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Preserving the endangered Ma Da chicken

(News Portal – Dong Nai) - Ma Da chicken, an indigenous breed from Vinh Cuu district with precious genetic resources, is currently at risk of extinction. With its distinctive appearance of black skin and white feathers (resembling birds more than poultry), this breed holds value both as ornamental pets and as a specialty food, offering not only delicious meat and eggs but also high nutritional value. 

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With a unique appearance, Ma Da indigenous chickens are suitable as ornamental animal.  

The VIGOVA Poultry Research and Development Center (VIGOVA Center) is implementing the project "Conservation of valuable genetic resources and breeding of endangered Ma Da indigenous chickens." 

Conserving valuable indigenous genetic resources

In 2022, the project "Conservation of valuable genetic resources and breeding of endangered Ma Da indigenous chickens" was launched. The VIGOVA Poultry Research and Development Center collaborated with a livestock farm in Song Trau commune, Trang Bom district, to breed this chicken. Initially, only a few pairs of parent chickens were collected from some households still raising this breed in Ma Da commune, Vinh Cuu district. Currently, the farm has successfully bred a flock of about 500 chickens.

Mr. Tran Van Dung, owner of the poultry farm in Song Trau commune, Trang Bom district, remarked that the Ma Da chicken is characterized by its entirely white feathers, with most feathers around the neck, wing base, and thighs being sparse. The hens typically have a comb on their heads. The skin, legs, and beak of this breed are black. This breed can be raised as ornamental pets, and their meat and eggs are highly nutritious and delicious. Mr. Dung emphasized, "Another major advantage is that this breed is very easy to raise, consuming much less feed compared to other poultry types. They grow well, have few diseases, and so far, no dangerous diseases have been detected. Therefore, this breed holds significant economic potential and can be widely bred for household farming."

According to Dr. Hoang Tuan Thanh, Director of the VIGOVA Poultry Research and Development Center, a few years ago, when Ma Da chickens—an indigenous breed in Vinh Cuu district—were discovered being raised by a few households in Ma Da commune. This breed, with its valuable genetic resources at risk of extinction but with significant development potential, prompted the VIGOVA Center to purchase parental breeds from locals for conservation research.

Dr. Hoang Tuan Thanh added that according to the VIGOVA Poultry Research and Development Center's plan, the project to conserve and establish a complete breeding process for the Ma Da chicken breed will continue over the next 36 months. During this period, the VIGOVA Poultry Research and Development Center may expand cooperation with several farms and households to breed this chicken in real-world conditions in line with research needs. 

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Ma Da indigenous chicken farm of VIGOVA Poultry Research and Development Center in Trang Bom district.

High-value specialty farming model

Dr. Hoang Tuan Thanh assessed that the Ma Da indigenous chicken breed is one of the precious poultry genetic resources that requires in-depth research for conservation. Additionally, research results over several years have shown that this breed has significant economic value.

According to the Dong Nai Agricultural Service Center, the Ma Da indigenous chicken breed has substantial development potential and is suitable for household farming models that provide high economic value. Therefore, the Dong Nai Agricultural Service Center is supporting and guiding the VIGOVA Poultry Research and Development Center to register for provincial scientific research projects. Once the conditions are met, this model will be transferred to farming households in the province. The VIGOVA Poultry Research and Development Center is also interested in registering trademarks, product traceability, and especially registering the OCOP (One Commune One Product) program specific to Dong Nai... 

Author: Song Le

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