If you’re interested to enter the cockfighting world, it’s worthwhile to know more about the Shamo chicken. This interesting-looking bird hails is popular in Japan. However, its popularity has spread in some parts of Asia and the US. This Shamo chicken guide can help you determine if this breed is the right one for you.
An Overview of the Shamo Chicken
This table offers a summary of the Shamo chicken’s vital features.
| Purposes | Cockfighting and eggs |
| Place of Origin | Japan |
| Color | Wheaten, black |
| Comb type | pea |
| Female Size | 26 inches |
| Male Size | 30 inches |
| Rooster’s Weight | 5.62 kg |
| Hen’s Weight | 3.4 kg |
| Lifespan | 6-8 years |
| Hardiness | Warm and cold |
| Temperament | Aggressive, outgoing, and independent |
| Egg Production | Low to moderate |
| Egg size | medium |
| Egg color | brown |
| Care level | moderate |
Looking Back at the Shamo Chicken’s History
The Shamo Chicken originally hailed from Thailand. Pioneering poultry enthusiasts brought the breed to Japan. Japanese breeders developed it for cockfighting and perfected it for the Shamo everyone knows today.
You can find several Shamo varieties in Japan. Due to fear of extinction, the Japanese government added the breed to its protected list. After World War II, some American soldiers brought Shamo eggs to US shores
The Shamo’s Introduction to the American Poultry Association
Shamo Chicken’s acknowledgment by the American Poultry Association happened in 1981. It was also during this time that the full-size and bantam varieties were accepted into APA’s Standard of Perfection.
Presently, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy places the Shamos under its Conservation Priority List. Clearly, many poultry enthusiasts value this breed for its unique features. They exhaust all efforts to protect it from extinction.
Shamo Chicken Breeds
Listed below are the seven certified Shamo chicken breeds. They are named after Japan’s natural monuments.
- O-Shamo
- Ko-Shamo
- Kinpa
- Yamato Shamo
- Nankin Shamo
- Yakido or Ygido
- Ehigo-Nankin Shamo
The largest among the seven breeds is the O-Shamo. The female tips the scale at 7.5 lbs while the male weighs 12.4 lbs. On the other hand, the smallest breed is the Kimpa -Shamo. Its blunt feathers set it apart from the usual tails of the other Shamos.
Population and Distribution
The Shamo chicken still widely exists in Japan. They are commonly found in cockfighting arenas instead of chicken farms. They are also popular in the Philippines during major cockfighting competitions including the “Slasher” event. You will notice that many resources about the breed comes from cockfighters.
Meanwhile, you can find this breed mostly in Southern USA. Breeders crossed it with other breeds to produce a strong fighting line.
Shamo Chicken’s Physical Characteristics
The Shamo chicken is not your usual fluffy and robust chicken breed. Its tall and slender anatomy allows it to be more agile, strong, and ready to fight.
Many cockfighting enthusiasts fancy them for their “macho” look. They are far from being adorable and fluffy chickens. These features allow them to shine in and out of the cockfighting arena.
General Appearance
The Shamo chicken’s claim to fame is its height and stance. Its height registers as the second tallest, next to the Malay chicken. They carry their body as if they’re fully vertical. Furthermore, they can grow as tall as 30 inches.
This unique chicken has fluffy tail feathers, bright eyes, and a long graceful neck. They have exceptionally muscular thighs which support their upright manner of walking. In addition, their fierce appearance comes from their toned and broad shoulder muscles.
Legs
The Shamo’s yellow legs have a hardy and scaly covering. They are devoid of feathers giving them a clean appearance. They are sturdy enough to withstand the cockfighting matches.
Wings
This breed has strong and short wings that sometimes appear nonexistent. They closely lie on the bird’s back.
Comb and wattle
The Shamo chicken has blood red comb and earlobes. Their wattles are also red. However, some varieties have tiny or nonexistent wattles.
Eyes
The Shamo chicken’s eyes are small and bright, giving them a lively and endearing gaze.
Beak
The Shamo’s distinct yellow beak curves downward. It’s strong and broad, making it an asset during fights.
Feathers
Generally, their bodies are not fully covered with feathers, unlike other breeds. Their stiff plumage sticks closely to their bodies. The Kimpa Shano’s feathers are different from other varieties because they are finer and have blunt and wide edges.
Weight
Generally, Shamo roosters weigh 6 lbs while the hens are 4 lbs heavy. The Chu Shamo variety is heavier at 6 lbs but they won’t go over 8 lbs. The largest among them is the O Shamo.
