Cochinhin dwarf: description and characteristics of the breed of chickens, rules of keeping

The Dwarf Cochin is a decorative chicken breed that is suitable for small areas. Many mistakenly think that these birds are a smaller copy of ordinary Cochinchins. She is a full-fledged breed with certain traits and characteristics. When growing birds, it is worth providing them with full and high-quality care. It should include the proper arrangement of the house, nutrition, disease prevention.

Description and characteristics of dwarf cochinchins

Dwarf cochinchins have a number of features. This should be considered before breeding birds.

Appearance

Birds look like small fluffy balls. They are distinguished by a rounded body and abundant plumage.

Roosters

Rockerels have a small head with a strong and strong beak, which has a rich yellow color. Birds with dark feathers often have a slight coating on their beaks. At the same time, there is a straight comb on the head with uniform teeth and large cutouts. The head of the bird has a red tint and is decorated with the same rounded earrings. The eyes are yellow or orange. Birds with black plumage are characterized by brown eyes. Birds are distinguished by a short neck with a lush mane. It falls beautifully on the back and shoulders.

Roosters have a strong and wide body, which leans slightly forward. In the loins, the back is slightly raised and smoothly passes into the tail. She is covered with lush and abundant plumage.

The tail feathers are evenly spaced in a circle.At the same time, the braids differ in the same length as the steering feathers. Thanks to this, the tail looks like a ball. Birds have a broad chest and a full belly. The wings are broad and covered with short feathers. The shins are considered massive, but short. They are covered with a lot of feathers. The metatarsus is distinguished by a yellow color.

Chickens

Chickens of this breed have a more massive physique than roosters. At the same time, they are planted quite low, due to which they seem stocky. The feathers are soft and fluffy. The body of chickens is more inclined than that of males. The lumbar pillows are quite lush, due to which the females seem even more massive. Earrings and comb are distinguished by a red tint, but are smaller. In other moments, chickens resemble roosters.

Invalid signs

Chickens of this breed are often characterized by signs that do not meet the standards. These include the following:

• long and flat back and chest;
• white earlobes;
• dark leg shade;
• few feathers on metatarsals;
• long tail;
• dark coating on the beak of light birds.

Breed productivity

This is an ornamental variety of birds that does not stand out for its high productivity. The maximum egg production is 100-120 pieces per year. At the same time, 1 egg weighs 50-60 grams. Chickens of this breed are more active in laying eggs in winter and spring. Females, on average, weigh 3.5-4 kilograms, and roosters - 4.5-5. Young birds differ in average growth rates. By the end of 4 months, they weigh 2.5 kilograms. Puberty of birds occurs quite late, and therefore this breed is considered not the most suitable for obtaining eggs.

Character traits

Dwarf Cochinchins have a wonderful temperament. These are calm chickens that do not have a tendency to aggression. Even in stressful situations, they remain calm. Cochinchins are tame. They quickly get used to people and hardly endure the change of ownership.

Pros and cons

The key advantages of the breed include the following:

• attractive appearance;
• easy to eat;
• undemanding to the conditions of detention;
• well-developed maternal instinct;
• calm character;
• high egg production in winter;
• quality meat.

The disadvantages of chickens include the following:

• prone to obesity;
• late bird plumage;
• high price;
• late start of lay.

Specific maintenance and care

In order for birds to develop normally, they are advised to provide the right conditions.

Poultry

Dwarf Cochinchins tolerate frost very well. Therefore, it is permissible to keep them in areas with a decrease in temperature to -30 degrees. The poultry house needs to be heated only when the temperature drops to -12 degrees. Chickens are small in size. Because they do not need a lot of space in the chicken coop. In this case, it is worth making sure that the birds do not touch each other. Creating quality perches is essential.

To do this, you should use small bars that the birds can wrap their paws around. Keeping chickens on the floor is prohibited.

It is definitely recommended to control the dryness and cleanliness of the litter. It should be pretty small. Chopped sawdust and straw are suitable for this. Closed drinkers must be present in the poultry house to prevent birds from pouring water onto the litter.

Playing yard

Walking for these birds is recommended to organize in a clean place. It is located on a hill, far from groundwater. An excellent option for birds is short grass. They can walk and look for insects in it.

Shelt and lay break

During the molting period, chickens stop laying eggs. Although birds molt relatively quickly and painlessly, you should not expect them to lay eggs.

What to feed the breed?

In order for birds to develop normally and not get sick, they are recommended to provide full and high-quality food.

Adults

There are no special requirements for the diet of birds. It is recommended to follow these rules:

1. It is forbidden to overfeed birds and use too high-calorie food. This provokes obesity and negative consequences for birds. In this case, chickens should be put on a plant-based diet and sprouted cereals should be included in the menu.
2. The main product for chickens should be cereals. It is also permissible to use special feed formulations. They contain crushed cereals, meal, minerals and vitamins.
3. Give the birds the right amount of fat. They also require vitamin and mineral supplements.

Chickens

Chicks are recommended to be fed for the first time 5-6 hours after birth. In this case, they are given a boiled yolk with small cereals - wheat or corn. After 2 days, greens can be introduced into the diet. It is also worth adding calcium and vitamins to the menu. Since the chicks are small in size, it is recommended to give them crushed food for a longer time. It should have a crumbly consistency to avoid sticking to the inside of the crop. From 2-3 weeks, it is permissible to expand the diet.

Chicks that go out for a walk eat insects, greens, worms. Also, stones and sand, which are necessary for normal digestion, enter their body.

How to breed birds?

These birds are distinguished by a pronounced maternal instinct. Therefore, an incubator is not required. Breeding problems may arise at the stage of egg fertilization and the choice of incubation material. It is best to buy chicks from breeders.

To get eggs that are suitable for incubation, 4 hens require 1 cockerel. If there are more females, the number of unfertilized eggs increases. When selecting material for incubation, it is worth considering the weight of the eggs. They should weigh at least 35-40 grams. It is important that the material has the correct shape and a strong shell.

It is definitely recommended to adhere to the storage time of eggs for incubation. When the chicks hatch, the mother hen will heat and train them. Chickens are very slow growing. They gain 70 grams of weight per week. Development lasts up to 7-9 months. Feeding is carried out in the same way as other breeds.

Frequent diseases

The greatest danger to these birds is parasitic infestation. Livestock can suffer from attacks by fleas, ticks and lice. For preventive purposes, birds should be treated at least once a month. Birds are not prone to other pathologies.

The dwarf Cochinchin has a decorative appearance. At the same time, birds cannot boast of high productivity. To achieve success in breeding birds, they are recommended to provide full and high-quality care. At the same time, the birds will have to properly equip the house and provide them with a balanced diet.

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