Rhodonite chickens: description and characteristics of the breed, nuances of keeping, breeding

The prevalence of Rhodonite chickens is associated with their good egg production and adaptability to environmental conditions. The cross is suitable for breeding and keeping in private backyards and on an industrial scale.

History of Breeding

Rhodonite chickens are considered an industrial cross, bred by crossing two egg crosses: Rhode Island and Lohman Brown. German researchers began breeding, having received 2 strains. In 2002, chickens came to the territory of Russia, where the research was continued by employees of the Sverdlovsk breeding poultry plant.

The task of the breeders was to breed chickens adapted to the changing climatic conditions of the country.

Description and characteristics of the rock Rhodonite

Cross Rhodonite inherited the traits of both varieties used in crossing. When planning the breeding of birds, you should familiarize yourself with the detailed description and features of the breed.

Appearance and color

In appearance, most of the offspring are similar to the ancestors of the Lohman Brown breed. Some chickens inherit the characteristics of the Rhode Island species. Rhodonite chickens are characterized by the following appearance features:

• small head with large leaf-shaped comb;
• beak is yellow with an orange stripe in the central part;
• structured and well developed earrings in red tone;
• tight brown feathers;
• light and simple body structure;
• weight of chickens up to 2 kg, roosters - 3 kg.

You can distinguish laying hens from males at an early stage of development by characteristic features. In females, the circles are lighter, the down is brown, and the head and back resemble baked milk in color.

Character and maternal instinct

Chickens are distinguished by mobility and constant activity, while they do not show aggression towards other birds and people. Since the Rhodonite cross is the result of selection, the maternal incubation instinct is almost completely lost. An incubator is required to breed chickens.

Productivity

The first eggs of Rhodonite hens begin to lay at the age of 4 months. During the year, each individual is able to bring about 300 eggs. The mass of each of them is 60-65 g.

After 1.5 years after the start of laying, the productivity of laying hens is noticeably reduced. When keeping chickens in industrial poultry farms, this problem will be eliminated by the use of a special vaccine that doubles the high level of productivity.

Main positives and negatives

Many beginner and more experienced farmers breed Rhodonite chickens due to its many benefits. Positives include:

1. Birds painlessly perceive changes in environmental conditions without loss of productivity. Even when exposed to low temperatures, hens lay a sufficient number of eggs.
2. Cross Rhodonite has a high percentage of survival of small and adult individuals.
3. Chickens are unpretentious to a nutritious diet. It should be borne in mind that the quality of eggs directly depends on proper feeding.
4. You can breed chickens in small private farms or large poultry farms.

The main disadvantage is the underdeveloped incubation instinct. The use of incubation equipment does not cause any particular difficulties, but increases the cost of the breeding process.

Containment conditions

Despite the fact that Rhodonite chickens easily adapt to any environmental conditions, a favorable environment should be created for adults and young animals. This is especially important for laying hens, as housing conditions affect the ability to lay eggs.

Chicken coop

Birds spend most of their time in a chicken coop, which is recommended to be equipped according to standard requirements. Ventilation should be provided inside the premises to eliminate unpleasant odors and circulate fresh air.It is important that there are no gaps in the walls and roof, due to which through blowing can be observed.

The optimal height of the chicken coop is from 1.8 m. The temperature regime should vary between 15-25 degrees. The free space in the room should be determined at the rate of 2 chickens per square. Places for a perch are located at a height of about 1 m. For the prevention of diseases, the perches and the floor are whitewashed. Trays with ash or sand are left inside the house.

Patio

Next to the poultry house, you need to build a yard for walking chickens and enclose it with a fence. It is recommended to put a canopy inside the courtyard if large trees do not grow nearby, casting sufficient shade. From above it is worth covering the courtyard with a net to protect against birds of prey.

Walking chickens is relevant for small and medium livestock. The presence of vegetation in the yard allows you to save on feeding the birds, since they will independently find green food rich in vitamins.At the same time, most of the chickens usually walk next to the poultry house, and the grass cover is quickly trampled down. The yard exit should always be kept dry and disinfected to prevent the hens from bringing parasites and large amounts of dirt into the house.

You can let the chickens outside around noon, when the main time for laying eggs passes. In cool weather, it is best to limit outdoor activities to reduce the risk of disease.

Tolerance to cold and heat

The ability to tolerate extreme temperatures is one of the benefits of keeping Rhodonite chickens. Birds do not reduce the productivity indicator, being at a low temperature in an unheated room. In hot weather, chickens need a canopy under which they can hide in the shade.

Diet for chicks and adults

In the first weeks of chick development, special attention should be paid to nutrition.Young animals should receive enough calcium and vitamins. For feeding chickens, it is recommended to use special combined feeds, which contain all the components necessary for proper growth. The lack of vitamins in chickens can be seen in the general depressed state. In adult roosters, a lack of nutrients leads to reddening of the comb.

For mature chickens, you can use compound feed or natural products just like for chickens. Fruits, greens, grated vegetables (cabbage, zucchini, pumpkin), mowed grass are suitable for feeding chickens. Minerals play an important role in the diet. To improve egg production, you can include meat or fish broth in the diet. As a dry food, you can use wheat and corn grits. Laying hens will benefit from eating chalk and shell rock.

Breeding

Due to the underdeveloped maternal instinct, females do not incubate eggs on their own.Breeding birds requires the use of an incubator. The presence of a rooster in a flock for breeding is not necessary, since the productivity of laying hens does not depend on this. The only reason to have at least one rooster in the coop is to keep the birds in order and protect the hens from possible danger.

Diseases and their prevention

Any variety of birds is susceptible to diseases that lead to poor egg production. The reasons for the development of infections are pollution in the chicken coop, an improper diet and unfavorable conditions for keeping chickens. Chicks at the stage of early development are most susceptible to diseases. Common illnesses are:

1. Pullorose. The infection affects chickens under two weeks of age and is fatal. You can notice the development of pullorosis by lack of appetite, lowered wings and closed eyes.
2. Pasteurellosis. The disease is typical for chicks under three months old. Symptoms include the formation of mucous secretions from the nose, overheating of the body, yellow color of the feces. Treatment of chickens involves the use of antibiotics under the supervision of a veterinarian.
3. Coccidiosis. A symptom of the disease is frequent loose stools with blood or mucus due to damage to the gastric mucosa. Treatment requires anti-coccidial drugs. In the case of the acute phase of the disease, the death of chickens occurs after 3-5 days if left untreated.
4. Tuberculosis. The most common cause of the disease is lung injury. A sick bird stops laying eggs, loses its appetite and quickly loses weight. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the birds are sent for slaughter.
5. Mycoplasmosis. The disease is manifested by the formation of a tumor under the eyes. In addition, infected birds make piercing unusual sounds. Mycoplasmosis leads to a decrease in egg production of chickens and is treated with the help of special preparations "Tylosin" and "Thylan".

As a preventive measure, you need to keep the chicken coop clean and disinfect regularly. Birds should be examined periodically to detect signs of disease in a timely manner. Having noticed the primary symptoms, you should start treatment yourself or seek help from veterinarians.

Where to buy and what prices?

It is recommended to buy birds at trusted factories, which provide a quality guarantee and a certificate of the absence of diseases.Finding cross Rhodonite is not difficult due to its high prevalence. The cost of adult birds varies between 200-300 rubles. Each owner of the poultry farm sets specific prices independently.

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