1.  Of a strong Shape, proud and upright, and for this the Middle-sized, neither too small or too large, is best, because most matchable, strong and nimble.  His Head small like a Sparrow-Hawks; his Eye large and quick; Back strong crook’t at the setting on, and coloured as the Plume of his Feathers; the Beam of his Leg very strong, and colour’d as his Plume; Spurs long, rough, and sharp, hooking inward.

2.  Of a good Colour, and herein the Gray, Yellow, or Red Pyle, with a black Breast, are to be preferred; the Pyde rarely good, and the White and Dun never.  A Scarlet Head is a demonstration of Courage, but a Pale and wan of Faintness.

3.  Of Courage true, which you shall observe by his proud, stately, upright landing and walking, and his frequent Crowing in his Pen.

4. Of a sharp and ready Heel, which (in the Opinion of the best Cock-masters,) of high Estimation; a Sharp-heel’d Cock, tho’ somewhat false, is better (as dispatching his business soonest) than a true Cock with a dull Heel.

For Breeding, the Best season is from the Moon’s encrease in February, to her encrease in March.  The March Bird is best.  And now first get a perfect Cock, to a perfect Hen, as the best Breeding, and see the Hen be of an excellent Complexion (i.e.) rightly plumed, as black, brown, speckt, grey, grissel, or yellowish; tufted on her Crown, large bodied, well poked, and having Weapons, are Demonstrations of Excellency and Courage.  Observe further her Comportment, if Friendly to her Chickens, and revengeful of Injuries from other Hens.

When the Cock and Hen-Chickens, (going till now promiscuously one with another) begin to quarrel and peck each other, part them and separate their Walks:  And the best for a Fighting Cock, are private and undisturbed Walks, as, Wind-mills, Water-mills, Grange-houses, Park-lodges, &c. and their Feeding-place on soft Ground, or Boards; and have for his meet, white Corn, or White-bread Tosts, steept in Drink, or Urine, is good, both to Scower, and Cool them.  And do not debilitate and debauch his Courage and Strength, by having too many Hens to walk with; three Hens are enough for one Cock.

If before they be six Months Old, any of your Chickens Crow clear and loud, and unseasonable, then to the Pot or Spit with them, they are Cowards; the true Cock is long ere he gets his Voice, and when he has gotten it, keeps good and judicious Time in Crowing.

Next observe your Roosting Perch, for this makes or marrs a Cock; for forming of which, consult the best Cock-masters Feeding pens, and the Perches there, and accordingly proportion your own; take care that the Ground underneath the Perch be soft, for if it be rough and hard, in leaping down he will hurt his Feet, and make them Gouty and Knotty.