Kotlyarevskaya breed of chickens: description and characteristics, rules of keeping
Many farmers grow the Kotlyarevsky breed of chickens. These birds are characterized by high productivity parameters. They are considered hardy and unpretentious. The undoubted advantage is the excellent decorative properties. Laying hens will become a real decoration of the poultry house. At the same time, birds also differ in certain disadvantages - in particular, they tend to increase body weight.
Origin story
This breed was bred at a breeding plant located in Kabardino-Balkaria. At the same time, today the signs of chickens are being improved at Genofond LLC.
Kotlyarevskaya breed was bred on the basis of many types of chickens - Zagorsk salmon, Golosheynaya, Striped Plymouth Rock. Breeds such as the New Hampshire and the Russian White were also used.
Description and characteristics of chickens Kotlyarevskaya
These birds are characterized by a number of features that are recommended to consider before breeding birds.
Exterior Standard
Roosters of this breed are characterized by white feathers with small fragments of black. The tail is black in color and has a blue or green tint. Males have pronounced lobes and a bright red crest.
In chickens, the processes are not so pronounced. They have a darker color compared to roosters. White feathers gradually turn into black. Some individuals have feathers with pronounced edging.
Temperament
These chickens are characterized by a good nature. Birds recognize the owner and easily go into his hands. At the same time, roosters are cocky. They show their character to beginners. Therefore, it is better to keep young cockerels separately.
Aggression often manifests itself when starving or kept in crowded, stuffy poultry houses or low light conditions. Stress factors increase the excitement of birds.
Representatives of the breed practically do not go beyond the territory. They try to stay near full feeders.
Roosters are able to fly up to 1.5-2 meters, while chickens do not have this skill.
Productivity
These birds are characterized by rapid development and have an impressive mass. A rooster at the age of 6 months reaches 3 kilograms. Adults weigh 3.8 kilograms. Chickens weigh 2.5-3 kilograms.
Currently, varieties of the breed are often found that are shifted in the egg direction. Such individuals have less weight. The mass of roosters is 2.8 kilograms, of hens - 2.3.
This significantly increases egg productivity. A laying hen is capable of producing 240 eggs per year. This breed is characterized by productive longevity. Chickens give eggs for 5 years. They reach approximately 65 grams.
Hatching instinct
As a result of selection, the maternal instinct of chickens was lost. The Kotlyarevskaya breed partially retained this property. However, identifying a good hen is problematic. Almost all chickens are able to incubate eggs, but no more than 30% complete this business.
Puberty and egg production
A characteristic feature of the breed is the rapid development. By the age of 6 months, roosters reach 3 kilograms, and hens begin to lay eggs.
With age, the productivity of females increases. They are capable of producing 240 eggs per year, which are distinguished by a dense creamy shell.
Pros and cons of the breed
The key advantages of this breed of birds include the following:
- excellent adaptability to harsh climate;
- good egg production in the winter season;
- precocity;
- high performance over 5 years;
- good work of the digestive organs;
- strong immunity.
At the same time, chickens have some disadvantages. The main disadvantages include the following:
- needing wing clipping or building a chicken coop with a high aviary;
- different productivity of chickens;
- need for periodic livestock renewal.
Features of maintenance and care
To achieve success in growing chickens, it is worth following a number of recommendations.
Coop Requirements
These chickens are considered unpretentious. They need a warm coop that is well ventilated. There should be a maximum of 7-8 adult chickens per 1 square meter of area.
Nests and perches should be present inside the house. For 5 hens you will need 1 nest box. It is worth laying hay in it. Straw or sawdust can act as bedding.
Laying hens need a special microclimate. The temperature should be + 16-25 degrees. The influence of high and low temperatures negatively affects the he alth of chickens. In order for chickens to give eggs all year round, it is recommended to provide sufficient illumination. For 1 square meter, it is worth using a 40-watt light bulb. Daylight hours - 12 hours.
Very bright lighting negatively affects the he alth of chickens. Stress factors will cause them to start pecking at each other.
It is important to keep the house clean. The bedding should be changed every 1-2 months. This is done as it gets dirty. The floor and walls should be treated with disinfectant solutions, which lead to the destruction of fungal microorganisms and bacteria.
In the warm season, many farmers treat the premises with a sulfur checker. To carry out this procedure, chickens should be removed from the premises for 1-2 days.
Playing yard
Feathers need daily walks. Thanks to this, metabolic processes are improved, and immunity is strengthened. At the same time, walking birds is not recommended in wet and windy weather.
Also, do not let them go outside at temperatures below -6 degrees. If these recommendations are violated, there is a risk of frostbite of the scallops and the development of colds.
It should be borne in mind that chickens of this breed are reluctant to fly, but are able to do so. To avoid problems, it is recommended to install a high fence.
Feeders and drinkers
All birds should have constant access to feeders and drinkers. Otherwise, the birds will start to fight with their brethren. It is recommended to treat inventory every day with soda solution and pour boiling water over it.
In the poultry house it is worth putting a container filled with sand and wood ash. These components are mixed in equal parts. Chickens like to bathe in the dust. This is how they clean feathers from parasites.
Shedding season
Chickens molt every year. This process begins with a reduction in daylight hours. This is a physiological process that is not associated with any disease. If chickens do not change feathers themselves, they do it forcibly.
The method of molting stimulation should be selected by the doctor after the examination. During this period, there is a reduction or complete cessation of egg production.
Planned herd replacement
The productivity period of these chickens is 3-4 years. During this time, the laying hen brings 650-750 eggs. Then it is changed to a younger one.
What to feed the breed?
Birds of this breed should be fed with ready-made feed or use mixtures of cereals. It is advisable to use a composition based on bran, wheat, buckwheat, oats, corn. It is recommended to add additional vitamins and minerals to this mixture. This will help make bones stronger.
It is also recommended to give birds coarse s alt and ash. They need gravel for better digestion of food. Boiled fish and beans should be used as sources of protein. Meal and sunflower seeds are also added to the mixture.
In summer, representatives of this breed can be free range. This will help reduce food costs by more than 2 times. Birds eat greens well, which serves as a source of vitamins. It is recommended to harvest dry grass for the winter.
The walking area should contain a lot of greenery - alfalfa, clover. The grass will provide food for the birds and help reduce the amount of dirt in the house.
Breeding Kotlyarevskaya breed of chickens
Kotlyarevsky chickens are considered bad hens. Therefore, an incubator is required for breeding offspring. Eggs of chickens of this breed are even in size. Farmers do not recommend using too large specimens, as chicks with defects often hatch from them.
In the incubator it is recommended to lay medium eggs that were collected before 18 hours. They should show no signs of damage.
Chickens appear after 3 weeks. They are predominantly grayish or light brown in color. Females have dark stripes along the spine, males have spots on the wings. However, it will be possible to accurately determine the sex only after 3 weeks.
Immediately after hatching, chicks are active. They are recommended to be kept in brooders, separated from adult birds. The room must be kept at the right temperature. Bird boxes should have additional light sources.
After 8-10 weeks, birds are allowed to gradually introduce adult chickens. In this case, it is recommended to control the joint walking. Adults may be aggressive towards young ones.
Possible diseases
Birds often face standard diseases that are common to all chickens. These include parasitic infections. Under the condition of timely vaccination, birds are not susceptible to other diseases.
Survival rates for young and adults reach 95%. When performing standard preventive treatments, serious problems can be avoided.
Kotlyarevskaya breed of chickens is very popular with poultry farmers. These birds are characterized by rapid development and high productivity parameters. In order to achieve success in growing birds, they are advised to properly organize the house and provide proper and balanced nutrition.
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