A lady from Germany by the name of Kornelia Jochimski posted some images of her Ga Dong Tao chickens in a Swedish chicken group, referring to them as the "less extreme version". As many of you know, Dong Tao is the coolest chicken breed. It's from Vietnam and is bred for eating, particularly eating of the legs, who in this breed have been developed to monstruous thickness.
Now, she referred to them as "Ga Dong Tao". I've mostly seen them called only "Dong Tao". However, I once saw them referred to as "Ga Ho". So there seems to be something about that "Ga" word at least. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can come in and set things straight.
I thought Kornelia's post was interesting from two perspectives:
1) I had no idea the breed existed that close to my home. I've always wanted to own a flock, but I thought I would have to go to the Far East for that.
2) It included pictures of things I hadn't seen, such as Dong Tao chicks and a Dong Tao in Snow.
That's not a comb that will get frostbite.
The thickness of the legs might not be unhealthy, but look at how bent the toes are! Doesn't seem sound to me.
I was wondering whether they would sit on eggs. This pic answers my question.
Looks like they behave like any other chicken.
Look at those fat cute tiny huge little legs!
Mother of teenagers.
I proceeded to ask her some questions in the comment section, which turned out to be quite the interview:
HP: Oj, jag har ca 300 frågor. Pratar du engelska?
KJ: Yes
HP: First of all, are they more prone to some health problems that other chicken breeds aren't? Perhaps due to their strange legs?
KJ: Yes they are, but not because of the legs. It takes a long time until plumage is complete, so be sensitive to cold.
HP: So, for example, they are not more prone to scaly leg mite or bumblefoot.
KJ: No, so far no problems with it.
HP: How do you manage their cold sensitivity? Is in enough to just keep a normal chicken house and let them go inside when they want to?
KJ: Yes, they live in a normal stable. Once out in the cold.
HP: So would you say they are about as cold hardy as Javas and some other game fowl?
KJ: [Posts pic of chicken in snow.]
HP: Well, I guess that answers that.
How many eggs do they lay?
KJ: After 10 to 15 eggs make the break. Afterwards weeks later the same.
HP: Do you mean they lay 10-15 eggs for 2-3 weeks, then take a break for a few weeks, then repeat?
KJ: Yes
HP: I saw an image of a mother that was sitting on eggs, are they good mothers?
KJ: Yes they are.
HP: How good can they fly?
KJ: [Posts a pic of mother with chicks.]
KJ: No good flyers. Maybe 1 m high
HP: And how is their temperament? Active or docile? Tame or skittish?
KJ: Good-natured, calm character and quickly trusting.
HP: Would you consider selling chickens to Sweden?
KJ: I think that would be possible.
HP: Okay! Maybe some day.
Do you eat the legs, like they do in Vietnam?
KJ: I have not eaten legs yet, but a friend of mine. She thought it was excellent. (She also eats duck legs and goose heads)
HP: Is there anything else special about them that you can tell us?
[No more replies, she was probably too busy tending to her chickens for answering on Facebook.]
Edit: I don't know how to remove the attached files or how they got there.
Now, she referred to them as "Ga Dong Tao". I've mostly seen them called only "Dong Tao". However, I once saw them referred to as "Ga Ho". So there seems to be something about that "Ga" word at least. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can come in and set things straight.
I thought Kornelia's post was interesting from two perspectives:
1) I had no idea the breed existed that close to my home. I've always wanted to own a flock, but I thought I would have to go to the Far East for that.
2) It included pictures of things I hadn't seen, such as Dong Tao chicks and a Dong Tao in Snow.
That's not a comb that will get frostbite.
The thickness of the legs might not be unhealthy, but look at how bent the toes are! Doesn't seem sound to me.
Looks like they behave like any other chicken.
Look at those fat cute tiny huge little legs!
Mother of teenagers.
I proceeded to ask her some questions in the comment section, which turned out to be quite the interview:
HP: Oj, jag har ca 300 frågor. Pratar du engelska?
KJ: Yes
HP: First of all, are they more prone to some health problems that other chicken breeds aren't? Perhaps due to their strange legs?
KJ: Yes they are, but not because of the legs. It takes a long time until plumage is complete, so be sensitive to cold.
HP: So, for example, they are not more prone to scaly leg mite or bumblefoot.
KJ: No, so far no problems with it.
HP: How do you manage their cold sensitivity? Is in enough to just keep a normal chicken house and let them go inside when they want to?
KJ: Yes, they live in a normal stable. Once out in the cold.
HP: So would you say they are about as cold hardy as Javas and some other game fowl?
KJ: [Posts pic of chicken in snow.]
HP: Well, I guess that answers that.
How many eggs do they lay?
KJ: After 10 to 15 eggs make the break. Afterwards weeks later the same.
HP: Do you mean they lay 10-15 eggs for 2-3 weeks, then take a break for a few weeks, then repeat?
KJ: Yes
HP: I saw an image of a mother that was sitting on eggs, are they good mothers?
KJ: Yes they are.
HP: How good can they fly?
KJ: [Posts a pic of mother with chicks.]
KJ: No good flyers. Maybe 1 m high
HP: And how is their temperament? Active or docile? Tame or skittish?
KJ: Good-natured, calm character and quickly trusting.
HP: Would you consider selling chickens to Sweden?
KJ: I think that would be possible.
HP: Okay! Maybe some day.
Do you eat the legs, like they do in Vietnam?
KJ: I have not eaten legs yet, but a friend of mine. She thought it was excellent. (She also eats duck legs and goose heads)
HP: Is there anything else special about them that you can tell us?
[No more replies, she was probably too busy tending to her chickens for answering on Facebook.]
Edit: I don't know how to remove the attached files or how they got there.
Attachments
Last edited: