Yanchi Tan Chicken

Yanchi Tan Chicken

Yanchi Tan Chicken is a product certified with a Geographical Indication for Agricultural Products.

　　Leveraging the resource advantage of its natural grasslands, the Yanchi County Party Committee and County Government began guiding farmers to develop green, pollution-free livestock products — “Yanchi Grassland Tan Chicken” — under the overall principle of both protecting and rationally utilizing the grasslands.

　　They let breeds such as broiler-cross chickens and Sanhuang chickens graze freely on unpolluted natural grasslands or high-quality artificially planted pastures. This allows the chickens to forage various weeds and insects daily in diverse, fresh-air environments, thereby supplementing vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Liu Guichen, Director of the Yanchi County Animal Husbandry Bureau, explained: “Thanks to their favorable living environment and increased activity, these chickens are not only robust, less prone to disease, and fast-growing, but also yield meat that is rich in nutrition, uniquely flavorful, and delicious — making it a premium green, pollution-free food that offers ‘nutrition and health through diet.’”

　　For this reason, Yanchi County has focused on this industry, vigorously developing the “Yanchi Grassland Tan Chicken” sector since 2004 to cultivate new sources of income growth for farmers. In 2004, the county's stock of grassland Tan Chickens had reached 720,000. In 2005, through policy guidance, project support, service guarantees, and market stimulation — using a model of “farms + large breeders + numerous households” — the county supported farmers in rapidly expanding the scale of Tan Chicken breeding. From January to August, the stock had already reached 1.1 million, with 2,000 large-scale breeders. Among them, 100 breeders raised between 1,000 and 2,000 chickens, 25 raised 3,000 to 5,000, 15 raised over 5,000, and 3 raised more than 10,000. The Gaosawo Rongbao Farm in Yanchi County achieved an annual production capacity of 300,000 chickens. By then, Yanchi had already sold 700,000 grassland Tan Chickens, generating an output value of 12 million yuan. In 2004, Yanchi Tan Chicken officially received origin certification from the Autonomous Region’s Department of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.

　　In developing the grassland Tan Chicken industry, Yanchi County provided strong support. Through the county’s efforts, higher-level departments and the County Government invested 2.2 million yuan to establish four hatcheries. Each chick was subsidized 0.8 yuan so the hatcheries could brood the chicks for 20 days before delivering them directly to farmers. This ensured survival rates and convenience for breeders. At the same time, Yanchi County also provided 417 mobile chicken coops free of charge to large-scale breeders to support their Tan Chicken operations. Moreover, the county supported Rongbao Company, a major breeder, in building a deep-processing production line for Tan Chicken to extend the industrial chain. It is reported that once operational, the project will be capable of processing 1 million Tan Chickens per year.

　　To create a strong link between individual farming households and the broader market, the Yanchi County Animal Husbandry Bureau organized the establishment of a Tan Chicken Breeding Cooperative. The cooperative is responsible for organizing the distribution and sales of the chickens. Meanwhile, various county departments have formed support partnerships with large-scale breeders, who go out to find markets and customers and assist in sales. In addition, Yanchi County has set up seven chain stores in the Yinchuan market specifically selling Yanchi Tan Sheep and Tan Chicken. Currently, companies such as Yinchuan Golden Earl, Nongken Group, and Yili have also reached processing agreements with Yanchi County for Tan Chicken. Meanwhile, livestock product trading enterprises from several provinces have visited Yanchi to inspect and purchase Tan Chickens.

　　Today, Yanchi Grassland Tan Chicken has become a major new highlight in increasing farmer incomes. Liu Guichen told reporters that Yanchi County will continue to strengthen support for the development of grassland Tan Chicken, aiming to expand the stock to 3–5 million over the next 3–5 years. The goal is for each farmer to earn 100 yuan annually from Tan Chicken, making it a primary source of income growth.

