Padua chickens: description and characteristics of the breed, rules of keeping and care

Paduan chickens look unusual. These birds have a decorative appearance and serve as a real decoration of the poultry yard. The birds are decorated with an interesting tuft that looks original. To grow chickens successfully, it is recommended to properly care for them. At the same time, it is worth properly organizing the space in the chicken coop and ensuring proper feeding.

Origin story

Paduans were bred in the seventeenth century in Italy - in the city of Padua. It is with this that the name of the breed is connected. Chickens came to Russia in 1763.They were brought by German merchants. Initially, the birds were descendants of the Russian Pavlovian breed. There is also a version of the origin of birds in English farms, from which they came to Italy. Today there are different types of such chickens - blue, silver, golden.

Currently, the breed is decorative. It is bred to decorate the poultry yard and participate in exhibitions. At the same time, there are breeders who raise birds to obtain delicious dietary meat. In terms of characteristics, it surpasses the meat of other chickens.

Description and characteristics of paduan chickens

Padua chickens are distinguished by their decorative appearance. They are characterized by a number of features.

Exterior breed

Distinguishing these birds from other breeds is easy. On the head of birds there is a lush crest. At the same time, they lack scallops, lobes and other processes. The bottom of the neck is covered with a dense layer of feathers. That's why it looks massive.When moving, the body of chickens is at an angle of 45 degrees. Birds are characterized by a blue or purple color of the limbs. Chickens are distinguished by a strong beak of a curved shape. Sometimes it has a pale blue tint - it all depends on the genes.

The tail of these birds is long and wide. This applies to both chickens and roosters. This part of the body makes the birds proud and graceful. Birds are characterized by a rounded breast, which protrudes slightly forward. In addition, it is worth noting the impressive length of the limbs.

Varieties of Paduans

Several varieties of chicken breeds are known, each with a unique feather color.

Shamoah

This variety of birds is characterized by a mixed shade of feathers. The middle is golden brown and the border is white.

Silver

Such birds are distinguished by white feathers that have a black border.

Golden

This is a spotted variety of birds. Birds are distinguished by golden yellow feathers. They also come in golden red. The plumage border is black.

Bird productivity

Ornamental birds do not have high egg-laying parameters. In a year, they are able to carry no more than 110-120 eggs weighing 40-50 grams. However, the breed is not bred for this purpose. It is grown mainly for the purpose of obtaining offspring. The egg production of birds begins relatively late. Birds lay their first eggs at 6-7 months.

Character traits

Birds are distinguished by a calm and balanced character. They are non-confrontational, trusting and friendly. Birds are highly intelligent and easy to train. Hens can be taught to eat from the hands or sit on the shoulders of the owner. If there is a desire, the bird can be made a real pet.

Sometimes poultry farmers note the irascibility of birds, the manifestation of jealousy or other negative characteristics. However, this is more related to the individual characteristics of birds and depends on the conditions of detention. Aggression is more often shown by roosters. At the same time, chickens are characterized by a calm disposition.

Pros and cons

Before breeding chickens, it is recommended to analyze their characteristics. The key benefits of birds include the following:

• beautiful and unusual appearance;
• various feather colors;
• opportunity to teach and train birds;
• lean meat - it is acceptable to include it in the diet;
• possibility of using down to fill blankets and pillows.

At the same time, chickens also have certain disadvantages. These include the following:

• bad brooding instinct;
• cold intolerance;
• prone to colds;
• low productivity.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

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

Coop Requirements

Chickens need a reliable coop. Do not build it out of brick or concrete. These materials absorb the cold. Heating such a room can be quite difficult. In order for the birds to feel good and not get sick, the temperature should be at least + 10-14 degrees. In addition, full protection against drafts is important.

It is not recommended to make a concrete floor in the poultry house. Chickens can peck at it, which will lead to damage to the paws and beak. This coating is especially dangerous in winter. It leads to cold paws, which causes dangerous colds.

The best option for making the floor is compacted soil or clay. It is also acceptable to use wood flooring or sawdust. Perches may be of medium height. However, it is not recommended to make them multi-level. The best option for the location of the perch is a height of 50-60 centimeters. Each bird should have 40 centimeters of the bar.

The room should be quite spacious - padua are not allowed to be kept in cages, as this does not distinguish well in their appearance. Thick feathers prevent chickens from drinking. Therefore, they need the construction of nipple drinkers. If this is not done, the head will remain constantly wet, which often provokes the development of a cold.

