Black-bone chicken

Black-bone chicken

　　The black-bone chicken, also known as the silkie chicken, silky fowl, or bamboo chicken, is historically referred to as the Taihe chicken (Wushan chicken) because it originates from the Wushan area of Taihe County in Jiangxi Province. The black-bone chicken features ten distinctive traits: a silk-like comb, silky head feathers, greenish ears, facial whiskers, silky plumage, feathered feet, five toes, black skin, black meat, and black bones—hence it is called the "ten-perfect" or "ten-jewel" chicken. It has a peculiar appearance, with a small head, short neck, short legs, and flawless white feathers. Its petite and delicate body, along with graceful posture, gives it high ornamental value. Particularly notable is its significant medicinal value—it is a treasured tonic for building up weakness, treating fatigue, and strengthening the body. It helps nourish liver and kidney, invigorate qi, enrich blood, and reduce deficiency fever. It can also treat conditions such as uterine bleeding, leukorrhea, spermatorrhea, chronic illness, and fractures. It is the main ingredient in traditional Chinese patent medicines such as "Wuji Baifeng Pills," "Wuji Baifeng Wine," and "Wuji Wine."

Hanchuan City introduced this rare poultry breed, the black-bone chicken, from areas such as Taihe in Jiangxi, and established a breeding base with FenShui Town as the hub. (Hanchuan)