Ga Ho, a rare species of chicken which was previously offered to the kings and was also painted in pictures as a sign of good luck in the New Year, has been raised and successfully commercialised as a luxury meal for Tet (Lunar New Year Festival).
| In Lac Tho village, people consider Ga Ho as a village speciality and a boiled Ga Ho is essential for worshipping. |
Local elders said over the last 600 years, Ga Ho is well known all over the north because of its outstanding characteristics such as its large size, double combs, red neck, mussel-shaped wings, yellow skinned legs and long and thick tails. In addition, the chicken boasts an august appearance with a strong crowing voice, which is depicted with five characteristics of a gentlemen including: literature, martial arts, courage, righteousness and prestige.
According to the president of Ho Chicken Club Nguyen Dang Chung, there are about 100 households raising the purebred chicken breed in Lac Tho village, with a total number of 1,500 – 2,000 roosters and hens.
 Ga Ho farm owners were received technical supports from several international organisations such as Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  eAnd also supports from local academic organisations such as Hanoi University of Agriculture. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  Due to the low reproductive rate, most of the coops were equipped with egg incubating machines in order to ensure the rate of live chicks.Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  Households in Lac Tho village apply modern technology as instructed by the Vietnam Institute of Animal Science such as installing ventilating and heating equipment in hen-coops. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  Ga Ho is fed with natural cereal such as, rice, corn, and vegetables and not fed with industrialised animal feed, which ensures tasty meat. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  Ga Ho is raised in open – air gardens under the shadow of large trees to avoid direct sunlight. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  Mussel-shaped wings of Ga Ho. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  Vaccination is essential for the health of Ga Ho. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  Ga Ho which is well known all over the north because of its outstanding characteristics such as its large size, double combs, red neck, mussel- shaped wings, yellow skinned legs and long and thick tails. In addition, Ga Ho boasts an august appearance with a strong crow. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  The price of a Ho chicken depends on the weight of the chicken. A Ho chicken of over 5kg will be priced at 500,000VND (22 US dollars) to 600,000VND (26 US dollars) per kilogram.Photo: Khanh Long/VNP  Over the last 600 years, Ga Ho is well known all over the north because of its outstanding characteristics. Photo: Khanh Long/VNP |
| The Ho town registered Ga Ho as a trademark in the beginning of 2016. Every chicken is now stamped to ensure its origin. |
Besides raising Ga Ho in the traditional way, households in Lac Tho village also apply modern technology as instructed by the Vietnam Institute of Animal Science such as installing ventilating and heating equipment in hen-coops.
The new techniques aim at better economic efficiency while maintaining this genetic heritage and sustaining the biodiversity of the avian breeds in Vietnam.
According to some Ga Ho farm owners, due to the low reproductive rate, most of the coops were equipped with egg incubating machines in order to ensure the rate of live chicks.
In addition, in order to avoid close blood line mating, farm owners bring their roosters to another farm for mating with hens, which will ensure healthy chicks.
“Thanks to its unique characteristics, the chicken is in great demand, especially before Tet holiday” said the president of Ga Ho Club Nguyen Dang Chung ./.
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As many as 2,000 Ho chickens have been sold before the Lunar New Year of 2017. The price of a Ho chicken depends on the weight of the chicken. A Ho chicken of over 5kg will be priced at 500,000VND (22 US dollars) to 600,000VND (26 US dollars) per kilogram. |
Story: Thuc Hien - Photos: Khanh Long
