Asil Gamefowl: Types, Characteristics, Temperament

Asil Gamefowl

The Asil (also spelled Aseel or Asli) is a historic gamefowl breed from the Indian subcontinent, prized for strength and endurance. Bred for cockfighting over two millennia, it is considered one of the world’s oldest true game chicken breeds. Asils are compact, extremely muscular birds held in an upright stance.

They typically have a small pea comb, no dangling wattles, and thick legs. As one breeder put it, an Asil cockerel is “upright, aggressive, bold…with very small wattles and a pea comb…broad shoulders…and thick muscular thighs.” The name Asil means “purebred” in Arabic, reflecting its ancient pedigree. Today Asils are found throughout India, Pakistan and neighboring regions, and in many Western show and gamefowl flocks; they are valued more for gameness and heritage than for meat or eggs.

Asil Gamefowl Fighting Style

Aseel Rooster Fighting

The Asil’s fighting style is distinctive. These birds are built for close-quarters endurance, often described as “boxers” rather than “fencers.” In their native contests, birds fought with taped natural spurs in marathon bouts; fights could last for hours or even days. Key elements of Asil fighting style include:

Heavy, grappling attacks: Asils use their muscular bodies and strong legs to grapple and press opponents, delivering powerful chest blows and tackles. They rarely chicken out – stamina and toughness are prized.
Pugnacity and endurance: Breeders note that Asils fight with relentless gameness. They are stubborn “never give up” birds, willing to close in and land strikes throughout a long match.
Stance and strikes: With their upright carriage, Asils have heavy frames; they may use short hops and lunges to strike. Unlike breeds that focus on spurring, Asils rely on sheer strength.

These traits make the Asil famous for stamina and determination in the pit. (For comparison, an Asil is often likened to a boxer in close combat, while English game birds are likened to fencers.)

History and Origin of Asil Gamefowl

Duckwing Aseel Rooster

Asils originated on the Indian subcontinent (modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) and have been bred there for thousands of years. Ancient texts like the Institutes of Manu (circa 1000 BC) describe gamefowl battles, which poultry historians believe involved Asil-type ancestors. The word “Asil” itself comes from Arabic for “pure” or “long-pedigree,” a testament to the breed’s valued lineage. In South Asia today, various local strains exist (see next section), and the bird remains culturally significant.

European interest in Asils dates to at least the 17th century. British breeders created a bantam (miniature) Asil in the 1800s, and Asil blood was used to produce the Cornish Game (Indian Game) breed in England. In the 19th century the Cornish carried Asil/Malay genes to the US, becoming the foundation of modern broiler lines. Today Asils are kept by gamefowl fanciers worldwide. Notably, Asils were once the only Indian chicken breed not considered endangered, though in the US they are listed as “threatened” by the Livestock Conservancy.

Types of Asil Gamefowl

There are no formal color varieties of Asil like in egg-laying breeds, but breeders recognize several strains or lines named for their region of origin or history. Some examples include:

Reza Asil – The smaller type, often 3½–4 lb, named in British/Western standards. These lean, upright birds have all the Asil traits in a compact form (they were used to create the modern bantam Asil).
Sindhi Aseel – A tall, robust strain from Sindh (Pakistan). Sindhi Asils have a strongly upright posture, very large frame and wide shoulders, and come in colors like black, brown and red. Breeders prize them for size and bone.
Haryanvi Aseel – Originating from Haryana (India), this strain is compact and very muscular. Haryanvi birds are known for their stout build and unusually strong beaks, making them formidable in the pit.
Rampur Asil – From Rampur (Uttar Pradesh, India), a large robust bird reputed for aggressive gameness. (Unlike the petite Reza, Rampur-type cocks are heavy-boned and broad-chested.)
Bhojpur, Mianwali, etc. – Other regional names exist (Bhojpur in India, Mianwali in Pakistan, etc.), each with slight differences in size, carriage or gameness according to breeder tradition.

These are informal categories: colors and exact traits vary by farm. Common plumage types (as recognized by American standards) include black-breasted red, wheaten (buff), dark, spangled and white. In practice, a breeder may select Asil lines for specific traits (size, egg color, aggression level), so knowledge of the bloodline names and pedigrees is important in breeding programs.

Characteristics of Asil Gamefowl

Rooster and Hen Aseel

The Asil is extremely muscular for its size and carries itself with a proud, upright stance. It has a broad, deep chest and thick legs; one source notes the thighs are “thick and muscular” and the legs “strong.” Asils have tight, hard-feathering (often described as “bare-backed”) and hold their tails relatively low. Their head is small with a slightly arched (hawk-like) beak and sharp, alert eyes. Both cocks and hens have a tiny pea comb and no wattles.

Most Asils have yellow (or sometimes bluish-gray) legs. Eye color can be light (pearl white/green) giving a “fierce” look. The birds’ bodies are held very upright, so they look taller than many other breeds. For example, one breeder describes the cock as “wide-chested, muscled … with a sturdy neck and prominent brow.” In summary, Asils are heavy-boned and hearty: short-cropped feathers reveal a strong physique, and even their internal anatomy is distinctive (e.g. they reportedly have relatively larger hearts for their size).

Temperament of Asil Gamefowl

Asil Hen with Asil Chicks

Asils are famously tenacious and combative with other chickens. Both males and females tend to be aggressive: cocks will often fight each other to the death if not separated, and even two-week-old chicks instinctively spar (sometimes until one is injured). Hens, too, can be quarrelsome with flockmates. This extreme gameness means Asils are not recommended for beginners or for mixed-breed flocks – they usually need a very strong cage hierarchy or individual housing during breeding.

That said, Asils are often described as tame with people once socialized. Handled gently, they can become quite friendly toward their keeper. Many breeders note that Asils bond well and may follow a person around the yard. In short, they are highly aggressive toward other birds (their natural instinct), but can be surprisingly docile and trustworthy with human handlers.

Egg Production of Asil Hens

Aseel Hen with Chicks

Asil hens are poor layers compared to commercial breeds. On average they may lay only a few dozen eggs per year – figures of 6–40 eggs per year are typical. (Smaller “Reza” types are on the lower end of that range, while the bigger strains might approach the higher end.) The eggs are small and usually off-white to light brown in color.

However, Asil hens have exceptional broodiness. They are known to go broody and sit on clutches for weeks or even months at a time. In fact, many breeders use Asil hens to hatch other poultry because they become dedicated mothers. These hens will fiercely protect their chicks – even fighting off snakes or predators – so their maternal instincts are very strong.

Main Crosses with Asil Gamefowl

Asil blood is often used in crosses to impart gameness, bone and meatiness. One famous historical cross was between Asil and Malay: 19th-century Cornish (Indian Game) breeders in England mated the red Aseel with Malay fowl to produce the Cornish Game breed. The Cornish (sometimes called “Indian Game”) then became a foundation of modern broiler stock. In fact, conservationists note that Aseels helped create the Cornish breed and contributed key genes to today’s broilers.

Among modern gamefowl enthusiasts, crossing practices vary by region. Many breeders mix Asils with other oriental game lines (like Shamo, Burmese, or Sweater-derived hybrids) to shape a bird’s fighting style. For example, an Asil crossed with a Malay or Shamo cross can yield a heavier “in-fighter,” while Asil×Spanish-Whitehackle crosses (common in some Latin American lines) may aim for different traits. In the U.S., classic game lines like Kelso or Grey originated from such multi-breed matings that often included Asil ancestry (though exact formulas are closely held). In summary, Asil crosses are used either to strengthen the body and gameness of crosses or to enhance broiler-type carcasses.