Lueyang Chicken

Lueyang Chicken

　　Lueyang Chicken

　　Breed Description

　　Origin and Distribution: A meat-type breed. Mainly produced in Lueyang and Mianxian counties in Shaanxi Province. It is also found in the mountainous and hilly areas of Ningqiang, Chenggu, Yangxian, and Xixiang counties south of the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province. This chicken breed is renowned for its large body size, abundant meat, high-quality meat, and black skin. Locals also commonly stew black-skinned chickens with Chinese herbal medicine to nourish their health. Among the pottery chicken vessels unearthed from Eastern Han to Southern Song Dynasty tombs in Hanzhong City and Mianxian County in Shaanxi Province, there are numerous examples including chicks, adult chickens, and mother hens with chicks, showcasing diverse forms. The colored pottery roosters feature vibrant feathers and robust builds. Additionally, the "Re-engraved Hanzhong Prefecture Annals" (1814) also documents this, indicating that the Lueyang Chicken has a history of over 1,900 years.

　　Appearance Characteristics: The body is slightly elongated, with a relatively broad chest and loose feathers. Comb type is mostly single comb, with a few rose combs. Combs are black, purplish-red, or red, and the flesh wattles match the comb color. Iris colors are chestnut or black. The beak is black and slightly curved. Roosters display black, red, or white feather colors; neck and saddle feathers are glossy, with well-developed sickle feathers. Except for white-feathered roosters, all others are black. Hen feather colors are complex, mainly black, mottled, and white. Tail feathers are relatively short. Skin is white or blackish. Shanks and toes are blackish, with a few chickens having shank feathers. Chicks have down feathers in black, mottled, white, or gray, with mottled chicks having 2–3 dark brown lines on their back down.

　　Breed Performance:

　　① Growth Rate and Meat Production Performance Average Weight: Birth – 39g; 30 days – 189g; 60 days – Roosters 617g, Hens 546g; 90 days – Roosters 1225g, Hens 1009g; 120 days – Roosters 1788g, Hens 1375g; 150 days – Roosters 2402g, Hens 1679g; Adult – Roosters 2800g, Hens 2500g. At 120 days, Roosters average semi-eviscerated dressing percentage of 85.6%, Hens 82.3%; at 120 days, Roosters average full eviscerated dressing percentage of 80.4%, Hens 77.0%.

　　② Egg Production and Reproduction Performance Hens begin laying eggs at an average age of 240 days. At 500 days, average egg production is 73 eggs, with an average egg weight of 60g. Average eggshell thickness is 0.36mm, and average egg shape index is 1.34. Eggshells are brown, with a few being white or bluish. Roosters reach sexual maturity at an average age of 120 days. Rooster-to-hen breeding ratio is 1:(10–12). Average fertile egg rate is 79.3%, and average hatching rate of fertile eggs is 77.7%. Hens have strong brooding instincts, with an average brooding duration of 23 days per session.