Mã Lại
Mã lại or hennie is different from regular fowl. As its name suggests, its feathers look similar to that of a hen. The word "mã" means saddle feathers. The word "Lại" means of or pertaining to female. The end tip of the hackle and saddle feathers are short and oval. The main tail feathers are short and straight . The tail does not have sickle.
Mã lại fowl is also known as "mã mái". The word "mái" means female.
Origin of Mã Lại
Mã lại fowl had their origin in the North but they can be found throughout Viet Nam today. According to informations given by two members of the Vietnamese Ga Noi Association, Mã Lại fowl had already been fought in the North as early as 1930. It's unknown when hennie were first brought to the South. There were several events occurring in the early 1900s that might have been responsible for its spreading.
In 1930, under French rules, there were many Northerners migrating to the South to labor in the ruber plantations and they may have brought the hennie along. Another great migration event occurred in 1954 when nearly a million people from the North left for the South before the country was divided by the Geneva agreement.
Hennie stag under 1 year of age are usually afraid of other fowl. Once they are fully mature however, they will be very reliable.
 
Grey Hennie. |
Xám Mã Lại is commonly known as "blue hennie" in the U.S. although the word Xám means "grey" not blue.
Grey hennie that has dried feathers is known to be superior to those that have glossy, lustrous feathers.
Color conformation
There has been no standard set for the color of gà nòi in Viet Nam. It may be difficult to set a standard since opinions may vary among the cockers who live far apart from North to South. However, popular preferences existed 30 years ago in South Viet Nam where several of our members were once active. According to one member, there were some color classifications used in the South. Before going into detail, please note that the following are NOT color standard but are just preferences.
Legs colors
For all fowl, white legs are the top class except for red, grey and brown hennies.
Beak colors
The color of the beak must be the same as the color of the legs; otherwise it's considered off.
Eyes colors
White eyes with greenish reflection = Super class (intelligent)
Regular white eyes = First class (fearsome)
Black eyes = Second class (wicked)
Yellow eyes = Third class (brave)
Red eyes = Not preferred (lack gameness, tend to lose vision in drag fight)
The preferences for beak, eyes and leg color for Xám Mã Lại are:
Yellow legs + yellow eyes = Super class
Green legs + white eyes = First class
Black legs + white eyes = Second class
White legs = not preferred
Black Hennie. |
This is the most populous. Ô Mã Lại is found in most pit in South Viet Nam. A healthy fowl will have glistening, lustrous feathers.
This Ô Mã Lại is raised in the United State. It has some naked neck skin although it is raised in region where there are snow during the winter.
The preferences for Ô Mã Lại are:
White legs + white eyes = Super class
Black legs + white eyes = First class
Green or black legs + yellow or black eyes = Second class
Black fowl that has white legs is highly valued by all cockers. There is a saying: "Buy the black fowl with white legs even if your mother yell at you."
Ô Bông. |
Ô Bông refers to hennie that has a mixture of black and white feathers.
The Ô Bông shown here had won a high stake fight. Its opponent was a decorated warrior in the Central but was killed by this Ô Bông in approximately 7 minutes in the first round. This cock is the ancestor to many gà nòi in the U.S.
The preferences for Ô Bông are:
White legs + white eyes = First class
Black legs + white eyes = Second class
Black legs or Green leg + black eyes = Third class
Red Hennie. |
Ó Mã Lại (Eagle-brown Hennie)
Ó means eagle. People commonly refer to both the red hennie and the brown hennie as Ó.
Preferences for Red Hennie are:
White legs + white eyes = Super class
Yellow legs + yellow eyes = First class
Green legs + green eyes = Second class
Black leg = not prefer .
Red fowl that has white legs is also ranked as super class.
(Please note: There is atleast one member of the Vietnamese Ga Noi Association from Central Viet Nam who togather with his crew and the cockers whom he knows dislike red fowl with white legs)
Eagle Hennie. |
Preferences for Ó Mã Lại are:
Yellow legs = Top class
Green legs = Second class
White legs = Third class
Nhạn (White Hennie)
White Hennie is completely white
White hennie is rare. Part of their unpopularity is that cockers do not like their losing record in the pit. Also, in Vietnamese culture, white is the color of death which may further explains their unpopularity.
Preferences for white hennie are not available.
A white fowl that has black legs is considered BAD.