THE ASILS - HOME

THE GLOBAL ASIL BREEDS - GENERAL INFORMATION

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INTRODUCTION

The Asil is a legendary breed originated in Ancient India and being used in cockfighting for centuries. According to archaeological findings cockfighting was a major pass-time in ancient India (Includes today's India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) especially in Tamil Nadu and Indus valley civilization. At the beginning they used Jungle fowls and its variants in cockfighting later through trade and many naval expeditions Pandiyan rulers of  South India imported the ancestors of today's Asils. Thus it found its way to India. There is also a speculation that Asils were derived from an extinct Jungle Fowl named Gallus Giganteus by cross breeding it with other chicken types.Cockfighting is one of the 64 kinds of Arts practiced by Tamils since ancient times for about 3500 years. It is also mentioned in ancient Tamil literature like Manu Needhi Sastiram, Kattu Seval Sastiram, and other sangam-age literature, 2,000 years old. It is referred to as the favourite pass-time for Maravars or the warriors of Tamil Country. Asil, Aseel or Asli is only a recent name. There are many local names for these type of game fowls which are used since ancient times. In subcontinent in some places they still use their local names. Due to internet the name Asil or Aseel is becoming popular. Asil got its name during the Islamic rule of India. Asil, Aseel or Asli means "purebred"or "from pure decent'. Even the Arabian horses of the purest blood were known as Asil and crossbreeding with non-Asil horses was forbidden.These names are originally of Persian-Arabic origin. 

BREED CLASSIFICATION

Asil family is really huge and there are many different classification based on its place of origin, structure, color, size etc. There are more than 500 varieties of Asil types found. There are are also thousands of sub varieties and every day through cross-breeding and selective-breeding new varieties are being created. 

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON SIZE

Classification 1: They can be divided into two main groups, the small Reza type (also known in some Western countries incorrectly known as -Rajah-type) and the large Asil type (in western countries known as Kulang Asil). This is a very popular classification mostly followed in western countries.

Classification 2: In Tamil Nadu it is classified into two major types based on its size

                           

                    1) Peruvadai (பெருவடை/peru.və.dəɪ/) - Large breeds

                    2) Siruvadai (சிறுவடை/sɪru.və.dəɪ/) - Small breeds

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON PURPOSE

FIGHTERS

The Asils are classified into two major types based on whether it fights with natural spurs or a Knife tied to its toe.

                         1) Knife fighters (கத்திக்கால்/kəθɪ.'kɑːl/)

                         2) Naked heel fighters (வெத்தடி /veθ.ədɪ/)

        

                   Knife fighter Asils with knives tied to its Leg (India)

                               Naked heel fighter Asils' Legs

ORNAMENTAL TYPES

There are certain types of Asils which are mainly grown for ornamental purpose but they can also fight if trained properly because they were selectively bread from fighting type of Asils. They are very beautiful in nature and native to South India especially Tamil Nadu, India. They sometimes resemble the shape of a peacock. There are also many varieties in it. Eg. Fantails or longtails, Parrot beaks with long tails. Long tail Asils are also found in other parts of Asia like Thailand, Indonesia etc. but they are not like the one which is found in Tamil Nadu.

           A Fantail Asil Male(left) and Female(right) (Tamil Nadu, India)

These information is based on the information (whereunder local names) provided by breeders from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Russia (Caucasus region) and Central Asian republics (Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Dagestan, etcetera). Other ideas and Asil classification systems exist.

ASIL COLOURS

The color names such as Sonatol, Jawa, Amir Ghan, Kaptan (Kalkatiya) are mainly used outside India and these expressions refer to the names used in the old kingdom of Oudh. The massive presenece of British troops and a loyal "Nawab"(local Muslim ruler) made this region very important. It was a stronghold for the British and stiff promotion of this region was made by good old Herbert Atkinson (see his publications) and his friends which were stationed as servicemen or administrators in this area. Today this former kingdom is known as Awadh and is situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh (with famous cities like Lucknow and Allahabad). Native Indians, Pakistani, Bangla and Sinhala people use colour names (for example Zardi = yellow, Lakha = red, Kala or Kali = black , Naila = blue, etcetera) or names which refer to a qualtiy or specific features (for example Jangli = wild, Kalkatiya = black spurs) or even names of places (for example Amroha, Mianwali, Rampur, etcetera).

