Highsex Brown: description and characteristics of the breed of chickens, rules of keeping, breeding

Chickens of the hybrid breed Hisex - White and Brown - are characterized by early maturation, high egg production, survival and unpretentiousness. Due to the numerous advantages, birds are successfully raised in domestic and industrial settings. Those who plan to breed this breed should familiarize themselves with all the characteristic features of its representatives, as well as with the requirements and recommendations regarding maintenance, care and nutrition.

The origin of Hisex chickens

The Dutch breed of chickens Hisex first appeared in the early 70s of the twentieth century thanks to the efforts of the breeding company Hendrix Genetics.This high-yielding egg cross is based on two breeds - New Hampshire and Leghorn. The hybrid has received improved and improved productive qualities compared to its predecessors.

Initially, the birds had a snow-white color. This variety was named Hisex White. Then the breeders repeated the attempt of crossing, adding to the two breeds mentioned above one more - Rhode Island. It was from its representatives that Hisex Brown chickens got a rich and expressive red-brown color.

In the mid-70s, this breed came to the territory of the USSR, where it became in demand and popular. Approximately 10 years later, it spread throughout America and Asia, and in the late 90s they learned about it in Africa and Australia.

Description and characteristics of the breed

What features are characteristic of Hisex chickens, and what differences, in addition to color, exist between varieties of birds Brown and White.

Cross appearance

The main external features of the Hisex breed are:

• short and strong build;
• short;
• medium-sized and tight-fitting wings;
• medium sized head with bright scarlet crest;
• strong and even beak of small size;
• light green, unusual for chickens, eye color;
• soft, silky feathers with tightly closed hairs;
• presence of rounded earrings.

Brown

The plumage of this species has an expressive reddish-brown plumage color. In the rooster, the feathers in the back, tail and legs are darker, which gives contrast. They may have white endings on their wing feathers. Chickens, as a rule, have a plain plumage.The average weight of a male is 2.4 kg and that of a female is 2 kg.

White

The body weight of representatives of the White species is slightly less. Laying hens on average weigh about 1.7 kg, and males - 1.8 kg. Snow-white plumage is a distinctive feature for birds of both sexes.

Comparison of the productive characteristics of white and brown varieties of birds

The chickens belonging to the Brown family have higher productive characteristics. Over the course of one year, they bring more than 360 large eggs weighing up to 70 grams. The eggs have a strong dark brown shell. After 2-3 years of laying hens, egg production begins to decline.

Hisex White chickens produce about 280 white-shelled eggs each year. The average weight of each of them is 63 grams. They have low cholesterol levels. Sometimes eggs from layers of the white variety contain two yolks.

Temperament of birds

Different white and brown chickens Hisex and character.

Brown representatives are characterized by high survival and viability. They tolerate cold well. They have a balanced and calm temperament, which makes it easy and conflict-free to get along with chickens of other breeds within the same chicken coop. These birds are friendly towards people. Another positive feature of this species of birds is the rapid adaptation to new foods introduced into the diet.

White birds are characterized by increased activity and mobility. Some aggressiveness can be seen in the behavior of males. Representatives of the White breed are more demanding on the conditions of detention and nutritional habits. For harmonious development, they necessarily need minerals in the diet. If this condition is not met, the birds may experience stress, which negatively affects egg production.

Main pros and cons

Poultry farmers around the world choose to raise Hisex Brown chickens due to the following benefits:

• early maturation (laying hens start producing eggs as early as 150 days of age);
• high egg production that lasts for three years;
• large size and significant weight of eggs;
• large body weight, allowing, in addition to eggs, to get tasty meat;
• resistance to common diseases affecting poultry;
• relatively low feed consumption.

There are practically no drawbacks to Hisex Brown, except for the decrease in the taste of meat after the birds reach the age of three.

Features of maintenance and care

Before you start breeding Hisex Brown chickens, you should find out what kind of chicken coop and place for regular walking should be, what requirements are placed on feeders and drinkers, and also when and why you need to change the number of birds.

Chicken coop, yard, feeders and drinkers

In the hen house for representatives of the Hisex Brown breed, it should be light, dry and spacious. No more than four hens should be placed on one square meter of the room. Sudden temperature changes and drafts are unacceptable. The maximum indoor air temperature during the summer period is +28 °С, and in winter - +12 °С.

A layer of lime must be applied to the surface of the floor, and then a bedding 25 centimeters thick should be laid. Recommended materials for its manufacture:

• soft wood shavings;
• straw;
• hay;
• peat.

Change bedding twice or thrice a month.

Bird perches should be placed in the darkest and most comfortable corner of the coop. The optimal height for them is 50-60 centimeters above the floor. To maintain high egg production, it is important that the length of daylight hours in the hen house for Hisex Brown is at least twelve hours. For this purpose, additional artificial lighting will be required during the wintering period.

To maintain natural hygiene, Hisex Brown hens require special containers filled with a mixture of wood ash and purified river sand to be placed indoors. These peculiar dry baths help birds to effectively fight parasites.

Keeping your chicken coop clean is essential to the he alth of your poultry. A thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises is required every quarter.

The yard for regular bird walking should also be spacious. For each individual - at least one and a half meters of space. There are certain requirements for the arrangement of feeders and drinkers for chickens. Mesh or twig structures are essential when feeding birds with fresh herbs. Wood products are suitable for standard dry mixes. Feeders made of metal or plastic, which are easy to clean and wash, are indispensable when using wet types of food, as well as for drinking birds. These devices can be located in the chicken coop both floor and hanging.

