During Tet or Lunar New Year, ornamental trees are always displayed in the living room, but Vietnamese also collect special items and animals to use for Tet parties or to give to  relatives and friends. One of them is a 9-spur cock, mostly raised in Phu Tho.

The 9-spur cocks from the legend about Hung King was a specialty to be presented to kings and lords in ancient times.

The cock has an imposing appearance with iridescent feathers, bright red comb, bright eyes, broad chest, and tail curved like a rainbow. Its legs have 4-5 spurs. 

Nguyen Van Duc, 39, from Tan Son district in Phu Tho province, who raises nine-spur cocks, said in olden times people raised 9-spur cocks. In 2012, scientists conducted research on this species and called them multi-spur cocks.

Multi-spur cocks are favored because of their good appearance, many spurs, and delicious meat.

“The chicken is not as tough as other kinds of chicken,” he explained.

Previously, 9-spur cocks were used by Muong ethnic minority for offerings on important occasions. During Tet days, they slaughtered the cocks to worship their ancestors. However, as 9-spur cocks are very expensive now, not all families have cocks for Tet.

Locals began to raise multi-spur cocks, which are believed to bring good luck, to sell to well-off families.

Duc began raising multi-spur cocks in 2013. After many years, he has succeeded in hatching multi-spur cocks. 

In 2023, Duc established a cooperative with 32 households to raise multi-spur cocks. As demand is very high, the farm lacks enough cocks to sell. 

Multi-spur cocks sell very well, especially in the Tet season. Each cock is valued at several millions of dong. However, the cocks with nine spurs are the most wanted. 

In general, there is one 9-spur cock for every 1,000 multi-spur cocks. With such scarcity, these cocks are expensive and can be sold for VND30-50 million each.

Buyers have to place orders far in advance, because of shortages. Every year, Duc sells this kind of cock to 60-100 clients.

Phan Dau