It is a folk tradition to nourish the human body in the periods of "Sanfu" (the three periods of the hot season) and "Sanjiu" (the first 27 days of winter). The main nutrient components of poultry meat are high quality protein, fat, microorganisms and mineral substances. Fowl such as chicken, duck and pigeon are good choices for nourishing the human body during the Major Heat period.

A folk way of nourishing is to eat spring chicken during Major Heat. Spring chicken refers to the chicken that has just matured and doesn’t mate yet, or the chicken that weighs half a kilo or two thirds of a kilo after being raised for three months and doesn’t mate yet. The spring chicken contains certain growth hormone which is good for children who are still growing and developing, and old people whose hormone levels have decreased.