What are the advantages of Wenshang barred (partridge) chickens and what are their raising requirements?

The barred (partridge) chicken, as the name implies, is a chicken that lives deep among the reeds, and the most famous among them is the one produced in Wenshang County, Shandong Province. As a well-known brand, what exactly makes the Wenshang barred chicken so good? And what raising conditions does it need?

1. The origin of the Wenshang barred chicken

Wenshang County is the place of origin of the Wenshang barred chicken, which originated in the lowest reaches of the Dawen River within Wenshang County, Shandong Province, and later spread and bred along the Xiaowen River. As early as the Spring and Autumn period, the people of Wenshang began raising them. During the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, the Wenshang County Gazetteer already recorded the “Wenshang barred rooster”.

2. The advantages of the Wenshang barred chicken

The Wenshang barred chicken is also called the “yuanbao chicken”, named for its resemblance to a yuanbao. Because of its unique feather color and body shape, and its highly nutritious meat and egg products, it is renowned at home and abroad. Its meat is fine, dense and tender, with little subcutaneous fat and firm muscle, and high nutritional value; the eggshell color is pink or milky white, the yolk is golden yellow, and the egg white is glossy and cohesive, giving it higher quality than ordinary eggs. Overall, its meat and egg quality is outstanding, combining ornamental, recreational, edible, nourishing and health-promoting uses in one.

3. The raising conditions for the Wenshang barred chicken

1. Temperature conditions

Newly hatched barred chicken chicks are best raised indoors at between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius; after 2 weeks the temperature and air humidity can be appropriately lowered, and the room temperature is best kept at 29 to 30 degrees Celsius. After one month, barred chickens are suited to living in an environment of 15 degrees Celsius, and once they reach adulthood they can return to normal temperatures.

2. Lighting conditions

Lighting is the decisive factor in raising barred chickens well; chicks in particular need light all year round, and on nights without daylight they also need to be illuminated with fluorescent lamps. After 1 week the lighting time can be gradually reduced. Once barred chickens reach adulthood, there is no need to deliberately control the lighting time; it is enough to maintain sufficient outdoor light.

3. Feeding conditions

Before chicks start eating, they should first be given a little warm boiled water, and feeding should begin after 3 hours, mainly with powdered feed; millet soaked in water is also fine, and once they are one month old the food can be varied. In addition to eating small insects and plant feed outdoors on their own, they also need specially formulated feed rich in protein and vitamins to ensure balanced nutrition.

4. Environmental conditions

The shed for raising barred chickens should be well ventilated to avoid poisoning from inhaling too much ammonia. Normally, take care to clean up leftover feed in the chicken house; it is best not to feed moldy feed, as it easily causes intestinal diseases. Manure is also a relatively major pollutant, so it should be removed promptly, and the straw bedding should also be replaced on time. In addition to daily cleaning, regular disinfection is also necessary to avoid outbreaks. This is because once one chicken gets sick, it is very easy for a “total wipeout” to occur.