Description

Ginger Red Standard Old English Game Chicken

Breed History and Origin

Cackle Hatchery® offers many varieties of Standard Old English game fowl, including the Ginger Red Standard Old English. This breed is one of the oldest chicken types in the world, tracing back to early European game fowl and even earlier jungle fowl influences. Old English Game birds have a long cultural history, with references appearing on Roman coins, as a national sport during the time of King Henry VIII, and even tied to American history through figures like Abraham Lincoln. Today, they are valued as a heritage breed and are listed on the Livestock Conservancy Watch Status as a sustainable population.

Cackle Hatchery® has been developing its own bloodline or strain of Old English Game Standard Chickens since 1974, with significant improvements made over more than 38 years of development. While nine varieties are currently admitted into the American Standard of Perfection, others—like Ginger Red—are shown in the “All Other Standard Breeds” Game Class.

Appearance and Breed Characteristics

The Ginger Red Standard Old English is known for its warm red and orange-toned feathering, often combined with darker accents that give the bird a rich, natural appearance. It features a single comb and distinct green leg coloration, which sets it apart from other varieties. Like all Old English Game birds, it has a lean, athletic build with an upright posture and 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 useful for maintaining self-sustaining flocks. Fertility typically ranges from 40–55%, with a recommended mating ratio of approximately six females to one male.

Temperament and Backyard Suitability

The Ginger Red Standard Old English is active and flighty, with strong natural instincts and a high level of awareness. The breed is known for its gameness, and males can be territorial, requiring separation to prevent aggression. Hens are more manageable and serve well as broody birds. These chickens are best suited for free-range environments, where their agility and alertness help them evade predators. 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 longevity, hardiness, and natural reproductive ability. They are suitable for poultry shows under the “All Other Standard Breeds” Game Class and are especially appealing to those interested in preserving traditional game fowl lines.

Breeding Note / Color Note

Maintaining consistent ginger-red coloration with proper contrast is important for visual quality. Breeding programs should also prioritize strong structure, vigor, and the natural traits that define Old English Game birds.

Related Resources

NOTE: The Old English are photographed with comb, ear lobes, and wattles dubbed (cut off). 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.”

Many people who like this breed of chicken also like the miniature version of the breed (bantam), the Ginger Red Old English Game Bantam Chicken https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/ginger-red-old-english-game-bantam/
Also may like Standard Old English Surplus. https://www.cacklehatchery.com/product/standard-old-english-surplus/

FAQ

Are Ginger Red 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 Ginger Red Old English chickens do well free ranging?
Yes, they are highly suited for free-range environments and are good at avoiding predators.

How many eggs do they lay per year?
They lay around 120 eggs annually, which is considered low production.

Are Ginger Red Old English chickens good for showing?
They can be shown in the “All Other Standard Breeds” Game Class.