What is the requirement for an animal to be considered 'game' (Wahshi) for compensation to be due upon its killing by a pilgrim?
Chapter on Ransom (Fidyah) and Penalty for Hunting
Al-Mughni
Book of Hajj
Primary text
The second characteristic of game is that it must be wild (Wahshi). Animals that are not wild, such as all livestock, horses, chickens, and similar domestic animals, are not prohibited for a pilgrim to slaughter or eat. There is no known scholarly disagreement on this point; consideration is given to the animal's inherent nature (original state), not its current circumstance. If a wild animal becomes domesticated, its slaughter is not forbidden, and compensation is not due. Compensation is due for domestic and wild pigeons, following their original nature.
Supporting text
If a domestic animal becomes wild, no penalty is due according to Ahmad, because its origin is domestication. If offspring result from a wild animal and a domestic animal, compensation is due, prioritizing the prohibition of killing it, similar to the ruling on mixed permissible and forbidden offspring. There are two narrations from Ahmad regarding the Indian chicken (Dajaj al-Sindiy) as to whether compensation is due. A narration from Muhanna concerning ducks states that a pilgrim may slaughter them if they are not considered game. The sound position is that slaughtering them is prohibited for the pilgrim, and compensation is due because their origin is wild, similar to pigeons.