Shamo

Origin:  Japan

Category:  Hardfeather Heavy

Egg Colour:  Cream or tinted

Sitter:  Yes

The Shamo is probably the best known of the Japanese hard feathered Game breeds. It was developed in Japan, but its ancestors came from Siam (now Thailand) probably around the 17th & 19th centuries. They were developed for use as fighting fowl bred for striking and endurance for sustained combat. They were naked-heel "boxing" fighters as this was practised in the Orient and the Shamo gained a reputation for unmatched courage and ferocity. They were imported into many countries for their fighting qualities. In temperament the breed is quite friendly to humans, though considerably pugnacious to other chickens of the same sex.

Shamo also make useful meat birds and have been incorporated into many crosses for table purposes. In modern times, Shamos are becoming more popular in exhibition circles. There are seven forms of Shamo in Japan however the Australian Poultry Standards have only adopted one form.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

THE COCK

Carriage: Tall and upright. Proud and fierce-looking

Head: Broad and deep showing Oriental 'bird of prey' expression - heavy brow ridges and short sturdy beak.

Beak: Strong, broad and curved downwards, but not hooked.

Eyes: Deeply set under heavy brow ridges.

Comb: Pea or triple and firm. Walnut comb also accepted.

Wattles & lobes: Small or non-existent

Type/Body: Large, broad-shouldered and heavily boned. Very firm well-muscled abdomen. Back straight, long and sloping down to the tail, tapering in from the thigh. Breast broad and full extending to a deep keel. Short, large wings with prominent shoulders, showing good bone and strength. Wings carried low and close to the body.

Neck: Long, supported by strong bone, almost erect however slightly curved.

Tail: Long and carried below horizontal. The tail generally follows the line of the back sloping downward to the ground.

Legs: Medium to long - thick, sturdy and strong with slight bend at hock grounding the stance.

Thighs: Long, round and well-muscled.

Shanks: Round shanks that are thick and strong.

Toes: Four, straight, long and well spread, hind toe straight and firm on the ground.

Feathering: Exceedingly short, narrow and hard to the extent that the breastbone is left bare. Although sparse, the hard feathering is still strong and glossy, sometimes described as 'brilliant'. Red skin visible at the throat and point of wing. Neck hackles may curl towards the back of the neck.

On handling the Shamo feels very muscular and well-fleshed. Its balance is excellent and the wings have strong contraction to the body.

THE HEN

The general characteristics are similar to those of the cock, allowing for the natural sexual differences. The female is naturally slightly less upright than the male.

COLOUR

Plumage: Any colour is acceptable as befitting a gamefowl. Shamo are often seen in Black Red.

Beak: yellow or horn

Shanks and feet: yellow, black tinges over shanks is acceptable with darker plumage colours

Comb, face, throat, lobes and any skin: bright red

Eyes: silver (pearl) or gold with darker eyes often seen in young birds.

WEIGHTS

Cock - 3-4kg

Hen - 2.3kg - 3kg

Cockerel - 3-4kg

Pullet - 2.3kg - 3kg

(Above weights taken from South African Standards. Note in the Australian Poultry Standards there is no upper weight given.)

SCALE OF POINTS

Note: No points are allocated for colour in the standard. (Ref: https://www.rarepoultrybreedersassociation.com/breed-basics.html)

SERIOUS DEFECTS

• Lack of attitude and carriage requirements

• Overgrown comb

See Disqualifications

SOURCES

• Cock fighting all over the world. By C. A. Finsterbusch. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=dul1.ark:/13960/t1jh9s023&seq=456&q1=shamo

• Feathersite: https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Games/Shamo/BRKShamo.html

• The Livestock Conservancy: https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/shamo

• Rare Breeds Trust of Australia: https://rarebreedstrust.com.au/public/pages/poultry

• Australian Poultry Standards 2nd Ed.

• Poultry Club of South Africa: https://www.poultryclubsa.co.za/shamo-game/

• The poultry book, by many expert American breeders and Harrison Weir, F.R.H.S., under the editorship of Professor Willis Grant Johnson and George O. Brown; illustrated from drawings in color and black and white by Mr. Weir, and from photographs. Main Author: Weir, Harrison, 1824-1906. Publishers: New York, Doubleday, Page & Company, 1904-05. [2d ed.] https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008601245