White-crested Dutch chickens
Dutch chickens with white tufts are decorative breeds. At the same time, they retain good egg production. You can also get an average amount of meat from them. Of course, these are not broilers, but initially the breed was bred as a meat and egg. White-crested birds have been known for many centuries, now they are considered a kind of symbol of Holland.
Dutch chickens
Description of the breed
The exact pedigree of the Dutch white-crested chickens is unknown. The first description of a similar breed dates back to the 15th century. At that time, in many poultry yards in the Netherlands, one could see black or dark brown chickens that laid eggs well and gave a lot of meat, but they did not have crests. Around the 16th century, birds began to cross with white Polish crested hens. They have acquired today's beautiful appearance, but lost in performance. The old breed was recorded in many paintings by Dutch artists of the time.
The most notable feature of Dutch chickens is the white crest, which looks great both in photos and in real life. The feathers evenly cover the entire head, fall on both sides, but do not cover the eyes. They are black on the front, forming a pattern that resembles a butterfly. The rest of it is snow-white, without the slightest sign of yellowness. Holok resembles a huge fluffy ball or an original hairstyle with styling. The rest of the Dutch white-crested breed of chickens looks like this:
- The head is small, without a comb, with a specific bulge, from which the crest grows.
- There are small red earrings that hide behind the feathers.
- "Lichiko" without plumage, covered with thin red skin.
- The eyes are small, almost invisible, brown in color.
- The beak is medium, strong, gray or black.
- The body is compact, the chest protrudes forward, which is why the body has a trapezoid shape.
- The thighs are not very strong, because these are not broilers. Rather, they can be described as skinny. Paws are average, gray-black.
- Most chickens are black, but now Dutch white-crested layers with blue (gray slate, steel) and white plumage are bred.
It is better to see what the birds look like in the photo. The description will be incomplete, if not to say about the nature of the Dutch chickens. Crested layers are very picky, they do not tolerate the proximity of other breeds. Birds are shy and stressed. At the same time, they are very active and curious, constantly scurrying around the yard, looking for midges and bugs, looking into every corner. Cockerels do not show aggression towards each other, they make contact with the owner, but they hide or run away from strangers.
Breed productivity
If you want to raise chickens for meat, you need broilers. When the primary target is eggs, a thoroughbred laying hen is best. Dutch white-crested chickens are a decoration of the yard, their productivity fades into the background. Here is a summary of the performance of this breed:
- The weight of the cockerel is 2-2.5 kg, the chicken is 1.5-2 kg.
- The number of eggs is 140-150 pieces per year.
- The weight of one egg is 40-50 g.
- The eggshells are white and strong enough.
As you can see, the productivity of the white-crested breed is not too high. But considering that these chickens decorative, then it is quite acceptable. Chickens begin to hatch at 5.5-6 months. Most eggs are produced in the first year, then their egg production drops. They can live up to 4-5 years, but breeders recommend replacing the livestock every 2 years. When chickens are older, their meat becomes tough and fibrous. There is an increased risk that birds die from infection, their resistance to disease decreases further with age.
In addition to the standard white-crested breed, there is also a dwarf one. The weight of such chickens is no more than 0.8 kg, and the weight of cockerels is up to 0.9 kg. They carry small testicles weighing about 30 g. Egg production of dwarf chickens is 80 pieces per year. For those who raise Dutch chickens solely for their decorative qualities, the dwarf version will be more interesting. They look very cute, require less storage space and little feed.
Keeping chickens
Dutch white-crested chickens are whimsical birds. They require special conditions of detention. If they are violated, they often begin to hurt. The survival rate of an adult livestock does not reach more than 80%, even if all the rules are followed.
Although the Dutch laying hens were bred in the northern country, they are sensitive to cold, therefore it is necessary to install heating in the poultry house so that the temperature does not fall below 15-19 ° C in winter. In this case, the humidity should be 60-70%. Chickens also need space, they cannot be grown in cages or a closed chicken coop, only on free range.
For 1 sq. m of the poultry house can be kept no more than 2-3 individuals, and the place for walking is calculated so that for 1 individual there is 4-5 m.It is very important that bedding in the chicken coop has always been dry and clean, otherwise an epidemic of any infection may break out among the chickens. It is best to sprinkle slaked lime on the floor, and lay straw, sawdust or shavings on top. The litter is changed at least once a week.
Laying hens are arranged at a height of 30-40 cm from the ground, their area should be about 25-30 cm². Special care is needed for the tuft, because the purity of the breed is assessed by its purity. Feathers should be washed once a week. Some poultry farmers believe that the tuft should be trimmed, but this condition is optional.
Bird feeding
The correct diet is also important. You need to feed the chickens 3 times a day. Wet for lunch mash, which should be at least 30% of the total amount of food. In the evening and in the morning, feed the chickens with grain. The general diet consists of the following foods:
- Grain (wheat, oats, barley, corn) or compound feed for egg breeds.
- Legumes (peas, beans, vetch, lentils).
- Boiled potatoes, beets, carrots and other vegetables.
- Fresh herbs (in summer) or grass flour (in winter).
- Oilseed meal and cake.
- Fish fat.
- Reverse
- Brewer's yeast.
- Meat and bone meal.
- Calcium-rich substances (chalk, shells, fine gravel).
- Vitamin supplements.
It is important to remember that in winter the menu should be more nutritious, as more energy is used for heating. Also, keep in mind that chickens need animal proteins and fats. In the summer, they replenish their need with beetles and worms, which they find on their own. In winter, you need to crush them meat broths, reverse, cottage cheese or special fat and protein supplements.
Do not expect a Dutch rooster or chicken on good feed to recover quickly, these are not broilers, but this is one of the few species of ornamental birds that not only decorates the yard, but also lays eggs. Eating the right diet helps maintain and slightly increase productivity. In addition, good food strengthens the immune system, reducing the loss of livestock.
Breeding chickens
The Dutch white-crested breed of chickens reproduces well both naturally and by breeding eggs in incubator... Laying hens are good mothers, they perfectly hatch eggs and care for chicks. This characteristic is very useful, since the hatchability of Dutch chickens is low.True, pets can be aggressive towards chickens of other breeds.
The main problem with breeding is the low survival rate of young animals, which does not exceed 70% even with good care. In some cases, it is possible to lose more than half of the chicks, therefore, the chicks must not be taken out of sight during the first weeks. Adequate temperature and lighting must be provided. The best way to do this is a special brooder.
It is also necessary to ensure perfect cleanliness in the boxes, the litter is changed daily, or even twice a day. The room where chickens grow should be regularly ventilated and disinfected with an ultraviolet lamp. A solution of potassium permanganate, antibiotics and other drugs for the prevention of infections are added to drinkers with water.
You can only feed the chicks with fresh food. In the first days, they are given an egg, curd with finely chopped, pre-steamed greens, then porridge, grain, vegetables are added. Many poultry farmers prefer to feed the young with ready-made compound feed for chickens of egg breeds. You should not take compound feed that broilers eat. Dutch chickens will then lose in egg production, which they already have low, although they will gain weight faster.
How much do Dutch white-crested chickens cost? These chickens are quite rare, and therefore expensive. A hatching egg costs about 100 rubles. Daily chicks - 400-500 rubles. Chickens 40-60 days old - about 1000 rubles. Such prices are also associated with the fact that during breeding, part of the livestock is lost due to the low survival rate of chickens.