Merthi Aseel is famous in India, particularly because of the region of Meerut, as this breed originates from there. Many enthusiasts in Pakistan are fond of this breed and keep it as a hobby. They absolutely do not like to crossbreed the Merthi Aseel. However, if this breed is crossed with the Amroha breed, it can yield excellent results, though people generally prefer not to keep smaller Aseel birds because their main purpose is cockfighting. Now, we will discuss every aspect of the Merthi Aseel in detail so that you can have a complete and accurate understanding of the breed.
Names used for the Aseel breed:
- Marathi Aseel.
- Merthi Aseel.
- Mirthi aseel.
- Meeruti aseel.
People in different regions of Pakistan or India know this breed by various names. However, all these names refer to the same breed.
Comb:
The comb of the Merthi Aseel is somewhat large. It is clearly visible to the observer and looks beautiful even from a distance. Its comb is slightly pointed, which significantly enhances the beauty of this rooster. The comb of an Aseel rooster is also referred to as a “topi” (cap). In fact, in many regions, this breed is considered beautiful primarily because of its comb.
Eyes:
The eyes of a Merathi aseel are very beautiful. They are perfectly round, appearing like a circle. If we talk about the inner part of the eye, it contains many shades. The first shade consists of red-colored lines. In these chickens, the eyes may have red lines. Apart from the lines, the eyes can also be completely clear and white. In addition to white, the eyes can also be a light yellow color. However, you won’t see any color other than these three in a pure Merathi aseel. If a chicken resembles a Merathi Aseel in other characteristics but its eyes are not round and clear, then it is not pure; instead, it is a crossbreed with a Merathi Aseel.
Head:
The head of this breed is round on top, which clearly indicates the purity of this breed. Apart from the round-headed ones, there are also long-headed aseels, but they represent a different breed. This is because every breed has distinct characteristics, and it is due to these characteristics that a breed is separated from others and given a unique name.
Face:
Its round face looks exactly like that of the Amroha Aseel breed. If we talk only about the face, it will be difficult for you to differentiate between the Amroha Aseel and the Merathi Aseel. The features present on the face of the Merathi Aseel are all also found in the Amroha Aseel. A round face with a beautiful crest, round eyes, a small beak, and small flesh under the face on both sides can be seen. The eyes are prominent, large, and look very beautiful.
Beak:
The beak of the Merathi aseel is white in color. It is very small, extremely hard, and strong. The beak of this breed is different from other Aseel breeds and appears small. There are lines on both sides of the beak that extend straight from both sides of the rooster’s nostrils. These lines have a slight black shade. This shade and the lines are what make the beak strong.
Color:
There are many colors of the Merathi Aseel, but the most prominent color is the Jawa color. Among the Jawa colors, the white Jawa is the most popular because people have limited their perception of the Merathi Aseel to just the Jawa color. However, this is not the case at all. Besides the Jawa color, you will also see yellow birds among the Merathi Aseel. Apart from yellow, you can also observe the Merathi bloodline in white. If the Merathi Aseel is crossed with the Amroha Aseel, it can even show its bloodline in red. Many enthusiasts have proven that a red-colored bird can also be a Merathi. However, new enthusiasts might find it a bit difficult to understand this because they often associate the Merathi only with the Jawa color.
Wings:
If we talk about the wings of this breed, they are larger compared to its body. The reason for the larger wings is their long wingspan, which allows the bird to fly well. The length of the feathers is quite good, which is not common in other birds. If this breed is crossed with seven other breeds, it can produce a fighting breed and give very good results. The color of the wings is black and white on the underside. The edges of the feathers are white, but the area where the feathers start growing is black. On the top, the feathers can be a mix of black, white, or yellow, and this mix of colors is referred to as “jawa color.”
Back & Chest:
Marathi chickens have a chest and back that are quite similar to those of other breeds, but they are slightly smaller in size and a bit wider. They have a distinctive feature on their chest: there are balls of color on the upper part of the chest that appear white. As the chicken ages, around 7 years old, the chest becomes thicker. Similarly, the chest remains full over time. The chest feathers are black and have a greenish sheen.
Tail:
Its tail is light and points towards the sky. The tail has black and white hairs. The tail is not very long, just of a normal size. The tail’s strength is very robust. People judge the breed’s strength based on the tail’s strength. However, the Merathi Asil’s tail is generally not preferred because a tail with an upward curve is associated with fighter bloodlines. People consider it to be from the fighter line, while the beautiful Asil is considered to have a tail that points towards the ground.
Legs:
Its legs are usually white in color or small in size. The feet are large in size, and the legs have about seven ridges similar to the feet. Its legs often become quite dry, and then that leg is referred to as “kaprail nali.”
Weight:
Its weight ranges from 2 kilograms to 2.5 kilograms. This breed is considered smaller compared to others in terms of weight and size, but if crossbred, it can create a better fighting breed from the pure breed.
Female of Mirthi Aseel:
The female of the Mirthi Aseel breed is smaller in size compared to the male. Its tail also points upwards, and its face is round. The eyes are completely clear and white. The feathers on its neck and tail are dark brown, appearing almost black, while the rest of the body is light brown. The Amroha Aseel female has the same qualities and color but with darker brown feathers, whereas the Mirthi Aseel female has a lighter color.
Regarding the eggs of the Mirthi Aseel, they lay a maximum of 13 eggs. Due to their age and purity, they don’t lay more eggs. Some Mirthi Aseel hens have been observed laying only 2 eggs.
Opinions of peoples about merthi aseel:
- Ustaad Bilal Hassan: The Baroli breed is found in Meerut, and it has a mix of Amroha and Mushki bloodlines.
- Ustaad Zafar Abbas: It has very good fighter blood
- Ustaad Asif Raza: Is there a significant difference between this breed and Amroha?
- Ustaad Fazal khan: Many things come out of the logo, but unfortunately, people don’t consider them all; everyone has a different perspective
- Ustaad Ishfaq Sumbal: Some people, by working hard on the wrong things, forget about purity. But your inherent purity is unparalleled.
You can also watch this video to identify a true Marathi Aseel.
Aside from this, visit the page on popular Aseel chicken breeds to gain knowledge about other true breeds.