REZA ASIL

Reza Asil (India)

The Reza is a small Asil with a weight not exceeding a weight of about 3 Kg (6.6 Lbs). This group of Asil reached worldwide popularity due to books and articles written by the English gamefowl expert Herbert Atkinson, Siran and Paul Deraniyagala from Sri Lanka and Carlos Finsterbusch from Chile. The Reza Asil family according the old (Western) gamefowl literature is subdivided into following strains: (Amir) Ghan, Sonatol, (Siyah) Rampur, Kalkatiya (Kaptan) and Jawa. All these strains are indentified by their specific color (!) In chronological order: blackreds, lightreds, black, speckled reds and silver duckwings. In the old days (colonial times) other colors such as whites, spangles, etcetra were regarded as -inferior-. According Herbert Atkinson purebred Asil should not exceed the weight of 3 Kg (6.6 Lbs). At present day the "classic" strains and names given mentioned by Atkinson are more or less forgotten. Anyone with a bit of breeding expirience will understand that after many decades the vitality of a bloodline slowly will be prone to degeneration. Remark: the native people in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka only know the Reza-type Asil by their local names (see Names paragraph).

KULANG ASIL (NORTH & SOUTH INDIAN TYPE)

                               Kulang Asil (South Indian) (India)

                                Kulang Asil (North Indian)

                                     Madras Asil (India)

The Kulang Asil family when it comes to classification is a tricky league. In the older Western gamefowl literature, like Carlos Finsterbusch's "Cockfighting all over the World" (1938) following varieties are mentioned: Hyderabad, Calcutta and Madras. Asil experts from the homelands use a more "modern" classification system. The large Asil are divided into sub-varieties : North Indian, South Indian and Madras type. The North and South Indian varieties dont differ much. Only type of comb, shape of the beak and body shape are different. For example : Northern type = slender, Southern type = heavier build), the Madras Asil however is significantly different. They have a lower station, are heavier build and stronger boned. This variety is found in the deep south of India, the Tamil Nadu state. In the homelands of the Kulang Asil the birds reach weights from about 4 to 6 Kg (8.8 to 13 Lbs). Kulang Asil outside the Asil homelands and neighbouring countries generally differ in weight getting ±4,5 to 5,5 Kg (9.9 to 12.1 Lbs). Exemptions to the rule are possible as weight is influenced by various conditions.

THE MALAY - A KULANG ASIL SUB-VARIETY

The Malay is a Kulang asil sub-variety. The Malays were never originated in Malaysia. The Malay is found to have descended from Large Asils found in south India states (Kerala and Tamil Nadu states). The people of Kerala speak Malayalam (mæləˈjɑːləm)   mala meaning mountain and alam  meaning land and they are called as Malayalis thus the name Malay originated. These are also high stationed and they have walnut combs too. Malays in India reach heights of upto 85 Cm (33 Inches) and weights between 4.5 to 6 Kg (9.9 to 13.2 Lbs) ).

 

                                 Malay from Germany

ASIL VARIETIES (BEARDED, TASSLED, HENNY-FEATHERED & SINGLE CRESTED)

There are bearded, tassled, henny-feathered and single crested Asil. Though the bearded Asil is found n Iran we can also see their ancestors in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu and Iran these Asil breeds varieties have a very good fighting reputation, especially the single crested variety. The birds are very fast, agile and extremely aggressive. In Tamil Nadu the bearded ones are called as Galwa Asils.

Bearded Iranian Lari kulang asil(from Iran)

BIHAINGAM OR BHANGUM ASILS

These types of Asils are found in India and Pakistan. They have combs like that of a normal desi rooster.

