Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone Chicken

Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone Chicken

　　The Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone Chicken is a dual-purpose breed for both meat and eggs. It originates from the Wuliang Mountains in Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, the Ailao Mountains in Pu'er City, and the vast mountainous areas between the two. The central production areas are Jingdong Yi Autonomous County, Zhenyuan Yi, Hani and Lahu Autonomous County in Pu'er City, and Nanjian County in Dali Prefecture. On January 15, 2010, the Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone Chicken was included in China's National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Directory.

　　Growing Environment

　　Wuliang Mountain, formerly known as Mengle Mountain, gets its name from the meaning "towering into the clouds, unscalable, and too vast to measure." Jin Yong's novel "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" brought fame to Wuliang Mountain both domestically and internationally. Located in the western part of Jingdong County, Wuliang Mountain starts in the northwest from Nanjian County and extends southwestward to Zhenyuan, Jinggu, and other areas, reaching the Lancang River to the west and the Chuanhe River to the east. Wuliang Mountain is part of the mid-mountain and canyon sub-region at the southern end of the Hengduan Mountains. Together with the Ailao Mountains, it lies at the junction of the Hengduan Mountain system and the Yunnan Plateau, two major geographical regions. Its climate zone is in the transitional area between mid-subtropical and south-subtropical zones, featuring complex and diverse natural environmental conditions and a rich variety of biological species. It is one of the representative regions of the mid-mountain and canyon areas in the southern Hengduan Mountains, and the Wuliang Mountain National Nature Reserve has been established there. The region’s abundant climatic and natural resources, along with its favorable ecological environment, provide excellent conditions for the formation, growth, and breeding of this breed, ensuring its superior quality.

　　Physical Characteristics

　　The Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone Chicken is large in size, with a relatively small head, moderately long neck, wide and deep chest, well-developed pectoral muscles, and a straight back and waist [Figure 2: The most robust rooster in the Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone Chicken King Competition]. Its bones are thick and sturdy, legs are thick and muscular, and its body is broad and deep, taking on a square shape. Its head and tail are held high, and its ears are mostly gray-white, with some having green ears. The beak is flat, with the upper beak slightly curved. The beak, shanks, and toes are iron-gray, and the skin is mostly black, with a small portion being white. The shanks and toes have feathers, hence the name “feather-legged chicken.” There are several types, including tall-leg, short-leg, single-comb, rose-comb, white-feathered with black meat, and black-skinned, black-boned, and black-meated chickens. Adult Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone roosters have large, bright eyes, a large and upright comb—mostly single but occasionally rose-combed—with 5 to 6 comb teeth. The comb and wattles are purplish-red or bright red. Their feather colors are mostly purplish-red, yellowish-brown, mottled, or white. The primary wing feathers, shank feathers, back feathers, and saddle feathers are mostly yellowish-brown, while the tail feathers have black edges. Some roosters have mottled or entirely white feathers, and their coloration is bright and glossy. Adult hens have large, bright eyes, smaller combs and wattles, golden irises, and a small number have crests. Their feather colors include yellowish-brown, mottled, white, and black. Most mottled hens have crescent-shaped stripe patterns on their body feathers. Chicks usually have mottled, yellowish-brown, white, or black feathers.

　　Production Traits

　　Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone roosters begin crowing at 150 to 180 days old, while hens start laying eggs at 160 to 200 days old [Figure 3: The most beautiful hen in the Wuliang Mountain Black-Bone Chicken King Competition]. They lay 90 to 130 eggs per year, with an average egg weight of 52 grams at 300 days of age. Eggshells are pinkish-white, with a small portion being light brown. Hens can lay and hatch eggs all year round, typically laying 18 to 20 eggs before taking a break to brood. The fertilization rate of breeding eggs is 85% to 95%, and the hatching rate of fertilized eggs is around 90%. Under natural free-range conditions, they brood 5 to 6 times a year, for 25 to 30 days each time. Generally, adult chickens weigh between 5 to 7 jin (approximately 2.5–3.5 kg), with a dressing percentage of 88% for roosters and 91% for hens.

　　The Wugu roosters of Wuliang Mountain crow at 150 to 180 days old, while the hens start laying eggs at 160 to 200 days of age; Figure 3 shows the most beautiful hen in the Wuliang Mountain Wugu Chicken King Competition

　　They lay 90 to 130 eggs per year; the average egg weight at 300 days old is 52 grams. The eggshells are pinkish-white, with a small portion being light brown. The hens can lay eggs and incubate all year round, ceasing egg production and entering brooding mode after laying 18 to 20 eggs each time; the fertilization rate of breeding eggs is 85% to 95%, and the hatching rate of fertilized eggs is around 90%; under natural free-range rearing conditions, they go broody 5 to 6 times a year, each time for 25 to 30 days. Generally, adult chickens weigh between 5 and 7 jin (2.5–3.5 kg), with a dressing percentage of 88% for roosters and 91% for hens.