Black rooster (Indonesian): description and characteristics of the breed, pros and cons

The black Indonesian rooster is considered a representative of the Ayam Tsemani breed. These birds are characterized by a very unusual appearance. They differ sharply from other chickens in appearance with their black color. Indonesia is considered the birthplace of these birds. Translated from the language of this country, the name means "black chicken". It is noteworthy that this color is characteristic not only for feathers, but also for the insides.

Description of the breed

Unusual chickens come from the Indonesian islands - the outskirts of the town of Solo, which is located in Central Java. According to scientists, the ancestors of modern black chickens first appeared there.

Black chickens belong to the Ayam Tsemani breed. At the same time, according to experienced breeders, there are no purebred representatives of this breed. They are all considered half-breeds to one degree or another. For a long time, such birds remained unknown to Europeans. Dutch settlers began to study them only in the twenties of the last century.

Appearance and features

The main sign of the breed is its color. The chicken should be completely black - no light areas on the chest, metatarsus or tip of the tongue. Representatives of this breed are small in size. The mass of adult hens is 1.5 kilograms, while roosters weigh 2.

Well-developed legs are considered a characteristic feature of representatives of this breed. Chickens run fast enough and with pleasure. Therefore, the aviary must be fenced. Doors must be opened very carefully so that the birds do not slip out.

Ayam Tsemani chickens are characterized by a trapezoidal body shape. In this case, the chest protrudes forward. The head is small. It has a short beak and a medium-sized carved crest. Roosters have a bushy tail with pronounced embossed braids.

Despite the fact that the breed is considered quite ancient, the birds have not lost their cockiness. In general, they do not tolerate the presence of people and are afraid of them, trying to find a secluded place. Birds do not like to be touched and may start to defend themselves, turning into a fighting mood. Therefore, it is better not to disturb the chickens unnecessarily. It is recommended to observe these unusual birds from afar.

Conflicts are possible only between roosters. At the same time, they are in the nature of competitions. After the approval of the dominant positions, the competition is terminated. All individuals are characterized by great curiosity. In addition, they tend to be noisy with each other.

Selection and domestication have not touched the basic instincts. This is why chickens don't leave their nests. They take care of the chicks. At the same time, the survival parameters of young animals are at the level of 95-100%. Incubation has standard terms and lasts 21 days.

Distribution area

Representatives of this breed came to Europe in 1998. They were brought to Holland by the breeder Steverink. Currently, such birds are bred quite rarely. They are mainly found on farms in the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Also, these birds are grown in the USA, Ukraine, Belarus.

Distinctive features of purebreds

Real purebred chickens of this breed must be completely black. This color is typical for feathers, comb, beak, throat, paws and claws, skin. It is the color that is considered the main distinguishing feature of the representatives of this breed.

Bird productivity

The Ayam Tsemani breed is not very productive. However, the quality of the products that are obtained from these chickens fully justifies the cost and effort of growing. Black chicken meat is considered quite popular not only because of its unusual appearance, but also because of the high protein content, low fat content and excellent taste.

Adult roosters weigh no more than 2 kilograms, and chickens - 1.5. The disadvantage of the breed can be considered a long period of maturation. Males reach maturity and are ready to breed only at 10-12 months, and chickens - at 6-7.

One hen is capable of bringing about 120-130 eggs during the year. In composition and other properties, the product is no different from other varieties. The main feature is considered to be a hard and thick shell, which is characterized by a light pink tint. During the molting period and in winter, chickens give fewer eggs - 1-2 per week.

What chicken eggs look like

This breed produces cream-colored eggs that are light pink in color and weigh about 45 grams.

Nuances of breed breeding

Black chickens are highly sensitive to loud sounds. Any noise makes the birds more restless. Therefore, the poultry house needs to be placed in a quiet place. It should be on a hill or in the back of the yard.

Birds tend to be active. Therefore, it is not recommended to populate the barn too tightly. There should be a maximum of 2 adults per 1 square meter. The floors and walls of the chicken coop must be insulated, since Indonesian layers do not perceive the effects of cold well. As for the height of the room, it should be 2 meters. The walls need to be treated with lime. This will help to avoid active reproduction of pathogens.

