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

Tetra chickens are very popular with farmers. These birds are distinguished by dietary meat and provide many tasty and he althy eggs. To achieve success in raising birds, it is worth providing them with quality care. It should include the proper arrangement of the house, the preparation of a balanced diet, the organization of a place for walking. Disease prevention is important.

Origin story

This is a relatively new breed, which was obtained about 40 years ago. Hungary is considered the birthplace of Tetra chickens. In the process of selection, scientists crossed different breeds, as a result of which they managed to get a productive hybrid.It is characterized by high-quality meat and high egg production.

At the same time, broiler crosses have 2 directions - Tetra HB and Tetra SL. Both varieties are considered four-line hybrids. At the same time, egg-shaped leghorns were used to obtain the Tetra SL breed. As a result, they managed to convey excellent egg production. Tetra N hens were produced using the same leghorns and other lines. However, this information remained secret.

Description and characteristics of Tetra chickens

Tetra chickens have certain characteristics that make them stand out from other breeds.

Appearance and character

The characteristic features of the breed are the following:

• small head;
• light yellow beak;
• scarlet leaf comb;
• short neck;
• rectangular body;
• small tail;
• steady paws;
• compact wings that fit securely to the body;
• round belly in females and flat belly in males;
• red-brown feathers.

Tetra HB birds have a calm disposition. They do not show aggression and behave somewhat awkwardly. Chickens are highly active. Males usually do not enter into conflicts. An exception may be a war for a female or territory.

Birds are considered curious, they try to explore new territories. At the same time, you should not be afraid that the birds will run away. They value their safety too much.

Chickens are not afraid of people and get along well with other non-aggressive birds.

Performance and weight gain

This breed is highly productive. At 17-19 weeks, the hen lays 90% of the eggs. By 21 weeks, all hens are incubating eggs. In 52 weeks they produce 309 eggs. In the first year, 230 pieces are obtained.

In addition to high egg productivity, chickens provide tasty and tender meat. Young animals quickly gain the required weight. Chickens, on average, weigh 2.5 kilograms, roosters - 3.

Maturity and egg production

This variety of layers is characterized by early maturation. The first masonry is possible as early as 4 months. At the same time, in terms of physical parameters, the birds mature much later. At the beginning of laying, birds give small eggs - their weight does not exceed 46 grams. Gradually, the mass of the product increases, reaching 61 grams.

Chickens rarely lag behind in development. However, sometimes there are situations when birds begin to give eggs only at six months. Such problems occur with an unbalanced diet or a deficiency of vitamins and calcium.

Be aware that birds can be obese. This negatively affects the development of birds, the palatability of meat and performance indicators.

Compared to other breeds, Tetra chickens are considered very productive. In a year, 1 laying hen is capable of producing more than 300 eggs. They are distinguished by a brown tint.

Main positives and negatives

This hybrid has many advantages, as it combines the characteristics of meat and egg breeds. Chickens begin to lay eggs quite early and at the same time they are distinguished by strong immunity.

The safety of young animals up to 18 weeks is at the level of 97-98%. For adults, this figure is 95-97%. Large eggs with good taste are considered an undoubted advantage. Poultry meat is also characterized by excellent taste.

The disadvantages of the breed include the need for a large amount of feed. To grow a chicken up to 18 weeks, 6.8 kilograms of compound feed will be required. Annual figures are 43-46 kilograms. At the same time, the daily volume cannot be less than 115 grams.

Features of maintenance and care

In order for chickens to develop normally and maintain high productivity, it is worth providing them with proper care.

Poultry Requirements

There are no specific requirements for keeping birds. Birds adapt to any climatic conditions and are considered very unpretentious. Birds are recommended to be kept in a spacious room. At the same time, the floor and walls should be insulated.

It is recommended to put a bedding on the floor. It may include straw, sawdust or peat. These materials are recommended to be changed in time. 2-3 times a year it is worth disinfecting the entire chicken coop. To do this, it is recommended to use special tools that help destroy viruses and bacteria.

There must be perches in the chicken coop. Their height should be 70-80 centimeters. Equally important is the organization of nests for eggs. There should also be feeders and drinkers in the house.

Be sure to put a container with sand and ash in which the birds can swim.

Ventilation and lighting

There must be proper lighting in the chicken room. Daylight hours should be at least 13 hours. This duration is required for full-fledged oviposition. Laying hens do not lay eggs at night.

Ventilation is essential. This will help prevent the development of viral infections. Fresh air favorably affects the number of eggs. Airing the chicken coop is best done in the morning and evening. If there are a lot of chickens, it is worth putting a special ventilation system.

Conditions for walking

Birds need outdoor exercise. Therefore, they need to organize a walking yard.It should be arranged near the chicken coop and fenced with a net. Above should be a special canopy. It helps to protect birds from the bright sun and rain, and also helps to avoid attacks by wild birds.

On the street it is worth putting containers with ash. Thanks to this, birds will be able to clean their feathers from parasites. The walking yard is located in an open area. Thanks to this, the birds will be able to find food in the warm season. It is advisable to plant clover and knotweed for them in advance.

Shelt and lay break

Chickens begin to molt in the fall - during the onset of cold weather. At the same time, egg production remains stable. During this period, it is recommended to increase the amount of vitamins and minerals in the diet of birds. They have a special need for calcium, which is required for the formation of feathers.

Feeding chickens

Birds need a special diet. It should be borne in mind that Tetra chickens have a tendency to overeat. This provokes the appearance of excess weight and disorders in the digestive organs. That is why it is so important to observe a special diet.

Because birds are meat-and-egg, calcium should be included in their diet. Equally important is the adequate intake of protein foods. You can make your own bird food. It is important that it is nutritious and includes 20% protein.

1 chicken should have a maximum of 120 grams of compound feed per day. Birds also need enough fresh grass. In winter, grass hay is used instead of greenery.

Breeding

Usually chickens of this breed mature at 5 months. At the same time, they begin to rush 2-4 weeks earlier. It is impossible to breed birds of this breed on your own. They are an interbreed hybrid that can be obtained under special conditions.

Because for breeding birds you will have to buy hatching eggs from a supplier who breeds chickens. It is also acceptable to purchase chickens from a trusted breeder.

Chicks of this breed are characterized by a high percentage of survival. If you follow simple care recommendations, you will be able to save 97-98% of the birds.

Hatching instinct

This breed is a hybrid, because laying hens do not have a maternal instinct. Birds should not be expected to patiently incubate eggs and take care of their offspring. An incubator will help solve this problem. It is also perfectly acceptable to simply buy the chicks - they are considered relatively inexpensive.

Chickens

This breed is characterized by excellent survival of young animals. This is considered an indisputable advantage, since the maximum number of losses occurs among the chicks.

Chickens of this breed are characterized by rapid development. Already by 4 months they weigh 1.5-1.8 kilograms. During this period, it is worth providing the birds with the right diet. This will help avoid unnecessary losses.

Diseases of these chickens

A characteristic feature of birds is strong immunity. Because of this, they practically do not get sick. To avoid problems, it is recommended to properly care for the birds. Sometimes birds suffer from parasites. To avoid such problems, they should be systematically treated, periodically given anthelmintic drugs and regularly examined birds.

If a hen becomes lethargic, loses appetite and is very thirsty, it is recommended to immediately move her out of the herd and contact a veterinarian.

Tetra chickens are highly productive and are considered very unpretentious in care.To achieve success in their cultivation, it is recommended to take into account many features. First of all, it is necessary to properly organize the house and the space for walking. Equally important is a complete and balanced diet, as well as disease prevention.

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