Taiwan Game Project

British Standard for Taiwan Game

the current British standard for Taiwan, accepted by the Poultry Club of Great Britain

TAIWAN

Origin: Taiwan

Classification: Asian Hardfeather. Large Fowl.

Egg colour: White or tinted

The Taiwan is a very large bird of Malayoid type. The breed is sometimes called Taiwan Shamo
but as this is not a Japanese breed that name is incorrect. The breed’s origins are in the
island of Taiwan (formerly Formosa)

It is of a similar type to the Shamo, but generally bigger and heavier with longer legs.

There is a tendency in Europe to call any unidentifiable big Asian Game breed ‘Taiwan’
and these birds are often clumsy and of poor carriage. Birds of similar type have been
called ‘Saipan’ in USA, also ‘Chinese Shamo’.

The true breed is an impressive, strong, agile, upright bird.

General characteristics:

Male

Type and Carriage: General appearance large, powerful, alert and agile, balanced and full of aggressive spirit.

Body: Large, firm and well muscled.

Breast: Broad and full with deep keel.

Back: Long, broadest at shoulders, sloping down towards tail and gradually tapering from upper side of thigh.
Backbone straight.

Wings: short, big, strong and bony, carried close to the body, not showing on the back.

Tail: carried horizontally or below, length to give balance to the bird.

Head: Strong, deep and broad with wattles and earlobes small or absent. Beak powerful, broad and curved downwards
but not hooked. Eyes deep-set under overhanging brows. Comb triple or walnut, set low on a broad base.

Neck: Long, strong-boned and slightly curved.

Legs and feet: Legs long, thick and strong with slight bend at hock. Thighs long, round and muscular
shanks shorter than thighs. Toes four, long and well spread. Hind toe straight and firm on the ground.

Plumage: Feathers short, narrow, and hard, often showing red skin at throat, keel and point of wing.

Handling: Extremely firm fleshed, muscular and well-balanced. Strong contraction of wings to body.

Female

The general characteristics are similar to those of the male, allowing for natural sexual differences.

Colour

Black/red (wheaten) is the most common colour, but no colour or combination of colours is disqualified.

In both sexes and all colours:

Beak yellow or horn.

Legs and feet – yellow, or yellow with blackish over-colour in dark coloured birds

Comb, face, throat, earlobes and any exposed skin – brilliant red.

Eyes pearl to gold. Darker eyes acceptable in young birds.

Weights

Male approx 5 - 7 Kg (11 – 15lb plus)

Female approx 4 - 5.5 Kg (9 - 12lb plus)

Scale of points

Type and carriage 40

Head 20

Feather/condition 20

Legs and feet 20

100

Serious defects

Lack of attitude. Lack of size. Overlarge comb. ‘Duck’ feet.

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