Discover the Exclusive World of Exotic Chicken Breeds Valued at Thousands of USD in Vietnam

The Lamborghini chicken, scientifically known as Ayam Cemani, often referred to colloquially as the Indo Black Chicken or the 'Lamborghini' of the poultry world, showcases its rarity and luxury. These chickens are highly sought after due to their completely black appearance, including internal organs and blood. Originating from the island of Java in Central Indonesia, Lamborghini chickens are a favorite among global elites. Not only distinguished by their unique exterior, but they are also believed by the Indonesian people to bring good luck to their owners. An Indonesian black chicken typically lays only 70-80 eggs per year, with a very low success rate in hatching—usually less than 50%. This rarity, coupled with the difficulty in successfully hatching their eggs, contributes to their high value. Currently, there are two variations of this breed—fluffy-feathered and smooth-feathered, with the fluffy-feathered variety being more popular as ornamental pets. Adult Lamborghini chickens, weighing 2-3kg, are priced at around $2,500 (equivalent to over 55 million VND per chicken).

Silkie chickens, also known as fluffy-feathered chickens, are a unique breed with incredibly charming and peculiar fluffy feathers. They come in various colors such as yellow, white, black, and more. Each mature Silkie chicken weighs between 1.5-2 kg, can live for 7-8 years, and with proper care, may even reach 9 years. Popularly referred to as fluffy-feathered chickens, Silkies are highly sought after by enthusiasts in the ornamental chicken community. Currently, Silkies are priced at 10 million VND per chicken in the market. Notably, these chickens lay very few eggs, typically 7-10 eggs in one reproductive cycle. This scarcity, coupled with high demand from Vietnamese elites, has led to a shortage in the ornamental pet market. Currently, there is a waiting period of up to six months or even a year to acquire them. While a parent chicken pair can cost tens of millions of dong, a 2-month-old Silkie chicken is also priced at 1 million VND per chicken.

The Serama chicken holds the title of the world's lightest chicken, with each adult weighing only 300-500g. Despite their small size, the challenge of raising them and the effort required to achieve the proper posture, these unique chickens are favored by pet enthusiasts in Vietnam. A pair of Serama chicks is priced at around 2.5 million VND, while a mature, aesthetically pleasing chicken can range from $600 to over $1,400 (equivalent to 12 to over 30 million VND). Renowned for their upright and regal posture, expansive chest, wings nearly touching the ground, and slender physique, Serama chickens were initially raised in Vietnam for recreational cockfighting. However, due to their distinctive body structure, Serama chickens are now selectively bred for beauty contests. The price for a winning Serama chicken can reach 50 to even 100 million VND.

Presently, the connoisseurs of lavish poultry favor the Fancy Chicken breed. This exquisite chicken serves multiple purposes, being raised for meat, egg production, and ornamental value, boasting high economic value. Originating from England, this breed is easily adaptable to the Vietnamese climate. With beautiful and vibrant plumage, strong immunity, and attractive features such as upright multiple-crested combs resembling a Buddha's hand, elongated body, pink eyes, sharp beak, and vibrant colors, each Fancy Chicken for ornamental purposes is priced from 500,000 VND to 2.5 million VND. Exceptional specimens with stunning characteristics can even fetch prices in the tens of millions from foreign buyers.

Recently, the Sebright chicken, also known as the fish-scale or hybrid chicken, has gained popularity among Vietnamese animal enthusiasts. Their distinctive feature is the rounded feathers with black edging, resembling fish scales. Originating from England, this unique breed has been bred since the 19th century. In Vietnam, Sebright chickens are relatively rare and come with a high price tag. To own a pair of Sebright chickens, you may need to pay from 6-7 million VND. Particularly, for vibrant-colored, ideally weighted, and beautifully shaped chickens, the prices can soar even higher. Many animal enthusiasts believe that Sebright chickens are an excellent choice for ornamental breeding, requiring minimal feed compared to other breeds. They can be freely raised in yards, gardens, or fields. Another advantage is their small size, making it easy to handle and enjoyable for children to play with. Interestingly, the more these chickens are played with, the more sociable they become.

A current trend among many, particularly the wealthy, is indulging in wild jungle chicken feasts and keeping jungle chickens for ornamental purposes. The most popular breed for ornamental purposes is the red-ear white jungle chicken, boasting vibrant feathers, sharp spurs, and a slender physique. The price for this breed is relatively high, with purebred, mature, and domestically raised chickens typically priced from 600,000 to 1 million VND per chicken, with hens being cheaper than roosters. Breeding pairs in the reproductive phase are priced around 1.6 million VND per pair. Newly caught and less tamed jungle chickens are even more expensive, usually ranging from 1.2 million VND for a female and 1.5 million VND for a male. Some jungle chicken breeds are even listed in the Vietnam Red Book, such as the purple-winged jungle chicken, blue-maned jungle chicken, or unique breeds like the spotted jungle chicken—smaller than imported breeds. These pure Vietnamese breeds can cost up to 3-4.5 million VND per pair, approximately 10-15 times more than Western jungle chickens.