　　“Yanchi Grassland Tan Chicken” has become a new channel for local farmers to increase their income.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Yanchi County is located in the eastern part of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in the transitional zone from the Ordos Plateau to the Loess Plateau. It lies between 106°33′–107°47′ east longitude and 37°04′–38°10′ north latitude, with an average elevation of 1,600 meters. It stretches about 66 kilometers from east to west and approximately 110 kilometers from north to south. It borders Dingbian in Shaanxi Province to the east, Huan County in Gansu Province to the south, Otog Front Banner in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the north, and Lingwu and Tongxin cities (counties) in the region to the west, covering a total area of 8,661.3 square kilometers. Yanchi Tan Chicken production is concentrated in six towns in the northern region: Dashuikeng, Fengjigou, Qingshan, Wanglejing, Gaosawo, and Huamachi. The annual total output is 3,000 tons.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: Yanchi County is rich in land resources. Located in the transitional zone from the Ordos Plateau to the Loess Plateau, the central-northern area features gently rolling hills and continuous sand dunes, accounting for about 80% of the total area. The southern part belongs to the Loess Plateau region with crisscrossed gullies and ridges, accounting for around 20%. The usable grassland area spans 7.15 million mu, representing 82.6% of the land area. Natural grasslands can be divided into two main types: dry grasslands and desert grasslands. These natural pastures grow a variety of high-quality forages, including over 110 types of medicinal plants such as licorice, sophora, wild basil, mint, artemisia, bupleurum, astragalus, adenophora, tribulus, anemarrhena, plantago, and plantain seeds. Moreover, most of the soil in these grasslands consists of ordinary and light gray calcareous soil, rich in calcium and phosphorus content, with over 40 types of mineral elements.

　　(2) Hydrological Conditions: The area receives little rainfall, experiences high evaporation, and has a dry climate with scarce precipitation, averaging 200–280 mm per year, concentrated between July and September. Annual evaporation ranges from 1,250 to 2,550 mm. Due to low rainfall…

　　… and high evaporation, groundwater in Yanchi’s grasslands lacks replenishment sources. However, shallow groundwater is relatively widespread, with high water levels and good quality, containing abundant mineral elements.

　　(3) Climate Conditions: It has a typical continental monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 9.2°C, 3,124 hours of sunshine, a frost-free period of 148 days, annual precipitation of around 280 mm, and annual evaporation of about 2,100 mm. Sunshine is abundant.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Background: Traditionally, households raised about 10–20 chickens in a free-range manner. With changes in grassland utilization methods, this evolved into scaled breeding starting in 2002. Since the rise of scaled breeding, the average flock size per household has reached 100, and some even operate farms with 1,000 chickens. The main breeds are commercial broiler-cross chickens and Sanhuang chickens, which outperform other breeds in adaptability, economic returns, and market demand.

　　(5) Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Origin Selection and Special Provisions: Yanchi Tan Chickens live on the vast lands of Yanchi. There are no industrial or mining enterprises in the county, resulting in a pollution-free environment. The drinking water, air, and soil all meet the following national standards: the product origin environment complies with the “Poultry Farm Environmental Quality Standard NY/T388”; ambient air quality meets the “Green Food Origin Environmental Technical Conditions” NT/T391-2000 specified “Ambient Air Quality Standards” and those in the “Green Food Origin Environmental Guidelines”; soil environmental quality adheres to the “Soil Air Quality Standards” and “Green Food Origin Environmental Guidelines” as per NT/T391-2000.

　　(2) Breed Selection and Specific Requirements: Since the rise of scaled breeding in 2002, the main breeds raised by farmers include commercial broiler-cross chickens and Sanhuang chickens, which demonstrate better adaptability, profitability, and market demand compared to others.

