Introduction to the Characteristics of the Tianshan Snow Chicken Breed and Its Rearing Methods

The Tianshan Snow Chicken belongs to the Phasianidae family and is a herbivorous poultry species. It originated at the summit of the Tianshan Mountains in China and is a rare breed unique to our country, with very small numbers. The Tianshan Snow Chicken is small in size with a robust constitution, a body length of about 60 cm, a delicate appearance, a purple beak, and an orange waxy base and covering over the nostrils; its whole body is covered with well-developed, upward-curving feathers. The Tianshan Snow Chicken moves nimbly, is alert in spirit, and is light and quick in activity. An adult male chicken weighs about 1.5 kg and begins to crow at 5 months of age; a female chicken weighs 1.2 kg, begins laying eggs at 6 months of age, and lays 120-150 eggs per year. Eggs weigh 40-50 g.

The Tianshan Snow Chicken has high edible and medicinal value. Its meat is dark, fresh and delicious, sweet and tender, and has the unique flavor of wild game. According to measurements, the content of various amino acids and trace elements in the meat of the Tianshan Snow Chicken is higher than that of other chicken breeds under the same rearing conditions. It is a delicacy high in protein and low in fat, and makes an excellent dish for banquets. The Tianshan Snow Chicken also has certain medicinal value, with functions of nourishing and strengthening yang, relieving spasms, and detoxifying, and can treat conditions such as prolonged illness and weakness, epilepsy, and rabies bites. Regularly eating Tianshan Snow Chicken can also enhance the body's immune function. Its nutritional tonic and dietary therapeutic effects are highly valued by people, so raising Tianshan Snow Chickens has bright prospects.

Artificially rearing the Tianshan Snow Chicken has many advantages; it has strong adaptability. The distant ancestors of the Tianshan Snow Chicken lived in high-altitude snowy mountains, meadows, and shrublands at 3000-6000 m. After artificial breeding and domestication, it can be reared and reproduced in low-altitude areas. From the hot south to severe icy and snowy places, it can be reared in all seasons across the country, mainly feeding on grass. The Tianshan Snow Chicken has a strong ability to gather grass and a well-developed stomach, and can consume large amounts of forage grass, grass leaves, and other roughage. The Tianshan Snow Chicken likes to eat the flowers, roots, stems, seeds, and grass leaves of many kinds of plants. Under artificial feeding conditions, forage grass and roughage can be mixed and fed; generally, grass-type feed accounts for about 60-80% of its daily ration.

High survival rate. During rearing, as long as the chick immunization program is properly carried out and the hygiene of the rearing environment is maintained, the Tianshan Snow Chicken generally rarely gets sick. The fertilization rate of Snow Chicken breeding eggs is 90-95%, the hatching rate is no less than 90%, the survival rate of chick rearing is above 80%, and the incubation period is 24 days.

Suitable for rearing and efficient. After artificial breeding and domestication, the Tianshan Snow Chicken has lost its strong wing ability and is not good at flying, so no netting is needed to prevent escape by flight. It can be raised either free-range or confined, and it has strong flocking behavior, so it can be raised on a large scale. The cost of raising 1 commercial Snow Chicken does not exceed 8 yuan, while the current market price is 80-100 yuan per bird. One laborer can raise and manage 2000 birds, and 3 batches can be raised in 1 year, so its economic benefits are very considerable. In summary, raising Tianshan Snow Chickens requires little investment, has low costs, and yields high returns; it is a new breed for developing a high-yield, high-quality, and efficient poultry industry.