Lueyang Black Chicken

Lueyang Black Chicken

The Lueyang Black Chicken is a geographical indication protected product.

The Lueyang Black Chicken is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The original habitat of the Lueyang Black Chicken is distributed in townships along the Heihe River basin at the southern foot of the Qinling Mountains within Lueyang County, Shaanxi Province, including Heiheba, Yudongzi, Lianghekou, Guanyinsi, Xiantaiba, and Xiakouyi.

　　Unique Qualities

　　The body shape of the Lueyang Black Chicken is nearly square, characterized by a black comb, black beak, black toes, black tongue, and black skin—the “six all-black” features—hence it is also called the “six-point black.” Roosters are large and tall with sturdy bones, thick and long legs, well-developed muscles, a wide and deep body, a short downward-curving beak, usually a single comb with 6–7 points, large wattles, and combs and wattles that are black or purple in color. Their irises are chestnut-colored, their necks are held high, and their keels are slightly prominent, with wide and deep chests. They have broad wings, well-developed tail feathers, and tall saddle feathers. They have four toes, with the toes spread widely. Their form is elegant and masculine. Feather colors come in black, red, and white, predominantly black. They mature sexually early. Hens are smaller in size, with longer beaks, slightly shorter and less upright necks, fluffy neck feathers, wings that lie close to the body, a generally stout and robust body, neatly upright or fanned tail feathers in shapes ranging from fan-like to Buddha’s hand-like, and predominantly black feather coloring. They typically begin laying eggs at around seven to eight months of age.

　　Cultural Anecdotes

　　The Lueyang Black Chicken, also known as Lueyang Silkie or Black Meat Chicken, is a specialty of Lueyang County in the Hanzhong region of southern Shaanxi and is one of the rare poultry breeds in China. According to unearthed artifacts such as the “Heavenly Rooster Pot,” this breed of black chicken has been raised since the Eastern Jin Dynasty, boasting a history of over 1,600 years. The Lueyang Black Chicken is a locally superior breed formed through long-term selective breeding and careful rearing. It has been recorded in the “Shaanxi Province Livestock and Poultry Breed Register.” In 1982, after investigation, appraisal, and blood factor analysis by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Lueyang Black Chicken was confirmed to be a distinct breed of black chicken. Among the four major black chicken breeds in China, the Lueyang Black Chicken is the largest in body size, and its meat is tender, flavorful, rich, and nutritious.

　　The geographical indication protection scope of the Lueyang Black Chicken is based on the range proposed in the Lueyang County People's Government of Shaanxi Province’s “Request Regarding the Delimitation of the Geographical Indication Protection Scope of the Lueyang Black Chicken” (Luezheng Zi [2007] No. 17), covering the current administrative region of Lueyang County, Shaanxi Province.