Indian Game Bantam

The Indian Game Bantam is a masterpiece of power and geometry. Its body is often described as cuboid or heart-shaped when viewed from above, meaning it is nearly as broad as it is long. The most striking feature is the broad breast and the legs, which are set very wide apart, creating a distinct 'bulldog' gait. The muscles are exceptionally dense, making the bird feel much heavier than it looks.

• Body: Short, thick, and very deep. The back is short and flat, narrowing quickly toward the tail.
• Feathering: The feathers are hard, narrow, and very short (wire-like). They should fit tightly to the body, often leaving the red skin of the breast bone slightly visible in high-quality specimens.
• Head: Features a broad skull with prominent eyebrows, giving the bird a fierce, raptor-like expression. They possess a small, neat triple pea comb.
• Legs: Thick, round, and bright yellow, approximately 3-4 inches (8-10cm) in length.

As a breed developed purely for meat quality (and later exhibition), the Indian Game Bantam is a poor egg layer. Backyard keepers can expect between 60 and 90 eggs per year, mostly concentrated in the spring months.

• Egg Color: Tinted to light brown.
• Egg Size: Small, weighing roughly 1.1 oz (30g).
• Broodiness: The hens are known to be protective mothers and frequently go broody. However, because of their heavy, muscular bodies and hard feathers, they can sometimes accidentally crush the eggs in the nest.

Sexual dimorphism in this breed is less about size and more about plumage color and tail structure. The rooster weighs approximately 35-39 oz (1000-1100g), while the hen weighs 32-35 oz (900-1000g).

• The Rooster: Displays a more beetle-green sheen on its black feathers. His tail is short and carried slightly below the horizontal line of the back. His stance is more provocative and upright.
• The Hen: The hen is more horizontal in her body carriage. A unique breed trait is the tail structure, the hen's tail feathers often sit in a 'jalousie' or venetian blind arrangement, which is considered a fault in other breeds but a requirement for the Indian Game.

Indian Game Bantams are gehard (hardy) and vital birds, but their unique feathering dictates their environmental needs. Because their feathers are so sparse and lack a thick downy underlayer, they do not retain body heat as well as fluffier breeds like the Orpington or Cochin.

They handle moderate heat well, provided they have shade, but in extreme cold, they require a well-insulated, draft-free coop. They are not prone to many diseases, but their heavy weight means they should not be forced to jump from high perches, as this can cause foot injuries.

The most iconic color is the Dark (Double Laced) variety. In hens, this consists of a mahogany-brown base where every feather has two distinct black lacings that follow the shape of the feather. The rooster is primarily metallic green-black with mahogany wings.

• Jubilee: A striking variety where the black markings of the 'Dark' variety are replaced by pure white.
• Blue Laced Red: The black markings are replaced by a soft blue-grey.
• Self Colors: Pure White and Black varieties exist but are significantly rarer in exhibition circles.