Keeping chickens for meat and eggs. Features of breeding meat and egg breeds of chickens at home: a description of the best bird species

Chickens are the most popular type of poultry. For more than a century of history of domestication, more than a hundred breeds of these birds have been bred. They differ in the color of feathers and eggs, the method of breeding and maintenance, and the purpose. From an economic point of view, all chicken breeds can be conditionally divided into three main types:

• (such chickens are small in size, grow and mature quickly);
• (birds have high meat productivity and low egg production);
• meat and egg breeds (universal) (the most viable and productive birds) .

To date, for breeding in industrial scale use chicken crosses - breed hybrids obtained artificially under the strict supervision of livestock specialists.

Features of breeding and keeping

Among Russian poultry farmers, chickens of meat and egg breeds have long been especially popular. This type of birds has become widespread among households due to the optimal combination of meat qualities and egg production (the average weight of a chicken carcass is 2.5 kg, egg laying reaches 200 pieces per year). In addition, birds are distinguished by vitality and unpretentiousness. These hens are good hens. Such laying hens begin to lay eggs six months after hatching.

Birds of universal breeds are omnivorous, which is important aspect for households and small poultry farms (grain waste, fruits, vegetables, greens can be used as feed. In case of a lack of feeding, birds stop laying eggs. When feeding improves, they quickly restore their previous productivity.

Compared to egg and meat breeds, chickens of meat and egg breeds have a more balanced metabolism. Eggs and meat of these birds have the best taste.

Meat and egg, or as they are also called general-purpose, breeds of chickens do not require special care and high material costs. For their maintenance, the floor system is most often used. Birds have a calm nature, so there is no need to build protective fences on walking areas.

There are plenty to choose from

Meat and egg breeds of chickens were bred by crossing meat and egg breeds. To date, there are more than a hundred breeds of such birds. Selection is carried out by both domestic and foreign livestock specialists. Compared to meat or egg breeds, these chickens require more feed, but these costs are more than compensated by live weight and egg production.

Anniversary Kuchinsky (Kuchinki)

The breed was bred in the Moscow region at the Kuchinsky State Breeding Plant and became the most widespread in the post-Soviet space. Birds of this breed are characterized by high live weight and productivity. The egg production of a young laying hen reaches 230 pieces. The live weight of hens is 2.3-2.5 kg, the weight of roosters can reach 3.7 kg. In terms of protein content, the meat of Kuchinsky chickens is ahead of boilers. The birds have a loose red plumage with a golden mane and gray undercoat, a green tail and a strong yellow beak.

Excellent hens (up to 30 eggs can hatch at a time). Sometimes they even forget to get up from their eggs to eat. Oviposition begins at six months of age and continues all year round(excluding 2-3 weeks of molting).

new hampshire

The breed was bred in Massachusetts (USA) in 1935 and imported into the USSR in 1940. New Hampshire is the best flogged chicken for beginner poultry farmers. Calm, friendly birds, tolerate frost well. The plumage is loose, red-brown. The skin, beak and claws are yellow. Birds belong to the medium-heavy class, have a fleshy chest and a wide back. The live weight of chickens can reach 3 kg, roosters - 3.8 kg.

During the first year of production, a laying hen can lay up to 200 eggs. By the third year, egg production drops to 140 pieces per year. Layers New Hampshire do not reduce productivity and in winter period, however, the instinct of incubation is poorly developed in them.

rhode island

The breed was bred in the United States in 1850 by crossing fighting cocks with hens and leghorns. The plumage is dark red, rarely yellow or white. Feathers are dense, shiny. A feature of the breed is that it is possible to distinguish a rooster from a chicken at a daily age. White fluff on the wings is typical for cockerels, and brown for hens. The egg production of chickens reaches 200 pieces per year. The live weight of a hen can reach 3 kg, and a rooster - 4 kg. Chickens are sensitive to temperature - if the thermometer in the poultry house drops below +10 0 C, the laying stops.

