Raising Old English game fowl

These birds are noisy and aggressive by nature, and don't like to share. But, this makes them an excellent choice for free ranging. In their coop, build visual barriers between the perches so they don't hurt themselves trying to get at one another.

"You don't want to raise them in large groups, and even females in this breed can be quite feisty with each other sometimes," Clauer says. "You need to get them in established pens or do individual matings, and some people even raise the birds separately if they have a very aggressive line. However, if you handle these birds just like any other domestic birds, they can become much more docile and much more friendly."

Game fowl are not recommended pets for young children and older kids have to be taught how to hold the birds right.

You'll spend about $4 a piece for game fowl chicks. Start off with a half-dozen or so to see how everyone gets along.

Learn more:

Old English game fowl: Learn about the history of these birds, and link to a photo gallery of several different breeds.

Chicken mansion: Kevin Davis built a spectacular home for his poultry, complete with a wire roost, outside entry nest boxes, predator-proof runs, and automatic feeders.