Modern Games
the history
The Modern Game was developed strictly for exhibition, rather than utility traits. Nevertheless, they are decent layers, and can make good broodies, as well (see 1996 APA Yearbook for an article on natural incubation; some of the hens this gentleman uses are Moderns.) Moderns--the bantams are etherial-looking creatures that have been bred to a high degree of artistic perfection, and are frequently found on Championship row at shows.
Modern Games were at the height of their popularity in the closing years of the 1800's. In type it is far removed from the Old English or Pit Game bred in the days when cock fighting was the vogue of Great Britain. The ideals of breeders of Pit Games were replaced by the ideals of exhibition Game fanciers.
FACTS
The breed was admitted to the American Standard in 1874, and was developed in England from the Old English Game in the 1850's, after the outlawing of cockfighting and the development of exhibition as a new and popular sport. At the breed's peak in the 1890's, there were as many as 299 entries at famous English shows, but the high prices for breeding stock (100 English pounds at the turn of the century, for a single bird, was not unusual), resulting in only a few fanciers having them; the fact that the only reason for its existence was as a show bird; and the criticisms from OE fanciers may have been factors in the decline of popularity for the large Moderns.
DESCRIPTION
Moderns are handsome birds, resembling some of the more attenuated sculptures by the modern sculptor, Lladro. They have exceedingly long legs and neck, a tiny tail and a compact body between. The males are dubbed (comb, wattles, & lobes trimmed) upon reaching adulthood, resulting in a streamlined, elegant head. Hens have a small straight comb. Colors are dramatic and varied, including: Black Breasted Red, Blue Breasted Red, Silver Duckwing, Golden Duckwing, Birchen, Brown Red, Pyle, Lemon Blue, Silver Blue, Blue, Black, and White. Most of these require green legs (Pyle & White have yellow, and some of the darker varieties have black).
PERSONALITY
The personality of Moderns are curious, pleasant birds, the males being well behaved and easy to handle, the hens being alert little busybodies. They get along well with the other birds, tending to be fairly mild in temperment (compared to the large OEs). The cockerels look rather absurd with their exaggerated, coltish legs, stalking pompously around the feed area, chugging off in a ridiculous gallop to some suddenly more interesting spot. The pullets seem more refined, pattering about like a bunch of sandpipers.The height of them is remarkable. The breed has a nice clean, streamlined look--no feathered feet, crests or bulky feathers to keep clean, only hard, shining feathers to polish with a silk cloth before showing. The males do require dubbing, at around 8 months. Dubbing prevents frostbite in cold climates, and, once a bird is trimmed, it will not grow back.
Article written
by: Mama Gozzard
and is for use on The Gander Gab/Perfect Pets only.
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