1
RULES AND STANDARDS
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Foreword Every book has its “Foreword”. But to most readers it is swiftly
passed over, as they cannot resist getting into the main content of
its volume and the “Foreword” is read as an afterthought, if read
at all.
So why have I written this “Foreword to the Standards?” Firstly
and most obviously, because I was invited to by Mr Derek Fell:
secondly, it is because we are dedicated Old English Game
fanciers; and thirdly, because we live in different part of the
United Kingdom with the same common interest.
The standards are a compromise of views held by many fanciers
and with reference to historical records. They are intended as an
aid to better understanding an appreciation of what is held in the
hands, or as seen through the wires by us all, whether we be
exhibitor, judge or an interested party.
Rules and standards have always been subject to
misinterpretation and manipulation by those who wish to take
undue advantage. I would respectfully advise that we accept the
standards without seeking loopholes or contentious points, use
them in practice but, more importantly, as a basis upon which to
build future standards.
This most popular of all breeds of poultry is for the period of our
lifetime in our safe care and keeping and we should endeavour to
pass on to future generations the Old English Game breed we
inherited from our fore bearers, always with reference to the
written standards.
Enjoy your Old English Game.
Fred Carss
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OLD ENGLISH GAME CLUB RULES
1. That the Club be known as the Old English Game Club.
2. That the Annual General Meeting should consist of bona-fide
members.
3. The judges are to be selected at the Annual General meeting
from members of two or more years' standing, and a time
elapse of three consecutive years must occur before re-
election.
4. That the Club only recognise shows which provide proper
classification for Old English Game and endeavour to assist
them as far as it funds will allow. 5. Special prizes given by OEG Club:
Only when a paid-up member of the OEG Club is appointed to
judge game classes, assistance in the way of special prizes will be
granted at the discretion of the Secretary to a society or fanciers'
association. Registered game clubs are not eligible for special
prizes.
6. The payment of subscription to constitute membership:
Vice-President £5; members £3.
7. That the Club's special prizes be confined to members whose
subscriptions are paid before the first day of any show at which the
specials are given.
8. Any member not acting in the best interests of the Club
shall be requested to resign in default of failing to provide a
satisfactory explanation to the committee.
9. That members ceasing to be members forfeit all privileges of
the Club and all interests in its property.
10. That at an Annual General Meeting, it shall be competent for
any member to propose any alteration in or addition to the
rules on giving 10 day’s notice to the Secretary.
11. The Club is to be managed by a Committee Vice Presidents,
Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer and at least 25 ordinary
members.
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12. That a new President be elected for a term of one year and a
Chairman be elected for a term of three years, from the
members of the Club.
13. That the Chairman should vote and have power to make the
casting vote in the event of a tie.
14. That seven members are required for form a quorum.
15. No person shall be allowed to both judge and show at the
Club Show.
16. Seven members are required to call an emergency meeting if
required (officials).
17. At the Club Show, the judge's decision is final.
OLD ENGLISH GAME CLUB STANDARDS
(LARGE AND BANTAMS)
5
CARRIAGE Bold, smart, movement quick and graceful,
proud sprightly, as if ready for any
emergency.
HANDLING Flesh firm but corky, with plenty of muscle.
This is to be considered an important factor.
PLUMAGE Hard, glossy and firm.
WINGS Full and round, inclining to meet under the
tail, with strong prominent butts. Feathers to
be fairly broad and furnished with hard strong
quills. The primaries not be be too long and to
be nicely rounded at the ends and to project
past the body as little as possible.
BREAST, BACK Short back, broad across the shoulders,
AND BODY tapering well to the tail, with a full broad,
well-rounded chest showing as little keel as
possible,. The keel or breast bone to be
straight and of medium depth, tapering well
up behind giving a small and compact belly.
The whole body with wings as seen from the
top to appear flat and as near heart-shape as
possible.
HEAD Strong, bold, medium length.
BEAK Strong at base, slightly curved.