The males register 12 lbs on the scale while the females register at 7.5 lbs. Lastly, the Kimpa Shamu males tip the scale at 4 lbs and the females are 3 lbs heavy.
Color
The following shades are common to the Shamo Chicken:
- Black
- Black-breasted red (wheaten)
- White
- White with brown speckled feathers
- Reddish brown
The Shamo Chicken’s Personality
Are Shamo’s generally fierce because of their natural tendency to fight? Well, not really. They can be calm and collected when there’s no eminent threat or competition.
Temperament
They may be bred as fighters but the hens are surprisingly calm and docile. However, the males can become aggressive when taunted by perceived or actual competitors. Fortunately, their owners can easily control them when the need arises.
Interaction with other chickens
Shamos roosters tend to be territorial and aggressive alpha males. This behavior starts when they are still chicks so it’s best to control the behavior early on. Some raisers report. Keeping brawling birds in separate areas usually does the trick.
Generally, these hot-headed birds can socialize with other breeds. A harmonious existence within the flock is possible as long as there are no other aggressors. Usually, boredom and cramped quarters trigger aggression. So, it’s best to provide them with a more conducive environment to keep the peace.
Egg Laying and Brooding
Shamo hens can lay about 90 eggs annually. It is quite a feat compared to other breeds with similar features. You can harvest light brown and medium-sized eggs. The average harvest will depend on the Shamo variety and the quality of care they receive.
Shamo hens are broody, making them excellent mothers. They love taking care of their eggs and babies. However, there may be times when their weight and size can get in the way of successful hatching. Since they can’t move in an agile manner, they’d end up squishing their eggs.
Socialization with humans
Surprisingly, this breed is friendly towards humans. They are highly trainable so their owners will have an easy time controlling their aggressive behavior.
Purpose
You can raise Shamo chickens on backyard farms for their eggs. However, roosters must be kept in separate pens due to their propensity to fight with each other. If you’re raising them on a farm, they must be classified into smaller groups for a harmonious existence.
Some raisers breed Shamo chickens for cockfighting. They are common fixtures in cockfighting arenas. The owners of these fighting breeds claim they provide a free-range environment to their roosters for optimal health,
Caring for your Shamo Chicken
It may seem daunting to take care of this fierce bunch. However, with proper knowledge, you can raise healthy and thriving Shamo chickens.
Common health issues
These hardy birds rarely encounter health issues. However, their owners must be aware of poultry mites. These parasites that live on the chicken’s skin can be annoying and bothersome to your chickens.
The chickens usually get these parasites from infected birds introduced to the flock. The mites can also come from rodents, wild birds, clothes, and shoes. The best prevention from mite infestation is to quarantine birds suspected of having the infection. It’s also crucial to keep their living quarters clean.
Recommended Diet
Your Shamo chickens would benefit from a grower mash diet from birth to 6 weeks. This type of feed is easier to digest due to its refined qualities. It also contains 19% protein, an amount higher than other feed mixes.
After 6 weeks, you can give them chicken pellets with around 16% protein. When your birds have reached 18 weeks, it’s best to offer them layer pellets or mash to help them achieve optimal egg production.
Amount of Food
Shamo chickens are huge birds with large appetites. The daily consumption for adult chickens is between 140 grams to 200 grams.
You can start by giving them 170 grams and adjust the amount based on their eating habits. You can also leave their food on a feeder so they can eat anytime their hungry. Another option would be to provide them with scheduled meal times.
Grits support the Shamo’s egg production so remember to add them to their diet. It’s also wise to allow your chickens to forage outdoors for bugs and grubs. Letting them roam freely is also an excellent physical activity.
Water
Shamo chickens love to drink cool water. You must provide them with fresh water in clean drinking bowls. Ensure that the water container is at the right level so they won’t scatter litter on it.
Housing
Shamo chickens require a coop measuring 8 square feet per bird. You must also provide them with a run that is 30 square feet per chicken. It’s also recommended to install wooden laying boxes for brooding hens and perches for sleeping.
You must also keep their coops and runs clean at all times. Usually, diseases come from dirt and fecal matter that are left unattended. It’s also good practice for owners to sanitize themselves before entering the coop. Humans can also carry pathogens that can harm the animals.
Grooming
This breed does not require much care and maintenance. They love to take dust baths just like other chicken breeds. One thing you need to do often is to check for parasites such as lice and mites. They also need regular deworming especially if they’re living with other animals.
Summary
This Shamo chicken guide ensures that they thrive in an ideal environment. These hardy birds do not need much maintenance aside from the proper feeding protocol. In case you will be raising them for cockfighting purposes, please ensure they receive the best care.
