Black Breasted Brown Red Standard Old English
The Black Breasted Brown Red Standard Old English is a striking breed known for its game qualities.
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This breed features a beautiful blend of black and brown plumage with a distinctive red breast. They are agile, hardy birds often recognized for their spirited nature and game abilities. Known for their alert demeanor, they are excellent foragers and display a calm yet confident temperament, especially when raised in a proper environment.
History
The Black Breasted Brown Red Standard Old English is part of the Old English Game breed lineage, developed in England. These birds were bred for sport and exhibition purposes, emerging as a recognized breed by the late 19th century and spreading globally through poultry enthusiasts.
Care tips
Provide ample space for them to roam and forage, as they thrive in active environments. They can be broody, making them suitable for hatching eggs if desired. Ensure they have a secure coop, as their active nature can make them prone to wandering.
Fun facts
- They are known for their impressive fighting skills and agility.
- Exhibiting a natural hunting instinct, they excel in free-range setups.
- Their striking plumage makes them popular in poultry shows.
- Old English Game breeds have been part of British culture for centuries.
The Black Breasted Brown Red look
Brown Red is one of the classic dark game colors. The rooster is mostly black with lemon to orange hackle and saddle feathers striped with black, and the breast is black. Hens are largely black with lemon in the hackle. Brown Reds are known for dark faces, often described as purple or gypsy-faced, along with dark eyes and dark legs. The name "Black Breasted" here points to a cleaner black breast, as opposed to the more heavily laced Brown Breasted Brown Red.
How it fits the Old English Game breed
This is a color of the large fowl Old English Game, which some hatcheries sell as "Standard Old English." Every color shares the same tight-feathered, upright game body and the same temperament. Individual lines vary more than colors do.
What to expect day to day
- Active birds that forage hard and prefer room to roam.
- Strong fliers. A covered run or tall fence keeps them home.
- Small cream or tinted eggs, mostly in spring and summer.
- Very broody hens that make fierce, attentive mothers.
Roosters are the main management issue. Game males fight other males and can be quick to do it, so plan on one rooster per group or separate pens. Hens tend to get along.
Climate and coop
Tight feathers mean they handle wet weather well but have less fluff for cold. A dry, ventilated coop without drafts is enough for most winters. Watch single combs for frostbite in deep cold. They tolerate heat well with shade.
Where to find them
Brown Reds are popular with game breeders, and some hatcheries offer them in large fowl.
Common questions about Black Breasted Brown Red Old English
Why do Brown Red Old English have dark faces?
Dark skin pigment around the face is a normal trait of the Brown Red color.
Are Brown Red hens good mothers?
Yes. Old English hens are known for going broody and protecting chicks.
Are they good for eggs?
Not really. They lay small eggs in modest numbers.
