Taoyuan Chicken

Taoyuan Chicken

The Taoyuan Chicken is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Produced in Taoyuan County, it is a nationally renowned breed of chicken. Also known as Tongchui Chicken (Hammer Chicken), the Taoyuan Chicken gets its name from its golden-yellow color and drumstick-shaped legs that resemble a hammer. According to the *Taoyuan County Annals*, this breed has been raised in the area for over 300 years.

　　The Taoyuan Chicken is a meat-type chicken, featuring tender and flavorful meat with low fat content.

　　A meat-type chicken originally from Taoyuan County, Sanyanggang, and ShenShuiGang areas in Hunan. Physical characteristics: tall and sturdy build, nearly square-shaped. Roosters have golden-red feathers, while hens are mostly yellow, speckled yellow, or brown-speckled, with occasional white or black. They have a single comb, which is gray-black or vermilion-yellow, and thick, strong legs. This breed is highly foraging-capable and suitable for free-range farming, but grows slowly and matures late. The laying age ranges from 195 to 255 days. The meat is delicious and rich in fat. Adult roosters weigh between 3.5–4 kg, and hens 2.5–3 kg. Annual egg production is 100–120 eggs, with each egg weighing around 57 grams and having a light yellow shell.

　　Applicant: Taoyuan County Animal Husbandry, Veterinary, Aquatic Technology Extension Station

　　Region: 2014

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected geographical indication area for the Taoyuan Chicken agricultural product spans (longitude 111°36′41″ to 110°51′47″, latitude 29°24′08″ to 28°24′24″), covering 40 towns in Taoyuan County including Zhangjiang, ShenShuiGang, ChehuYuan, Qinglin, Fengshu, Zoushi, MutangYuan, Jiaqiao, Pantang, Mazongling, Qihé, Shuangxikou, Reishi, Haoping, Huangshi, Jiuxi, Huangjiapu, Ligonggang, Zhongjiapu, Niuchehe, Longtan, Guanyinsi, Sanyang, Shejiaping, Taipingqiao, Wuxihe, Niwotan, Jianshi, Lingjintan, Xinglongjie, Siping, Zhengjiayi, Taohuayuan, Luhua, Shaping, Yangxiqiao, Chayianpu, Taipingpu, Xi’an, and Guniushan. The total production area is 4,442 square kilometers, with an annual output of 10 million chickens. Among these, five towns—Sanyanggang, ShenShuiGang, Niwotan, Shejiaping, and Taipingqiao—are the core production areas, covering a total of 46,670 hectares, with an annual output of 2.3 million chickens and a stock of 1.8 million chickens.