Adler silver

The breed was named after the place of origin. Birds have a strong physique, Colombian color (white with black speck) and a well-developed skeleton. Egg production is from 170 to 190 eggs per year, and average weight chickens vary between 2.6-2.8 kg, roosters from 3.4 to 3.9 kg.

The main advantage of Adler chickens is the length of their productive life - up to 4 years. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the blunted instinct of incubation.

Pervomaiskaya

The breed was bred in 1941 at the Kharkov poultry farm (Ukraine). The plumage is white, with black feathers on the neck and tail. The exterior of the birds is distinguished by its compact physique: short legs, convex chest, wide and even back. For a year, a laying hen brings up to 180 eggs. The shell is usually light brown in color. The average weight of a chicken at the age of 2 years is an average of 2.5 kg, and for a rooster this figure can reach 3.7 kg. May Day chickens rarely get sick. Chickens have a brooding instinct.

Quite often, poultry farmers want to breed universal chickens in their backyard so that both egg production is good and there is a lot of meat. Therefore, the choice falls on the meat of egg breeds of chickens, which have a high survival rate and adapt quickly to any conditions of detention. In this article, we will consider the meat of egg breeds of chickens.

Meat egg chickens are very popular because of their productivity. Approximately one individual has a mass of 2.6 kilograms, and can produce up to 220 eggs per year. The egg-laying period begins at an early age, six months after birth.

Universal meat and egg breeds of chickens are completely unpretentious in feeding. You can use waste from the kitchen, cereals, fresh herbs, vegetables. This fact is very pleasing to bird breeders. Lack of feed negatively affects the number of eggs.

Meat and egg breeds of chickens are calm and peaceful. As a rule, outdoor maintenance occurs, special enclosures and special care are not required.

Breeds of chickens meat egg direction with photo

Due to crossbreeding, today there are a huge number of different breeds egg chicken meat. In order to choose exactly the breed that you need, you need to get to know them better.

Rhode Island

The name of this breed of meat of egg chickens came from the state where these birds appeared. The suit has a red-brown color, a green tint is noticeable on the tail. The paws are powerful, the comb is leaf-shaped and red, the beak is yellow.

At the seventh month of life, these birds begin to lay eggs. The egg shell is brown. The mass of an adult male is approximately 3.9 kilograms, females - 2.9 kilograms. The productivity of this breed is quite high - 220 eggs annually.

Deviations from the breed:

Rhode Island apply for breeding different breeds.

Chickens are unpretentious in nutrition, they can eat pasture. Excellent survival rate for young and chicks. Carry a whole year. Chickens that are distinguished by good egg production are left to breed offspring. In order not to reduce productivity in winter, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 10 ° C in the chicken coop, as well as extend daylight hours.

New Hampshire

This breed is a variety of Roy Island. Pretty early and productive. Excellent livestock survival. They start laying eggs at six months old. At big size eggs. The color scheme is light brown-red. An adult male weighs approximately 3.3 kilograms, a chicken - 2.6 kilograms. A laying hen can produce up to 190 eggs annually.

There is only one drawback of the breed - chickens are not very good hens.

Anniversary Kuchinskaya

These are the best meat-and-egg birds. Color scheme brown shimmers with a golden hue. It has a high survival rate of offspring (up to 97%) and productivity.

The birds are quite easy to care for, these chickens are unpretentious, friendly and calm in keeping. They can tolerate different weather conditions very well. Gaining weight quickly. The eggshell is brown, may have a pink tint. The meat is juicy and tasty, the eggs are large. A laying hen can produce up to 220 eggs annually.

Distinctive features:

Kuchinsky Yubileinaya has no disadvantages.

Moscow

This is the most successful breed obtained in the process of crossing. It is characterized by high endurance, productivity, survival of adults and young animals.

