Poultry

Indian/Cornish Game

2008 Watchlist; Category 2, Endangered.

The Indian or Cornish Game is an English heavy breed dating back to the 19th century. It was first bred in Cornwall in the 1840s by Sir Walter Raliegh Gilbert. Red Aseel, Malay and Old English Game were used in its development, hence the name Indian Game. The breed club was formed in 1886.

Breeding of Indian Game has often been a family tradition in the West Country with stock and knowledge handed down from generation to generation. This, and inherited skill, has maintained Cornwall as the stronghold of the breed.  However, it was Henry Hunt of Gloucestershire, a geneticist and breeder, who first bred the Jubilee colour variety to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

The Indian or Cornish Game is attractive, thick set and solid with widely set legs.  The plumage is dark brown with a wonderful blend of orange / red double lacing viewed from the front. The Jubilees are similar to Indians, but the lacing is white, whereas in Indians it is black. The two varieties are often interbred.

The tremendous shoulders give them an unusual square appearance. They have strong curved beaks, red eyes, neat pea combs and hard, short plumage.

The breed was developed for its abundant quantity of breast meat. Some of the best table birds ever produced were from an Indian / Cornish Game crossed with the larger framed, white fleshed Light Sussex. Dorkings and Orpingtons are also used in crosses. Modern day broilers were developed from strains of this breed crossed with White Rocks and New Hampshires.

Primarily a meat breed, they are poor layers and because of their stance and short legs, fertility can be a problem. Pure bred birds have yellow flesh more associated nowadays with corn-fed poultry.

Email: john@beattietransport.co.uk

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