Haimen Yellow Chicken

Haimen Yellow Chicken

The Haimen Yellow Chicken is a product with a geographical indication.

　　Haimen City in Jiangsu Province has a history of over a thousand years. By the late Tang Dynasty, agriculture in the Haimen area had become quite developed, and animal husbandry also saw significant growth. In ancient times, people lived in thatched houses and raised chickens freely in the woods and fields behind their homes. The chickens foraged during the day and returned to their coops at night, which led to the development of a local breed of chicken that was hardy, had fine-tasting meat, and was rich in nutrients. This breed was considered a delicacy and tonic in the region. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, as the county seat of Haimen moved several times and farmers relocated, the Haimen native chicken spread to areas such as Sheyang and Dafeng in Yancheng, and Rugao, Rudong, and Qidong in Nantong. In the 1970s, using the Haimen native chicken as a base, the Haimen Agricultural Science Institute developed the Haimen Grass Chicken through hybrid selection and breeding. However, due to various reasons, the breed nearly went extinct. In the early 21st century, the Haimen Lvyuan Broiler Chicken Cooperative, in collaboration with Yangzhou University and the Jiangsu Animal Husbandry Station, conducted renewed research and collected resources of the Haimen Grass Chicken. Through generational closed selection and purification, they developed the Haimen Yellow Chicken, which features a small body size, early maturity, and high-quality meat.

　　Geographic Range

　　The original production area of the Haimen Yellow Chicken is located within the jurisdiction of Haimen City in Jiangsu Province, covering Baichang Town, Zhengyu Town, Yudong Town, Liuhao Town, Binhai New District, Shuxun Town, Wanghao Town, Huolong Town, Sijia Town, Haimen Town, Sanchang Town, and Changle Town. The total area is 550 square kilometers, with geographic coordinates between 121°04’–121°32’ east longitude and 31°46’–32°09’ north latitude.

　　Product Quality and Characteristic Features

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: The Haimen Yellow Chicken is small in size, with a compact build. It has three yellow traits—yellow feathers, yellow beak, and yellow shanks. The tips of the primary wing feathers, neck feathers, and tail feathers have black spots. It has a single red comb with 4 to 9 comb teeth, and the comb is bright red. The shanks are slender, smooth, and free of feathers. The breed matures early and is highly adaptable. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: The carcass has thin skin and a light yellow hue, with moderate subcutaneous fat and dense meat texture. The taste is soft and tender, the broth is fragrant, and it has the unique flavor of local chicken breeds. The muscle fibers are fine and dense, with low water content. The chicken meat is rich in umami amino acids, giving it a delicious taste. 3. Product Quality and Safety: The quality of Haimen Yellow Chicken strictly follows the standards set by “NY5034-2001 Pollution-Free Food – Chicken,” ensuring food safety.