Breed of chickens Liven calico: description and characteristics, content features

The breed of Liven chintz chickens is considered lost and is found only in private backyards. On an industrial scale, large poultry farms and farms do not breed this breed. At the same time, Livensky chickens have a number of positive characteristics and are distinguished by constant productivity.

Origin story

Liven chintz chickens were bred by folk selection. During a long crossing of different species, this breed was discovered, which rapidly became widespread in Russia, Belarus and European countries.

In the post-war period, she was engaged in breeding breeds at poultry farms to enhance the production of meat and egg products. Then more productive breeds appeared, and the Livensky chickens faded into the background. In the early 80s, the breed remained exclusively on private farms.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Liven chintz birds are characterized by several features. When planning breeding and keeping the breed, it is recommended that you read the detailed description.

Appearance

Birds are characterized by large size and powerful physique. The weight of hens reaches 3.5 kg, roosters - 4.5 kg. The body is oblong, located horizontally. The back and chest are wide and well developed. The wings are short and close to the body. The head is small, with a poorly developed leaf-type crest.

The plumage is thick, but not dense. There are many feathers, and they can take on a variety of colors, including golden, gray, white, black. The predominant shade is chintz, which explains the origin of the name of the breed.

Poultry productivity

Considering the productivity of the breed, you should pay attention to egg production and the amount of meat obtained from each individual. Livenskaya breed is valued for its high productivity in two ways.

Egg

Females start laying eggs at 7-8 months of age. The average production figure is 150 large eggs. A distinctive feature is the seasonal nature of egg production. Half of the annual rate of hens is laid down from the 3rd to the 5th month from the first oviposition.

The weight of one egg is 70-80 g. The amount of dense protein in eggs is much higher in comparison with other breeds. The shell has a yellowish tinge and is rounder than other domestic chicken eggs.

Meat

The weight of a chicken after slaughter and gutting often reaches 3 kg, which is a favorable indicator.The meat has a high taste characteristics and a delicate structure. If the diet of the birds is not properly formulated, the meat may become tough, but the taste and juiciness will not deteriorate from this.

Character of chickens

Chicks are shy and restless at an early age. Adults show a restless and sometimes aggressive character. You can often observe older birds plucking feathers from chicks and pecking eggs.

Advantages and disadvantages

Varieties of Liven calico hens have a large list of positive aspects. Benefits include the following:

• picky diet;
• immunity to common diseases;
• large eggs;
• high survival rate of young animals;
• adaptability to adverse weather conditions, including severe frosts.

The main disadvantage is the relatively late puberty. Chicks are slower in feathering and should be kept in a heated area under constant supervision during active development.

Recommendations for maintenance and care

Chickens of the Livenskaya breed do not have specific requirements for maintenance and care. Individuals easily adapt to non-ideal conditions, but maximum productivity can only be achieved by creating a favorable environment.

Arrangement of the chicken coop

Due to the large structure of chickens, it is preferable to keep them indoors with plenty of free space. It is not necessary to insulate the chicken coop for the winter, but you need to put a bedding on the floor and make sure it stays dry.

It is allowed to place chickens in a barn with cattle and build separate seats for them.Nests should not be placed too high, so that heavy individuals can easily climb into them. Sufficient space should be provided to prevent damage to eggs, taking into account the number of individuals.

Place for walking

Representatives of the breed in question love to be outdoors even in winter, so it is worth building a walking yard next to the poultry house. The fence around the allocated area may not be high, since the chickens are not able to fly high. The advantage would be to have a lot of vegetation in the yard so that the individuals provide themselves with additional food with green fodder.

Feeders and drinkers

Inside the chicken coop you need to put drinking bowls with water and constantly make sure that they are not empty. You can periodically add food to the feeders, taking into account the calculated norm, or always add balanced feed as it is eaten.

Moulting and laying pause

In the process of molting, chickens completely change their plumage. Usually, feathers begin to fall out in early autumn, and the process takes 1-1.5 months. During this period, females do not lay eggs. Immediately after the change of plumage, egg production is restored.

Exhibition training

To prepare chickens for the exhibition, they should not be allowed to be in the open sun for a long time. Burned spots and yellowing may appear in the feathers. Defective chickens are not selected for exhibitions and are not used for breeding for pure breed. Chickens with the following defects are not suitable for exhibitions:

• too low, narrow or short torso;
• bald spots in plumage;
• side-tipped scallop;
• long beak;
• rough skin texture of lobes and comb;
• productivity is below standard.

Preparing individuals for exhibition events involves creating favorable environmental conditions and the right diet.

Selected individuals must be constantly examined in order to timely detect and eliminate deviations in development.

What feeds chickens and adult hens?

It is recommended to introduce a large amount of calcium into the breed's diet to prevent cannibalism among birds. For this purpose, a box with crushed chalk or shell rock is placed inside the chicken coop.

Active weight gain will be facilitated by the use of special compound feed by chickens, which contains several grains.

Young chicks require animal proteins for proper development. The addition of ash to wet mash has a positive effect on the growth and quality of plumage. Livensky chickens also love vegetable preparations, branch food and dried nettles.

Features of breeding birds

To successfully breed Livensky chickens, you need to follow a number of features for care and cultivation. The main requirements are the presence of a spacious area in the chicken coop and the mandatory walking in the open air.

Inside the house, it is recommended to put trays with sand and ash, which will help keep the individuals beautiful appearance. Bird nests are located in secluded corners, providing free access to them. You should constantly inspect the condition of the hens to control the process of their development.

Diseases and their treatment

The most common disease of Liven calico chickens is mycoplasmosis. Infected chickens show the following symptoms:

• slow growth;
• lack of appetite;
• wheezing in the trachea;
• shortness of breath;
• decrease in productivity.

Antibiotic drugs are used to treat mycoplasmosis. Medicines are diluted in water and given to the birds to drink. The standard course of treatment does not exceed 5 days.

Among the parasites for Livensky chickens are the danger of worms. Because of them, diarrhea occurs, the color of the scallop fades, apathy is observed, and weight decreases. Disinfection of the premises and treatment of infected chickens helps to fight worms. Against worms, the medicine "Piperazine" is used, which is sold in a veterinary pharmacy. The course of treatment is 3 days.

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