Combattant de Liège Chicken Breed – Origin, Traits & Facts

Combattant de Liège

The Luikse Vechter, French: Combattant de Liège, is an endangered Belgian breed of gamecock. It dates from the late nineteenth century, and was bred specifically for cock-fighting. It is named for its area of origin, that of the city of Liège in Wallonia, in eastern central Belgium. It is one of three Belgian breeds of fighting-cock, the others being the Brugse Vechter and the Tiense Vechter.

Habitat

The Combattant de Liège originated in the city of Liège, Wallonia, in eastern central Belgium. It was traditionally kept in areas where cockfighting was popular, and it thrives in environments that allow for ample movement and exercise. Today, it is kept in small numbers by enthusiasts and breeders who focus on preserving this rare breed.

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Characteristics

Sizeapproximately 60 cm

Wing Span80-90 cm

Male Weight4.5 kg

Female Weight3.5 kg

Life Expectancy7 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The Combattant de Liège was historically bred for cockfighting, a practice which has heavily influenced its temperament and physical build. It is known for its strength and agility, characteristics that were essential for its original purpose. Despite its aggressive origins, it can be kept as a dual-purpose breed for meat and exhibition.

Behaviour

Temperamentaggressive

Flightinessmoderate

Foraging Abilitygood

Confinement Tolerance

The Combattant de Liège is not well-suited for tight confinement due to its aggressive nature and need for physical activity. It can become stressed and more aggressive in confined spaces, so ample space is recommended for keeping this breed.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Egg Characteristics

Egg Color

Egg Size

Laying Frequency

Egg Production / Year

Start Laying Age (weeks)

Coucou des Flandres

The Coucou des Flandres, Dutch: Vlaamse Koekoek, is an endangered Belgian breed of domestic chicken. It may have a common origin with the Malines from the area of Mechelen, in the province of Antwerp in Flanders, or may indeed represent the original type of that breed before it was cross-bred in the nineteenth century with various different types of imported Oriental chicken. By the time of the First World War it had disappeared; it was re-created in the years before the Second World War. It is critically endangered in Belgium, but more numerous in Picardy in France. It may also be known as the Poulet de Dendre, for the Dender river in its area of origin.

Malines

The Malines, Dutch: Mechelse Koekoek, is a Belgian breed of large domestic chicken. It originates from the area of Mechelen, in the province of Antwerp in Flanders, for which it is named. It was created in the nineteenth century by cross-breeding local cuckoo-patterned farm chickens with various different types of imported Oriental chicken. With the Jersey Giant, it is among the heaviest of all chicken breeds. It is valued for the quality of its meat, which is pale in colour and fine-textured.

Chantecler

The Chantecler is a Canadian breed of dual-purpose chicken, reared for both egg and meat production. It was bred in the early twentieth century at the Oka Agricultural Institute in Oka, Quebec, and is the only chicken breed originating in Canada. It is characterised by close-fitting feathering, a small or vestigial cushion-shaped comb and small or vestigial wattles, all of which make it more resistant than many other breeds to the extreme cold of the Canadian winter.