Shengou Chicken

Shengou Chicken

Shengou Chicken is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　“Shengou Chicken” is a premium variety of free-range chicken meticulously raised and developed over time by the Miao farmers of the Shengou Village Group in Yuwang Township, thanks to the area’s favorable ecological environment and natural conditions. It is also one of Yunnan Province’s outstanding local livestock breeds. The “Shengou Chicken” is known for its tall stature, hardiness under extensive farming, strong adaptability, and excellent foraging ability. Its meat is tender, delicious, richly flavored, and its feathers come in a striking array of vibrant colors, making it highly favored in the market.

　　The Miao village of Shengou in Yuwang Township, Malong County, enjoys a pristine ecological environment and traditional natural conditions. The local Miao people have, over time, developed the “Shengou Chicken,” which features feathered shanks, vibrant multicolored feathers, a tall build, resilience to extensive rearing, wide adaptability, and strong foraging skills. Its meat is tender, delicious, and richly flavored, and it has long been popular in the market. In 2006, the “Shengou Chicken” trademark was registered; in 2008, it received green food certification. The “Shengou Chicken” has truly become a widely recognized premium free-range chicken and one of Yunnan Province’s outstanding local livestock breeds.

　　Shengou Chicken

　　Geographic Scope

　　Shengou Chicken is produced within Malong County, Qujing City, Yunnan Province. The breeding areas include five townships: Yuwang Township, Maguohe Town, Jiuxian Town, Maming Township, and Nazhang Town. The geographical coordinates are longitude 103°16′00″ to 103°45′00″ and latitude 25°08′00″ to 25°37′00″.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Features of Shengou Chicken: Build: Tall and large frame, long and straight back and waist, long neck, deep chest that slightly protrudes forward, long and slightly curved breastbone, thick and long legs, and feathers growing from the outer side of the shanks down to the toes, commonly referred to as “feathered shanks.” Well-developed and plump pectoral and leg muscles. Beak: Short, thick, slightly curved, and strong; mostly dark black in color with a slight white tip. Shanks: Mostly black, some yellow. Face: Bright red, with large round nostrils and red earlobes. Eyes: Large, round, and bright, with orange-yellow irises. Comb: Single comb. Roosters have thick, well-developed combs with 6–10 comb points, occasionally up to 12, and large wattles that hang down on either side of the beak, symmetrically. Hens have light reddish combs that are slightly thinner, with small and dense comb points that tilt slightly to one side; some may have pea-shaped combs. Feather Color: Neck feathers, shoulder feathers, wing feathers, and scapular feathers are red with yellowish-white hues. Primary wing feathers, secondary wing feathers, main tail feathers, and secondary tail feathers are blue-black (nearly black), commonly called “red-feathered chickens.” Roosters have underdeveloped saddle feathers, and some may even lack tail feathers, appearing bald at the rear. Skin Color: Mostly light red, some grayish-white. Adult roosters weigh 2.5–3 kg, hens 2–2.5 kg, and capons 3–3.5 kg. (2) Internal Quality of Shengou Chicken: The meat of Shengou Chicken is rich in amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids, offering high nutritional value. It contains (total) amino acids ≥15.5%, oleic acid ≥36.5%, linoleic acid ≥24%, α-linolenic acid ≥2.0%, and moisture ≤75%. Due to its unique breed, specific breeding regions, and rearing methods, Shengou Chicken has low water content, minimal subcutaneous fat, delicious and uniquely flavorful meat with a rich aroma. When cooked, the broth is clear, and fat gathers on the surface—qualities that have won widespread consumer acclaim. (3) Quality and Safety Standards: At the time of market release: 8-month-old hens weigh 2.2–2.8 kg, roosters 2.5–3 kg, and capons 3–4 kg. All marketed Shengou Chickens must meet the requirements of the “Animal Epidemic Prevention Law of the People’s Republic of China” and strictly adhere to the NY 5034—2005 pollution-free food standard for “Poultry Meat and Poultry By-products” to ensure product safety and quality. Only those that meet the standards are permitted to enter the market.