Shamo

                                 

The Shamo is another of the hard feathered Game breeds; the breed was developed in Japan, but its ancestors came from Siam (now Thailand) between the 17th & 19th centuries (the Tokugawa period). There are many different kinds of Japanese Games, but currently the best known is the Shamo. They were developed for use as fighting fowl, and were imported into many other countries for this reason; they also make fine meat birds, if slow growing, and crosses have been used to develop other types of table fowl. Currently, Shamos are catching on in popularity as exhibition birds. Many American game fanciers refer to the Shamos as "Japs," although this nickname has also been applied to the radically different Japanese bantam.

Shamos are tall, with a rather upright stance; they have the typical Oriental 'bird of prey" expression, with heavy brow ridges and short, sturdy beak. Eyes are usually pearl, the comb is pea, wattles are small or non-existent, and the feathering is exceedingly short and hard, to the extent that the breastbone is left bare. Although broad shouldered and heavily boned, they lack the exaggerated curves of the Malay, and are taller and less compact than the Asil. Tails are small, and generally follow the line of the back sloping downward to the ground. Colors in the American standard include Black, Black Breasted Red (Wheaten), and Dark, and colors in the Japanese standard include Akasasa (red-hackled), Kisasa (yellow-hackled), Shojo (brown), Goishi (mottled), Abura (dark red-hackled), Hakushoku (white), Asagi (blue), and Kokushoku (black).

I found the Shamo personality to be very similar to that of an Asil; birds were generally easy to handle and pleasant tempered, as well as being outstanding broodies & mothers--my Shamo hens were actually quite decent layers though, and far surpassed the Asils in this respect. They were also very territorial and aggressive towards each other; fights among baby chicks were also a problem. I no longer have any pure Shamos, and regret not having preserved my original line, as they are a fairly rare breed. They are handsome fowl, quite clever, and make nice pets if you can allow them personal space away from each other. My old brood cock was sold to a fellow who had bought some of his offspring in the past; his new owner enjoyed riding around in their pickup truck, with the Shamo cock perched on the front seat beside him.