Oriental and Long Tails
Wheaten Aseel Chickens
Day Old Wheaten Aseel Chicks
Hatching February to July.
Aseels, also known as Asils, are the quintessential game or sporting bird. These birds look like they are always ready and can handle anything that comes their way. Aseels carry themselves with authority, and their name was given to them out of deep respect. It translates to 'noble and pure' or 'of long pedigree' in Arabic and to 'highborn and original' in Hindi. The Livestock Conservancy has described this breed as having an "indomitable spirit."
Aseels have a very upright carriage and short feathers, which show off their musculature. They have smallish heads and are long, with their tail positioned downward. They are strong, with a wide set and prominent legs, and are heavy for their size. Small and very forward-set pea-style combs and the absence of full wattles adds to this breed's "no-nonsense" appearance.
Production: Aseels are not raised for production. Hens are poor layers of light brown eggs and tend to be very seasonal in laying habits. They are slow-growing but do get to be quite meaty. Aseels are part of the breeding legacy that produced the Cornish breed that was used for the Cornish Cross Broiler chickens.
Temperament: Aseels are aggressive and will fight with each other and other birds. Even hens and young birds (some people say the chicks hatch out of their eggs fighting) will fight. Males must be kept separated from one another.
Aseels are protective of their young and their territory, and Aseel hens are very good brood hens for other breeds of chicks. These are very hardy, tenacious birds. They survive and thrive on their own. They are also confident and friendly with people they know. Their aggressiveness does make these birds difficult to raise with other birds. Even with lots of space, Aseels will probably need to be separated from other chickens.
Aseel Roosters have a distinctive style crow - short and seemingly interrupted or 'chopped off'.
History: The Aseel is an ancient Indian breed, over 2,000 years old. Aseels were originally bred for cockfighting, which is clear from the aggressive and tenacious attitude. In 1846, the breed was recognized in Great Britain. Aseels were imported directly from India to America in the late 1800s by Dr. H.P. Clark and first exhibited in the United States in 1887. The APA recognized the Wheaten Aseel in 1998.
Colors: The Wheaten Aseel Rooster is mostly black with green and purple sheen, but sports bright golden red feathering on the head and neck and over the saddle and back. The shoulders have reddish-chestnut coloring. Overall, the Wheaten Aseel is a very striking bird. Hens have a little black in the tail but are mostly shades of golden brown and tan, or "wheat" colors. Both sexes have light eyes, bright red combs, ear lobes, and faces. Aseels have yellow legs and feet and yellowish beaks with brown, horn-colored streaks.
Conservation Status: Critical
Weight: Cockerel 4.5 lbs, Pullet 3 lbs
APA Class: All Other Standard Breeds Class
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Model: WHAC
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