Amarela

Portuguese breed of chicken

AmarelaConservation status|

* FAO (2007): not listed[1]: 93
* DAD-IS (2024): not at risk[2]

|

Other names| Minhota
Country of origin| Portugal
Distribution|

* province of Minho
* north-western Portugal

Use| dual-purpose, eggs and meat
Traits
Weight|

* Male:

2.3–3.1 kg[3]: 197

* Female:

1.7–2.5 kg[3]: 197

Egg colour| white
Comb type| single
Classification
APA| no[4]
EE| no[5]
PCGB| no[6]

* Chicken
* Gallus gallus domesticus

The Amarela or Minhota is a Portuguese breed of domestic chicken. It is one of four Portuguese breeds of chicken, the others being the Branca, the Pedrês Portuguesa and the Preta Lusitânica.[7]

## History

[edit]

The Amarela is a traditional breed of rural Portugal. It originated in the north-west of the country, particularly in the former province of Minho, and for this reason is also known as the Minhota. It was formerly distributed throughout most of Portugal, but in the twentieth century – as a consequence of economic and social changes in the country, and changes in dietary habits – the population fell heavily, and by the early twenty-first century the breed was considered endangered, with fewer than two thousand breeding hens.[3]: 196 [8] In 2013 a population of 2677–2956 was reported to DAD-IS, and by 2024 the total population had risen to an estimated 13886–24572, with a breeding stock of 6106 hens and 1053 cocks distributed over approximately 200 farms.[2][7] In 2024 its conservation status was listed as "not at risk".[2]

## Characteristics

[edit]

The Amarela is found in only one colour variant, the buff or golden colour which gives it its name. The comb is single, with five or six points, and the shanks are unfeathered and yellowish.[3]: 197 Body weights are in the range 2.3–3.1 kg for cocks and 1.7–2.5 kg for hens; ring sizes are 16 mm and 14 mm respectively.[3]: 197

The birds are hardy and resistant to disease, and are well suited to the extensive or free-range management typical of small family-run farms.[3]: 197

## Use

[edit]

The Amarela is a dual-purpose breed, raised for both meat and eggs.[3]: 196

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
2. ^ a b c Breed data sheet: Amarela / Portugal (Chicken). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2024.
3. ^ a b c d e f g [s.n.] (2021). Catálogo Oficial de Raças Autóctones Portuguesas (in Portuguese). Lisboa: Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal; Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária. Archived 19 January 2024.
4. ^ APA Recognized Breeds and Varieties: As of January 1, 2012. American Poultry Association. Archived 4 November 2017.
5. ^ Liste des races et variétés homologuée dans les pays EE (28.04.2013). Entente Européenne d'Aviculture et de Cuniculture. Archived 16 June 2013.
6. ^ Breed Classification. Poultry Club of Great Britain. Archived 12 June 2018.
7. ^ a b Aves - Raça Amarela (in Portuguese). Vale de Santarém: Sociedade Portuguesa de Recursos Genéticos Animais. Archived 7 August 2024.
8. ^ M.L. Soares, J.C. Lopes, N.V. Brito, J. Carvalheira (2011). Characterization of growth and egg production of two Portuguese autochthonous chicken breeds: Preta Lusitânica and Amarela. Conference paper, 62nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production, Stavanger, Norway, 29 August to 2 September 2011. Archived 14 August 2014.