Yang Changxia feeds her chickens. [Photo by Wanshan district publicity department for chinadaily.com.cn]
Yang Changxia's chickens in Tongren city, Southwest China's Guizhou province, are characterized by their distinctive crown of feathers said to look like a European hat, which has inspired their name: concubine chickens.
Yang Changxia holds one of her chickens. [Photo by Wanshan district publicity department for chinadaily.com.cn]
It's not only the appearance that marks her chickens out as different, but also the special care they receive.
Yang Changxia gives a chicken a "beauty massage", rubbing oil on its feathers. [Photo by Wanshan district publicity department for chinadaily.com.cn]
Each morning, the chickens begin their exercise under Yang's guidance, who has devised for them a fitness plan.
Yang Changxia gives a chicken a "beauty massage", rubbing oil on its feathers. [Photo by Wanshan district publicity department for chinadaily.com.cn]
On top of this, Yang also gives each of the chickens a "beauty massage", washing and rubbing oil on their feathers.
Yang Changxia gives a chicken a "beauty massage", rubbing oil on its feathers. [Photo by Wanshan district publicity department for chinadaily.com.cn]
Yang's chickens have gained popularity at the market because of her breeding plan.
"Chickens will gain muscles after training. Such flesh caters to market demand. The chickens have been exported to big cities including Shanghai and Guangdong province for 150 yuan each," said Yang.
Yang Changxia gives a chicken a "beauty massage", rubbing oil on its feathers. [Photo by Wanshan district publicity department for chinadaily.com.cn]
She currently has a total of 30,000 chickens, and runs a chicken-breeding project with her fellow villagers that brings in 20,000-30,000 yuan annually for each farmer.
Che Weiwei contributed to this story.
Yang Changxia dries a chicken with a hairdryer. [Photo by Wanshan district publicity department for chinadaily.com.cn]
Yang Changxia applies an essential oil to a chicken. [Photo by Wanshan district publicity department for chinadaily.com.cn]
