Índio Gigante | |
Also Known As: | English: {{noitalic|Indian Giant |
Country: | Brazil |
Standard: | ABRACIG (in Portuguese) |
Maleheight: | at least 1.05 meter |
Femaleheight: | at least 90 cm |
Maleweight: | at least 4.5 kilograms |
Femaleweight: | at least 3 kilograms |
Skincolor: | yellow |
Eggcolor: | white, beige, red, blue or green |
Comb: | pea (high or low) or ball |
Type: | Chicken |
Latin: | Gallus gallus domesticus |
Índio Gigante, also known as Indian Giant, is a breed of domestic chicken originally developed in Brazil. It is one of the largest chicken breeds in the world, especially in terms of height.
The Índio Gigante originated in Brazil around the late 1980s or early 1990s in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás.
It was created by crossbreeding large gamecocks — "Malayoid" breeds such as the Shamo and the Malay — with caipira chickens (rustic mixed breeds).
Currently, the Índio Gigante has a defined standard and a Brazilian association — Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Índio Gigante (ABRACIG) — to better organize the continuation and genetic improvement of the breed. Within the 2020s, ABRACIG expects the Índio Gigante to receive official recognition as the first pure breed of chicken to originate from Brazil.
"Índio Gigante" is Portuguese for "Indian Giant"; "Índio" (Indian) in Brazil refers to indigenous Brazilians and their culture (see also Native American name controversy).
Within the Índio Gigante breed, varieties have emerged in addition to the main type:
Índio Gigante Urubu (Giant Indian Vulture): Differ from the standard by having black feathers, face, legs, comb, skin and wattles. [1]
Polaca Gigante (Giant Polish): Differ from the standard by having bare necks.[2]
Raçudo Gigante: Differ from the standard by having short beaks giving the appearance of a "round" head.[3]