The main color is black. Individualism emphasize yellow feathers around the neck. The eggs of this breed are quite weighty - 63 gr. The mass of an adult rooster is 3.9 kilograms, laying hens - 2.8 kilograms. A chicken can produce up to 220-250 eggs annually. During proper maintenance, chickens can lay up to 300 eggs.

Breed advantages:

Disadvantages of the breed - not developed brooding instinct, chickens are pretty bad brood hens.

These birds are very fond of warmth. When you need good egg production to be preserved in the winter, then you need to take care of the insulation of the house.

Animals friendly and calm nature, therefore it is not necessary to build large enclosures. In young animals, the survival rate is up to 95%.

Sussex

These chickens got their name from the famous county. This is where this species was bred. The chicken is quite large, massive back. The suit is white and black. There are certainly blotches on the neck. Gaining weight fairly quickly. The scallop is leaf-shaped. Egg weight - 65 grams. The weight of a rooster is about 3.1 kilograms, laying hens - 2.6 kilograms. A hen produces up to 180 eggs annually.

Plymouth Rock

This breed will appeal most of all to those people who are important bird appearance, a large number of eggs and tasty meat. It is plymouthrock that will be able to decorate the courtyard. Besides, this breed can participate in exhibitions.

Plymutrok is quite large, the weight of an adult male is 6 kilograms, laying hens are 3.6 kilograms. Egg production is high, the meat is tender and tasty.

The color scheme is quite varied. Fawn, speckled, white individuals may come across. Striped, as a rule, are kept for exhibitions, plain chickens are for home use.

Characteristics:

plymouthrocks pretty calm. The main difference from the rest of the meat of egg breeds of chickens is the duration of incubation. A hen can produce up to 180 eggs annually. The shell is brown. Chickens begin to lay eggs from six months of age.

Yerevan

This breed was bred on the territory of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Due to the positive qualities, the breed quickly spread to other countries.

The color scheme is red, black is noted on the tips of the feathers, bright stripes are on the sides. Chickens are medium-sized, with a wide chest and wings. Small comb. The Yerevan breed is quite shy, and behaves modestly and cautiously.

Still starting to run before half a year. Egg weight is about 65 gr. The rooster weighs 4.6 kilograms, the chicken - 2.7 kilograms. A laying hen produces approximately 210 eggs annually. At correct content there were cases when a chicken gave up to 320 eggs per year.

In order to have good productivity, laying hens must be provided with fortified and balanced feed, as well as a warm and dry chicken coop.

Faverolles

This breed has its roots in France. These chickens are quite beautiful, the head is decorated with sideburns, plumage on the paws. This grace can decorate any courtyard.

Chickens are inactive, indifferent to other birds, have a calm disposition. This lifestyle makes it possible to quickly gain mass and store fat. Because they fairly easy to bear lower temperatures. The mass of a rooster is 3.9 kilograms, of a chicken - 2.9 kilograms. A laying hen produces approximately 190 eggs annually. The mass of one is 65 gr.

Orpington

This breed is the most expensive, it comes from England. The feather cover is rather short. The range of colors is very diverse:

• Black.
• Fawn.
• Red.
• Partridge.

The mass of an adult rooster is 3.5 kilograms, of a chicken - 2.6 kilograms. A laying hen produces approximately 190 eggs annually.

Salmon Zagorskie

The name came from appearance meat that has salmon shade. Characteristics:

• The color scheme is black or red.
• Small sizes.

Approximately an adult cockerel weighs 3.6 kilograms, a chicken - 2.8 kilograms. Each laying hen produces approximately 250 eggs. The weight of one is 65 gr.

Poltava chickens

This breed can be found in different countries they are quite popular. The palette of colors is clayey, and the hens are slightly lighter than the roosters. Black feathers may appear on the wings and tail. They have a leaf-shaped comb. The rooster weighs 3.2 kilograms, the hen - 2.1 kilograms. They begin to rush after six months of life. Every year, a laying hen gives about 190 eggs, the weight of one is 60 grams. Excellent mothers and hens.

