Although smaller in size compared to the Vietnamese Ri chicken, this breed is much more expensive.
The Ri chicken is a popular breed raised in Vietnam. Its appearance is quite petite, with adult hens weighing around 1.7 kg, while roosters weigh between 2 to 2.5 kg. In fact, Ri chickens can start breeding at about 4 to 5 months old. In their first year, they can lay between 100 to 120 eggs. If raised under good conditions and with proper techniques, their egg production can increase to 160 to 180 eggs per year. On the market, Ri chicken is priced between 180,000 to 200,000 VND per kilogram.
However, there is a breed of chicken that, despite being smaller than the Ri chicken, is worth many times more.
The Sebright chicken originates from England.
This breed is the Sebright chicken, which hails from England. It is sold for approximately 7 million VND per pair. The Sebright chicken was developed in the 19th century through a selective breeding program initiated by English researcher John Saunders Sebright (1767 – 1846). The Sebright chicken is also the first poultry breed in the world to have a club dedicated to enthusiasts. Compared to other chicken breeds, the Sebright is small, even smaller than the Vietnamese Ri chicken. Upon maturity, this breed only weighs about 600 to 800 grams.
Why is the Sebright chicken so expensive?
According to experts, the Sebright chicken is a symbol of luck, prosperity, and wealth, and is also known as the great fortune chicken. The interest in keeping Sebright chickens in Vietnam has surged in the last 10 years. However, during the end-of-year festivities, many people seek to purchase this unique breed.
Chicken enthusiasts regard the Sebright chicken as a precious breed, likening it to “ornamental chickens.” The Sebright comes in two main colors: silver-white and golden-bronze. Notably, each feather of the Sebright has a prominent white or black edge, making it appear as if they have been painted. The value of the Sebright chicken is assessed based on its plumage. Specifically, the more beautiful and uniform the color of the Sebright’s feathers, the higher the price will be.
The Sebright chicken has unique plumage and is often sought after as a gift for Tet.
This breed is also highly sought after as a Tet gift. Among them, golden Sebright chickens are more expensive than other colors. Enthusiasts believe that Sebright chickens with golden feathers hold more value than those with silver or bronze feathers, as golden Sebrights are rarer and considered very auspicious in feng shui.
Chicks about 1 week old are priced around 1.5 million VND each. In contrast, mature Sebright chickens range from 5 to 10 million VND per pair. However, award-winning chickens at competitions can fetch prices in the tens of millions of VND.
Sebright chickens weigh only 600 – 800 grams.
According to Dân Việt newspaper, the number of super rare and beautiful Sebright chickens accounts for only about 2%. Furthermore, beautiful Sebright chickens are often sought after by wealthy collectors to raise and admire. Sebright hens lay only about 60 to 80 eggs each year. Some strains may have higher reproductive capabilities. However, a notable drawback is that Sebright hens generally do not know how to incubate their eggs. Thus, people who raise Sebright chickens often use other hens to incubate the eggs of this breed. This method significantly increases the hatch rate compared to using an incubator.
Additionally, due to their weak immune systems and susceptibility to disease, owners must carefully care for Sebright chickens, keep their coops clean, and, importantly, avoid raising them in excessively cold environments.
Golden Sebright chickens often sell for higher prices than other feather colors. (Photo: Dân Việt)