An important requirement for arranging a chicken coop is to create a high-quality ventilation system.Full air exchange is required for the he alth of birds. The temperature regime suitable for Ayam Tsemani is + 15-25 degrees. It is important to ensure that the indicators do not fall below, as this will lead to the cessation of laying. To maintain an optimal indoor climate, it is recommended to heat the chicken coop in winter.

The floor should be covered with sawdust with the addition of peat. Every month you need to add fresh material. In spring and autumn, the bedding is completely changed. At the same time, it is recommended to carry out general cleaning in the chicken coop. In this case, the floor, walls and tools must be treated with disinfectants.

Chickens need roosts to sleep at night. Representatives of the Ayam Tsemani breed fly well, therefore it is permissible to place perches 80-100 centimeters from the floor. Each bird should have 30 centimeters of perch. Equally important is the installation of nest boxes - 1 piece for 5-6 birds.They need to be covered with straw or sawdust and put in a dark place that is reliably protected from drafts.

Feeders and drinkers are recommended to be placed in such a way that they can be approached from each side. For 1 individual, it is recommended to allocate 15 centimeters of feed tape. Separate containers should be used for dry grain mixes and wet food.

When caring for birds, it is important to consider that they have a shy nature. It is recommended to enter the poultry house with extreme caution. Do not make noise or make sudden movements.

Representatives of the Ayam Tsemani breed are considered to be very temperamental and agile birds. In the warm season, they need to spend more time outdoors. Therefore, birds need to equip an aviary. It should be attached to the poultry house on the south side. To prevent the birds from flying out of the area for walking, it is recommended to enclose it not with a net. And this is done not only around, but also from above.

When breeding Ayam Tsemani chickens, it is imperative to take care of their he alth. These birds are subject to the same pathologies as other chickens. Pedigree laying hens are recommended to be vaccinated against such diseases;

• coccidiosis;
• laryngotracheitis;
• Marek's disease;
• salmonellosis;
• infectious bronchitis;
• adenoviral infection.

To protect birds from dangerous viruses, it is important to keep the chicken coop clean and make sure that rodents do not get into the room. To prevent infection of birds with skin parasites, it is important to systematically treat the floor, walls and tools. In this case, it is recommended to use insect-acaricides.

In the chicken coop, it is imperative to place a basin with a mixture of sand and ash. Chickens bathe in such a bath, and it helps to clean their feathers from ticks, fleas and bedbugs.

What to feed Ayam Tsemani

Ayam Tsemani chickens eat the same feed as regular laying hens. The basis of the diet of birds should be ready-made feed. In this case, it is worth giving preference to compositions for egg breeds. They include nutrients that birds need and vitamins to increase egg production.

In addition to compound feed, it is permissible to use the following for nutrition:

• wheat sprouts;
• fresh or dried grass - while it is permissible to use dandelions, plantain, nettle;
• boiled fish without bones;
• low-fat cottage cheese;
• vegetables - you should use cucumbers, carrots, zucchini, pumpkin;
• mineral supplements - suitable options include shell rock, chalk, fine gravel, yeast, fish oil.

In the summer, chickens need to be fed twice a day. This is worth doing in the morning and evening as the birds feed outside and eat grass, worms and bugs. In winter, it is worth feeding the birds three times a day. During the day they need to be given wet mash.

It is important to avoid overfeeding birds. The appearance of excess weight in chickens negatively affects their reproductive functions. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly determine the amount of feed. Experienced farmers advise putting birds as much food as they can eat in 30-40 minutes. Surplus must be removed.

Advantages and disadvantages of birds

The only advantages of this breed are their unusual appearance and excellent taste of meat. At the same time, Ayam Tsemani chickens have many disadvantages. The main disadvantages include the following:

• high cost of chickens;
• difficult breeding;
• cocky and shy character;
• low productivity;
• low stress tolerance;
• demanding to growing conditions.

The black rooster is considered a representative of the Ayam Tsemani breed, which has a number of characteristic features. These birds have an unusual color and tasty meat. However, they are very expensive, so they are considered quite rare.

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