The Ancient Blood Sport That Still Exists Today
Have you ever wondered what chicken fighting (more commonly known as cockfighting) actually is? Well, I’m about to take you down a rather disturbing rabbit hole that explains this centuries-old blood sport that, despite being illegal in many places, continues to persist around the world.
Cockfighting is, quite simply, a blood sport where two roosters (male chickens specifically bred for aggression) are placed beak to beak in a small ring and encouraged to fight, often to the death It’s not just some random chicken squabble – it’s an organized spectacle with breeding programs, training regimens, and gambling operations that can involve thousands of dollars changing hands
As someone who’s researched animal welfare issues for years, I can tell you that cockfighting represents one of the oldest and most widespread forms of animal fighting in human history It’s a practice that dates back thousands of years and continues to be part of cultural traditions in some regions, despite growing ethical concerns and legal prohibitions.
The Historical Roots of Cockfighting
Cockfighting didn’t just appear out of nowhere. This blood sport has some seriously ancient roots:
- Ancient Origins: Evidence suggests cockfighting was a pastime in the Indus Valley civilization, possibly dating back to 2500 BC
- Spread Through Ancient Civilizations: The sport was popular in ancient India, China, Persia, and eventually made its way to Greece around 524-460 BC during the time of Themistocles
- Roman Adoption: Initially, Romans “despised” this “Greek diversion” but eventually embraced it so enthusiastically that the agricultural writer Columella complained about people spending their entire inheritance betting on fights
- Global Expansion: From Rome, cockfighting spread northward throughout Europe and eventually to colonial territories worldwide
In fact, when Ferdinand Magellan voyaged to the Philippines in 1521, his Italian chronicler Antonio Pigafetta documented cockfighting for Western audiences. The practice was already flourishing in pre-colonial Philippines, showing just how widespread this activity had become.
How Cockfighting Works
Let me explain the disturbing mechanics of how these fights actually operate:
The Birds
Gamecocks (not to be confused with game birds) are specially bred and conditioned for increased stamina, strength and aggression. These aren’t your typical farm chickens – they’re the product of selective breeding specifically to enhance aggressiveness toward other males of their species.
The Setup
Two owners place their gamecocks in a cockpit (a term that was actually later borrowed for airplane control centers). The fighting area is typically circular, with a matted stage about 20 feet in diameter surrounded by a barrier to keep the birds from falling off.
The Weapons
In many versions of cockfighting, the birds are equipped with artificial weapons:
- Knives or Artificial Gaffs: Sharp blades or spurs attached to the legs
- Metal Spurs: These are often 1.5 inches or longer and sharp enough to puncture lungs, pierce eyes, or break bones
- Naked Heel Fighting: Some variations, particularly in India, simply sharpen the bird’s natural spurs
The Fight
The roosters are placed in the pit and encouraged to attack each other. Fights may last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes. While rules don’t always require one or both birds to die, death is often the outcome due to the severity of injuries.
Regional Variations Around the World
Cockfighting practices vary significantly across different cultures and regions:
Philippines (Sabong)
In the Philippines, cockfighting is called “sabong” and remains incredibly popular despite restrictions. Legal cockfights are held in cockpits weekly, while illegal ones (called “tupada” or “tigbakay”) occur in secluded areas. The Philippines even hosts the World Slasher Cup, an international cockfighting tournament held biannually at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
India
Though officially illegal under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, cockfighting remains common in southern Indian states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In some areas, it’s connected to harvest festival celebrations despite the countrywide ban imposed in 1960.
Indonesia (Tajen)
In Bali, cockfights (known as “tajen” or “Sabung ayam”) are practiced as part of ancient religious purification rituals to expel evil spirits. This ritual, called “tabuh rah” (“pouring blood”), is considered a religious obligation at temple festivals and ceremonies.
Latin America
Cockfighting has deep roots in many Latin American countries. In Peru, which “has probably the longest historical tradition” with cockfighting possibly dating back to the 16th century, the practice is legal and regulated by the government. Most fighting pits (coliseos) in Peru are located in Lima.