Adler silver

This breed got its name because of the white color, which shimmers with silver. The mane and feathers on the wings are characterized black saturated color. On average, a cockerel weighs 4.2 kilograms, a hen - 2.9 kilograms. Each laying hen produces about 180 eggs. Weight of one 65 gr. Great moms.

bearded blacks

They have a dense physique, round shapes, large breasts. There is a large beard on the head, this gives the chickens individuality. The beak is grey. Paws are massive. Rosy red scallop. Long feathers are absent, the tail is small. The color scheme is glossy black, shimmering green in the sun. The mass of an adult rooster is approximately 3.6 kilograms, an adult chicken is about 2.6 kilograms. A laying hen produces approximately 220 eggs annually. Today it is quite difficult to find this breed, but professional poultry farmers and amateurs will certainly have it in their poultry houses.

What factors affect egg production?

Get meat egg breed chickens any farmer can. Moreover, this will not be a guarantee that laying hens will produce a large number of eggs. There are a number of reasons on which the number of eggs laid will depend:

In fact, following all these rules is quite easy and simple. With a little effort, you can consistently get nutritious eggs and tasty meat. Provide these products to your family, or start your own business.

Hello dear readers and readers. In today's article, we will consider several types of chickens, and highlight their features. From the TOP 3 best meat and egg chickens, you can choose the best one.

As it was said in the immortal melodrama “Moscow does not believe in tears” - “To love the queen like that! Lose, so a million! And if you breed birds of the meat-egg type, then only the best!

Unfortunately, geneticists have not yet bred a klush of such a variety as the fabulous Ryaba, although it would be ideal for farmers. By the way, if you are farming in the Moscow region or Moscow, then you may need to buy or repair a tractor https://amttraktor.ru/remont/selhoztehnika/kitajsk. Look at the conditions at AMT Tractor LLC.

But, today, according to official data, about 700 varieties of laying hens are known, and almost half of them are meat-and-egg. The choice is difficult, but possible. Let's try to figure it out.

So, the TOP 3 best egg meats.

One of the best types of meat-and-egg chickens. This bird came to our latitudes at the beginning of the last century from the United States, where it was bred by crossing local birds over several generations.

Rhode Island beauties could win a beauty pageant with thick, shiny brown-red feathers. In this homeland beautiful bird Rumor has it that one of the states was named after her.

Among other external features of feathered mothers of this species are Long neck and a fairly wide sternum, a beautiful standing comb, consisting of 5 teeth (mostly pink).

The Rhode Island mother hen owes its appearance to its distant relatives, the Brown Leggorns, who also participated in the breeding of this variety. But, not only with their charming appearance and mercy, they won the hearts of many farmers, but also with high productivity.

After all, the chickweed alone can easily lay about 200-220 eggs per year!

To date, Rhode Island laying hens have already managed to win the hearts of farmers in 50 countries, where they are bred both in large farms and at home. For what such merits has the bird from Rhode Island become so popular all over the world?

Let's look at its benefits.

• Fast maturation and fairly early egg-laying.
• High level of viability.
• Strong immunity to most chicken diseases.
• Unpretentiousness in matters of nutrition.
• Endurance and ability to survive in any climatic conditions.

Watch a video about the US state symbol.

Well, of course, looking at all these advantages of Rhode Island, you might get the impression that these birds are just perfect. Perhaps this would have been so, if not for one detail. Unfortunately, these hens do not do well in the maternal role, and due to the weak instinct of incubation, only 70-80% of potential offspring are born.

2. Moscow black

These mother hens don't have a state named after them, but that doesn't make them worse. On the contrary, in some aspects, the capital's kush is ahead of its foreign relative. It is generally accepted that this is the best breed of chickens for egg meat.

