Zhushan Yunyang Large Chicken

Zhushan Yunyang Large Chicken

Zhushan Yunyang Large Chicken is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Zhushan Yunyang Large Chicken is a specialty of Zhushan County in Shiyan City, Hubei Province. The Yunyang Large Chicken has a long history of development and is a dual-purpose breed for both meat and eggs. The highest quality meat and eggs come from Zhushan County and the Shennongjia Forest District, which are considered the central production areas.

　　The Yunyang Large Chicken was originally called Zhushan Large Chicken and is an excellent breed from the Bashan region south of the Qinling Mountains, classified as a dual-purpose breed for eggs and meat. It is primarily produced in nine townships of Zhushan County: Shuangtai, LouTai, Chengguan, Pan Kou, Yishui, Wenfeng, Shenhe, Tianjia, and Guandu. Its current population exceeds 300,000. In addition, a Yunyang Large Chicken breeding farm and large-scale breeders have been established in Baofeng Town, Zhushan County, to promote its development. This breed was first discovered in 1959 in Zhushan and the Shennongjia Forest District. Later, experts organized by editorial teams of China Poultry Chronicles and Hubei Agricultural Science conducted multiple investigations and analyses. In May 1982, experts from the National Livestock and Poultry Breed Records team conducted on-site field research and analysis in the Shiyan area, officially naming the breed Yunyang Large Chicken. It was included in the Hubei Province Livestock and Poultry Breed Records in 1985 and again in 2004. As an outstanding local livestock breed in Hubei Province, efforts have been made to protect this valuable genetic resource. To preserve the Yunyang Large Chicken gene pool, the county and township governments of Zhushan have established Yunyang Large Chicken demonstration farms and supported large-scale breeders to expand and develop the breed. The goal is to protect, develop, and utilize the Yunyang Large Chicken breed while establishing a long-term industry to increase farmers’ income.

　　The production area of Zhushan Yunyang Large Chicken includes the following 17 administrative regions in Zhushan County, Hubei Province: Chengguan Town, Pan Kou Township, Yishui Town, Majiadu Town, Baofeng Town, Leigu Town, Qinggu Town, Zhuping Township, Desheng Town, Damiao Township, Shuangtai Township, Loutai Township, Wenfeng Township, Shenhe Township, Shangyong Town, Guandu Town, and Liulin Township.