Xin Xin Dian chicken breed
Chickens Xin-Xin Dian are originally from China, they belong to the egg direction. Every year they are gaining popularity due to their unpretentiousness, high productivity and attractive appearance. Interestingly, the original idea was to breed a fighting breed, but the result was a peaceful, egg-laying hen, small in size, capable of carrying up to 200 eggs per year.
Xin Xin Dian chicken breed
Description of the breed
The hesitation of farmers between egg and beef breeds often leads to a compromise when choosing the meat and egg direction.
An interesting option was the Xin-Xin Dian breed, which appeared more than 20 years ago in Shanghai. The rather ordinary appearance of chickens is compensated by the unusual color of eggs and their properties, which were used to treat diseases of the digestive, immune, endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
The cost of an egg for incubation is 70 rubles per piece, young animals - 180, adults - 1200. Prices may vary significantly depending on the region.
Appearance
At first glance, they have all the characteristics of an egg breed. But the weight of an adult bird and a well-developed sternum indicate mixed characteristics.
Nevertheless, there are standards for this breed, which appeared as a result of a set of measures to improve the already existing species of Uheyilui. The result was chickens, outwardly similar to their ancestors, but with a more peaceful attitude, obedient, with an instinct for incubation.
The color of the feathers is predominantly black, there are specimens with reddish or red plumage, they are considered an exception.
Scarlet earrings and a comb look spectacular on a black background. The weight of an adult bird ranges from 1.2 to 2 kg. Roosters are traditionally larger than chickens. Powerful belly, wings of medium size, tightly pressed to the sides and relatively small tibia give a squat appearance. Birds mature quickly, reaching full maturity by 5 months.
Character
Ironically, from the original fighting breed, chickens took only curiosity and a craving for flying. They easily overcome fences, but come back in the evening.
They are not cocky, they calmly get along in the same yard with representatives of other breeds. Fights and a showdown are possible only between adult cocks. In most cases, they end up with a demonstration of superiority and nominal submission of a weaker rival.
They spend the night only in the chicken coop, on the roost. They rush in prepared nests, do not have the habit of hiding or pecking them up.
Incubation instinct
With a large number of positive qualities, the hens of them are bad. Chickens have a highly developed instinct, they steadfastly incubate until the last chick comes out, if something happens to the brood and the chicken has lost them, it can sit down again in a few days.
Breeding is carried out in a natural way, the incubator is only needed to quickly increase the number of livestock.
Productivity
The high degree of egg production guaranteed the breed popularity among farm owners. The average number of eggs from 1 hen is 196 - 250 pieces. per year with a weight of 55-60 g.
It is important that the hatching of eggs and the survival rate of 3-day-old chicks reaches 95-98%. At the same time, the peculiarity of the breed is inherited, which speaks not of a hybrid origin, but of a full-fledged form, and chickens with preserved leading qualities are the best confirmation of this.
An interesting pattern is observed in the color of eggs. Their number in chickens of different colors is approximately the same, and the shade of the shell in black individuals is bluish, green or marsh, in red and red ones it approaches brown. The composition and useful properties are identical.
Advantages and disadvantages
The breed has a calm disposition.
The view turned out to be successful, the advantages are:
- calm disposition;
- ability to adapt;
- unpretentiousness in the stern;
- rapid growth and reaching adulthood;
- high survival rate and percentage of fertilized eggs;
- stable immunity to typical diseases.
Relative disadvantages, according to the owners, are considered the love of flying over the fence, high susceptibility to cold.
This breed requires an insulated chicken coop with additional light sources and vitamin supplementation in the winter-spring period.
Breeding features
For stable production of eggs and maintaining the health of the bird, you should prepare the chicken coop for wintering in advance. The reason for the termination of carrying is a sharp cold snap, a decrease in daylight hours, a deficiency of nutrients and minerals.
For positive dynamics you will need:
- additional lighting, 12-14 hours a day;
- provision of artificial heating and humidity control;
- compliance with the density of no more than 6 individuals per 1 sq. m .;
- constant presence of litter of sawdust, straw or peat;
- regular organization of an ash bath;
- walking in the warm season;
- vitamin support during molting;
- with a significant livestock, strictly follow the vaccination schedule.
Subject to the list of requirements, chickens are able to maintain egg production for 3 years, after this period it is necessary to gradually replace the livestock.
Incubation
Chickens of the Xin-Xin Dian breed have a superbly developed hatching instinct, the hatching period is 21 days, there may be a delay for individual eggs by 1-2 days.
The hen in the nest is waiting for the last chick. After 2 days, the remaining eggs must be removed from the nest.
With artificial withdrawal, the timing is the same, regular turning is required, the temperature is kept within 38 for the first 4 days at a humidity of 60%, then the readings are reduced to 37.5 and 55%, respectively.
Chick feeding
For good immunity and rapid growth, specialized finely crushed combined feed is used. They already contain a complex of vitamins, including essential trace elements, oils and bone meal.
Feed and water are given in separate containers; drinkers are best used with a dispenser.
Chick care
Chicks are demanding on light, temperature and moisture. On the first day, the backlight will not turn off, if necessary, a special lamp is additionally connected to provide additional heat.
The optimum temperature is 30 °. On the 2-3rd day, gradual accustoming to darkness is read, within several days the heat decreases. It should be remembered that the breed does not tolerate frost, chickens are also vulnerable in this regard and can suffer from drafts, although their survival rate is very high. The rest of the care rules are equal to the generally accepted ones.
Maintenance of adults
Birds need a lot of water
Chickens are not demanding on the amount and composition of food in the warm season. They make up for what is missing with green mass, pecking up blades of grass and seeds, but a lot of water is required. Moreover, it must be fresh, drinkers are regularly treated with disinfecting compounds.
Chicken coop requirements
In order to maintain the activity of the birds and prevent premature aging of the livestock, it is necessary that the room for their keeping is:
- clean;
- warm;
- dry;
- spacious;
- protected from drafts;
- with additional light sources;
- free access to the courtyard.
Food
There are no special recommendations, except for an increase in the vitamin component during the molt period. It is best to feed the bird early in the morning and late in the evening at the same time.
Whole grains are saved for the evening hours, vitamin supplements are given in the morning. Continuous access to fresh water should be ensured.
Place for walking
It should be securely fenced off with a high fence or net, since chickens of this breed fly well. In a separate segment, sand is poured, it can be mixed with a crushed shell, the mixture is necessary to improve digestion. Concrete and asphalt surfaces are excluded.
Possible diseases
The breed's immunity is high; with regular vaccination, they are resistant to the main diseases:
- pullorosis;
- chicken pox;
- tuberculosis;
- psittacosis.
To maintain health and early diagnosis, regular examination of each bird is required, monitoring the level of activity, condition of feathers, appetite.
Owner reviews
Most of them are positive, there is an unpretentiousness of chickens to feed and conditions of detention, excellent indicators of weight gain and egg production, and resistance to diseases.
Every year the number of orders for hatching eggs and young grows, which indicates the interest of the owners of subsidiary farms in the Xin-Xin Dian breed of chickens.