Characteristics of the Livensky breed of chickens
The Livensky breed of chickens is currently considered lost in Russia. Unfortunately, foreign crosses prevail at our Poultry Farms, and the domestic Livenskaya calico breed of chickens, which was once famous for its record large dimensions and egg sizes, has been forgotten. birds of this breed can today be found in private farmsteads, in people who have appreciated all their advantages and have excellent characteristics from Livonian calico chickens. The Livonian breed of chickens is also represented in the photo on the Internet.
Livenskaya calico breed of chickens
Origin
Even in the days of tsarist Russia, the Livensky district was famous for its large, highly productive hens, laying record-breaking large eggs, which were profitably sold abroad. Livensky chickens very quickly became famous and began to appear in private farms throughout the territory of the Russian Federation.
Livensky chickens were bred as a result of the work of domestic farmers by crossing various species with each other. An interesting fact is that in different regions the birds were strikingly different in appearance, and with distance from the Livensky district, the sizes of eggs decreased. Various exterior data did not allow the introduction of a single standard for the breed.
After the Second World War, it was urgently necessary to increase the production of egg and meat products, so the Livenskie chickens began to be bred everywhere in poultry farms. However, starting from the 60s, with the appearance of such a breed as Leghorn in our territories, the number of Leghorns began to gradually decline. As a result, by the 80s the Livensky calico breed of chickens remained only in rare private farms.
Until recently, the breed was considered completely lost, but 10 years ago, they began to actively discuss the Livensky calico chickens, which are in great demand on the territory of Ukraine. It is believed that it was on the lands of the Poltava region that the standard of the breed was preserved, completely destroyed in its homeland.
Exterior data
The Livenskaya calico breed of chickens is distinguished by its large-sized representatives. The weight of the male is about 4.5 kg, and the female is 3.5 kg. Description of the Livensky calico chickens:
- medium-sized head;
- the crest is most often in the form of a leaf, not too large;
- beak of medium length, often yellow;
- the auricles and earrings are bright red;
- powerful chest;
- horizontal, elongated body;
- the wings are short, closely pressed to the body;
- paws are powerful, short, can be yellow or black, sometimes even green.
The plaits are well developed. The plumage is loose, lush. In the color of the feathers, black, white and yellow shades alternate, with a silvery or golden tint, the overwhelming majority of individuals are chintz color, thanks to which the breed got its name in more detail, you can see the Liven chickens in the video.
Production data
The Livenskaya calico breed belongs to the late-ripening group.Puberty occurs at the age of eight months, but occasionally there are individuals that begin to rush at 5-6 months. The average statistical production data for the year is 150 large and very tasty eggs in any form of preparation.
Egg production is seasonal. In the period from 3 to 5 months from the first oviposition, the Livenskaya chintz chicken carries 50% of the entire annual norm. A very important moment in the rapid breeding of poultry was the possibility of reproduction in the spring. It was at this time that half of the females began to croak and sit on eggs, and the hatched young animals had time to fully mature before the onset of cold weather.
The egg of the Livensky chickens has a weight of 70-80 g; 30% of the total mass is the yolk, 12% is the shell. The amount of dense protein in the testicles of the Lieven chicken is much higher than that of representatives other breeds... The eggs themselves have a rounder structure than other poultry, a yellowish shell. Taste qualities depend on the diet that Liven chickens receive, as well as on the season. The meat has excellent taste. The taste of giblets is extremely highly appreciated - they are used to make pies.
Advantages and disadvantages
Breed advantages:
- large-sized eggs carried by Livonian chicken always with excellent taste;
- meat carcasses;
- the bird is completely picky in the choice of food;
- the species has good immunity;
- chickens of the Livensk breed have a high survival rate;
- pets adapt perfectly to any weather conditions, they can survive the winter even in an unheated barn.
Disadvantages include late puberty. Chickens of the Livensky calico breed, unlike other poultry, fledge rather late, therefore, during the period of active growth, they must live in a heated room under constant supervision. Chicks are very shy and restless. Some poultry farmers, leaving their reviews, single out cannibalism from the shortcomings. Very often observed pecking eggs, plucking of feathers by older individuals in young animals. A chicken can eat a newly laid egg.
