Hercules chickens: description of the breed and characteristics, rules of keeping

Hercules chickens are considered quite popular. They have an impressive mass and a powerful body. The indisputable advantage of the breed is high productivity. Therefore, many farmers are engaged in the cultivation of birds. To achieve noticeable results in this, chickens should be provided with good conditions. At the same time, it is important to properly equip the house and properly feed the chickens.

History

The birds of this breed were bred in 2000. This happened at the Ukrainian Institute of Poultry, located in Kharkov. Chickens were obtained from broiler crosses by crossing with other breeds from the gene pool.

Description and characteristics

Chickens of this breed have a number of features. Before starting breeding birds, you should familiarize yourself with their main characteristics.

External data

The birds got their name because of their impressive body weight. Birds are characterized by a strong body and a wide back. A massive body is adorned with a fluffy and large tail, decorated with rounded braids.

Chickens have a dense chest and a rounded taut belly. The head is small, and there is no fluff on the muzzle. Small eyes are distinguished by a red or orange tint. The beak is small and curved.

Scarlet combs are characteristic of males and females. At the same time, in roosters, they differ in large sizes. In the hip area there is a volumetric plumage. At the same time, there is no cannon on the limbs.

This breed does not have a standard feather color. This is due to the fact that several varieties of birds participated in its production. Because chickens can have light, gray-blue, dark feathers.

Character

Chickens of this breed are distinguished by a calm character. They have a peaceful disposition and are friendly to other chickens and other birds. Therefore, conflicts and fights should not be feared.

Productivity

The breeders of these chickens note their high productivity. For birds, the following indicators are characteristic:

egg production - 220 eggs per year;
mass - the male reaches 4.5 kilograms, the female weighs 3.3 kilograms;
egg weight - 65-70 grams;
maturing - hens start laying eggs at 5-6 months;
survival rate - for young animals, this figure is 91%.

Puberty and egg production

Laying hens lay their first eggs at 5 months. Sometimes puberty occurs at six months. The key task of poultry farmers is to provide laying hens with quality nutrition. Thanks to this, laying starts faster, and there are no problems with eggs.

Egg production parameters are 200-220 pieces. All eggs are large and weigh 60-70 grams. They are characterized by a large yolk, which accounts for 40%. Eggs are light colored.

Maternal Instinct

Chickens of this breed have no incubation instinct. This is not surprising since hybrids and crosses have long lost this feature, and Hercules is no exception. During the year, laying hens behave calmly.

But when hatching offspring, they become too active and even behave aggressively. This attitude towards young animals forces farmers to use the hatchery.

The advantages and disadvantages of birds

The main advantages of birds include the following:

rapid development of young birds;
calm character;
great weight and good presentation;
large eggs;
large yolk.

At the same time, the breed also has disadvantages. When breeding birds, offspring of 2-3 generations are less productive than parental lines.

Features of keeping chickens

In order for chickens to develop normally, gain weight well and give a lot of eggs, it is recommended that they provide the right conditions.

What should be the house?

The birds of this breed are large, so they need a large chicken coop. It is important that the birds feel comfortable. Therefore, it is not recommended to place many individuals in one area.

Because the birds are heavy, farmers have to make changes to the poultry house. Do not set up perches in it, as the chicks will not be able to climb onto them.

Therefore, it is recommended to pay special attention to the flooring. It is on the litter that chickens spend most of their time. The floor should be covered with hay or straw. It is also acceptable to use peat. It is important to constantly monitor the condition of the litter. It is recommended to change it periodically.

Temperature, humidity and lighting

This breed is allowed to breed even in the northern regions. Chickens can overwinter in a poultry house without special heating. Even in cold weather, they are quite able to walk outside.

Feathers tolerate snowy weather well. Thanks to this, their immunity is further strengthened. At the same time, it is important to take into account that a decrease in temperature to -20 degrees imposes a ban on walking.

Illumination parameters vary depending on the age category of birds. Chicks need 40 lux while adult hens need 7 lux.

If a rooster lives in a room with females, it is recommended to slightly increase the illumination.

The control of humidity parameters is of no small importance. It should be 50%. Wet bedding, water and food can increase this figure. Therefore, it is recommended to systematically ventilate the room and get rid of unnecessary moisture.

Playing yard

These chickens can't live in a chicken coop permanently. They need fresh air and regular walks. Therefore, it is recommended that birds equip a walking yard. It is important to ensure that it is spacious. This will help avoid uncomfortable feelings and conflicts.

In spring and summer, birds like to eat green grasses. To do this, it is recommended to plant clover or nettles in the walking yard. It is also acceptable to use cereals. Build a courtyard and a chicken coop on an elevated place. Thanks to this, it will be possible to avoid flooding the site with sewage.

Planned herd replacement

Pets should be kept in the yard for 2 years. Then the livestock is recommended to be updated. Older birds cannot boast of high egg production and tender juicy meat.

Shelt and lay break

Chickens that lose their old feathers don't look very attractive. However, this phenomenon is considered a variant of the norm and does not cause much discomfort. Birds tolerate this process normally and recover quickly.

Birds are characterized by a large number of feathers. However, in 60-70 days they completely change. During this period, it is important to give chickens animal fats - for example, broths.

Some chickens don't shed. In such a situation, it is necessary to use non-standard methods. However, in most cases, poultry farmers do without it.

Cannibalism is considered a key danger to birds. In such a situation, chickens eat individuals of their own breed. A proper and balanced diet will help to avoid this.

Breed diet

To ensure the normal development of chickens, it is important to feed them properly. Fresh air, water, prevention of pathologies are considered the basis of a good appetite. Hens Hercules are recommended to put a container with stones, shells and chalk.

The diet of birds varies depending on the season. At the same time, meals should be complete and balanced. The growth period of chickens lasts 12 months. Therefore, in the first year, they should be given cereal-based protein foods.

Additional products include vegetables, fruits, root crops. Be sure to give chickens green herbs. They can be used fresh or dried. Sources of additional minerals are insects, worms, flax seeds. Chickens also need s alt and meat and bone meal.

Is it possible to breed poultry?

Chickens of this breed are obtained by crossing 4 types of birds. Therefore, it will not work to breed them on your own. In the case of crossing crosses or hybrid breeds, the chicks lose their genetic traits. It is possible to save the features of the breed only in the first generation. Then they disappear.

When getting chicks from eggs, only a quarter of the breed characteristics can be preserved. To get purebred birds, breeders buy hatching eggs from special poultry farms.

If you follow all the recommendations for breeding chicks, the hatchability of chickens reaches 85%. The chicks hatch very small, but their weight increases rapidly.

Diseases and their prevention

To avoid the development of diseases, you should follow these recommendations:

Do not place chicks and adult hens in the same coop. Chickens have less strong immunity, therefore even simple viruses will negatively affect their he alth.
If a sick bird is detected, it should be immediately resettled.
The room in which infected individuals lived is recommended to be ventilated and disinfected.
It is important to control the composition of the feed. Quality food minimizes the risk of disease.
You should avoid polluting the chicken coop. Unsanitary conditions lead to many diseases.

Possible growing problems

Birds of this breed do not cause serious difficulties or problems. They have excellent immunity and quickly adapt to new climatic conditions and habitats.

Analogues

There are no real analogues of this breed. The only type of chicken that resembles Hercules is the Hungarian giant. It is characterized by good egg production and a large body weight.

Hercules chickens are very popular with poultry farmers. They are highly productive and have tasty meat.

To avoid common diseases and other problems, it is important for chickens to provide proper care.