EYES Large, bright, prominent, full of expression
and alike in colour.
COMB Small in both cock and hen. Single erect and
of fine texture.
WATTLES Of fine texture and small.
EAR LOBES To match the comb and wattles.
FACE Of fine texture, to match the comb and
wattles.
NECK Long, and very strong at the junction with the
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body.
NECK HACKLE Wiry, long feathers, covering the shoulder.
LEGS Thighs short, thick and muscular, shanks of
medium length with good round bone, not to
be flat on the shins. In-kneed or bow-legged
to be considered a serious fault.
SPURS Low on leg.
FEET Four toes on each foot, should be clean, even,
long and spreading, the back toe standing well
backward and flat on the ground.
TAIL In the cock to be carried at a nice angle,
neither too low nor too high, and to be
straight. Wry and squirrel tail to be considered
a serious defect. Feathers to be broad and
strong with a pair of good curved sickles of
fair length and well furnished with side-
hangers. In the hen, well carried, fairly close,
of medium length.
Serious Defects
Legs too far apart (Fig 2)
Cowhocked (Fig 3)
Stork legged (Fig 5) (correct setting of legs figs 1 and 4)
Roach back (Fig 6)
Flat breasted (Fig 8)
Flat or square shins (correct tail carriage Fig 9)
Squirrel tail (Fig 7)
Whip tail (Fig 10)
Wry tail (Fig 11)
Duck-footed (Fig 12)
Bent toes
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Split wing (Fig 13)
Rotten plumage
Scale of Points
Shape and Carriage 26
Handling and Condition 16
Head and Eye 10
Legs and Feet 15
Colour and Plumage 15
Neck 6
Tail 6
Wings 6
TOTAL 100
Weights
LARGE Cocks and cockerels up to 6 ½ lbs
Hens and pullets up to 5 ½ lbs
BANTAMS Cocks 20-24 oz Cockerels 18-22 oz
Hens 16-20 oz Pullets 14-18 oz
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9
10
11
12
Points of Colour in Spangle Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK, HACKLE Dark red, finely tipped with white
AND SADDLE
BREAST & Black, finely and evenly tipped with white
THIGHS
BACK & Dark red, finely tipped with white
SHOULDERS
WINGS Wing bow dark red, finely tipped with
white, with a rich dark blue bar across,
finely tipped with white, secondaries deep
bay intermixed with white, bay
predominating, primaries black intermixed
with white.
TAIL Sickles and Side Hangers black, tipped with
white, straight feathers black intermixed
with white.
LEGS White or yellow, white preferred
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK, HACKLE Golden red streaked with black, finely
tipped with white
BREAST & Dark Salmon colour, finely and evenly
THIGHS tipped with white
BACK & Dark partridge colour, finely and evenly
SHOULDERS tipped with white
WINGS Secondaries dark partridge intermixed with
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white partridge predominating, primaries
dark intermixed with white
TAIL Black with partridge coverts, finally and
evenly tipped with white
LEGS White or yellow, white preferred.
