Bullterriers

First and foremost.  Do you eat meat ? Do you eat fish ? If so then you really are on shaky ground criticizing cock fighting.  Have you ever eaten a crab  ?  Crab's are typically cooked by boiling them alive.  Have you ever eaten at KFC ?  if you answer "yes" to the above then these things may be considered just as if not more cruel than rooster fighting.  Rooster fighters typically eat any roosters that are killed.  So at least they eat organic and non factory farmed unlike KFC regulars!  Personally as the webmaster I would very much support compassion in world farming.  If you disagree with the points below, then please post on the forum or send me a file to upload to this site.

 Ethical questions.

Common statements in the media made about cockfighting I give my subjective opinion to each one in turn.  Pointing out if I agree or disagree.

 #1 Chickens are "trained" or "taught" to fight through various methods. Disagree: Chickens cannot be "trained" to fight nor "taught" not to fight.  Although they can be conditioned to fight longer and better.   There are over 100 different breeds of chickens that will fight and many of those breeds will do so instinctively, unto death.

 #2

There is no need to fight them, why not just raise them without combat? Agree to an extent although not entirely.

You can raise Game fowl and never fight them. However, without that "Test" you risk the compound error of allowing inferior specimens to reproduce. This not only weakens the genetic pool overall, but also encourages a downward spiral in the general health, fitness and survivability of future generations within that family line. However there are some who do collect game cocks and never fight them.  Although it is harder to keep up the genetic health of the line without selection pressures but never the less it can be done.

  #3

They cannot be raised on farms for meat and eggs. Agree in part:  I agree this is the case for a commercial farmer but nor for a hobby breeder:  Currently there are zero egg and/or meat producing companies using Game fowl in this way. As their application for these purposes cannot be accomplished "cost effectively."  These days beautiful game fowl breeds only survive because of collectors and cock fighters. Otherwise these rare breeds would not exist but yes those collectors can also eat the eggs and the meat if they so wish just not commercially.

  #4

Game fowl left free will learn to live together without fighting.

Strongly disagree. This is WRONG! A false belief and myth created by Animal Rights "Theorists" with NO PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION IN POULTRY BREEDING OR SCIENCE!

  #5

The owners of Game fowl find it necessary to abuse their chickens by hitting, kicking or torturing them in order to make them "mean."

 Incorrect: Game fowl are bred to fight not mentally abused to fight.

 #6

Fighting roosters are abused and cruelly cared for. Generally incorrect Usually game fowl are some of the most well treated creatures on earth (not in all cases obviously and prior to fighting).  They certainly receive better treatment than chickens destined for your dinner table or KFC.

  #7

Metal "spurs" aren't natural for a rooster so attaching them for fighting, is cruel.

Both agree and disagree: Roosters grow a natural spur on their legs and often are fought only using those alone. However, this method of "Naked heel" fighting is actually considered a more inhumane way of fighting these warriors by many Cockers. Why? Well, because a natural spur (averaging 3 inches long), will do a great deal of damage, however a death can take considerably longer than with steel spurs. In the natural spur, an average fight might be in the neighborhood of 2 to 3 hours in length. In the past some have gone on as long as 16 hours before a death occurred.  However the webmaster believes that cock boxing with plastic gloves is a good practical alternative to outlawing cock fighting as cock fighting will never be stamped out so why not have an alternative compromise?  Please see page on cockboxing.

 #8

Fighting roosters eventually stop fighting when they get tired but are "forced" to continue. I have seen the handlers keep picking them up to get them to start fighting again.  Not exactly

 Roosters can become exhausted during a match. Therefore, it is natural for them to stop struggling for short periods of time in order to catch their breath.  They are allowed to catch their breath and then continue fighting.  Although cock fighters put them in the position to be able to fight with another rooster in the first place.  As if there was not another rooster there they would not be fighting.   A rooster may also be picked up several times during a match, but only to provide first aid but not because the rooster gave up.

 #9

Gamecocks are bred to make them as aggressive as possible.

Agree to some extent:  Gamecocks have been bred for 10,000 years to become far superior fighters than their jungle fowl predecessors.  Gamecocks are bred to be game against other cocks (not humans) and to be have superior fighting skills.  Game cocks are NEVER forced to fight they do so  "naturally" as do jungle fowl . Although the fighting prowess, gameness and aggression  of modern day game cock has been amplified many times over by selective breeding a fact that cannot be denied.