Butcher

Phil Marsh is credited for creating the Butcher bloodline, which is a

blend of Grove Whitehackle, some Spanish fowl and Speeders. Calling them Butchers because of his occupation, Phil Marsh often fought under the entry name “Butcher Boys”. Some spangled strains from Texas made it to Cuba back in the 1920′s.

Butchers are straight-combed red that often come white-legged with some coming yellow-legged. They are known for their accurate cutting ability, good side steppers and brainy fighting style, leading many experts to say “when a Butcher hits you, you are hit”. Medium to low-stationed, Butchers sometimes come brass back in color, with the latter presently called Black Butchers. Additionally their breasts may have red flecks. About 5% of our Butchers will come spangled. The hens will come wheaten and partridge in color and about 1/3 will have spurs.

Phil Marsh I (1869-1945)

Phil – is probably the best known of the Marsh Family as he became nationally known through his efforts in breeding and fighting gamefowl. It was Phil who made the Speeder bloodline and along with his son Bill, created the Butcher fowl. He operated a meat market in Fort Plain and the Butchers were named after his profession. Phil was considered to be a better breeder than conditioner and his son Bill was just the opposite. Phil was an avid coon and fox hunter with hounds and took pride in his hound breeding also. He passed away after sustaining injuries brought on after being kicked in the kidney area by a cow in his slaughterhouse.

Cover Cock - Brass Back Butcher from KDS Gamefowl