Taoyuan Chicken Breed Introduction and Analysis of Main Characteristics

Taoyuan chicken is mainly produced in the central part of Taoyuan County, Hunan Province. It is a local meat-purpose chicken breed, famous for its large body size, hence it is also called Taoyuan large-type chicken. This breed has characteristics such as large individuals, tender meat, delicious meat flavor, and relatively good meat production performance.

Taoyuan chicken belongs to the meat-purpose chicken type. It has a large body size, a strong constitution, fluffy feathers, and a slightly long body that appears rectangular. Male Taoyuan chickens hold their heads and necks high, with tail feathers tilted upward, forming a U shape when viewed from the side. Female Taoyuan chickens are slightly taller in body, with a longer and flat back, and a deep and rounded rear. The body feathers of male Taoyuan chickens are golden yellow or red, the main wing feathers and tail feathers are black, and the neck feathers are golden yellow or have black spots. The feather colors of female Taoyuan chickens include yellow and partridge types. The yellow-feather type has yellow back feathers, partridge-yellow neck feathers, blue-gray beak and shanks, and white skin. Single comb; male Taoyuan chickens have an upright comb, while female Taoyuan chickens have a comb falling to one side. Adult Taoyuan chicken body weight: male 3342 grams, female 2940 grams. Slaughter rate of Taoyuan chickens at 180 days of age: semi-eviscerated, male 83.7%, female 81.5%; eviscerated, male 75.5%, female 68.7%. Taoyuan chickens reach age at first egg at 195 days, produce 158 eggs per year, egg weight 53 grams, and eggshell is light brown.

Taoyuan chickens still have shortcomings such as slow early growth, late feathering, relatively low feed utilization, and low reproductive capacity. In the future, while strengthening selection and breeding of this breed, meat-purpose chicken breeds can be introduced for crossbreeding to increase early growth and development speed, improve flock quality, move toward the direction of meat chickens, and increase the commercial rate.