3 Fighting Cock Breeds in the Philippines
The Philippines has a deep-rooted tradition in cockfighting, locally known as “sabong,” where fighting cock breeds are celebrated for their strength, endurance, and fighting prowess. This article delves into the various fighting cock breeds, their characteristics, and why they are integral to this cultural practice.
Which Breed is Used for Cockfighting? The Most Popular Fighting Cock Breeds
In the Philippines, several fighting cock breeds have gained popularity due to their unique traits. These breeds are revered for their relentless attacks, powerful legs, and aggressive temperament. Here are some of the most popular breeds in the Philippines.
1. Kelso Roosters

Kelso roosters are highly regarded in the Philippines for their exceptional agility and intelligence in the ring, making them a top choice for seasoned breeders. These gamefowl are known for their distinctive long legs, which provide a significant advantage in reach and power during fights.
The length of their legs allows them to strike their opponents from a distance, making them formidable fighters on the ground. Their agility is not just physical but also mental. This breed is quick to adapt to the dynamics of a fight, using their smarts to outmaneuver their opponents.
These roosters are often part of a well-maintained flock. They can mate effectively with hens, ensuring a steady supply of fertile eggs that eventually hatch into strong and agile cocks and hens. The Kelsos are recognized for producing chickens that are not only capable in the ring but also have a long lineage of success in cockfighting.
The majority of breeders in the Philippines consider these roosters as essential members of their flock, contributing to the family legacy of raising top-tier game fowl and chickens.
2. Brown Red Roosters

The Brown Red rooster is celebrated for its build and stunning appearance, making it one of the most visually striking fighting cocks in the Philippines. These birds are not just admired for their looks. They are also known for their aggressive nature, which makes them fierce competitors in the ring. The brown feathers of this chicken breed are often a sign of its strength and vitality, traits that are highly valued in cockfighting.
Brown Red roosters are bred specifically for their combat skills. Their bodies provide the necessary power to deliver strong blows to their opponents, often leading to the death of the opposing game fowl. These roosters are trained to be relentless, showing no mercy during a fight, which makes them highly sought after by breeders.
The Brown Red is part of a breed line that is known for its fighting ability, and their reputation as formidable fighters precedes them in cockfighting.
3. Malay Gamefowl

