Old English Game
OrnamentalEngland
One of the oldest chicken breeds in existence, the Old English Game is all muscle, posture, and attitude, descended from the fighting birds of pre-modern Britain. Hens are hardy, long-lived, and fiercely protective mothers; roosters absolutely cannot share a pen.
Eggs per year
100–160
Egg color
Cream
Egg size
Small
Hen weight
4–5 lbs
Temperament
Bold and feisty
Broodiness
Often broody
Did you know?
Game fowl of this type have been kept in Britain for well over a thousand years, and exhibition birds today are judged partly on their proud, upright "station."
Old English Game egg production
Expect roughly 100–160 cream eggs a year from a Old English Game in her prime — about 2–3 a week, or 8–13 dozen over the course of a year. That's a moderate, steady output rather than a record-setting one. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Old English Game is generally described as bold and feisty. They tend to be active, alert foragers that would rather be busy in the run than sitting in your lap, so give them space and things to do.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Old English Game rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
Old English Gamehens go broody often and make devoted mothers, so you can let one hatch a clutch the natural way. If you'd rather incubate, our incubation calculator maps out candling and hatch day.
Space & feeding
A Old English Game hen is a medium-sized bird at 4–5 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Old English Game right for you?
A great fit if…
- You'd like cream eggs in the basket
- You want a striking bird kept for looks and personality
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
- You keep chickens in a hot climate
- You'd love hens that hatch and raise their own chicks
Think twice if…
- You want the most low-maintenance possible first bird
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
- You only want eggs and would rather hens didn't go broody
- You want a lap chicken that loves being handled
Old English Game FAQ
- How many eggs do Old English Game chickens lay?
- A healthy Old English Game hen lays about 100–160 cream eggs a year — roughly 2–3 a week, or 8–13 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Old English Games lay?
- Old English Games lay cream eggs, small in size.
- How big do Old English Game chickens get?
- A Old English Game hen weighs roughly 4–5 lbs — a medium-sized bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Old English Games cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Old English Game is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Old English Games good for beginners?
- The Old English Game is bold and feisty and tends to suit keepers with a little experience more than absolute beginners.
- Do Old English Game hens go broody?
- Often. Old English Game hens are reliable setters and devoted mothers — ideal if you'd like to hatch chicks naturally, less so if you only want eggs.
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