Shabo chickens: description and characteristics of the breed, features of keeping, diet

Dwarf-type chickens of the Japanese Shabo breed have been known in poultry farming since ancient times. For the first time from Japan, miniature chickens were brought to China at the beginning of the 17th century; representatives of the breed migrated to Europe only in the 19th century. A distinctive feature of the breed is short legs and curly plumage. Currently, Shabots are grown in private farms to obtain eggs and give decorative effect to the chicken herd.

Description of the Shabo breed

The feature of the breed, by which Shabo can be unmistakably identified in the chicken community, is short legs, contrasting with a powerful squat torso. These decorative chickens lead an inactive lifestyle, are distinguished by a calm disposition and tolerance for relatives.

Bird Exterior

Features of the appearance of chickens of the Japanese breed Shabo:

• short legs in contrast with a powerful body;
• small head with a small crest hanging to the side;
• tail without braids;
• short back;
• wings touching the ground;
• color - combinations of different shades: from white to silver-black.

Short legs are the genetic standard of the breed. In color, golden, yellow color is acceptable.

Chickens

Distinguish between cockerels and hens, especially at a young age, is quite difficult. Females are smaller than males and weigh about 500 grams. Also, there are no sharp feathers on the tail of the hens, the head of the females is smaller than the head of the rooster.

Petushkov

Roosters in the herd can be identified by their behavior, they are more active, trying to protect the hens. In addition, males are noticeably larger, the chest of males is more powerful and wider, the tail is more magnificent, the wings are long and wide.

Temperament

Japanese decorative Shabo chickens are known for their friendliness and highly developed herd instinct.

Shabo can not be kept alone and in pairs, the chicken community must contain at least 10 individuals.

Females have a pronounced maternal instinct. Often farmers use Shabo hens to hatch eggs of other breeds of hens.

Due to their short legs, Shabots lead a sedentary lifestyle, the life span of miniature birds is short.

Chicken productivity

For decorative breeds of chickens, Shabo's productivity is average, up to 85 eggs per year, with an average weight of one egg of 30 grams.

Pros and cons

The main advantages of the Asian breed of Shabo chickens include:

• compliant, calm and friendly character;
• highly developed maternal instinct;
• small areas are used for walking;
• Growing uses a small amount of feed.

From the shortcomings, farmers distinguish:

1. It is possible to keep in the herd together only with other miniature breeds of birds.
2. Chicken community must consist of at least 10 layers and 1 rooster.
3. Food should be of high quality and balanced.
4. Small life expectancy.
5. Medium egg production and small egg size.

Shabo are beautiful decorative chickens suitable for growing in small private farms.

Features of the content of the breed

In order for the birds to feel good, not get sick, it is important to ensure a stable thermal regime in the chicken coop, to create a microclimate. The room must be dry, well ventilated and free of drafts.

Climate and thermal conditions

Shabo is a heat-loving type of chickens; in rooms with low temperatures, birds often get sick and die. All walls, floor and ceiling in the chicken coop must be insulated. The optimum ambient temperature in the house is +18 ^С.

Straw and sawdust are used as bedding on the floor.

Note! Styrofoam is not used as a material for bedding, birds will begin to peck at it, which will disrupt their digestive system, and death will occur.

Arrangement of the chicken coop

Shabo spend the night on perches that must be installed in the house at a height of 130-150 centimeters. The length of the perch is 5 meters.

In a room with chickens, 2-3 nests with straw bedding are installed. Feeders and drinkers are placed in different parts of the house so that the leftover feed of the chicken does not mix with drinking water.

It is important to clean the chicken coop regularly, remove uneaten food in a timely manner, change the water twice a day.

In the chicken coop it is necessary to debug the air ventilation system, while there should be no drafts. Remaining feed from the feeders should be removed regularly, mold and dampness should not be allowed to develop in the chicken room.

Walking

Despite their sedentary lifestyle, Shabo chickens love to go for walks. Walking for birds must be provided in the warm season. It is noticed that egg production at this time increases, chickens are happy to pluck grass, dig worms and insects.

It is recommended to install a canopy over the walking area, which will protect the hens from rain and bright sun on a hot day. In winter, Shabo do not walk, from low temperatures the bird gets sick and dies.

What to feed the birds?

Shabo eat little, but it is not recommended to save on the quality of feed. Birds need additional vitamins and microelements during molting, incubation of chicks.

Chickens

The diet of adult birds is different from that of chickens. Young growth is recommended to be fed with the yolk of a hard-boiled egg, later soaked wheat bran and rice flour, boiled vegetables are introduced.

At the age of 3 weeks, chicks are fed with chalk, mineral supplements, additionally give cottage cheese.

Adults

Shabo Standard Diet:

• meat and bone meal;
• fresh chopped greens;
• grain;
• cottage cheese;
• corn;
• curdled milk with bran.

You can use specialized industrial feed for ornamental breeds of chickens. Be sure to have baths with a mixture of sand, eggshells and wood ash in the chicken coop. Birds peck at grains of sand, small pebbles that birds need for digestion.

Chickens must be provided with constant access to clean drinking water.

How to breed a breed

Young hens are ready for breeding at the age of 6 months. Strong, developed individuals with bright plumage and crest are selected for breeding.

Laying hens Shabo are born hens that protect their offspring from the moment they hatch eggs. Experienced farmers use this quality to nurse young animals of other breeds of chickens, laying other people's eggs in laying hens.

One hen can lay about 5 eggs, chicks hatch small and weak. Mortality among young animals is 30%.

When choosing a pair for breeding, a little trick is used, the cockerel is chosen with longer legs than the female, or vice versa. It is noticed that the offspring of Shabo with too short legs turns out to be weak. It is necessary to renew and rejuvenate a flock of chickens every three years.

Possible diseases

The most common disease of Shabo miniature chickens is tuberculosis, followed by coccidiosis. With a massive infection, it is necessary to completely destroy the livestock. Asian chickens have average immunity and can pick up various infections.

Experienced farmers recommend vaccinating breeding birds, keeping the chicken coop clean and microclimate, removing chickens with initial signs of illness or malaise from the poultry house to quarantine in time.

The key to the he alth of birds is proper quality nutrition. Chickens should not be overfed, but the birds should be provided with vitamin feed without the addition of hormones and antibiotics.

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