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Dragon Chicken Breed Info

Modified: Feb 8, 2023 by Phil · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The Dragon chicken is a very rare, extra-large breed of chicken that hails from Vietnam. They are often served in luxury restaurants, given as gifts, or sold for special holidays like the Vietnamese New Year. These chickens are very expensive; a male-female pair can sell for up to $2,500.

An adorable Dragon rooster wandering on a green pasture.

Because they are large, they take longer to mature than most other chicken breeds. Hens and roosters take 8 months to one year to reach maturity. They also live longer than most chickens and can survive up to 6 to 7 years if cared for properly.

Their eggs are very expensive and can sell for around $55 per half dozen in the United States. It is more common for them to be raised for meat due to their large size. They are generally ready for the market between 8 months to one year of age and have excellent quality meat.

Jump to:
  • Dragon Chicken Breed Quick Info
  • Origins of Dragon Chicken
  • Some Things to Know About Dragon Chicken
  • How Easy is it to Keep Dragon Chickens?
  • Special Care and Considerations for Dragon Chickens
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Dragon Chicken Breed Quick Info

Dragon Chicken Description

Dragon Chicken Type/Size:Standard
Feather Color:Varies
Leg Type:Clean
Leg Color:Reddish
Skin Color:White
Dragon Chicken Ease of Raising/Keeping:Difficult
Dragon Chicken Special Care Needs:Yes
Is the Dragon breed a common, rare, or protected breed of chicken?Rare

Dragon Chicken Use

MeatYes
EggsYes
Dual PurposeYes
Dragon Chicken Temperament:Docile, calm, friendly
Dragon Chicken Ability/Likelihood to Free Range:Yes

Dragon Chicken Egg Production

Egg ColorTinted White
Egg SizeExtra Large
Estimated Number of Eggs Per Year60
Likeliness to Brood Eggs/Raise ChicksMedium

Dragon Chicken Meat Production

Dressed Weight Male9.25 lbs
Dressed Weight Female7 lbs

Dragon Chicken Climate Tolerance

HeatGood
ColdPoor

Dragon Chicken Age to Maturity

Number of Months to Reach Full Size8-10 Months
Number of Months to Start Egg Laying4-6 Months
Number of Weeks/Months to Reach Meat Harvest Size8-10 Months

Dragon Chicken Size at Maturity

Male13.25 lbs
Female10 lbs

Origins of Dragon Chicken

An adorable Dragon rooster wandering on sandy ground.

Dragon chickens are very difficult to find outside of Vietnam. For the most part, they are raised near the Hanoi region of Vietnam. In fact, they are called the “Dong Tao” chicken throughout Vietnam and Asia.

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They were originally bred for royalty and their subjects (bureaucrats) and for ritual offerings. Today, they are popular throughout the country of Vietnam.

Some Things to Know About Dragon Chicken

An adorable Dragon rooster wandering on a green pasture.

This breed is most known for its massive legs, which can be as large around as a human’s wrist. Their legs are scaly and reddish, which is why they are called “Dragon Chickens.”

Dragon chicken hens are white or light brown mixed with white. Roosters are multi-colored with feathers that are black, white, red, and grey.

How Easy is it to Keep Dragon Chickens?

A Dragon Chicken flock wandering near a railway.

Despite their intimidating appearance, Dragon chickens are actually very affectionate and friendly. They can be raised as pets and make a great family chicken breed. They are even known to be playful with their human caregivers.

They cannot fly more than 3 feet off of the ground due to their large size, so fencing should be at least this height. They do well as free-range chickens and are excellent foragers.

In Vietnam, they are most often fed crickets or rice and corn if used to produce eggs.

Special Care and Considerations for Dragon Chickens

The Dragon chicken is a very sensitive bird, despite their tough appearance. They are very sensitive to changes in weather and are quite cold-sensitive until they grow in all of their feathers.

Hens will stop laying eggs if they are too cold or uncomfortable, as well. Their thick legs are actually quite delicate, which means they need to be in a controlled environment that protects them from the elements and harsh weather.

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They are also in a risk for frostbite. Vaseline can help to protect their legs and combs from freezing in low temperatures, but care should be taken to keep them indoors.

Dragon Chicken Breed Info pinterest image.

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