Asian Hard Feather Aseel

This standard refers to the small Aseel (frequently called ‘Reza’ Aseel, which term actually applies only to fowl of 3 1/2 – 4lbs, or ‘Rajah’ Aseel – which is a term not used at all in Pakistan and India).


The Aseel is probably the oldest known breed of game fowl, having been bred for its fighting qualities for over 2000 years in Pakistan &India. In dialects that were different it can be spelled ‘Asil’, ‘Aseel’ or ‘Asli’. In its native land the Aseel was breed to fight, not with fictitious spurs, but rather with its natural spurs covered with tape, the fight being a trial of strength and endurance.

Such was durability, the fitness and gameness of the contestants that individual conflicts could last for days. This fashion of fighting produced a fowl that was muscular and powerful with powerful legs, thick muscular Neck and a strong beak, jointly with a pugnacious nature and stubborn refusal to accept defeat.


Never very numerous in Britain, the Aseel has however consistently brought a few committed admirers prepared to contend with its inborn want to fight, a characteristic shared by the females who are poor layers but extremely good moms.