　　(3) Production Process Management: Scientific use of free-range grasslands is essential. When selecting sites for free-ranging Tan Chickens, priority is given to ecologically sound grasslands. Stocking scale and density are strictly managed based on grassland conditions, with rational layout of free-range points — typically keeping single-point batch sizes no larger than 500. Mobile coops are used to implement a rotational grazing system scientifically based on ecological conditions to ensure ecological benefits. A scientific supplemental feeding system is established, with feeding mainly taking place in the evening. Feeding levels are adjusted reasonably according to growth and development. Clean drinking water is guaranteed during the day, with water facilities appropriately placed within the ranging area. Flock management is strengthened, with sick or weak chickens managed separately. Strict slaughter timing is enforced — generally after 70 days of free-ranging…

　　… (adjusted based on breed and pasture), with a strict all-in-all-out system. Input use management for Yanchi Tan Chickens: Drug procurement is centrally handled by relevant departments. All purchased drugs must have a “Veterinary Drug Production License” and approval numbers; import drug dealers must hold an “Import Veterinary Drug License” with all documentation complete.

　　(4) Product Harvesting and Slaughter Technical Procedures: After slaughter, Tan Chicken products are mainly divided into three grades (breast meat, leg meat, and residual meat). Slaughter and processing enterprises must comply with the “Hygienic Regulations for Meat Processing Plants,” “General Technical Conditions for Livestock Slaughter and Processing,” “Discharge Standards for Water Pollutants from Meat Processing Industry,” and the “Sanitary Specifications for Fresh Poultry Meat Production.”

　　(5) Production Record Requirements: Each flock of Tan Chickens must maintain related documentation, including: sources and characteristics of chicks, feed types, origins, consumption, and information on various feed additives. Immunization records must be created and stored, detailing vaccine names, manufacturers, batch numbers, dosages, and immunization times. Records of morbidity, mortality, causes, and harmless treatment must also be kept. Sales records, including contracts and channels, laboratory test results, medication, and vaccination details must be documented. All records must be preserved for at least two years after the flock is cleared.

　　(6) Product Typical Quality Characteristics and Safety Standards

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: Tan Chickens are raised on natural grasslands in a safe, pollution-free environment. The dispersed locations of breeders and farms provide good natural isolation, aiding in disease prevention. These conditions offer optimal green food production standards. The resulting Yanchi Tan Chickens are naturally pure, unpolluted, with appealing appearances, superior nutrition, and firm meat texture.

　　(2) Internal Quality Characteristics: From May to November, the grasslands of Yanchi flourish with abundant forage, insects, and small reptiles, providing rich animal-based feed for the chickens. During the dry season from December to April, supplementary feeding with pellet feed made from corn, bran, and crop straw is minimal. This combination gives Tan Chickens the flavor of free-range birds along with the production advantages of broilers. Raised on natural grasslands, the meat is tender, uniquely flavored, delicious, and of excellent texture — a pollution-free product.

　　(2) Intrinsic quality characteristics: From May to November each year, the Yanchi grassland boasts lush forage, with abundant insects and small reptiles, providing rich animal-based feed for the free-range chickens. During the dry forage season from December to April of the following year, supplemental feeding is done in small amounts using pellet feed made from corn, bran, and crop straw. This ensures that the Tan chickens possess both the flavor of indigenous chickens and the production advantages of broiler chickens. The Tan chickens raised on the natural grassland have tender meat, a unique flavor, delicious taste, and excellent texture, making them a pollution-free product.

　　(3) Safety requirements: The production environment must meet the standards of the "Environmental Quality Standards for Livestock and Poultry Farms NY/T388"; livestock and poultry drinking water must meet and maintain the relevant regulations of NY5027-2001, NY/T388, NY/T5038-2006, the "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China for Veterinary Drugs," the "Specifications of the People's Republic of China for Veterinary Drugs," the "Quality Standards for Veterinary Drugs," the "Quality Standards for Veterinary Biological Products," the "Quality Standards for Imported Veterinary Drugs," and the "Regulations on the Use of Medicated Feed Additives."

　　Packaging and labeling-related regulations

　　The packaging bags used for Tan chicken are made of polyethylene (PE). Slaughtering, storage, and transportation must be carried out strictly in accordance with the "Hygienic Specifications for the Production of Fresh Poultry Meat."