Place for walking

Chickens should not walk in the cold or in the rain. This can lead to colds. If the birds are free-range, they should make a canopy. It is required in case of rain. It is recommended that chickens do not walk in the mud.

In wintertime

In winter, it is recommended to insulate the floor in the chicken coop. To do this, mix hay and peat and place it in a thick layer on the floor. It is recommended to qualitatively insulate the room in which chickens live. They should not be affected by drafts or low temperatures. This will ensure the he alth of the birds.

Shelt and lay break

This breed of chickens has a long molting period. For some birds, this process lasts all winter. Therefore, birds are recommended to be kept warm. Any hypothermia can lead to negative consequences.

Strengthening the diet is of great importance. It should be higher in calories. Even if the molt ends in the fall, the laying hens stop laying for the whole winter. Already in the third year, productivity parameters are reduced by 15-20%. At this point, it is recommended to perform a scheduled replacement of livestock.

What to feed the breed?

In order for birds to grow normally and not get sick, they need the right diet. It is best to feed the birds with high-quality dry compound feed. It is also possible to make them yourself. To do this, use the following:

• feed grain - perfect for corn, peas, oats;
• sunflower meal;
• vitamins and minerals - it is permissible to use special complexes.

It is recommended to introduce vegetables, fruits, herbs into the diet. In this case, you should not use growth stimulants, hormones or other synthetic additives. They negatively affect the immune system and the he alth of chickens.

Regular drinkers are prohibited for birds of this breed. Constant contact of the beard with water will cause the head to remain constantly wet. This will cause hypothermia and the development of a cold. Due to the adherence of dirt, there is a risk of attack by parasites.For the same reason, chickens should not be given wet food. To avoid problems, it is recommended to use a nipple drinker.

Specific breeding of Paduans

Paduans don't hatch eggs. For laying hens, care for offspring is not typical. Therefore, it is recommended to breed birds only when using an incubator. It is also acceptable to find a hen of a different breed and use it to hatch padua. Sometimes farmers even use turkeys for this purpose. They are distinguished by their scrupulous attitude towards the chicks.

Chicks hatch from 80-90% of eggs. Chickens are tiny and he althy. The survival rate of the breed is 80-85%. Chickens are fast growing. They become covered with feathers in a short time, but gain body weight rather slowly.

In the first days of life, birds need a lot of attention, they need specific care.Until the chicks have thermoregulation, they should be kept warm. Chicks are recommended to be placed in a box that is distinguished by dense walls. In this case, it is permissible to use a warming lamp. The temperature should be around 30 degrees. It is recommended to control the dryness of the litter. It should be changed several times a day.

From the 8th day of life, it is recommended to start lowering the temperature in the container by 2 degrees every day. Under natural conditions, without heating, the chicks can be from the 25th day of life. In winter, it will be possible to do without warming from day 30.

Chickens are recommended to be fed 5-6 times a day. The more often the chicks eat, the faster they will get stronger and begin to grow and become covered with feathers. From 4-5 weeks, the number of feedings is recommended to be reduced to 3 times. In this case, it is important to follow a clear scheme. The basis of the diet should be a mixture of eggs and boiled millet. You should also add green onions to the mix.This product is antibacterial and helps protect chicks from intestinal infections.

Cottage cheese will be a useful addition to the menu. It is required for the development of bone structures. From 3-4 weeks, it is worth gradually introducing steamed compound feed into the menu. It should be distinguished by a special grinding. The menu will have to enter boiled vegetables.

Chickens need access to clean drinking water to grow and develop normally. It is worth adding additional components to it - ascorbic acid, glucose. Also, weak black tea will be a useful ingredient. These supplements help improve digestive function and strengthen the immune system.

Frequent illnesses

Birds are sensitive to dampness and cold. They can easily catch a cold or become infected with viruses. If there is contact with wild birds, there is a risk of infection with avian influenza. Birds can hardly tolerate this disease. Proper nutrition, vaccination and proper care will help protect against other diseases.

Chickens of this breed are very popular among fans of unusual birds. They have a characteristic crest on the head and a varied color of plumage. In order for birds to grow and develop normally, they need optimal conditions of detention. At the same time, it is recommended to properly organize the room and provide good nutrition.

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