Chinese judge tells divorcing couple how to split 29 chickens: ‘eat odd one out’

An estranged couple from southwestern China became embroiled in a dispute over 29 chickens during their divorce proceedings.

After telling them to split the batch of birds evenly, a judge advised them to eat the extra one as a “farewell meal” before finalising their divorce.

The idea was not only practical but also reflected traditional Chinese wisdom, which is deeply rooted in Confucian thought and values harmony among people, society and nature.

Instead of relying on strict legal rules, the shared meal embodied the Confucian concept of li, which refers to ritual propriety that fosters respect and balance even in times of separation.

According to the mainland media outlet Jimu News, a woman surnamed Tu from a village in Sichuan province and her husband Yang recently applied for divorce.

Their main income came from livestock farming, with Yang occasionally taking on odd jobs.

Apart from their self-built homes, they had no major assets. Since they came from different villages, local regulations allowed them to decide the ownership of their homes.