14
Points of Colour in Black Red Game (Wheaten)
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK, HACKLE Light golden red free from streaks
AND SADDLE
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
BACK & Bright red
SHOULDERS
WINGS Wing bow bright red, with a rich dark blue
bar across, secondaries bay colour on outer
web, primaries black
TAIL Black with lustrous green gloss
LEGS White
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK & HACKLE Golden red, free from striping
BREAST & Light Wheaten
THIGHS
BACK Wheaten level on colour, edged with
black on primaries
WINGS Wheaten, level on colour, edged with black
on primaries
TAIL Black with a shading of wheaten
corresponding with body colour
LEGS White
Female Clay
Similar to Wheaten, only darker and harder in colour
15
Points of Colour in Black Red Game (Partridge
Bred) Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK, HACKLE Orange red shading to deep orange
AND SADDLE
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
BACK & Deep crimson
SHOULDERS
WINGS Wing bow deep red, with a rich dark blue
bar across, secondaries bay colour on outer
web, primaries black
TAIL Sound black with lustrous green gloss
LEGS White, yellow or willow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK & Golden red, streaked with black
HACKLE
BREAST & Shaded salmon colour
THIGHS
BACK Partridge colour, to be free from rust and
shaftiness
WINGS Partridge colour, to be free from rust and
shaftiness
TAIL Black with partridge coverts
LEGS White, yellow or willow
16
Points of Colour in Silver Duckwing Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red Pearl eyes permissible with white legs
NECK & SADDLE Silver white, free from dark streaks
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
BACK & Silver white
SHOULDERS
WINGS Wing bow silver white, wing bar steel blue;
secondaries white on the outer web;
primaries black
TAIL Black
LEGS Yellow, white or willow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red Pearl eyes permissible with white legs
NECK & HACKLE Silver, striped with black
BREAST & Salmon colour
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS Steel-grey, free from rust and shaftiness
TAIL Black Coverts corresponding with body
colour
LEGS Yellow, white or willow
17
Points of Colour in Golden Duckwing Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
HACKLE Creamy white
SADDLE Orange or rich yellow
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
BACK & Orange or rich yellow
SHOULDERS
WINGS Wing bow orange or rich yellow; wing bar
steel blue; secondaries white on the outer
web; primaries black
TAIL Black
LEGS Yellow, white or willow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK Silver, striped with black
BREAST & Salmon colour
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS Steel-grey, free from rust and shaftiness
TAIL Black. Coverts corresponding with body
colour
LEGS Yellow, white or willow
18
Points of Colour in Brown Red Game
Male
FACE Gypsy or red, gypsy preferred
EYES Dark
NECK & SADDLE Lemon or orange, streaked with black
BREAST & Black, laced with brown to top of thighs
THIGHS
BACK & Lemon or orange
SHOULDERS
WINGS Shoulders and wing bow lemon or orange,
rest of wing black
TAIL Black
LEGS Black
Female
FACE Gypsy or red, gypsy preferred
EYES Dark
NECK Lemon or orange, striped with black
BREAST & Black, laced with brown to top of thighs
THIGHS
BODY Black
TAIL Black
LEGS Black
19
Points of Colour in Cuckoo Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK, SADDLE, Bluish grey in colour, banded across the
BACK, feathers with darker blue-grey or slate
SHOULDERS, colour: the markings, etc, should be as
WINGS & TAIL even as possible throughout the plumage
LEGS White or yellow
Female To correspond in colour in every particular
20
Points of Colour in Polecat Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Black, streaked with a light tan colour
BREAST & Light tan striped with black
THIGHS
BACK, Black intermixed with light tan colour
SHOULDER&
SADDLE
WINGS Wing bow black-intermixed with light tan,
light tan secondaries, primary feathers
black
TAIL Black
LEGS White
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE, Black, streaked with a light tan colour
BACK
BREAST Light tan striped with black
TAIL Black
LEGS White
21
Points of Colour in Blue Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK, HACKLE Deep rich indigo blue
AND SADDLE
BACK & Deep rich indigo blue
SHOULDERS
BREAST & Soft azure blue
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow deep rich indigo blue, primaries,
secondaries azure blue
TAIL Azure blue
LEGS Blue, white or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
HACKLE & TAIL Dark blue