Care and maintenance
The birds are large in structure, so they need to be kept in a spacious room, providing sufficient walking. Representatives of this breed love to go out even in winter. An increase in egg production in the cold period is facilitated by the introduction of horse manure into the diet.
It is not necessary to additionally insulate the house for the winter, but it is necessary to ensure that the genital litter was dry. Ideally, place chickens in the same barn with cattle, only equip the seats for them separately. You should not set the nests too high, because the individuals are large and heavy (especially the rooster), therefore they cannot fly too high. To avoid damage to the eggs, the optimum number of nests must be provided.
As a rule, representatives of the breed do not conflict with each other, however, if they see a cracked egg, they will immediately eat it, and it will be very difficult to wean them from pecking later. If suddenly this happened, you need to determine the individual that pecks the eggs, isolate it, and put plaster or clay blendes in the nests. It is recommended to introduce sufficient calcium into the diet to avoid cannibalism among chickens. To do this, a box with crushed shellfish or chalk is installed in the chicken coop. Fast weight gain can provide the introduction of a special combined feed from various grain crops into the diet of chickens, and you can also pamper chicks with chicken entrails. For normal development, chickens need animal proteins. Adding to wet feathers will help improve the quality of plumage and accelerate its growth. mash ashes from bird feathers or ash. An optimal supply of vitamins and minerals must be ensured.
Experienced poultry farmers recommend harvesting vegetable crops for the winter; they are loved by Livonian chickens, dried nettles, as well as branch feed, which is steamed and given along with mash. The largest rooster from the herd goes to slaughter, because under its weight, the skin on the back of females can be damaged during mating. Any open wound on the pestle's body can turn into chicken cannibalism.
Experienced farmers' opinion
Reviews of the owners of private farms who have acquired representatives of the breed are mostly positive. Most write that they did not notice such a defect as cannibalism in pets. Often, cannibalism manifests itself with an insufficiently balanced diet, so its appearance is the fault of the poultry farmers themselves.
The characteristics of the taste of eggs exceed all expectations. Those who consume raw eggs say they taste strikingly different from other poultry sources. Experienced housewives have learned how to make pies from chicken giblets. Their taste and smell will be appreciated not only by lovers of good and satisfying food, but also by gourmets.
Final part
Today, unfortunately, there are very few representatives of such a breed as the Livensky calico chickens. True, until recently, the species was considered completely lost. The bird is found in private farmsteads of connoisseurs of chicken beauty in Ukraine. Having looked once at the birds, the Livens chickens in the photo, it is impossible not to fall in love. Individuals are distinguished by an unusual plumage color. Most of the individuals have a calico color, which is why the species got its name. As if with an artist's brush, feathers are painted, a bright comb, a proud head, why are they not handsome?
The Livonian calico rooster is distinguished by its large size, majestic bearing. The maximum weight of a male can reach 5 kg, a female - 3.5 kg. Chickens begin to lay at eight months of age, with improved conditions and a balanced diet at 6-7 months. The maximum weight of 1 egg can be 90 g, which is simply gigantic by chicken standards. The flavor characteristics of meat and eggs are impressive.
Keeping chickens of this breed is quite simple: they are completely unpretentious to living conditions and feed. The only thing to consider is the size of the birds, so you will have to allocate more space for the pets. In winter, it is not necessary to insulate the poultry house, because these representatives perfectly tolerate frosts and are distinguished by good immunity.
A big disadvantage of the breed is a predisposition to chicken cannibalism. To avoid pecking the young, the largest rooster is always sent to slaughter so that it cannot damage the hens' skin on the back during mating. Many experienced poultry farmers believe that this phenomenon occurs only in the case of improper content and a lack of vitamins and calcium in the feed. Detailed photos and videos will tell you well about the correct content and features of caring for the Livensky breed of chickens. If you wish, you can purchase a small herd of several hens in which there is a not closely related rooster and have a motley noisy crowd in the courtyard, pleasing to the eye and bringing benefit.