"High-priced" black Mong chicken is still in high demand.

(Baonghean.vn) - Black chicken (also known as black chicken) is a traditional breed of Mong people raised in the highlands. During Tet, black chicken is a specialty that is very "in demand".

Initially, the Mong people raised black chickens only for family needs and for use in worship, but now, due to the quality of the fragrant, delicious and firm meat, they are increasingly popular in the market.

Some people in Nam Can and Na Ngoi communes said that in the past, black chickens were only raised by Mong people in isolated areas in the highlands or concentrated in fields to avoid diseases. The black chicken breed is also suitable for the highland climate, so it grows quickly in the natural environment. However, in the past, Mong people only raised them in small quantities. Only when the family had a ceremony or on Tet did they dare to bring them home to slaughter.

Lau Va Menh's black chicken farm, Ca Tren village, Na Ngoi, Ky Son.

The Mong people said that currently, some traders are selling many chickens similar to the black chicken breed in the towns of Muong Xen (Ky Son), Hoa Binh (Tuong Duong) but they are not real black chickens. If you observe closely, the skin of that type of chicken is chestnut-colored and the meat is not as delicious as the black chicken.

Genuine black chicken must be black from head to toe, when the feathers are parted to see the skin is jet black. When the chicken is cut open, the bones also have a black layer covering the outside. If the buyer is not an expert, it is difficult to distinguish between these two types. Their prices are also different, the hybrid chicken costs only 130 thousand VND/kg, while the black chicken costs up to 170 thousand VND/kg.

Black chickens mainly eat natural foods and this is also one of the reasons why black chicken meat products are favored and trusted by many people.

By using only natural food to create the brand name “clean chicken”, black chicken is sold at a much higher price than white chicken. Mr. Lau Pa Xo (Truong Son village – Nam Can) is a household that is currently raising more than 100 black chickens and said: “The black chicken breed is only suitable for corn and natural grass. We never feed them with growth-enhancing pellets, so although the chickens grow a bit slowly, we still maintain the brand name.”

In Truong Son village, there are still many households raising black chickens for Tet, such as Mr. Lau Chong Tua's household (raising 200 chickens), Lau Cho Thai (184 chickens)... These households said that normally black chickens are in high demand, but near Tet, traders from the lowlands flock to hunt for "clean" black chickens, so there is not enough supply. For example, Mr. Lau Pa Xo's household, just a few days ago sold 25 chickens to prepare for Tet and in a few days he will sell the next batch to serve market demand.

Due to the huge demand for black chicken meat, the supply has not been able to meet the demand, especially during Tet. In the photo, people sell black chicken in Muong Xen town (Ky Son).

Na Ngoi commune currently has the largest number of black chickens in Ky Son district with nearly 3 thousand birds. With the characteristics of high mountainous terrain and natural food, black chickens in Buoc Mu, Ca Tren, Tong Khu villages... are all favored by consumers. Mr. Lau Va Menh (Ca Tren village) is the household raising the most with 512 birds and said: "Normally, the price of black chicken only fluctuates from 170-180 thousand/kg, but during Tet, the price increases to 200 thousand/kg but still not enough to sell. Although black hybrid chickens are sold a lot now, consumers still prefer and seek out genuine black chicken meat."

Mr. Va Menh's farm is located about 1 km from his house and he has invested in modern equipment to raise and care for black chickens. From hatching eggs to caring for young chickens, everything is done scientifically so there are few diseases. "The important thing in raising this type of chicken is the food source and the space for the chickens to live. Black chickens only eat corn and food available in nature, need a large, airy space to live" - ​​Mr. Lau Va Menh added.

Purebred black chicken is a breed of chicken that is black from meat to bone.

In the areas where the Mong people live, raising black chicken has become familiar. From being limited to the Mong community, black chicken has now become a widely consumed food thanks to the quality of its meat. During Tet, black chicken is more popular than ever.

Chicken farming model of Mr. Lau Pa Xo's family, Truong Son village, Nam Can commune (Ky Son).

Black chicken meat is also sold at markets in the mountainous districts of Ky Son and Tuong Duong.

Dao Tho - Ho Phuong