Selecting a Brood Cock

Performance Statistics

Select first and foremost on the performance of the pedigree and of the individual.

The pedigree must have at least a winning percentage of 85% and must be multi time winners for a number of years if not a decade. Get to know the pedigree and its fighting style. The pedigree is dominant especially when the breeder enters a full show of the pedigree at a derby and grab the championship on quick wins.

The individual should be at least a two-time winner winning without a scratch in 60 seconds or less.

Basically, the cock’s ancestors, siblings, and test mating offsprings are all great winners.

Vital Statistics

Physical Statistics

Select high station, solid body conformation and light weight.

The ideal minimum shank (metatarsus) is 3.25 inches or 8.25 centimeters from top of the prop toe to middle of the knee (hock).

The ideal leg (tibia) must be long too. Almost 50% longer when compared to the shank length. Minimum of 6 inches or 15.24 centimeters.

The ideal thigh (femur) must be long too.

The ideal minimum girth is 20 inches or 50.8 centimeters. Too much girth is not ideal as it means heavier body. Maximum of 24 inches.

The ideal maximum weight is 5 pounds and 4 ounces or 2.376 kilograms

These are for non-naked heels particularly steel fighters which are fought between 1.8 kilograms (3.96832 pounds or ~ 4 pounds) and 2.5 kilograms (5.51155 pounds or ~ 5 pounds 8 ounces).

Age Statistics

The physical statistics above is for a year old to 2 year old cock. Older cock might weigh more.

When Ordering

Even a photo or video sometimes cannot give us the actual vital statistics or physical statistics due to optical illusion. Maybe a ruler included in the photo will help.

To avoid misunderstanding between you and the breeder, send the breeder the vital statistics – (minimum) shank length, (minimum) thigh length, (minimum) leg length, (minimum) girth, (maximum) weight, and age.

Let’s Standardized Vital Statistics

I hope vital statistics (physical and age statistics) will be included in every photo of gamecocks on the web and print.

• shank (metatarsus) = 3.25″
• leg (tibia) = (at least 50% longer than shank)
• thigh (femur) =
• girth = 20″
• weight = 5’4″
• age = 24mos

This cock shank is 3.5 inches long (from top of the prop toe to middle of the knee). Measure your finger. Mine is exactly 3 inches from tip of the fore finger to the third line close to the palm. The the fourth line is 3.25 inches and the fifth line is 3.75 inches. I use my finger to measure the shank as I do not have a ruler or meter with me all the time.