Wenchang Chicken

Wenchang Chicken

Wenchang Chicken is a protected geographical indication product.

Wenchang Chicken is a protected geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Wenchang Chicken is the most renowned traditional Han Chinese dish in Hainan, hailed as the “foremost of the four famous traditional Hainan dishes.” It gets its name from its place of origin, Wenchang. It is one of China’s best chicken breeds for culinary purposes, and in Hainan, it’s often said that “no feast is complete without Wenchang Chicken.” The chickens fatten on banyan tree seeds, then are free-ranged for 8–9 months before being kept in quiet, shaded cages, where they’re fed peanut cakes, shredded coconut, taro, and steamed rice to enhance their fat content. The preferred way to eat Wenchang Chicken is sliced thinly and served cold (白切). Other preparations include coconut juice braised chicken, crispy fried chicken, etc. Its 白切 method of preparation and condiments are unique. Sliced cold Wenchang Chicken has yellow, crispy skin; tender, flavorful meat; and juicy, delicious bones. Legend has it that Wenchang Chicken originated in Tianci Village, Tan’niu Town, where banyan trees abound. Local chickens that pecked at the tree seeds developed yellow, crispy skin, tender, delicious meat, and juicy, flavorful bones. The chicken is usually eaten sliced cold, accompanied by special seasonings that make it a real treat. Rice cooked with chicken oil and broth—commonly known as “chicken rice”—is also a must. Wenchang Chicken is highly regarded in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia and enjoys great fame. Restaurants across Sanya serve it, especially Tan’niu Chicken Restaurant on Donghe East Road in Sanya, which is particularly famous. (Wenchang)

　　【Production Performance】

　　1. Adult Weight and Meat Production: Adult roosters weigh 1,800 grams, hens 1,500 grams. Carcass yield for adult chickens: 75.00% for roosters, 70.30% for hens.

　　2. Reproductive Performance: Hens begin laying eggs at an average age of 150–155 days. At 68 weeks, they lay 100–132 eggs, averaging 49 grams per egg. Eggshell thickness is 0.35 mm, and egg shape index is 1.34. Eggshells are light brown or milky white. The male-to-female breeding ratio is 1:10–13. Fertile egg qualification rate is not less than 95%, with an average fertilization rate of over 90% and an average hatching rate of 90%.

　　【Development and Utilization Status】

　　In recent years, projects aimed at purifying and revitalizing the Wenchang Chicken breed and researching and promoting its feeding techniques have driven the development of the Wenchang Chicken industry. Wenchang Chicken has obtained national pollution-free agricultural product certification and export registration certification for poultry to Hong Kong and Macau.

　　Wenchang Chicken is a valuable local breed in China. Initial research has been carried out in areas such as breed selection, meat quality study, and farming models, along with regional promotion. However, in terms of long-term development, breed selection goals should be more clearly defined, technical advantages focused, core group breeding scale expanded continuously, and systems such as elite breed propagation and commercial production gradually established.