Qingyuan Ma Chicken

Qingyuan Ma Chicken

Qingyuan Ma Chicken is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Qingyuan Ma Chicken, commonly known as Qingyuan Chicken, gets its name from the countless sesame-like spots on the back feathers of the hens. It is a small, high-quality meat chicken breed, characterized by “three yellows, two finenesses, and one mottled” (i.e., yellow feet, yellow beak, yellow skin; fine head, fine bones, mottled feather color). Long famed in the markets of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau for its golden-yellow skin, tender and smooth meat, crisp skin, soft bones, delicious taste, and unique flavor, Qingyuan Ma Chicken has a long breeding history. As early as the third year of the Jianyan era in the Song Dynasty, the revised Qingyuan County Annals compiled in the Ming Dynasty, Volume 14 (Industry Section), recorded: “Chickens — nowadays, with convenient transportation, small traders collect chickens from various villages and sell them to the provincial capital. The annual sales amount to tens of thousands of yuan. Provincial capital residents consider Qingyuan chickens superior, with prices about ten percent higher than elsewhere.” Even before liberation, they were already widely sold in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau. In 1957, the National Poultry Work Conference was held in Qingyuan, and the former Qingyuan County was honored as the “Home of Three Birds” (chicken, duck, and goose). Since the 1970s, Qingyuan Chicken has seen further development, gaining even greater fame and sales volume. Its price has consistently ranked the highest among live chickens, winning the love of gourmets. Former U.S. President Richard Nixon and former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka both specifically requested to taste Qingyuan Chicken during their visits to China. Qingyuan Ma Chicken boasts exceptionally high quality, wide uses, and is not limited to a single cooking method. It is hailed by master chefs as a “versatile chicken,” suitable for steaming, braising, stewing, and roasting, making it an excellent dish for women recovering from childbirth, those in weak health, winter tonics, festive banquets, and special occasions. The unique flavor of Qingyuan Ma Chicken is attributed not only to millennia of selective breeding but also primarily to its cultivation in the pristine natural environment along the scenic North River. Qingyuan Ma Chicken has low production yield and a long breeding cycle. Hens lay only 70–75 eggs per year, and broilers require 120–140 days of feeding before reaching market size. Their muscle fat is deposited in moderation, resulting in tender and aromatic meat that leaves a lingering sweet aftertaste. Fengzhonghuang Qingyuan Ma Chicken is the authentic variety exclusively managed by Qingyuan Fengzhonghuang Qingyuan Ma Chicken Development Co., Ltd. The company is committed to selecting robust, high-quality chicks, adhering to scientific immunization protocols, maintaining traditional free-range mountain breeding methods, and ensuring sufficient rearing days before market. It represents the finest grade of Qingyuan Ma Chicken. Qingyuan Fengzhonghuang Qingyuan Ma Chicken Development Co., Ltd. takes it upon itself to protect and develop this millennium-old premium brand, ensuring product quality meets municipal breed standards. The company welcomes guests, customers, and orders—both in person and via correspondence—with a reputation for hospitality and integrity. Major production areas of Qingyuan Ma Chicken include towns such as Zhouxin, Longtang, Shijiao, and Yuantan in Qingcheng District and Qingxin County, Guangdong Province. (Qingyuan)