This gamefowl is an ancient rooster breed that stands out due to its impressive height and power. This breed is one of the tallest and most physically imposing gamefowl in the Philippines, with a curved beak and spurs that make it particularly deadly in combat. The bird is bred for their endurance and their strength to fight under extreme pressure, traits that have made them legendary in the community.
These birds are known for their relentless nature. Once they are in the ring, they fight until the end, often leading to the death of their opponent. The chicken’s strong legs and muscular build allow it to deliver devastating blows, making it a top contender in any fight. Their ability to withstand long and grueling battles is a testament to their training, which focuses on developing their natural aggression and physical strength.
The Malay breed is often part of a flock that is carefully maintained by breeders who understand the importance of selecting the right hens and roosters for mating. The resulting chicks are then trained from a young age to become formidable fighters.
The hens of this bird have a long history in the Philippines, where these chickens are known for their superior fighting qualities. These chickens and roosters are respected for their fighting ability and their role in the country’s cultural heritage.
Some raisers will cross-breed these gamefowl breeds to get the best characteristics of other roosters into one bird to hatch the best bird that they can grow to become a fighter rooster.
Characteristics of Fighting Cock Breeds
Fighting cock breeds are selected based on their aggressive nature. These birds are not just strong but are also grown to be resilient. Breeders focus on developing traits like fierce demeanor and powerful legs. The temperament of these birds is a key factor, as only the most aggressive birds make it to the ring.
Gamefowl Breeds
The game fowl are carefully trained. Breeders often select hens and roosters with aggressive tendencies and the capacity to withstand the intense stress of fighting. The fighting rooster must possess both stamina and strength to succeed in the ring.
Fighting Rooster Breeds
In the world of fighting rooster breeds, there is a wide variety of characteristics that define each type. While some gamefowl breeds are known for their docile nature, others are celebrated for their toughness and suitability for cockfighting. Here, we explore the contrasts between these gamefowl breeds and what makes them unique.
Orpington Roosters: The Docile Rooster
Orpingtons are among the gamefowl breeds that stand out for their calm and gentle demeanor. They are often favored in farm settings where a peaceful temperament is preferred. Despite their larger size, these roosters are not aggressive and are typically not used in cock fighting. Their docility makes them excellent for mixed flocks where harmony among the birds is essential.
English Game Roosters: Aggressive and Tough Roosters
On the other hand, English Game roosters represent a stark contrast to the Orpingtons. Known for their aggressive nature and tough build, English Game roosters have been historically bred for cockfighting. The rooster possesses a fine balance of aggression and resilience, making them formidable opponents in the ring.
These roosters are characterized by their muscular physique, sharp instincts, and a strong survival drive, traits that are crucial in the high-stakes environment of cockfighting.
Breeding and Raising Fighting Roosters
Breeding fighting cocks is a meticulous process. Breeders ensure that the rooster is paired with enough hens to produce fertilized eggs. Apart from strong rooster breeds, hens are equally important in producing the best birds. These eggs are then carefully incubated and hatched. The resulting rooster is raised with a focus on developing their natural aggression and strength.
Breeding Practices
Successful breeding involves selecting the right pairings to enhance desirable traits like aggressiveness, muscular build, and fighting ability. The aim is to produce birds and fighters that also have the stamina to last multiple rounds in a fight.
Training The Roosters
Once hatched, the fighting cocks are trained rigorously. This training includes diet, exercise, and sparring to prepare them for the fights. Birds are often raised in a flock but separated as they grow to prevent premature fights and injuries.
The Ethical Debate on Cockfighting
Despite its cultural significance, cockfighting has been criticized for its association with animal cruelty. The practice involves pitting two fighting roosters against each other until one is incapacitated or killed. The use of spurs and curved beaks as weapons in these rooster fights has sparked a global debate on the ethics of this tradition.
In some regions, efforts are being made to regulate or ban cockfighting. However, in the Philippines, it remains a popular sport amid modern game options.
What are the most aggressive roosters?
Some of the most aggressive roosters include the Asil breed, Malay breed, and Shamo breed breeds, all known for their intense fighting spirit and physical prowess. The Asil rooster, originating from India, is particularly aggressive, with a reputation for its fierce combat style and powerful build. This breed is muscular, with a strong beak and sharp spurs, making it a deadly opponent in the ring.
The Malay rooster is another highly aggressive breed, recognized for its towering height and sheer power. One of the tallest fighting breeds of roosters, the Malay is bred specifically for its endurance and ability to withstand long, grueling battles. Its aggression is matched by its physical strength, making it one of the most formidable roosters. Similarly, the Shamo rooster from Japan is renowned for its aggressive nature, characterized by its upright posture and muscular frame.
Shamo roosters are trained for combat from a young age, and their aggressive demeanor, combined with their physical capabilities, makes them lethal in any fight. These rooster breeds are among the most feared and respected in the world of cockfighting, known for their relentless drive and unwavering combativeness.
Raising the Best Chicken Breeds for Fighting Game Fowls
The fighting cock breeds represent more than just a sport. They embody a rich cultural heritage. These birds are raised by dedicated rooster breeders who ensure the traits of aggression and strength are passed down through generations. The process of raising these chicken breeds begins with the selection of the best hen and rooster.
Chicken breeders meticulously select the strongest and most aggressive roosters for getting with the finest hens. The goal is to produce a fertilized egg that will eventually hatch into robust and muscular chicks. These flock of cocks are nurtured and trained from a young age, preparing them for the intense fight environment.
Maintaining a healthy flock is crucial for the success of any breeder. The bird must be protected from predators and kept in optimal conditions to ensure their well-being. A strong and healthy flock or bird results in better success and higher-quality eggs, which are essential for producing the next generation of rooster breeds.
These gamefowl breeds are not only admired for their muscular build and fine appearance but also for their role in Filipino society. They are a symbol of strength and endurance, traits that are deeply valued in the Filipino culture. The importance of rooster fighting and beyond is undeniable, as they continue to be a significant part of the Filipino identity and game culture.
While the ethics of fighting continue to be debated around the world, the cultural significance of these birds in the Philippines remains strong. Whether admired for their stunning appearance, aggressive temperament, or exceptional fighting ability, these rooster breeds are an integral part of Filipino heritage.
Beyond gaming, the chicks and eggs these birds hatch can still serve a purpose in the Filipino household as a form of food.
FAQs
What breed is the fighting rooster in the Philippines?
The fighting rooster in the Philippines is most commonly an aggressive breed of Asil, Shamo, or a crossbreed between American Gamefowl and local chicken breeds like Manok Bisdak or Manok Tagalog. These rooster breeds are favored for their strength, endurance, and aggressive nature in fighting. Some crossbreed them with other rooster types.
What is the best breed of gamefowl?
The American Gamefowl is often regarded as the best breed of gamefowl due to its exceptional combination of strength, agility, and intelligence. This breed is highly prized by breeders for its adaptability in the ring, where it demonstrates a keenness to strategize and outmaneuver opponents. Known for its muscular build and powerful legs, this breed can deliver swift and decisive blows, making it a formidable opponent in any cockfight. Its reputation for resilience and endurance ensures that it can sustain energy throughout prolonged battles, a key factor that sets it apart from other rooster breeds.
Another key aspect that makes the rooster breed stand out is its versatility. This breed has been developed over centuries with careful breeding practices that focus on enhancing its natural aggression and fighting instincts. Breeders often select for traits such as sharp reflexes, quick recovery, and an innate fighting spirit, making the rooster breed a top choice not only in the Philippines but also globally. Its consistent performance in the ring has solidified its status as one of the most reliable and effective gamefowl roosters for cockfighting.

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