Seasonal molt

Seasonal shedding is a natural process for Hisex Brown layers. In different individuals, it can begin in the period from October to December. The average duration is 4-8 weeks. By the onset of next spring, the hens fully restore their full appearance and egg production.

During seasonal molting, feathers fall first on the neck, then in the back and tail, and finally on the wings.

During this period, birds need a higher intake of vitamins, minerals and protein. The diet should contain potatoes, carrots, pumpkin and cabbage with the addition of bone meal, meat broths, chalk and crushed shells.

Planned stock replacement

After 1-2 years of life, Hisex Brown chickens are scheduled to be replaced. This is necessary to increase egg production, as well as improve the taste of poultry meat.

What to feed the birds?

Create a chicken menu responsibly.

Chicks

Chickens Hisex Brown and White in the first few days of life must be fed chopped boiled egg with the addition of finely chopped plants - sorrel, dandelion and nettle.Starting from the 4-5th day of life, it is recommended to add fresh green onions to the main feed. This will help protect the chicks from infectious diseases.

Subsequently, the following chicken menu is recommended:

• end of the first week: wheat and oatmeal, cornmeal mixed with drinking water;
• from the second week: gradual addition of compound feed for chicks;
• Third week: full switch to fodder for young herd and a mixture of crushed grains.

In addition, it is necessary to give Hisex Brown chickens fresh greens and chopped vegetables, as well as special mineral-vitamin complexes. Water for chicks must be changed twice a day. In order to prevent infections, a little potassium permanganate should be added to it.

Mature herd

Mature Hisex Brown requires a high quality balanced diet. The best option would be ready-made feed for egg-bearing breeds. You can cook it yourself by mixing the following ingredients in certain proportions:

• 3 pieces of corn;
• 3 pieces of wheat;
• 2 pieces of legumes;
• 1 piece of oats.

Additional ingredients are meat and bone meal, as well as fine gravel and river sand, which contribute to better grinding of grains in bird crop.

Fresh and boiled vegetables are also an essential part of the diet. In summer, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin, cabbage and any kind of greens are suitable. In winter - boiled potatoes, as well as chopped peelings from it. It is recommended to introduce soybean cake, which is a source of vegetable protein, into the diet. And flaxseed and sunflower meal replenish the deficiency of fats in the body of chickens.

In the warm season, free-range chickens feed on fresh grass on their own, so the amount of feed should be reduced by 10-15%. In winter, as a substitute for grass, birds can be fed with hay.

Breeding rules

Starting breeding the Hisex Brown breed, it is important to familiarize yourself in detail with the features of incubation and the main requirements for keeping young animals.

Incubation

Since the instinct of incubation in representatives of the breed Hisex Brown is not very pronounced, there is a need for artificial incubation. It is also acceptable to use a chicken of a different breed as a hen. The survival rate of chicks as a result of incubation is 95%, making it easy for even beginner poultry farmers to breed the breed.

Young quarters

The room in which the chicks are planned to hatch must be prepared taking into account the rules:

1. The maximum number of birds per 1m3 is 6 individuals.
2. To accommodate 20-30 day old chicks, a 1m2 box will be required.
3. There should be no drafts in the chicken coop.
4. The temperature for keeping day-old chicks is +26-+28 °С, and week-old chicks +22-+24 °С.
5. Newly hatched chicks are bedded with newspaper folded in several layers. It is later replaced with straw or wood shavings.
6. Cleaning of the premises is required at least every 2-3 days.

Drinking and feeding day-old chicks

Chicks that have just hatched are active and imitate adults in everything. It is important to ensure that the chicks do not climb into the feeder and drinker with their feet - they can leave excrement and dirt there, and eating such food is fraught with the development of intestinal infections.

Mandatory food requirements for day old chicks - easy digestibility and sterility.

In the first days of life, chickens should be prepared with a mixture of the following ingredients:

• three cups of corn;
• glass of wheat;
• a glass of sunflower meal;
• 1/3 cup barley;
• 1/2 cup fat-free kefir.

The grain components need to be finely ground, as the digestive system of newborn birds is very receptive and sensitive. Then mix until smooth.

Chickens should always have free access to drink, namely water with a pinch of potassium permanganate added. It is required to change the water in the drinking bowl 2-3 times daily.

Diseases in Hisex chickens

Hisex Browns have a strong immune system, but they need deworming and the necessary vaccinations.

In case of violation of the rules of keeping, young and adult birds are susceptible to diseases, including:

• chicken pox;
• strep infection;
• syngamosis;
• helminthiasis;
• amidostomiasis;
• lichen.

As a result of dampness and drafts, birds develop arthritis, colds and pneumonia. Anemia and beriberi in chickens are a consequence of a deficiency of vegetable fats, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet.

Hisex Brown chickens are signaling he alth problems:

• refusal of birds from drinking, or, conversely, excessive thirst;
• decrease in habitual appetite;
• deterioration in the appearance of plumage - disheveledness and tarnishing;
• breathing difficulties - the appearance of characteristic wheezing;
• lowering head, wings and tail;
• walking disorders, frequent falls;
• intestinal disorders;
• difficulty swallowing.

For some time, sick individuals must be placed in a separate room to avoid infection of other birds. For a full examination of the livestock, a veterinarian is invited. As a rule, the treatment of most diseases of Hisex Brown chickens is the introduction of antibiotic drugs.

For prevention, birds need proper care, cleanliness and he althy nutrition. Hisex Brown chicken food should be fresh and fortified with he althy minerals.

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