The Gambling Connection
Let’s not kid ourselves – while some defend cockfighting as tradition, it’s also very much about the money. Gambling is a central element of cockfighting culture worldwide:
- Bets on fights can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars
- In the Philippines, bets are usually taken by the “kristo” (named because of their outstretched arms when calling out wagers)
- Some venues even offer box seats, similar to mainstream sporting events
- The gambling aspect attracts criminal elements, with connections to other illegal activities
Legal Status: Where Is Cockfighting Banned?
The legal status of cockfighting varies dramatically around the world:
United States
- Illegal in all 50 states and U.S. territories (including Puerto Rico as of 2019)
- Cockfighting is a felony in 40 states and the District of Columbia
- Being a spectator is prohibited in 43 states and DC
- Federal laws make it a crime to attend an animal fighting event or bring a child under 16 to one
Other Countries
- Completely Banned: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom
- Legal or Partially Legal: Cuba, Honduras, Mexico (some states), Philippines (with restrictions), Indonesia (for religious purposes)
- Cultural Exemptions: France allows cockfighting in regions with “uninterrupted tradition” like Nord-Pas de Calais
Why Cockfighting Is Cruel
From an animal welfare perspective, cockfighting is problematic for many reasons:
- Breeding for Aggression: Birds’ natural fighting instincts are exaggerated through selective breeding, feeding, training, steroids and vitamins
- Physical Mutilation: Breeders cut off the birds’ wattles (combs below the beak) and ear lobes so opponents cannot tear them off during fights
- Severe Injuries: The weapons attached to birds are specifically designed to cause maximum damage
- Death and Suffering: Even when not killed outright, birds often suffer catastrophic injuries
- Transportation Risks: Birds are often transported in cramped, stressful conditions
- Disease Spread: Cockfighting has been implicated in spreading bird flu in Southeast Asia
Beyond Animal Cruelty: Other Social Impacts
The problems with cockfighting extend beyond animal welfare concerns:
- Criminal Connections: Cockfighting is closely connected to other crimes like gambling, drugs, and acts of violence
- Illegal Weapons: Law enforcement raids have found illegal weapons at cockfights due to large amounts of cash present
- Gang Activity: Cockfights are well attended by gang members in some regions
- Family Exposure: Despite the violence, cockfights often have a party-like atmosphere where entire families gather, including children
The Cultural Defense: Tradition vs. Ethics
Those who defend cockfighting often cite cultural and historical significance. In places like Bali, cockfighting has deep religious meanings. In the Philippines, it’s been called a “national sport” and generates significant economic activity.
But here’s the question: does cultural tradition justify animal suffering? This is the central ethical debate surrounding cockfighting. Many countries have decided that, regardless of tradition, the deliberate staging of animals fighting to injury or death cannot be justified in modern society.
The Future of Cockfighting
Where is this practice headed? As global attitudes toward animal welfare continue to evolve, cockfighting faces increasing pressure:
- Enforcement Challenges: Even where banned, underground cockfighting persists
- Cultural Resistance: Some communities strongly resist changes to traditional practices
- Online Evolution: In the Philippines, “e-sabong” or online cockfighting has emerged, allowing people to bet on livestreamed fights
- Advocacy Efforts: Animal welfare organizations continue to push for stronger enforcement and penalties
What You Can Do
If you’re concerned about cockfighting, there are ways to help:
- Report Suspected Activity: If you believe cockfighting is happening in your area, contact local law enforcement
- Support Legislation: Advocate for stronger animal protection laws
- Raise Awareness: Many people don’t realize the extent of suffering involved or that cockfighting persists
- Consider Cultural Context: Approach the issue with cultural sensitivity while still standing firm on animal welfare
Cockfighting represents a complex intersection of tradition, gambling, and animal welfare concerns. While deeply embedded in some cultures, it involves deliberate animal suffering for human entertainment and financial gain.
As our understanding of animal cognition and suffering has grown, so too has opposition to blood sports like cockfighting. Today, most developed nations have banned the practice, though enforcement remains challenging in many regions.
The question society continues to wrestle with is how to balance respect for cultural traditions with evolving ethical standards regarding our treatment of animals. As this conversation continues, cockfighting finds itself increasingly on the wrong side of history for many people around the world.
