Aurora: breed of chickens, description and characteristics, rules for keeping and care

Aurora chicken breed is considered very popular. These birds are distinguished by excellent productivity and unpretentiousness. However, for the normal development of chickens, they should provide suitable conditions for keeping them. To do this, it is recommended to properly equip the chicken coop, make an aviary for walking. Equally important is a balanced and high-quality diet, which is selected depending on the age of the chickens.

History of Breeding

There is no exact information regarding the breeding of these chickens. It is known that this is a Russian breed, which was obtained by breeders VNIIGRZH. Australorps were selected to breed birds. At the same time, scientists tried to get a universal breed.

As a result, we managed to develop a breed group, which is characterized by excellent egg-laying parameters and unusual external features. That is why Aurora chickens simultaneously belong to the decorative and egg direction.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Before breeding birds, you should familiarize yourself with their key characteristics. They are characterized by an unusual appearance and high productivity.

Appearance of Aurora chickens

Birds of this breed are characterized by an elongated body and a harmonious physique. The hens have small heads and short necks. Roosters have larger heads. Regardless of gender, a bright leaf-shaped scallop adorns the head.

Feathers are distinguished by large brown or orange eyes and a small blue-gray beak. The plumage has a spectacular appearance - it is distinguished by a blue tint with a dark border.Feathers of females differ in uniform color. Roosters have a darker back and wings.

It is recommended to judge the he alth of the bird by the shade of the scallop. If it acquires a pale pink hue, this indicates the development of pathology or a violation of the conditions for keeping birds.

Bird Character

The birds of this breed have a difficult character. They are quite shy and cautious. Chickens shy away from people, including their owners. At the same time, the birds are very active and curious. They do not conflict with other breeds.

Hatching instinct

For the hens of this breed is characterized by a not too well developed incubation instinct. At the same time, poultry farmers practically do not breed birds on their own, since this method does not allow preserving the characteristics of the breed.

To upgrade the livestock, young animals should be bought or raised in an incubator.

Productive qualities of the breed

This breed is considered quite productive. Performance parameters are mainly estimated by the egg production of birds.

Chicken and Rooster Live Weight

The birds of this breed are characterized by compact size. Roosters, on average, weigh 2.5-3 kilograms. At the same time, the weight of chickens is 2-2.5 kilograms.

Maturity and average annual egg production

Birds start laying at 4 months. This period depends on the season in which the chick was born. Experts say that puberty occurs faster in chickens that hatched in February-March. This is due to the length of daylight hours.

Maximum egg production occurs at 1 year. Subsequently, this parameter decreases by 15-20% every year. The average productivity of a laying hen is 200-220 eggs per year. The mass of eggs reaches 55-58 grams. They are covered with a white shell.

Pros and cons

The main advantages of birds include the following:

• attractive appearance;
• good productivity;
• low temperature resistant.

At the same time, birds of this breed also have certain disadvantages:

• change in appearance in the next generations;
• Insufficiently expressed incubation instinct.

Maintenance and care of birds

In order for the birds to develop normally and not get sick, they are recommended to provide suitable conditions for keeping.

What should be the chicken coop?

Chickens of this breed can live in unheated poultry houses. However, maintaining a stable temperature at + 23-25 degrees can significantly increase the productivity of birds. In winter, the temperature should not be less than +15 degrees.

For chickens of the Aurora breed, it is worth equipping a spacious room. 2-3 birds should have at least 1 square meter of area.

Layers love layered perches.

Keeping the chicken coop clean and dry is important. High humidity and dirt provoke a drop in egg production and the appearance of diseases. Experts advise to frequently perform disinfestation and vaccinate birds against major infections.

The house should have at least 1 window for fresh air and natural light. If there are no windows, good ventilation should be provided.

Chickens require long daylight hours. It must last at least 16 hours. Therefore, in winter it is recommended to use additional sources of lighting. During molting, daylight hours are reduced.

There should be nests in the poultry house - at least one for 5-6 hens.Place a pad on the floor. It is made from hay or straw. It is also acceptable to use sawdust or other materials. In winter, the thickness of such a layer should be at least 50 centimeters. It is recommended to change the bedding systematically.

Can I breed in cages?

Today, farmers often raise chickens in cages. Although many consider this method inhumane. It should be borne in mind that this method is recommended only for growing a large number of birds, since it is associated with significant costs. When kept in a cramped room, the performance parameters of laying hens will decrease.

It is permissible to keep 5-7 individuals in 1 cage. It should be borne in mind that such chickens differ in less strong immunity. This is due to lack of air, sunlight, movement.

Place for walking

If there is such an opportunity, it is recommended to make an aviary for walking birds. Such a site should be fairly free. There must be at least 1 square meter of area per 1 hen.

It is desirable that the aviary is located under the trees. It should be covered with a net and a canopy. This will help the birds hide from the rain. Feeders and drinkers are placed in the walking yard.

Feeders and drinkers for chickens

Drinkers and feeders must be present in the chicken coop. Drinkers should have a capacity of 5-6 liters. The size of the feeders depends on the number of birds. At least 10-15 centimeters should fall on 1 individual.

What do birds eat?

In order for birds to develop normally and rush well, they should eat right. The diet of chickens depends on age.

Chickens

At the initial stage of development, the chicks are given a mash. It is made on the basis of greens, eggs and cereals. When the chickens grow up a little, vegetables, cottage cheese, yeast should be introduced into their diet. The adult menu can be introduced at 2 months.

Adults

Such birds need the following diet:

• 60-65 grams of cereals in summer, 70-75 grams in winter, and the basis of the diet should be wheat;
• 20-25 grams bran;
• 5 grams of fishmeal;
• 100 grams of vegetables;
• 1 gram of s alt.

It is recommended to strictly observe the dosage of food. If a bird gets too much or too little food, it starts to get sick. For winter, food should be prepared in advance. This will require zucchini, cabbage, pumpkin. Dried hay and sunflower meal are also used.

It is worth considering that birds require enough water. If the hens are dehydrated, this leads to a decrease in their performance. Therefore, there should be drinkers in the chicken coop and walking yard. The water in them should be changed every day.

During the molting season

This period falls on October and November. At the same time, the productivity of chickens decreases. This is due to the large expenditure of body resources for the growth of new feathers.

During this period, birds need a lot of protein. Therefore, they are recommended to give a mash based on meat broth. Also, fermented milk products should be introduced into the diet of chickens. They are often given cottage cheese or curdled milk.

Boiled vegetables and chalk are important for the normal development of birds. Also, they must be given minerals and vitamins. If the birds do not have the opportunity to walk, they should be given sand and clay.

Planned herd replacement

It is impossible to breed young animals with the same characteristics as their parents. Therefore, with a planned replacement of livestock, it is worth buying chicks.It is recommended to do this in proven nurseries. The decrease in the productive characteristics of birds occurs in the third year. It is during this period that it is worth replacing chickens.

Frequent illnesses

Aurora chickens face the development of various diseases. Pathologies are often caused by improper care. Sometimes contact with rodents or wild birds that spread infections are provoking factors.

To minimize the likelihood of developing diseases, pest control is systematically performed. Hygiene and a proper and balanced diet are also important. Be sure to vaccinate the herd. Vaccinations help protect chickens from common diseases.

Aurora chickens are very popular with farmers. These birds are highly productive and resistant to low temperatures. To achieve good results in raising birds, they should provide quality care.

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