Hmong Chicken

Hmong Chicken

The Hmong chicken, or better known in Hmong community as (qaib xiav nqaij), which when translated to English simply means (blue chicken meat), may possibly be one of the coolest rare breeds among poultry enthusiasts here in the US!  These birds are secretly one of the best birds we have ever had on the farm. They are fantastic in every way – superior foragers, good mothers, good egg layers, and we find ours are very even tempered.

Raised by the hill tribes of Asia and Southeast Asia in the white Hmong dialect “qaib xiav nqaij” means blue skinned chicken, Green Hmong dialect often calls them “qab xav nkaaj” meaning blue indigo chickens. This breed has strong roots and are very cherished in their native Country. Traveling with families from their native country long before there were restrictions on doing so, Hmong chickens have continued to be raised and cherished in their pure and unadulterated form. This blue/black skin chicken has been a sense of pride, and no doubt, a constant reminder of the homeland that their keeper’s love so much. Raised primarily by the older generation, and then passed down to the next when they have grown mature enough to appreciate them, these birds remain to be more than a chicken, but a connection between a people and their homeland. In addition to being a reminder of one’s heritage, Hmong chickens are also cherished for their believed healing properties. And often are served as a meal to help one regain strength. Their meat is flavorful and the best parts is arguably the dark meats, they make a great soup bird which their human counterparts have made for generations. Check out the recipes online! It is difficult to obtain this rare breed in the US because of the rarity and these are deeply rooted in their culture, their pride and joy so not many are sold.

Hmong chickens are a fibromelanistic breed, which is a gene that deposits excessive black pigment. This abnormal accumulation of melanin makes the skin and tissues appear black. Birds that are similar are the Ayam Cemani, Silkies, etc. There isn’t a set standard on how Hmong chickens are supposed to look like since they are a landrace breed, however, there are still defining characteristics that are associated with their breed. Hmong chickens will slightly vary in their appearance and body type depending on each breeding program. These birds tend to have an upright body, tight feathering, mulberry to dark skin with a blue-grey tint, pea combs or straight comb. they also should have the ability to be broody and being fierce mothers. These birds tend to lean towards an oriental build with some game or jungle fowl influence. Many though here in America are not built like game birds and are more plump, short and stalky. We have seen both builds. Hmong chickens in other parts of Asia will differ, for example the Hmong chickens in Vietnam tend to lean more towards an Asiatic build with some hints of oriental influence.

They are great egg egg layers with many tan tones and medium sized eggs. Very good at free ranging and predator evasion. We have many roosters that co-exist together, which is not common. Being found in both pea and straight comb variety, they have an array of spectacular feather colors against their beautiful skin tones. Colors can range from ginger and wheaten blues to exquisite reds, solid black to solid white, and just about every color in between, with many expressing amazing lacing and colored feather patterns. The hens tend to be broody and if you let them, they make great mothers. They do well in all weather conditions and adapt well.

We do find various opinions on what they should look like but remember when a rare breed is brought to the US there is always work to be done to get to that original “standard”. They are a landrace so different cultures select different things.

HISTORY

Hmong chickens first arrived in the USA in the late 70s with the arrival Hmong refugees from Laos escaping a civil war between royalists and communists.  Depending on where you get your stock there will be slight differences. The Hmong chickens from America comes primarily from Hmong refugees of Laos.