Management of Malays. 
*71 
impoi tations varied a great deal, and partook rather more of a lightish brown-red character, the 
breasts of many of the cocks being brown or red ; but among the dark colours a pure black breast 
is now necessary to win at any good show. 
Many years ago, when Cochins were unknown, Malays were the only Asiatic breeds which 
could be used to give size by crossing to smaller fowls ; and being then freely imported, were 
large heavy birds. But of late the superiority of the Cochin in temper has so diminished Malay 
admirers, that there has been little demand for imported birds ; in-and-in breeding has been the 
necessary consequence ; and they now usually appear in the pens as actually small fowls, though 
their real weight is always greater than appears. The cocks used to stand thirty inches high, and 
weigh eleven to twelve pounds, the hens in proportion ; but now at the very least one-third must 
be taken off these figures. We believe, however, that much might be done to restore the old 
proportions by the judicious use of bone-dust and “ Parrish’s Chemical Food.” 
The following notes on Malays have been furnished us by the Rev. A. G. Brooke, so well 
known as an old (and still successful) admirer and breeder of this variety : — 
“ To say that Malays are favourites with the majority of poultry fanciers would be untrue, for 
hardly ever do I attend a show where the committee are kind enough to give them a separate 
.class, but I hear from one, ‘What horrid ugly-looking things!’ from another, ‘What is the use of 
those long-legged creatures?’ or, as I once heard an elderly gentleman observe, ‘I have no 
sympathy with Malays.’ They have been for some time past looked upon as a persecuted race ; 
for this and no other reason did I, fifteen years ago, purchase some in the neighbourhood of the 
London Docks, and to the present time have most pertinaciously adhered to them. It is true that 
I have met with many discouragements ; every one that comes to look at my poultry seems to 
make a point of abusing them, though they are candid enough to admit that the plumage of the 
cocks is magnificent. 
“ It is far more difficult now to obtain Malays from abroad than formerly ; and even then 
I have seen many imported birds with white feathers in their tails and wings. Experience has 
taught me to discard such, and never breed from them, as the white feathers mostly appear in 
their offspring. Oftentimes, too, brown patches appear on the breasts of imported cocks, which 
I look upon as a great disqualification ; the breast should be pure black. 
“ I am bound to admit that, for want of a thorough good cross, Malays are sadly deteriorating 
in size. I have heard of cocks weighing eleven pounds, and hens nine pounds ; but seldom have 
any of my own cocks weighing more than eight, or hens more than six. So fatal do I consider 
the breeding in-and-in, that some years I have set no eggs at all, because I could get no 
cross sufficiently good ; but was fortunate enough to be in possession of a foreign hen for last 
breeding season. 
“If I may so use the expression, Malays are getting too ‘Anglicised ;’ they are too genteel. 
Their necks are far shorter than they used to be, their shoulders not so high, their combs are 
much larger, they have too much neck-hackle : the cocks’ tails are mostly too full, and not drooping 
enough ; the hens are often fan-tailed. These are innovations which have gradually crept in, and 
I trust that admirers of the breed will spare no pains to try and stamp them out. About twelve 
years ago, I attended a poultry-show at Gloucester, and there had the privilege of seeing a grand 
pen of Malays belonging to a Mr. Leighton, of Cheltenham. I have never seen such since ; they 
were giants, but well-nigh perfect. 
“ Size is a great point, undoubtedly, in Malays ; but I have often pulled through at exhibitions 
with average-size birds, through style, condition, and tightness of plumage. At Birmingham, in 
1864, I won first prize with a pen of chickens (cockerel and two pullets) hatched in June ; and one 
Y 
