The feathers of the Indio de León chicken are popular for fishing lures, specifically for trout fishing. They are bred to have long, stiff-fibered feathers, which are taken from their shoulders for lures. Their saddles are also used for lures and are more versatile because of the multitude of feathers.
This breed is not used for egg or meat production. They are one of the few breeds in the world that is exclusively raised as an ornamental breed and for fishing lure feather production.
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Indio de León Chicken Breed Quick Info
Indio de León Chicken Description
| Indio de León Type/Size: | Standard |
| Feather Color: | Varies |
| Leg Type: | Clean |
| Leg Color: | Slate |
| Skin Color: | Unknown |
| Indio de León Ease of Raising/Keeping: | Medium |
| Indio de León Special Care Needs: | No |
| Is the Indio de León breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken? | Rare, “endangered” status |
Indio de León Use
| Meat | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Dual Purpose | No |
| Indio de León Temperament: | Active |
| Indio de León Ability/Likelihood to Free Range: | Yes |
Indio de León Egg Production
| Egg Color | N/A |
| Egg Size | N/A |
| Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year | N/A |
| Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise Chicks | N/A |
Indio de León Meat Production
| Dressed Weight Male | N/A |
| Dressed Weight Female | N/A |
Indio de León Climate Tolerance
| Heat | Good |
| Cold | Good |
Indio de León Age to Maturity
| Number of Months to Reach Full Size | 8 Months |
| Number of Months to Start Egg Laying | 7-8 Months |
| Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size | N/A |
Indio de León Size at Maturity
| Male | 4.75 lbs |
| Female | 3.25 lbs |
Origins of Indio de León Chicken
This breed originated in the León Valley region of Spain. It is believed to be the descendant of the Red Jungle Rooster, and its history, though not thoroughly documented, dates back to around the 17th century.
Today, they remain rare. In fact, they are considered an endangered species and are difficult to find outside of Spain.
Some Things to Know About Indio de León Chicken
The Indio de Leon chicken has gray plumage with a blue tint. The feather color can vary from a whitish-gray to red, brown, or black. They have a single red comb and slate-colored legs.
The two recognized varieties are “Pardo,” which is the brown line and is a larger bird with fine speckling on the feathers, and “Indio,” which is the Indian line with gray or dark gray feathers.
How Easy is it to Keep Indio de León Chickens?
This breed is an active, docile bird that excels as a free-range chicken. They are excellent foragers and will find tasty treats wherever they are allowed to roam.
They do well in both hot and cold climates and are a hardy, healthy breed that is easy to care for.
Special Care and Considerations for Indio de León Chickens
As with all chickens with a large single comb, this breed is at risk for developing frostbite in the winter. You can use a swipe of vaseline to help prevent their comb and wattles from freezing in low temperatures.