What do you think? Is there ever a justification for blood sports involving animals, or should practices like cockfighting be relegated to history books rather than continuing into the 21st century?
How we combat cockfighting
Humane World for Animals, previously called the Humane Society of the U.S. and Humane Society International, works every day to combat and end this cruel practice.
Humane World for Animals Cockfighting paraphernalia found during a raid.
We have worked for decades to change the legal landscape for roosters who are the victims of fighting, but our work is not done.
As of 2021, cockfighting is a crime in every state and 42 states penalize it as a felony. It is illegal to be a spectator at fights in 43 states, possess or sell birds for fighting in 39 states and to possess animal fighting paraphernalia in 29 states. Only seven states specifically prohibit adults from taking a child to a fight.
Over the past 20 years, the HSUS has worked with Congress and our allies to upgrade the federal Animal Fighting Prohibition Act five times—including making it a federal crime to attend a cockfight, bring a child to one or transport birds across states lines for fighting—including shipping birds through the U.S. Postal Service. Most recently, we fought against severe opposition to pass a bill clarifying that the law applies to all U.S. territories.
Meredith Lee/The HSUS The HSUS Animal Rescue Team and the Indiana Gaming Commission examine the grounds of an alleged cockfighting operation.
The HSUS gives law enforcement the tools they need to go after cockfighters. We have partnered with the National Sheriffs Association to train thousands of local officers nationwide on how to investigate animal fighting crimes. We also host trainings with the FBI and Department of Justice to train federal agents and prosecutors.
The HSUS’s Animal Rescue Teams animal fighting experts routinely work with the U.S. Department of Justice—agencies such as the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG), FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security who participate in cockfighting investigations and raids. Our professional investigators provide intelligence on cockfighters and their operations, connect them with confidential informants, pay rewards for information that leads to prosecution and respond to assist with evidence collection and animal care in some circumstances. Additionally, our animal fighting investigators are court-certified experts in state and federal courts, and we routinely provide expert opinions to assist in prosecutions.
Cockfights and the spread of disease
Those who raise and sell roosters for fighting maintain hundreds, sometimes thousands, of birds—creating an ideal environment for the spread of disease. Birds are regularly sold and transported across state lines to fight in bloody cockfighting matches with no regulation or oversight. The fights themselves involve uniquely unsanitary practices such as cockfighters handling bloody, mutilated birds and putting their mouths over injured roosters’ beaks to suck fluids from their airways.
cock fighting#cockfighting
FAQ
What is the purpose of a chicken fight?
Chicken fight, also known as shoulder wars, is an informal game, often played in a lake or swimming pool, characterized by one team member sitting on the shoulders of his or her teammate or riding piggy-back. The object of the game is to knock down or separate an opposing team through team effort.
How do you play chicken fight?
Chicken fight, also known as shoulder wars, is an informal game, often played in a lake or swimming pool, characterized by one team member sitting on the shoulders of his or her teammate or riding piggy-back. The object of the game is to knock down or separate an opposing team through team effort.
Who typically participates in chicken fights?
Chicken fight, also known as shoulder wars, is an informal game, often played in a lake or swimming pool, characterized by one team member sitting on the shoulders of his or her teammate or riding piggy-back. The object of the game is to knock down or separate an opposing team through team effort.
What are some chicken fighting strategies?
For stationary coops, offer occasional entertainment like hanging a cabbage or throwing pumpkins to peck. Above all, give them enough space to dust bathe. The best solution to chicken boredom is letting them out of the coop once in a while. In addition, please find out the leading cause of irritation among the birds and resolve it permanently.
What is the meaning of chicken fight?
What state is cockfighting legal in?
What is chicken fighting called?
Cockfighting is a blood sport involving domesticated roosters as the combatants.
Which breed is used for cockfighting?
➡️ Malay Gamefowl – Tall and intimidating with raw strength. ➡️ Peruvian – Elegant yet lethal; bred for modern cockfighting. ➡️ Lacy Roundhead – Tactical birds with quick reflexes. ➡️ Thai Game – Exotic and sturdy, full of fight spirit.