Asils Dark Asil hen owned by Dr. Everett

Asils, though seldom seen at poultry shows, are hardy and beautiful birds. They are the oldest historically documented breed of poultry in the world; having been mentioned and described in Hindu text from around 1,500 BC. Though the breed was developed under the Hindu rulers of northern India; it was under the Mughals that the breed acquired its present name and prestige. Asils were then disseminated to the rest of the world during the time of the Kingdom of Oudh and the colonization of India by the British. The name "Asil" or "Aseel" means "thoroughbred" in Arabic. The title of thoroughbred has only been applied to race horses and this particular gamefowl. The breed comes in several different varieties and sizes, though only one size has been standardized by the American Poultry Association, the larger-sized Madras Asil is available in the United States.

A true Asil is readily recognized by three peculiar traits. Asil cocks have a short four syllable crow. As a matter of fact, most Asil cockerels do not start to crow until around 10 months of age. Most other breeds which begin to crow at around three to four months of age. Secondly, the eyes of an Asil are centered in the face. Thirdly, an Asil will immediately begin to preen himself when touched near the vent area.

Pugnacious to an extreme degree, Asil chicks have been known to attack their own mother at the young age of two weeks! The Asil was originally bred for the cock pit with only the best cocks being allowed to eventually enter a breed pen. In India this was usually at the age of four. A cock that had proved himself in the pit would then be used from age four until his natural death which was often from 15 to 20 years of age.

Though no longer used in the pit in North America the bred has retained its gameness through selective breeding. This is attained by only using a hen that will fight the cock. The cock must then "earn" the right to breed the hen by dominating her in this initial fight. Afterwards, the pair will not fight as long as they are kept together. However, if separated for a length of time the process will be repeated. For this reason, it is unwise to place a cock into a pen containing several hens; as they will gang-up to fight him, which may end in his death. A hen that will not initially fight the cock should not be utilized for breeding purposes; this will ruin the breed in short order.

pangled Asil hen and cock owned by Dr. Everett.

Asil hens that are raised together as pullets will typically not fight one another once the pecking order has been established. However, if new Asil hens or pullets are introduced to the flock, there will often be a fight to the death. Thus, keeping a great many hens becomes near to impossible. Multiple cocks may be kept, but they must be kept separate from one another from the age of six months onward. If a young cockerel is introduced to the hens before he is fully mature the hens will kill him the first day. Cockerels are not mature until they are at least 18 months of age and two years is even safer.

A black Asil stag. Photo courtesy of Mason Mackey, Washington White Asil cock owned by Dr. Everett.

The strain of Asil hens I maintain are excellent layers and mothers. Unlike other breeds of chickens, an Asil mother will stay with her chicks for nearly six months if allowed to raise them on her own. Interestingly, chicks raised by a mother hen will not develop coccidiosis. The downside to this arrangement is the need for separate housing for the young chicks and their mother, not to mention her lack of egg laying during this time.

The Asil is by far the most intelligent breed of chicken in the States today. An Asil can pick out another Asil in a flock containing many different breeds of chickens. If you choose to artificially brood Asil chicks you should expect many deaths as they will begin fighting one another at an early age. Contrary to what many believe concerning breeds of gamefowl, Asils do not have to be taught to fight. This characteristic has been selectively bred into the breed for nearly 3,500 years. When Asils fight, they fight to the death; whether they are chicks, hens, or cocks. The only exception to this rule is in the breed pen between a cock and a single hen where death will not result provided the cock is mature.

Given this factor for gameness, why would anyone desire to keep Asils? Actually, there are several reasons. First, as I have already stated, they are a very intelligent breed. They know their keepers and are very affectionate toward them and toward humans in general. I have never had an Asil cock attack me or my children; unlike some of the egg and meat breeds I keep. Secondly, Asil hens make the best of mothers. I have one Asil hen that has hatched three batches of eggs for me one right after the other. Their use as broodies is unsurpassed in my experience. Thirdly, they are an ancient breed of fowl that is the basis for the modern broiler industry. It is the Asil, through its progeny the Cornish, that provided the broad breast seen in the carcass of "super-market" chicken that we are all so familiar with. Finally, their health and vigor is nearly unparalleled among breeds of fowl. In combating disease among my flock, I have never had an Asil that was sick.

Bantam Asils owned by Dr. Everett.

Granted, the backyard keeper or small farmer cannot keep many Asils. However, even a few Asils are enough as they are a long lived fowl that will be productive for many years. The beauty of a stream-lined Asil hen or a robust, rock-solid Asil cock is just hard to beat. I highly recommend the Asil for its ability to forage and productivity on open range.