                             

Single crested Asil known as "Bihaingam"

Crested Kulang Asil bred by Mr.Mullapudi Narendranath (India)

Pettai Madhiri (henny-feathered) Asil

BANTAM ASIL

Bantam Asil have been created at the end of the 19th century by an English breeder named William Flamank Entwisle. The breed got very popular after its creation but after a couple of decades interest in this variety slowly died out. Bantam Asil appeared in the Dutch poultry standard of 1920 in several colours. Till beginning of the 1980's nothing was heard abouth these little Asil. A Belgian breeder named Willy Coppens created them again using Ko Shamo, Indian Game bantams and Reza Asil. After this succesful introduction German breeders like Andreas Niehsen and Hartmut Vieregge worked with the breed which resulted in recognition into the German standard. The breed was also introduced again in Holland and United Kingdom. At present day Bantam Asil are quite popular and they are bred in various colours. Weight max.750 Gram (1.65 Lb).

Bantam Asil 

ASIL - BREEDING STANDARD

INTRODUCTION TO ASEEL STANDARDS

There are many standards based on its location and fighting style.


Here is a classification provided by Calcutta Asil Club, India.

BEAK - short, thick, powerful, the colour of ivory and shutting tight. The upper mandible should be straight.

EYES - bright, rather prominent, iris white and pearl like, the eyelids a pointed oval, a yellow or bloodshot tinge in the irises is seen in some birds.

COMB - pea or triple comb, short, thick and low (except "Bihangam" strain).

WATTLES - totally absent (except "Bihangam" strain).Face and earlobes red.

HEAD - large and slightly elongated like that of a mongoose, jawbone and cheekbones large, lean covered with a little flesh, the skin tough, the throat not prominent and with as little dewlap as possible, the hackle feathers beginning low beneath it in front.

NECK - medium length, inclined to short, the neck bone next to the skull prominent, thus giving it the shape of a cobra's open hood. The neck bones small, the ridges fleshless, thick to feel, especially 2 or 3 inches (5 to 7½ Cm) below the head. On the whole strong like an iron rod, covered with wiry feathers.

BACK - broad and flat. Viewed from above back and wings are heart shaped.

WINGS - carried well apart from the body and held high in a fit bird. They must be muscular and fleshless, with hard strong rather strong quill feathers.

CHEST - Thrown out, wide, muscular, hard, the flesh where showing through the feathers on breast, thighs and shoulder joints.

STERN - The belly small, "the Pope's Nose" large, broad and very strong (IMPORTANT POINT !), the sickle feathers narrow, scimitar shaped, wiry, pointed, drooping from the base, less curved than other breeds, feathers irridescent, not carried above the horizontal, close together, but not shut up, cloak and and saddle feathers pointing backward than in other breeds, tough, pointed and beautiful.

BODY - compact and muscular

THIGHS - Not to long, large, round, hard muscular, and sparsely feathered (the flesh often shining through), in line with the body, and not so wide as his wings when the bird faces you, as such a bird would be unable to strike properly.

LEGS - Thick and square, down the front, not round in matured birds. The meeting of the scales makes a straight line slightly indented. White is the only colour acceptable, but the legs often turn yellow due to feeding of green plants.

TOES - Straight, thick, yet tapering and strong, nails very broad, strong, curved and white.

APPERANCE - the carriage of the Aseel has to be upright, standing firmly and well on its legs, the bird handsome, sprightly and shapely, and quick as a cobra in its movements. A standing bird viewed from the side should have its eye and middle toe nail in a parallel line.

CHARACTERISTICS - the crow of the Aseel is unlike that of any other breed, being short, as if cut off at the end. The plumage has little or no underfluff. The weight of an adult cock in proper condition should not exceed 3 Kilograms (7 Lbs). The hen with exemptions for sex typical physical points , should resemble the cock in all points. The Aseel when tickeled or touched lightly near the vent at once begins to preen and oil its feathers. This characteristic behaviour applies in lesser degree to birds who are only a remote cross with Aseel blood. The purebred Aseel hens go with their chicks from 6 months to 1 year. This unlike the ordinary hens doing this for 6 weeks. Aseel hens lay around 2 clutches of eggs in a year.

Aseel cocks are quiet easy to handle and are never savage in the hand. When one snaps one's fingers, an Aseel cock will put its wing down and dance around, as a cock circles round a hen. It loves being handled and stroked and one can pick up an Aseel at any time when at liberty.


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