Key Characteristics

The breed, though popular in the bantam form is not often seen in large fowl. The bantams can be confined but they prefer free range although they can be noisy. They are a hardy breed, although they can be susceptible to external parasites such as fleas or mite, so need to be checked regularly.

History

• The condition has been known for centuries in various countries around the world. The breed was probably bred in much greater numbers when regular steamships opened up the tourist trade in the mid 19th century. 
• On an island where tourists expected to see tailless Manx Cats at every farm which opened up for cream teas, a few had even heard of tailless chickens, and expected to see those too.
• They were probably made by crossing imported European rumpless breeds with Old English Game already on the island.
  Victorian poultry expert Edward Brown did mentioned that ‘at one time’ rumpless chickens were common on the Isle of Arran, which is quite close, so this may have been the source. 

Appearance

• The birds have an upright posture, a forward-thrusting carriage and a rounded body that slopes down and back.
• The breed has a single comb, red earlobes and no standard leg colour.
• They have strong legs with four toes on each foot.
• The feathering all over is hard and close.
• Plumage colour is of secondary importance in this breed, and almost any recognized ‘Game’ colour is acceptable.

 
Uses

The egg yield is low. They are classed as an ornamental breed.

Did you know?

Rumpless Game are known for their missing tail! Rumpless Game are missing their caudal appendage, also known as the “Parson’s Nose”. This is the fleshy protuberance from which the tail feathers grow on a normal bird, so Rumpless Game do not grow a tail.

Breed Societies

Rare Poultry Society