“The original aspiration
of the profession is
noble: to produce a
classy specimen that is
proud, pure and elegant”
I Nyoman Darma, cockfighting activist
But to have good cockfights, one must
have good cocks, and the nuanced process of
rooster breeding takes place between carefully
selected specimens by professional breeders.
Hardy jungle chickens are crossed with larger
breeds from countries like the Philippines, and
up to 10 specimens of rooster can be test-bred
in order to hatch the strongest chicks.
These precious pets are well-pampered:
Vaccinated, fed, massaged and bathed, they’re
kept in a shady spot in the jungle, and given a
harem of hens with which to mate.
An ideal father must be a champion fighter
with a high victory rate, so his offspring will
be as powerful, according to 35-year-old
cockfighting activist I Nyoman Darma. The
best specimens have a good skeletal structure,
shiny foot scales and pretty plumage – vibrant
orange and iridescent black and gold feathers.
Splotches or freckles are not tolerated.
“People today might breed bloodthirsty
birds for betting fights,” says Nyoman. “But the
original aspiration of the profession is noble:
to produce a classy specimen that is proud,
pure and elegant. Such a bird brings luck to
its owner.” ag10 years
a rooster’s active
breeding period7 years
a hen’s active
breeding period2,000
the average number
of chicks a rooster can
father in a lifetime20%
the percentage of
male chicks per
clutch of eggs3 years
the age of a rooster at
its physical peakȑ Tabuh rah practices are
noted on inscriptions in
Batur and Batuan in Bali
ȑ Carvings in Angkor
Wat, Cambodia, show
cockfights being heldȑ American
anthropologist Clifford
Geertz publishes “Deep
Play: Notes on the
Balinese Cockfight”ȑ Cockfighting is banned
in most countries. In Bali,
it is allowed for religious
ceremonies, but illegal
fights are widespread12th century 20th centuryfacts about
rooster
breeding5
PHOTO © SUTANTA ADITYA10th century