Chinese Couple Ordered to Split Poultry Evenly
"Share the Last Chicken as a Farewell Meal"
A couple from a rural area in southwestern China became embroiled in a dispute over 29 chickens during their divorce proceedings. The judge delivered a unique ruling, stating that each should take half?14 chickens each?and that the remaining chicken should be shared as a "farewell meal" before parting ways.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on August 9, a woman surnamed Tu and her husband, surnamed Yang, who live in a village in Sichuan Province, recently filed for divorce. The couple’s main source of income was livestock farming, and Yang occasionally did odd jobs. Aside from a house they built themselves, they had no significant assets. Since they came from different villages, the ownership of the house could be decided by themselves according to local regulations.
The issue at hand was their poultry. The couple raised a total of 53 birds: 29 chickens, 22 geese, and 2 ducks. Fortunately, since the number of geese and ducks was even, they could be divided equally. However, the chickens became the subject of dispute. The couple discussed the matter with their parents but could not find a solution, and their children refused to get involved.
Ultimately, the fate of the remaining chicken was brought before the court. In court, Tu argued, "I raised the chickens myself and have an emotional attachment to them, so I deserve to receive one more." Yang disagreed, stating, "I also invested considerable time and effort in caring for the animals."
The judge then proposed two options: either the couple could eat the remaining chicken together, or one person could take the chicken and compensate the other financially. In the end, the two decided to cook and share the chicken as a meal before finalizing their divorce. They agreed to become financially independent while continuing to support each other and maintaining a basic friendship. It was reported that they ate the chicken as a "farewell meal," though specific details were not disclosed.
Commenting on the judge’s decision, SCMP stated, "This idea is not only practical but also deeply rooted in Confucian philosophy, reflecting traditional Chinese wisdom that values harmony among people, society, and nature." The report also noted that their "farewell meal" embodied Confucius’s concept of Li (禮), which refers to ritual propriety that fosters respect and balance, even in situations of separation.
The judge explained, "When dividing poultry assets, factors such as feed costs and growth cycles must be considered, making it more complex than simply counting the number of animals," adding that "sharing the chicken as a meal respects both legal regulations and rural customs."
Their story became a major topic of discussion on Chinese social media.
One netizen commented, "The judge provided a fair solution, but the real victim is the chicken." Another joked, "Perhaps after sharing the chicken soup, the two reconciled and decided not to divorce after all."
Meanwhile, China’s divorce rate continues to rise. In 2023, more than 3.6 million couples filed for divorce, a significant increase compared to 2022. According to Chinese law, assets acquired during marriage are considered joint property, and both parties have the right to an equal share.
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