The Brugse Vechter, french: Combattant de Bruges, italic=no, is an endangered list of Belgian chicken breeds, Belgian breed of gamecock. It dates from the early nineteenth century, and was selective breeding, bred specifically for

cock-fighting A cockfight is a blood sport, held in a ring called a cockpit. The history of raising fowl for fighting goes back 6,000 years. The first documented use of the ''word'' gamecock, denoting use of the cock as to a "game", a sport, pastime or ente ...

. It named for its area of origin, that of the city of Bruges (Brugge), in West Flanders in the north-east of Belgium. It is one of three Belgian breeds of fighting-cock, the others being the Luikse Vechter and the Tiense Vechter. It is a hardy breed, but the birds are often aggressive; those reared for Poultry fancy, exhibition may show less aggression.

History

The Brugse Vechter is the oldest of the three Belgian fighting cocks, fighting-cock breeds. It originated in western

Flanders Flanders (, ; Dutch: ''Vlaanderen'' ) is the Flemish-speaking northern portion of Belgium and one of the communities, regions and language areas of Belgium. However, there are several overlapping definitions, including ones related to cultu ...

in the early years of the nineteenth century, and was formerly common throughout Belgium. It was first mentioned as ' ("the Bruges breed") in 1858. The first breed standard was drawn up in 1908. The other fighting breeds, the Luikse Vechter from the area of Liège in Wallonia, and the Tiense Vechter from the area of Tienen in Flemish Brabant, both derive from it. The Brugse Vechter is endangered in Belgium. In 2010 there were approximately 200 birds, almost all of which were in Flanders. A bantam (chicken), bantam Brugse Vechter was bred in the second part of the twentieth century. The List of chicken colours, plumage colours are superior to those of the full-sized breed. It is critically endangered in Belgium. Some are reared in Germany and in the Netherlands.

Characteristics

The Brugse Vechter is a large, powerful and aggressive bird. For this reason, cocks and hens may need to be kept separately. Strains reared exclusively for Poultry fancy, exhibition may show less aggression. The back is flat, is as broad as it is long, and is almost horizontal; the other Belgian gamecock breeds have a sloping back. The face is deeply pigmented, and may vary from purplish-red to almost black. The Comb (anatomy), comb is small and triple; the legs are thick and strong, and are slate-blue. Seventeen plumage colours are recognised.

Use

The Brugse Vechter was bred for its Cock-fighting, fighting ability. Cock-fighting is against the law in Belgium, and practitioners of the sport usually travel to northern France. Some strains are reared only for exhibition at poultry shows. The Brugse Vechter is a better layer than many fighting breeds. Hens lay about 150 cream-coloured Egg (food), eggs per year, with a weight of They are not good Broodiness, sitters. The meat is fine-textured and of good flavour.

History

Characteristics

Use

References

Further reading