BREAST, BACK Azure blue
& THIGHS
LEGS Blue, white or yellow
22
Points of Colour in Birchen Grey Game
Male
FACE Gypsy or red, Gypsy preferred
EYES Dark
NECK, HACKLE Grey or silver streaked with black
& SADDLE
BACK & Grey or silver
SHOULDERS
BREAST Black laced with grey to top of thighs
WINGS Wing bow grey or silver, secondaries
and primaries black
TAIL Black
LEGS Black
Female
FACE Gypsy or red, gypsy preferred
EYES Dark
NECK & Grey or silver striped with black
HACKLE
BREAST Black laced with grey to top of thighs
BODY Black
TAIL Black
LEGS Black
23
Points of Colour in Creel Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK & Chequered orange colour
SADDLE
BACK & Deep chequered orange
SHOULDERS
WINGS Wing bow deep chequered orange with dark
grey bar across, secondaries bay colour on
the outer web, primaries dark grey
TAIL Dark grey with light grey bar
LEGS White or yellow. White preferred
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK Lemon chequered with grey
BREAST & Chequered salmon colour
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS Chequered blue-grey
TAIL Dark grey with light grey bar
LEGS White or yellow. White preferred
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Points of Colour in Pyle Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK & Orange or chestnut red
SADDLE
BACK & Deep red
SHOULDERS
BREAST & White
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow red with a white bar across:
secondaries bar colour on outer web;
primaries white
TAIL White
LEGS White or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK Lemon
BREAST & Salmon colour, lighter towards thighs
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS White
TAIL White
LEGS White or yellow
25
Points of Colour in Brassy Backed Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK & Black
HACKLE
BACK, Brass colour
SHOULDERS &
SADDLE
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow brass with a rich dark blue bar
across secondaries, primary feathers black
LEGS Black, white or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK & Black
HACKLE
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS Dark brownish
TAIL Black with light brown covert
LEGS Black, white or yellow
26
Points of Colour in Furness Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK, HACKLE Red or gold streaked with black
& SHOULDERS
BACK & Red or gold
SHOULDERS
BREAST & Sooty black
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow red or gold with a rich dark blue
bar across secondaries, bay colour mixed
with grey, primaries black
TAIL Black
LEGS White or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK & Gold streaked with black
HACKLE
BREAST & Deep salmon colour
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS Sooty black mixed with a little gold colour,
with each feather having a light quill
TAIL Black
LEGS White or yellow
27
Points of Colour in Black Game
Male
FACE Red or Gypsy
EYES Red
NECK, HACKLE Black with fine greenish lustre
AND SADDLE
BACK Black with brilliant green lustre
BREAST & Black with greenish lustre
THIGHS
WINGS Black with green lustred bar
TAIL Black with green lustre
LEGS Black, white or yellow
Female
FACE Red or Gypsy
EYES Red
HACKLE & TAIL Glossy black
BREAST & Glossy black
THIGHS
BACK Glossy black
LEGS Black, white or yellow
28
Points of Colour in White Game
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
PLUMAGE All over pure white
LEGS White or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
PLUMAGE All over pure white
LEGS White or yellow
29
Points of Colour in Brassy Backed Blues
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Blue
BACK & Brass colour
SHOULDERS
SADDLE Brass colour
BREAST & Blue
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow brass, primaries and secondaries
blue
TAIL Blue
LEGS White or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Blue
BACK & WINGS Light brass or gold
TAIL Blue with light brass or gold covert
LEGS White or yellow
30
Points of Colour in Black Breasted Grey Game
Male
FACE Gypsy or red, gypsy preferred
EYES Dark
NECK HACKLE Grey streaked with black
& SADDLE
BACK & Grey
SHOULDERS
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow grey, rest of wing black
TAIL Black
LEGS Dark
Female
FACE Gypsy or red, gypsy preferred
EYES Dark
NECK HACKLE Grey striped with black
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
BODY & WINGS Black
TAIL Black
LEGS Dark
Points of Colour in Salmon Breasted Blue Game
31
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Golden very lightly streaked with blue
BACK & Blue
SHOULDERS
SADDLE Golden very lightly streaked with blue
BREAST Deep salmon
BODY & THIGHS Blue
WINGS Blue
TAIL Blue
