COCK'S CODE OF CONDUCT

A lot of cockers are unaware of these, so, may I give way to my idol, the late Angel Lansang who in the 60s came out with the book Cockfighting in the Philippines. Here is one chapter of the book that is as timely now as when it was first written;

A cock’s code of conduct

Cock’s are well-disciplined lot, observing good and right conduct in the following manner :

1. Barring accidents, they do not peck at each other’s eyes even if they keep on fighting the whole day. This is sportsmanship on the part of the cocks. What about men?

2. A cock will never hit while the opponent is in the process of moving his bowels. Try to verify this fact

3. A cock will not relieve itself while being held in hand but the moment he is set down the ground he will do so at once. Good etiquette. After one or two hours of traveling, put him down in the ground and in a minute he will move his bowels and flap his wings for the needed relief and rest.

4. At the sight of the morsel of food or any kind of insect, he will call for the opposite sex to share it with her. Noble breed and gallantry. Men do this, too.

5. Birds communicate to each other any impending trouble and danger by a loud cackle and this signal is relayed to all of their kind in far surrounding places, in a natural spirit of mutual cooperation.

6. All birds sleep early at sundown but get easily awaken by the slightest noise, movement or sight. They comply to a strict discipline; so don’t disturb your ace fighter at night when preparing for an important fight.

A chilled bird would scarcely it his feet are cold; when his feet are warm, that is a favorable sign. Some old folks still subscribe to this superstition.

Extremely hot weather is very distinguishing to fighting birds. It severely test their gameness. An over-heated and exhausted bird at times leave his opponent after having cut him down, but will fight again when he recovers from his exhaustion. An incident regarding a cock that we brought to Jaro, Ilolilo for a match on January 24, 1965 will serve to demonstrate what I mean. Our highly vaunted Little General hacked and ran way after cutting down helplessly both legs, of his opponent, leaving him gasping for breath and mortally wounded. In turn himself had a slight gash on his right leg that didn’t bother him at all. When we arrived at home late at that afternoon he was in high spirits and crowed loudly as if announcing his ignominious defeat. After several months of recuperation he won handily twice in Baguio; now he is raring to go for another battle. Was there a single drop of common blood from the side of his mother-hen? Experienced cocker know that so many things happening in the pit defy explanation.

A bird running away from a foe is liable to run away again when pitted against a cock of the same color unless he has had time to forget. A cock need not run away to be regarded as dung hill. T stop trying or fighting is sufficient to judge him by. A sound and courageous game cock will not runaway even when badly hurt; he fights so much harder, like suicidal soldier. The heavier the cock is, the better, provided it is of solid meat and muscles (not gut fat).

A gamecock his extreme bravery, his chivalrous regard for his hens, his excessive concern over sex, his love for combat and his amazing recuperation from wounds. Above all this remarkable characteristics, he glories in love, conquest and domination. While he is a natural fighter, he respects the territorial rights of another cock. In his own domain he is sovereign; on strange grounds he is less valiant.

Some birds give up a fight from sheer exhaustion alone or when badly wounded. Although cocks may not run away from a fight, they will invariably lie down and press their beak to the ground and allow their opponent to strike and peck at them, making no apparent record to fight back. Now and then, they feign death and will even crow when the enemy is far away. This kind of fowl is classified as dunghill, possessing a rotten blood strain.

Gameness is very important, but it is nil without cutting ability. Try to figure out the percentage of wins by gameness alone and the result would be insignificant. The big majority of fights are won via K.O. with the deadly keen slasher gaff. A Filipino proverb says: “ A dunghill cock will crow over the dead body of the most courageous fighter; all that remains in him is gameness plus a pot of stew”.

A game cock and a game fighting cock are two separate and distinct breeds of fowl, a game bird is worthless if he cannot fight or cut. Some breeders do not seem to know this.

A savage bird should not be teased. Put on a pair of gloves and hold your hand still. Let him bite and hit. In a few days he will get over it if handled gently.