Description of chickens of the Ameraucana breed
Poultry breeding does not stand still. Every year, new breeds of chickens are bred with record productivity indicators or some unusual decorative features. In the 70s of the last century, the Ameraukan breed of chickens, derived from the "Araucans", became popular in the United States.
Characteristics of chickens of the Ameraukan breed
Individuals bred by breeders had a high egg production, as well as good weight growth. In addition, the popularity of this meat and egg breed was achieved not only by this. Ameraukan chickens lay blue eggs, which is why they are often called Easter eggs.
External characteristics of the breed
The Ameruacana breed was bred in the United States in the early 70s. The “Araucana” bird, introduced several years earlier, became the parent of this unusual breed. By crossing it with American subspecies of birds, breeders wanted to maximize the efficiency of breeding livestock in the United States.
The result of such an experiment exceeded expectations. In addition to high productivity characteristics, the bred birds received an important decorative feature: an unusual color of eggs. Blue, green or pink coloring of these products gives them an Easter look (can be seen in the official photo).
Chicken Ameraucan is also popular because of its appearance.
She has a very lush beard as well as a long comb. In addition, the color of the plumage is different. Numerous reviews indicate the existence of 8 colors, including blue, black, white, wheat, etc. But the most expensive is the one that has a lavender feather color. Such chickens are rare. In addition, breeders have noticed a connection between the color of birds and the color of their eggs. Long-term observations have shown that some species of individuals of the Ameraucana breed hatch eggs of different colors. Moreover, their color does not depend on the quality of a person's care.
A complete description of the breed of chickens Ameraukan cannot do without the brothers of these "Easter" birds - the breed "Bentham". These birds have the same external characteristics as the ancestor chickens. But their weight is 3, and sometimes even 4 times less. This also affects the size of the eggs. In addition, the productivity of the Bentham herd is average. Their egg can also be of different colors, but its size is proportional to the parameters of the chicken.
Bentham chicken
Productivity
The Ameraukan breed is meat-and-meat.
Every farmer who decides to acquire such individuals must provide them with proper care and feeding. If everything is done correctly, the breeder can receive:
- chickens weighing up to 2.7 kg;
- roosters weighing up to 3.5 kg;
- egg production of one chicken is up to 260 pieces per year.
In addition, chickens begin to lay at 5 months, and the productive period lasts up to 2 years. The hatching egg reaches 68-70 g, which is a good indicator even for industrial breeding. Blue, pink and green coloring of products attracts the buyer more than the usual color for a person.
But the Ameraucan breed is rarely kept at home. This is due to the poor maternal instinct of the females and the aggressiveness of the roosters. To save future livestock, the egg is kept in incubator... This is the reason why, when deciding to breed these birds, you need to take care of purchasing additional equipment.
Is it worth breeding
Numerous reviews of birds of the American breed indicate that they are suitable for keeping and breeding in domestic climatic conditions. They tolerate frost well and rarely get sick. The main thing is to know about the nuances of caring for birds. In addition, before purchasing chickens, you need to figure out what advantages and disadvantages the Ameraucana breed has. The advantages include:
- different colors of eggs (blue, pink and green colors are found);
- fast growth rates of poultry;
- egg production up to 250-260 pcs. in year;
- taste of meat;
- strong immunity;
- ability to keep in any climatic conditions.
In addition, the Ameraucana chicken reaches a weight of 2 kg in just 5 months. The high growth rates of the birds with simple maintenance make the flock profitable for the breeder.
Chickens of the Ameraucan breed have a high growth rate and are easy to care for
But there are also some disadvantages. One of the main ones is the excessive aggressiveness of males. The rooster of this breed can attack not only other birds, but also its owner. Chickens are more agreeable, and if the aggressors are not isolated in a timely manner, the number of livestock may decrease. In addition, the rooster often breaks eggs.
