Description of decorative chickens
Decorative chickens such as bantamka are unique in themselves, as they have the following characteristics: a high level of productivity, unpretentiousness in food, early maturity. Plus, such chickens adapt well to the external environment and different climatic conditions. And baby cockerels and colorful roosters fascinate the look at the photo.
Decorative chicken breeds
If we make a comparison between a simple and ornamental farm bird, then the former lose a little, since for the most part the latter develop and grow faster, therefore the enlightened part of farmer-entrepreneurs prefers just such breeds, because the economic component is especially important in bird breeding. The values that decorative chicken breeds provide are beyond doubt: fast growth, high egg production and delicious high-quality meat fully pay off all the money spent on purchasing and raising poultry.
At the age of one month, chickens of decorative farm breeds weigh from 300-350 g, in certain cases this figure is much higher and reaches 1 kg. This once again confirms that the leading position remains with this species of birds for agriculture.
Features of colored chickens
External characteristics are the first distinguishing mark. Decorative farm chickens have a well-developed large chest, a slightly elongated body and a relatively small head.
Considering their large weight, their bones are quite strong, the muscles are pronounced. The broiler breed is also unique in that it gives 300-350 eggs per year, and if you compare the figure with an ordinary chicken, you can understand that this is 100-150 eggs more.
Regarding the meat productivity of this breed, decorative farm chicken breeds have no competitors. On average, adult decorative roosters of this subspecies of farm birds reach 5-6 kg, and laying hens - 3-4 kg. In addition to the listed decorative breeds of chickens, they have the following features:
- High meat content.
- A good survival rate, it borders at around 96-98%.
- Uniform chick development.
- Low cost of meat.
All indicators are completely based on the conditions of feeding, maintenance, therefore, on average, 1 chicken from March to November can produce 150-200 chicks, which is an average of 300 kg of meat.
The main representatives of the decorative breed
These decorative chickens are of great value not only because the chickens lay eggs well and provide delicious dietary meat. They are also important for breeders, because in order to improve performance, they are crossed with other breeds.
French color
These domesticated chickens are described in sources as decorative farm dwarf chickens. The species bred was one of the most famous professionals in the world of breeding.The bird has high productivity, it lays eggs well, it is unpretentious in keeping, therefore it can eat both greens with food additives, and standard compound feed.
The uniqueness of the species lies in the fact that the paws and skin of pets have a yellow tint. Also, the characteristic mentions the brightness of the color. This variety is sometimes referred to as "home plant dwarf feathered hens." The dwarf cockerels which can be seen in the photo are very beautiful.
Naked Neck
This is the breed of the so-called "naked". Their plumage can be of different colors: black and green, and gray, and white (best of all, the range is demonstrated by pictures or videos with photographs).
These chickens are characterized by long legs, wide chest, back. They easily get along in regions with cold climates, but they have one small drawback: difficulties in reproduction. Hatching ornamental chickens are more likely to survive and have more strength. In this case, it is recommended to simply buy ready-made chicks, the price for them is higher than average, but they are worth it.
Hungarian Giants
The name and description already says a lot, the roosters are large, but the laying hens are dwarf here. This meat and egg breed is not afraid of high humidity and other unfavorable breeding conditions, so this breed is perfect for those who are just starting to breed poultry. Giants only need good feeding small poultry house and the possibility of walking.
The maternal instinct can be considered a strong point in chickens of such breeds, these are laying mothers, which in turn allows them to breed children in a natural way. The female independently forms the nest (a good farmer tries to think through all the moments so that the chicken feels comfortable) and then independently takes care of the offspring.
For this breed, neither rain nor slush is scary, feathers are silk and water-repellent, and a good feather cover allows you to differ from the rest. Coloring in orange-brown tones. In order for broilers to gain weight well, the farmer must carefully consider the diet, the ideal option would be feed with an increased level of protein in the composition.
Foxy chick
This is the best Japanese option for poultry. Having given preference to it, you will no longer need to look for additional data about how to feed or nursing broilers to gain weight quickly.
