Índio Gigante
Breed of chicken
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Índio Gigante, also known as Indian Giant, is a breed of domestic chicken originally developed in Brazil.[citation needed] It is one of the largest chicken breeds in the world[2], especially in terms of height.
History
The Índio Gigante originated in Brazil around the late 1980s or early 1990s in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás.[3]
It was created by crossbreeding large gamecocks — "Malayoid"[4] breeds such as the Shamo and the Malay[citation needed] — with caipira chickens (rustic mixed breeds).[2]
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.[1] Within the 2020s, ABRACIG expects the Índio Gigante to receive official recognition as the first pure breed of chicken to originate from Brazil.[2]
"Índio Gigante" is Portuguese for "Giant Indian"[5]; "Índio" (Indian) in Brazil refers to indigenous Brazilians and their culture (see also Native American name controversy).[6]
Characteristics
Varieties
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. [7]
Polaca Gigante (Giant Polish): Differ from the standard by having bare necks.[8]
Raçudo Gigante: Differ from the standard by having short beaks giving the appearance of a "round" head.[9]