Capão de Freamunde

Capão de Freamunde is a castrated male chicken of slow-growth varieties, raised free-range within a defined area of Paços de Ferreira and neighbouring municipalities in northern Portugal. Permitted breeds are Redbro, Redbro Cou Nu, Pedrês Portuguesa, Preta Lusitânica, and Amarela. Birds are sold live, as fresh carcases, or frozen, all slaughtered between 10 and 11 months of age.

About this designation

Capão de Freamunde holds PGI status, registered under file number PGI-PT-0846, with EU protection dating from 10 January 2011 and eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000014539. The designation covers castrated male chickens of slow-growth varieties of the Atlantic Gallus domesticus, castrated before reaching sexual maturity. Only five breeds are permitted: Redbro and Redbro Cou Nu, or the Portuguese breeds Pedrês Portuguesa, Preta Lusitânica, and Amarela. The geographical area is limited to all parishes of the Municipality of Paços de Ferreira, specified parishes of the Municipality of Lousada, and specified parishes of the Municipality of Paredes. The production area is an irrigated terraced zone ranging in altitude from 150 to 600 metres. Feed must be based on corn (Zea mays L.), which may not be less than 60 % of total feed, supplemented by Holcus mollis, Lolium multiflorum, and Plantago lanceolata L. From five weeks of age, animals have continuous daytime access to open areas covered by vegetation. Birds are sold live, as plucked fresh carcases packaged with liver and gizzards, or as frozen carcases, in all cases from animals slaughtered between 10 and 11 months of age. Live birds weigh between 5 and 7 kg; carcases weigh between 3 and 4.5 kg. The monounsaturated fatty acid proportion varies between 42 and 45.50 %, with an oleic acid content of between 35.5 and 40 %.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 10 January 2011 under file number PGI-PT-0846 (eAmbrosia: EUGI00000014539).
• Corn must constitute no less than 60 % of total feed; no other breed beyond the five named in the specification is permitted.
• Birds are sold only between 10 and 11 months of age, whether live, as fresh carcases, or frozen.
• The Feira dos Capões (Capon Fair) in Freamunde was officially established by an order of King João V dated 3 October 1719.

Tasting notes

Minho capon IGP from Freamunde (Paços de Ferreira). Larger than chicken, fattier, more tender, pale yellow flesh from corn-feed.

HoReCa use

Capão de Freamunde is traditionally consumed in the winter months of November to January, with consumption peaking during the Christmas season. A recognised traditional preparation is roast Capão de Freamunde stuffed with capon giblets and small pieces of salpicão and ham, promoted annually in a gastronomic competition held on 12 December in Freamunde.

Packaging

• whole-bird-fresh-3-5kg
• eviscerated-vacuum-3-4kg
• gift-bird-Christmas-3-5kg

Seasonality