Coal Miner Mugs and Racey Mugs History

"I received these Mugs from Ray McDonald of Clanton, Alabama, in 1980 and Mr. McDonald got them from Dehner Racey of Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1960.
When Mr. Racey bred them they came black, blue, and brown red in color.
We do not breed for color so they still come black red, brown red, blue, and some solid black.
Regardless of color, though, they're all the same breed and the only difference between the different colors is solely appearance.
Also, in Mugs, blue does not breed true.
It is only a shade between blue and non-blue and if blue is bred to blue then a lot of white splash blue offspring will be produced.
Mugs are mostly medium to medium-high station, with very good plumage. Some will have black coloration in their face.
They generally have a gentle disposition."  -Coal Miner Mugs Gamefowl Farm

Richard Kelly's Mug (BrownRed)

Courtesy of Richard Kelly

Courtesy of Richard Kelly

Courtesy of Richard Kelly

Courtesy of Richard Kelly

The History of Racy Mugs

Dehner Racey of Mo., got Mugs from Earl Bigger of York, S.C. in 1935, All came dark. In 1939 he bought a pure O.C. Wilson White Mug cock and crossed him over the black Bigger Mugs. From this cross came several dark blue pullets and several spangle stags, but no whites. He bred one of the spangle stags over the black hens and got about 50 per cent dark blues with lemon hackles, dark eyes and legs but still no pure Whites. These mugs are high breaking, fast shuffling cocks and Racey has won several large derbies with them.

Dehner Racey

Dehner Racey Mugs

From the Gamecock, July 1998
By: Walter Hall, James River Farm.
This came from the July 1998 gamecock. History of the Racey Mugwumps, The Racey fowl started when Otto Morris, 83-years old of Springfield, Mo.He purchased from Earl Bigger of South   Carolina in 1935, some of his dark type mugs and with these fowl Racey and Morris won a good majority. In 1939 a pure white Mugwump cock was purchased from O.K. Wilson of Allendale, SC and mated to the six black hens, full sisters, from the original Earl Bigger stock. The offspring of this mating produced blues, black reds, brown red and one spangle stag, This new blood produced exceptional cutting fowl and a great improvement was noted in speed, disposition and feathering. Being all of mug blood, no difference was noted in conformation. The following year the same black hens were mated back to the spangle stag. A son to mother and aunt mating. This is the breeding that produces 50% dark blues with the rest being brown red, black red, and blacks. It was not until this breeding that they were given the name Racey Mugs. A few years later,and still sticking to speed type cutting Mugwumps a white Mug brood cock was purchased from Frederick of Allendale S.C., and a black Mug with lemon hackles from Earl bigger. These 2 cocks were used over Racey Mug hens and in this way it is now possible for Racey to add desired pit qualities to his fowl without going out of the Mugwump family. The last 2 crosses produced high breaking, shuffling type of cocks. Racey tried a number of crosses on his Mugs, but none were as good as the straight Mugwump family. Thus, all of these trial crosses were discarded. Most people in ordering Racey mugs ask for the blue color, but the brown reds and blacks have just as high a winning percentage in the pit. When being conditioned for the pit, these fowl do better when handled gently, and are at their best fighting in good flesh. Racey got many shake cocks, but prefers smaller ones that fit well into derby.

Courtesy of Coal Miner Mugs Gamefowl Farm

Courtesy of Coal Miner Mugs Gamefowl Farm

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