LEGS White or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Golden striped with blue
BREAST Deep salmon
BODY & THIGHS Blue
WINGS Blue
TAIL Blue
LEGS White or yellow
Points of Colour in Crow-Wing Game
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Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Dark red
BACK & Dark red
SHOULDERS
SADDLE Dark red
BREAST & Black
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow dark red with a rich dark blue bar
across secondaries primaries black
TAIL Black with a lustrous green gloss
LEGS White
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Black lightly striped with a bronzy red
BREAST & Drab black with the upper part of the
THIGHS breast a bronzy red
WINGS & BACK Drab black
TAIL Black
LEGS White
Points of Colour in Blue-Red Game
33
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Orange or golden red
BACK & Deep or bright red
SHOULDERS
SADDLE Orange or golden red
BREAST & Blue medium shade
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow deep or bright red with rich dark
blue bar across, secondaries bay colour on
the outer web; primaries blue
TAIL Blue
LEGS White or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK Golden red, streaked with blue
BREAST & Shaded salmon colour
THIGHS
WINGS & Partridge colour intermixed with blue
BACK
TAIL Blue with partridge coverts
LEGS White or yellow
Points of Colour in Blue-Tailed Wheaten Female
34
FACE Bright red
EYES Red, both to be alike
PLUMAGE Similar in all respects to Wheatens with the
exception of wing, primaries and tail shaded
with blue
LEGS White or yellow
Points of Colour in Blue-Grey Game
35
Male
FACE Gypsy or red, gypsy preferred
EYES Dark
NECK HACKLE Silver streaked with blue
BACK & Silver
SHOULDERS
SADDLE Silver streaked with blue
BREAST & Blue laced with silver to top of thighs
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow silver, secondaries and primaries
blue
TAIL Blue
LEGS Dark
Female
FACE Gypsy or red, Gypsy preferred
EYES Dark
NECK HACKLE Silver striped with blue
BREAST & Blue, laced with silver to top of thighs
THIGHS
WINGS & BACK Blue free from silver
TAIL Blue
LEGS Dark
Points of Colour in Lemon-Blue Game
36
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Lemon streaked with blue
BACK & Lemon
SHOULDERS
SADDLE Lemon streaked with blue
BREAST Blue, laced with lemon to top of thighs
BODY & Blue
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow lemon, secondaries lemon on the
outer web, primaries blue
TAIL Blue
LEGS Dark
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Lemon striped with blue
BREAST Blue, laced with lemon to top of thighs
BODY & Blue
THIGHS
WINGS Blue
TAIL Blue
LEGS Dark
Points of Colour in Blue Duckwing Game
37
Male
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
HACKLE & Silver white, free from dark streaks
SADDLE
BACK & Silver white
SHOULDERS
BREAST & Blue
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow silver white; wing bar steel blue;
secondaries white on outer web; primaries
black
TAIL Blue
LEGS White
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK Silver, striped with blue
BREAST & Salmon colour
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS Steel-grey, free from rust and shaftiness
TAIL Blue
LEGS White
Points of Colour in Black Splashed Game
38
Male & Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE White splashed with black
BREAST & White splashed with black
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS White splashed with black
TAIL White splashed with black
LEGS White
Points of Colour in Blue Splashed Game
Male & Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE White splashed with blue
BREAST & White splashed with blue
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS White splashed with blue
TAIL White splashed with blue
LEGS White
Among other varieties recognised are Hennies, Muffs and Tassels
in all colours. The judges, as men and women of experience, will
exercise their discretion in judging these varieties.
Points of Colour in Blue Furness Game
39
Male
FACE Bright Red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Gold or brassy streaked with blue
BACK & Golden or brassy
SHOULDERS
SADDLE Golden or brassy
BREAST & Blue
THIGHS
WINGS Wing bow golden or brassy, wing bars deep
blue, secondaries mixed with gold or custard
on outer web, primaries blue
TAIL Blue
LEGS White or yellow
Female
FACE Bright red
EYES Red
NECK HACKLE Gold or brassy striped with blue
BREAST & Deep salmon colour
THIGHS
BACK & WINGS Blue mixed with gold or brassy colour with
each feather having a light gold quill
running in all feathers
LEGS White or yellow
NOTES
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