The disadvantages of the Ameraukan breed also include the underdeveloped maternal instinct of females. Chickens do not pay enough attention to hatching eggs, therefore it is necessary to place food in the incubator. Without this device, the egg will quickly freeze, because for the development of the embryo, it is necessary to constantly maintain a temperature of 36 ° C. And even after hatching eggs in the incubator, each chick should be there at this temperature for another 2-3 days.
Features of keeping birds
Birds of the Ameraukana breed are unpretentious to certain conditions of keeping, which is important for the breeder. Before settling the livestock, it is necessary to carry out more standard measures to prepare the chicken coop for new tenants. The farmer needs:
- disinfect not only the premises itself, but also the entire inventory;
- lay or re-lay the bedding;
- equip a chicken coop ventilation;
- insulate and whitewash the walls and ceiling of the room;
- equip recreation, walking and feeding areas.
Like other birds on the farm, the Ameraucana breed requires protection from rodents and predators. The best way to conserve livestock numbers is to build an open-air cage. It is best to connect it to the entrance to the chicken coop itself. This will allow the birds to move freely from one area to another, without additional effort on the part of humans.
You can get productivity from the declared characteristics of the breed description by creating all the necessary conditions for care. One of the main features is the microclimate in the chicken coop. The best indicators of egg production are observed at a relative humidity of 70%, and the air temperature should be 18-28 ° C.
The description of the Ameraukan breed of chickens suggests that such birds are very productive and adaptable. But at the same time, they require special care and maintenance rules.
Resettlement of livestock
Before you launch the birds into a new place of detention, you need to take care of arranging the room with everything you need. Should install feeder and drinker, and also spread a soft bedding. For her you should use:
- straw;
- foliage of trees;
- peat.
Keeping Ameraucan birds for novice breeders can cause some difficulties. They often relate to the aggression of males, so each violent rooster should be isolated from the whole flock in a separate cage.In addition, aggression itself can manifest itself through the fault of a person. Incorrect distribution of birds can easily cause a struggle for territory among the livestock. It is because of this that experienced farmers recommend not exceeding 10 chickens per 1 sq. m.
It is equally important to purchase an incubator. Only with the help of it will the breeding of birds be effective. Each fertilized egg is there before hatching. As early as 2-3 days after birth, the chicken can be kept in a spacious box heated by an infrared lamp (can be seen in the official photo). The blue, pink and green colors of the eggs can also interest children. But it should be remembered that these poultry often show aggression. Children must not be allowed into the chicken coop without adults.
Features of the diet of birds
The quality of bird nutrition directly affects their productivity - an indicator of egg production and muscle gain, therefore, a breeder needs to provide a balanced diet to his birds. It is recommended to compose it yourself or buy ready-made feed. Chickens eat everything that other birds eat. The basis of their diet is grains and greens. In the summer, the birds get some of the feed on their own during the walk, so the amount of portions can be reduced.
We must not forget about substances that are useful for the immunity of birds. It is recommended to add crushed chalk, shell, bone meal and even eggshells. All of these foods are rich in calcium, which is necessary not only for the health of the birds themselves, but also for the formation of eggs. Moreover, we must not forget about constant access to water. The drinker should always be filled with clean liquid.
A Few Breeding Tips
Experienced breeders who decide to breed the Ameraukan breed recommend that novice farmers not rush to buy a large number of hatching eggs. Often, due to ignorance of the characteristics of this breed, people buy frozen foods, especially if a person decides to buy uncertified eggs. In addition, there is another way to start farming activities - to acquire already hatched young growth.
The Ameraucana breed is kept in conditions of high humidity. But these parameters are only suitable for adults. Chicks survive only in warmth and dryness, which is why they should be populated in spacious, heated cages with installed drinkers and feeders. At the same time, drinkers must be protected from overflow. If a puddle forms on the floor, the chicks may be injured.
The American breed requires the use of heating and lighting sources for the maintenance. They should be especially important and careful for the young. Chickens should be provided with a constant temperature of 35 ° C in the first 3-7 days of life, gradually reducing it to 20 ° C. Daylight hours for kids are organized around the clock. Only from the third day its duration changes by 16 hours a day. And from 3 weeks - at 10 o'clock.