Hand-fantail Ma Lai Bantams

aka Ma-lai 328 or Fantail Bantam

A rooster, showing the fanned tail
Photo courtesy of Thang Nguyen

This is an old Vietnamese breed.

They don't have true sickle feathers but rather are hen-feathered. This is what they are named after, as in Vietnamese the word Ma means feather appearance or shape and the word Lai means female. The tail is carried fanned like a peacock's display.

They have fairly large, white earlobes. Cockerels weigh 400-600 gm and pullets go 300-400 gm. Cocks weigh in between 700 and 800 gm. Hens go broody several times a year on clutches ranging from 8 to 12 eggs.

Various varietes occur, including White, Blue, Brown-yellow, Black and Yellow.