The weight of the egg is 60-70 g, the level of egg production is 200-250 eggs, the layers are small, their weight is up to 3 kg, the males weigh up to 6 kg. The fact how bright and dense their color is, is clearly demonstrated by pictures and photos on the Internet.
Cornish Chickens
Another bright representatives of the colored breed, which are characterized by normal weight gain. They are somewhat similar to giants, as they have a well-developed mother's instinct. The level of egg production is slightly lower than that of the rest, like the average chicken. Broilers start laying eggs at around 6-7 months. Against the background of the rest, this can be said to be a mini-breed, because the weight of the rooster reaches 4.5-5 kg, the weight of the egg is 60 g, they are small chickens very decorative and cute.
Master gris
This breed was bred in France and is one of the brightest representatives of colored broilers. Main characteristics:
- Endurance.
- Unpretentiousness.
- Calmness.
These are beautiful chickens of white and gray colors. The conditions of detention are the most common, so they can even live in cages... The survival rate of chickens is 97-98 percent.
Meat is characterized by dietary properties, low fat content. Therefore, in the season, the implementation of this breed breaks all records, nurseries offer a large selection of chicks.
RedBro
This beautiful breed of English decorative hens, which was bred by crossing, due to which it has a good development of the muscles of the legs. The plumage is most often red-brown, dark-red or red, white chickens are less common.Another feature is that they easily adapt to domestic feed and different climatic conditions, so they can be raised like regular chickens. This breed is distinguished by excellent health, pets are resistant to disease. Regarding nutrition, regular food suits them, although they eat much less.
If you are a lover of soft meat, then Red Bro and other decorative breeds of small chickens will not suit you, since they have fibrous products. Females begin to lay at the age of 6 months, on average they lay up to 250-300 eggs per year. The mass of a chicken during this period is 3 kg, and dwarf roosters, if it is an adult full-fledged individual, have about 4-4.5 kg.
Rules for growing decorative birds
Correct breeding of ornamental farm chickens involves 3 main points: an accurate feeding ration, a chicken coop and careful grooming. It is these criteria that subsequently affect the health of the poultry and its productivity, therefore, adherence to all requirements when growing broilers is mandatory.
- In no case should crowding be allowed during breeding. 10 chicks go to 1 sq. m, this is the norm.
- The bird can also be kept in a cage, but if there is the possibility of free movement, then this option is more acceptable.
- In the very first days of life for chicks, the temperature background should not be higher than 25 ° C, over time (every week) the temperature drops by 2 ° C.
- Feeders should be as illuminated as possible, there should be no drafts in the room.
You also need to maintain cleanliness and order. In no case should the increase in humidity in the room be allowed, then it will be possible to avoid frequent diseases in the bird.
Sawdust or straw is great as floor mats. The litter should be both soft and suitable for birds to pick up.
Diet for ornamental breeds
The quantity and quality of food is an important part of raising this type of chickens.
In specialized pet stores or veterinary pharmacies, you can buy high-quality feed, which, due to its balanced composition, will saturate the bird with minerals, vitamins and other useful substances necessary for young animals. Plus, the compound feed includes medicinal components that act as prophylactic agents against diseases.
In addition to dry food, other natural products should be on the poultry menu.
From literally 7 days of age, the farmer can introduce complementary foods from vegetables and herbs. A mash of dry food is prepared with the addition of vegetables (carrots, beets, cabbage, nettles, turnips, raw seeds are also added) on whey or yogurt.
For the skeleton and bones, for their formation and development to occur correctly, the bird needs calcium, which can be obtained from shells, chalk or the eggshell itself.
It is very important that the drinking water is clean and fresh, therefore care must be taken to ensure that no dirt gets into the water tank.
Food should not leave the feeders, because these birds grow and gain weight much faster than ordinary chickens, so they need to be fed often. It will be great if somewhere near the water there is gravel, which acts as an assistant in grinding grain, which in turn protects against metabolic disorders in the body.
It does not matter which breed of colored chickens was chosen by the manufacturer, they all have high performance. The main thing is that they are properly cared for, then the quality of the meat and the number of eggs and offspring produced will delight the breeder.