They're a "sporting" breed, bred specifically for their toughness...
Asils, Shamos and Malays
Well, Asils are the ancestors of the Cornish breed, so they look sort of like a more slender, athletic Cornish. The Asil developed in India as a fighting bird, but different than the English games--an Asil is like a boxer (versus a fencer) and is valued for stamina. They are heavy boned, heavy muscled, very hard feathered birds (bare breastbone), with somewhat of an upright carriage.
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).
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.
This hard-feathered old breed arrived in England from Asia, possibly as early as 1830.
These birds are very long-legged, and the broad skull and projecting eyebrows give them a sinister expression. Malays have a strawberry comb. The outline of the back, from head to tip of tail, should describe 3 convex curves. One of the Game Fowl, originally used for cock-fighting, the Malay is quite pugnacious. It is intolerant of other roosters and may attack anyone who goes near it's hens.
My DS called THESE guys Raptor Legs when he was smaller:
Quote:
According to Henderson Breed Chart, Asil (aka Aseel) come in Black, White, Duckwing, Red Spangled, Pyle, others. The eggs are small and lightly tinted.
The guy I bought a few hens from had one walking around. He was probably close to 3 foot tall, and had all the strut of a banty LOL From what I understand, they are a game type fowl, so are much more aggressive, especially when you have more then 1 male. Other wise I would have boughten his rooster.
we have some oegs and as soon as i saw that i called my dad in it and he said it is an oriental bird but im gonna convince him to get it so i can watch it run :]
Quote:
Chickens are the closet living relative to one of the dinasors, if I remember correctly it is the T-Rex! Anyone have the chicken calander handy? Mine is out in the coop. It is the fact for this month.
Quote:
According to Henderson Breed Chart, Asil (aka Aseel) come in Black, White, Duckwing, Red Spangled, Pyle, others. The eggs are small and lightly tinted.
Thanks Tricia. I love that stance, although I knew about them even before this thread. The pictures still greatly intrigue me. The only thing I worry about with outcrossing to them is the gameness in them, it would be an undesireable trait for what I want. *shrugs* We'll see, I have so many projects I have "thought" about, many of them will probably never be attempted or finished. LOL