Asil Game Birds, Characteristics, Uses, Breeding & Best 14 Information

Asil game birds are an Indian breed or group of breeds of game chicken. The Asil originated in the Indian subcontinent, the area that includes modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The Asil are small and highly active so they can be kept in an average-sized chicken coop, and are good at laying eggs.

They are one of the most popular backyard fowls in India. The name comes from the Hindi word Asil, meaning ‘bright red’ or ‘crimson’. This breed is also called Painted Game Chicken or Indian Game Chicken.

This Asil has been kept by the farmers in the Indian subcontinent for centuries. There are many ancient paintings and sculptures of brightly colored chickens found in various parts of India. Asil is perhaps one of the oldest breeds of game fowl in India and the oldest breed developed in India.

Contents

How to identify Asil game birds

Asil game birds are a small strong breed. They have short legs and a long heavy body. The color of the plumage is bright orange, red, and yellow with the chest pattern resembling that of a pigeon. The wings are dark blue-grey, the beak is orange and black, the tail feathers are black with a reddish tinge, and their legs and toes are red.

Asil Game Birds IMAGE
Asil Game Birds IMAGE

The Asil is small and compact, with bright red plumage, having an extensive white patch on the primary wing feathers. The skin is yellowish-white with a dark bluish-grey color on the shanks.

Characteristics

The Asil is a very active breed and can be kept in a small area if one is creative enough. They are gentle and good mothers and are also good egg layers. They are very noisy. The male will stay quiet and the female will give a loud moo-moo.

The Asil is an ancient Indian fowl, their origin goes back to early times when the chicken was an important source of food for people of early societies in the Indian subcontinent, especially the Mughal Empire. The first mention of the Asil in India is found in a book called “Tazkira-i-Asil” written by Shihabudin A. Kanyali in 1857.

He writes “The Asil is indigenous to Assam, Manipur, Bhutan, and Burma.” Asil Game Chicken was also used as a source of food for the people of ancient India. The Asil is known as the Indian fowl. The name means Painted Game Bird or Crimson Game Bird.

Uses

Asil is good for both meat and egg producers. They are also excellent “watchdogs” and make good pets. Asil Game Chickens is also known as the Indian game chickens, Asil game chicken originated in the Indian subcontinent.

Asil Game Birds pet
Asil Game Birds pet

The region encompasses modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. These Asil have been kept by the farmers in the Indian subcontinent for centuries. There are many ancient paintings and sculptures of brightly colored chickens found in various parts of India.

Breeding

The Asil is a prolific breeder and can do well in both light and heavy, free-range environments. India is one of the largest poultry breeding countries, with about 1.4 billion birds kept by about 53 million poultry keepers (poultry farmers) in 2009.

Every year many new game breeders are trying to breed game chickens, but there are only a few successful breeds and they don’t grow in large numbers.

Diet

Asil game chickens are game fowls that have been found to have a greater preference for grazing or overeating commercial feed. They need to be given plenty of space outdoors to be able to graze. Asil Game Chickens eat insects, fruits, and vegetables;

They also eat worms and even snakes when they are available. They are very active in searching for food, especially during hot days or when the night temperatures drop.

Special Notes

Asil Game Chickens are a very active breed and can be kept in a small area. They are gentle and good mothers and are also good egg layers. Asil Game chickens are also known as the Indian game chickens, Asil game chickens originated in the Indian subcontinent.

The region encompasses modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. These Asil have been kept by the farmers in the Indian subcontinent for centuries. There are many ancient paintings and sculptures of brightly colored chickens found in various parts of India.

However, review full profile of the Asil game birds in the following table.

Best 14 information

NameAsil game birds.
Other NameAseel, Painted Game Chicken, Indian Game Chicken.  
Egg ColourBrown.  
Breed PurposeMeat, Eggs, Pets.  
Breast TypeMedium.
Sexual DimorphismMale is larger than female.  
Climate ToleranceCan do well in all climates. But in the warm areas, it is better to provide shelter from the sun during summers.
TemperamentActive and alert, they are very good watchdogs.
ColorRed, Orange, and Yellow with dark bluish grey color on the shanks.
RarityCommon.
OriginIndia.
Body TypeSmall, compact, and strong, with short legs and a long heavy body.
As PetsVery good as pets.
LifespanAverage of 9–15 years.

Conclusion

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