Rare Hardfeather
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Rumpless Old English Game
RUMPLESS GAME
As is common with any other rumpless breeds, the parson’s nose is missing. It is known as the caudal appendage, the fleshy protuberance from which the tail feathers grow on a normal bird.
The condition has been known for centuries in various countries around the world, but it is highly doubtful that the Rumpless Game breed, associated with the Isle of Man is very ancient. Some Rumpless Game may have existed on the island centuries ago, but the breed was probably bred in much greater numbers when regular steamships opened up the tourist trade in the mid 19th century, on an island where tourists expected to see tailless Manx Cat at every farm which opened up for cream teas, and a few had even heard of tailless chickens, and expected to see those too. They were probably made by crossing imported European rumples breeds with Old English Game already on the island, although Victorian poultry expert Edward Brown mentioned that ‘at one time’ rumpless chickens were common on the Isle of Arran, which is quite close, so may have been the source.
The breed though popular in the bantam form is not often seen in large fowl, and both are rumples versions of Carlisle type OEG. Rumpless Modern Game were known circa 1900. It is not known if a proposed remake has succeeded.
The birds have an upright posture, a forward-thrusting carriage and a rounded body that slopes down and back. The breed has a single comb, red earlobes and no standard leg colour. They have strong legs with four toes on each foot. The feathering all over is hard and close .Plumage colour is off secondary importance in this breed, and almost any recognized ‘Game’ colour is acceptable.
The bantams can be confined but they prefer free range although they can be noisy. They are a hardy breed, although they can be susceptible to external parasites such as fleas or mite, so need to be checked regularly
The egg yield is low. They are classed as an ornamental breed.
As is common with any other rumpless breeds, the parson’s nose is missing. It is known as the caudal appendage, the fleshy protuberance from which the tail feathers grow on a normal bird.
The condition has been known for centuries in various countries around the world, but it is highly doubtful that the Rumpless Game breed, associated with the Isle of Man is very ancient. Some Rumpless Game may have existed on the island centuries ago, but the breed was probably bred in much greater numbers when regular steamships opened up the tourist trade in the mid 19th century, on an island where tourists expected to see tailless Manx Cat at every farm which opened up for cream teas, and a few had even heard of tailless chickens, and expected to see those too. They were probably made by crossing imported European rumples breeds with Old English Game already on the island, although Victorian poultry expert Edward Brown mentioned that ‘at one time’ rumpless chickens were common on the Isle of Arran, which is quite close, so may have been the source.
The breed though popular in the bantam form is not often seen in large fowl, and both are rumples versions of Carlisle type OEG. Rumpless Modern Game were known circa 1900. It is not known if a proposed remake has succeeded.
The birds have an upright posture, a forward-thrusting carriage and a rounded body that slopes down and back. The breed has a single comb, red earlobes and no standard leg colour. They have strong legs with four toes on each foot. The feathering all over is hard and close .Plumage colour is off secondary importance in this breed, and almost any recognized ‘Game’ colour is acceptable.
The bantams can be confined but they prefer free range although they can be noisy. They are a hardy breed, although they can be susceptible to external parasites such as fleas or mite, so need to be checked regularly
The egg yield is low. They are classed as an ornamental breed.
