Fighting roosters/Show roosters?

Question

Is it against the law to own pure bred roosters. I have some roosters that are full breed they are Sweater and some albany their really nice roosters. I have to seperate them because they will fight to the death. I was given these because my uncle had to get rid of them.He lived in California and had no room in his yard and i live in Arizona.I have 21/2 acre land so i have the space. I just wanted to know if its illegal to own if you don't fight them?

Answer 1

No, it is certainly not against the law to own purebred roosters! Most farmers do. You may need to find out if keeping roosters where you live is legal.

Adult roosters often fight even if they were not bred for it. As long as you don't let them fight (keep them separate) there should be no problem keeping them, but contact your county agency to be sure. One of the illegal aspect of rooster fighting is the gambling, so don't let folks gamble on your roosters, either. ;-)

Answer 2

This is a values question on several levels: Gambling: Many people find gambling to be immoral and have pushed to have it banned. Almost all rooster-fighting (YA will ban the common term) involves gambling. Animal Cruelty: Game Roosters are often injured or killed in the process, and although some say that they are doing what they naturally would do in the wild, the contrivance of putting them in a ring for human entertainment strips away the natural quality almost entirely. Therefore, under animal cruelty laws and moral standards, many people find this objectionable. Standards of behavior and legality ebb and flow depending on the civilization. Things that are quite common and legal in the USA (e.g., women wearing tank tops and shorts) are considered illegal in Muslim countries. Wearing a headscarf in school is illegal in France. Values legislation is common, although it almost always involves a curtailment of someone's liberty (which of course, is valued more by some than others).

Answer 3

here are some info and quotes I found on the web

Gamecocks are not typical farm chickens. The roosters are specially bred and trained for increased stamina and strength. The comb and wattle is cut off of a young gamecock because if left intact, it would be a disadvantage during a match. Sometimes they are given drugs to increase their stamina or thicken their blood, which increases their chances of winning. They possess an inherent aggression toward all males of the same species, and do not have to be trained to fight. It is a natural instinct and they will fight to the death with no training.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosters



It's illegal to own fighting cocks in California, and under a federal law that goes into effect in May, it will be illegal to take them across state lines for fighting purposes.
http://www.fass.org/FASStrack/news_item.asp?news_id=1088


What I'm wondering now is what is going to happen to all the breeders. Mississippi and Oklahoma are the states where most of the serious breeding is done, preserving blood lines that go back to 12th-century England and Ireland. Some of the famous old breeds like Warhorses, Fannie Carters, Eslin Red Quills, Arkansas Travelers, Cotton Bolls and Hustlers are still represented among Oklahoma fighting cocks, but in one fell swoop they not only became worthless, but illegal. Not just illegal to fight--illegal to own. Overnight the breeders became potential felons, and I'm not sure they can even sell their birds to breeders in Mississippi, Texas or Louisiana without risking a ten-year prison term or a $25,000 fine.
http://www.joebobbriggs.com/vegasguy/vg20021119.html

Instead of public works projects and the Tennessee Valley Authority, we have a clan of Pacquiaos feeding the roosters, training them, breeding them, and making sure they're game for battle. Roy Jones Jr. was one of the last public figures in the United States willing to stand up for cockfighting. He was a serious breeder for years until Congress made it illegal to own fighting cocks even if they never fought within the United States
http://katipunani.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html

Answer 4

I happen to know one of the biggest rooster fighting events are held in Arizona, and they were not illegal, but there was a driving force to have them outlawed. Gambling is not the only thing that is frowned on in this sport, it is the fact the roosters are allowed to fight to the death. The owners put spurs on the roosters that are small knives. It is a very bloody sport like dog fights. If you are not sure, I would ask animal control to prevent a fine.

Answer 5

1. There is no such breed as Sweater or Albany
2. If it was illegal to own pure breed roosters, how would we get pure breed hens? It's perfectly legal to own roosters.
3. So long as you don't make them fight on purpose, then the naturally occuring scraps aren't illegal. Don't gamble on them either.
4. Have you got any hens? You need at least 8 hens to every rooster to keep them happy.
5. Have fun in the wonderful world of chicken keeping!

Answer 6

It's not illegal to own sweaters. Although I've never heard of albanies, I doubt it's illegal to own them either. Just like it's not illegal to own pitbulls. Just because an animal Can be misused doesn't make it illegal to own the animal.

So, enjoy your roosters.