthy size, too! We ended up with three roosters and 4 hens.
Rebekah –
Im very happy with my purchase
I purchased BB Reds and Silver Duckwings and i love them.
GB –
Happy with purchase
Very happy with purchase. Very active birds, rooster crowing at 4 months.
Tom –
One happy customer
Just received my brown breasted red oe jungle fowl chicks today this is the 4th time I have bought from cackle and have been amazed every time iv bought there grays and reds and there are amazing birds and arrive health alert it took 3 days for all my shipments arrive and so far all the birds have taken it well in my shipment of grays I ordered 12 and received 15 I can’t stress enough how appreciate the extras in my last shipment I only received 2 extras witch I’m very thankful for I will always buy from cackle hatchery as a matter of fact I’m placing another order this week. Thank you cackle hatchery
Kylie –
Arrived in great health!
My chicks arrived today, all alive and in great health! The packaging is great!!! They had a little warmer and food in the box. I will post updates!!!
Roach –
Great buy
I just got my baby chicks today. We are very happy with the baby chicks. We ordered 3 baby chicks and was sent 3 extra. Can’t wait to order again.
Dylan –
Great
Cant wait to see them.
Oldhat –
Happy with these after 1 year+
I started over with my free range flock and wanted “gamier” birds but not too gamey where you couldn’t turn your back on a rooster. Rooster of this group has not even challenged me in the daily ritual of letting him and 10 hens out each morning or putting them up in the eve. Hens are 50/50, some skittish while others don’t mind eating right out of my hand (rooster always eats out of my hand). If you live in the middle of 600 acres of woods like I do and like to free range then you can’t go wrong here. Oh and if you forget to put them up/coop door shuts accidently then no worries, they’ll find a roost 6-10 ft off the ground close to the coop and stay there for the night. Also I have 2 broody hens from the batch sitting on eggs right now. Very happy with this purchase from a free range perspective.
Larry December 2015 –
Cackle Hatchery
Liked your youtube videos!