Malay chicken
The Malay is the tallest of the game breeds, standing up to about 90 cm, with a cruel, beetle-browed expression.
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The Malay is a pure-bred chicken breed in the PCGB Asian Hard Feather class. Its origin is given as Asia (Malay type); developed in Cornwall and Devon, UK, from c.1830. It appears on the RBST Watchlist as a priority breed, so keepers of pure stock help conserve it.
It is kept in large and bantam forms. Recognised colours: Black-red, Spangled, Pile, White, Black, Wheaten.
It lays tinted eggs.
Compiled from poultryclub.org, rbst.org.uk. See sources
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Identity
- Species
- Chicken
- Type
- Pure breed
- PCGB class
- Asian Hard Feather
- Origin
- Asia (Malay type); developed in Cornwall and Devon, UK, from c.1830
History
Malay-type birds came from Southeast Asia and India and were among the first Asian fowl imported to Britain in the early 1800s; it is one of the oldest British-standardised breeds.
Appearance
Very tall and upright with a short back sloping to a drooping tail, overhanging eyebrows and a small strawberry comb. Black-red is the classic colour, with spangled, white, black and pile also seen. Hard-feather game birds carry tight, glossy, close-fitting plumage and a muscular, upright frame.
Recognised colours
Black-red, Spangled, Pile, White, Black, Wheaten
Size and weight
- Forms
- Large, Bantam
Eggs
- Egg colour
- Tinted
- Notes
- A poor layer of small tinted eggs; hens may go broody.
Temperament
- In short
- Calm with handlers; aggressive to other birds [general to Asian game]
- Keeping notes
- Generally steady with people, but males (and often females) are aggressive towards other chickens, so separate housing is needed.
Hardiness
Hardy (unconfirmed)
Broodiness
Not recorded yet.
Flying
Poor flyer [general to heavy game]
Suitability
- Beginners
- Not suitable for beginners
- Good to know
- A specialist exhibition and conservation breed; seek a PCGB-affiliated breeder.
Conservation status (RBST)
A priority breed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist.
Breed club
- The Asian Hardfeather Club, umbrella
Sources
This page is compiled from:
Review
Some details are still being checked. In particular: details generalised from Asian hard-feather group.
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