In addition, the feathered beauty from the capital is more popular in our latitudes, since she, one might say, is our countrywoman. The metropolitan klusha owes its birth to scientists from the TSKhA, and the Solnechny state farm can be considered its “maternity hospital”.

This species of birds is very young - it was registered in 1980. This type of chicken has one peculiarity - they are very fond of eating, therefore, with an incorrectly selected diet or dietary errors, they can suffer from obesity. This, in turn, affects the performance.

From the moment of its appearance to the present day, poultry from Moscow has not lost its popularity among local farmers, as they have optimal performance indicators. Let's look at the benefits for which the capital's feathered beauties are so loved.

Unfortunately, the capital's quotes also have one sad drawback. It's about about the low percentage of survival of the offspring.

Unfortunately, at an early age, the chickens of these mothers often die due to low immunity to common diseases. But, thanks to the achievements of modern veterinary medicine, this problem is partially solvable.

3. Kuchinskaya anniversary

An equally favorite among farmers are the Kuchinsky anniversary laying hens, which appeared quite recently and gained popularity very quickly. They were brought out and registered in 1990, one might say, in the neighborhood of the Moscow bush (in the Moscow region).

Crossing the best breeds (including Rhode Island) gave an unsurpassed result. These hens turned out to have fairly high meat and egg productivity, and at the same time it is very easy to grow in our climate.

This is the main feature of this type of quok, because they are equally easy to tolerate cold and heat. At the same time, neither high nor low temperatures affect their health and productivity. Let's look at the rest of the advantages of laying hens.

• Chickens of this breed carry rather large testicles - about 60-65 grams each.
• Their mass is 2.5 -3 kg. Which is 500 grams more than the above breeds.
• The Kuchin mother copes with her maternal duties best of all, due to the well-developed incubation instinct.
• In addition, Kuchinsky kvochka can be called the most tenacious, because of all the chickens born, 98% survive.

No significant shortcomings have yet been identified in Kuchin chickens, so they are rightfully popular among farmers.

So we looked at the 3 best breeds of chickens of a universal type of productivity.

Good luck and success!
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Chickens are distinguished by their product lines. They are meat and egg. The golden mean between them are the combined breeds.

When they are beneficial

For the most part, chicken breeders want to receive from their poultry not only excellent quality meat, but also good fresh eggs. Based on this, new breeds were bred that combine both qualities: a quick set of live weight and a fairly high egg production.

Such a bird develops well on household plots suitable for breeding in small quantities. Therefore, many even large farmers are breeding it, preserving the genetic reserve, while providing themselves and their families with high-quality fresh products and selling them.

In industry, chickens are used only for a narrow productive orientation, that is, either meat or egg. Having average productivity indicators, meat and egg breeds cannot be interesting in wide production.

Characteristics of meat and egg breeds

These chickens are like positive sides, as well as negative ones.

Minuses

1. relatively slow growth (weight 0.9-1 kg by 8-9 weeks);
2. relatively low egg production;
3. big losses at cell content birds and crowding.

pros

1. unpretentiousness and adaptability to the conditions of detention;
2. endurance and vitality;
3. good foraging ability;
4. excellent fertility;
5. the possibility of natural breeding;
6. excellent taste of eggs and meat.

Partridge Plymouth Rocks on a walk in the summer cottage.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that keeping poultry of combined productivity is beneficial precisely in farms or small private farms with household plots.

History of appearance

By nature itself, it is so arranged that birds not only carry eggs, but also build muscle mass. Noticing in some individuals an increase in productivity in one direction or another, chicken breeders began to cultivate this “deviation”. This is how groups of individuals began to form, differing in their productivity in one direction, that is meat breeds separated from eggs.

Then there were poultry farmers who began to cross selected meat chickens with those with high egg production. So new breeds were bred, in which positive characteristics in both areas of productivity.

US farmers were the first to become interested in this regard - such chickens were successfully bred on the ranch already in the first half of the 19th century. It was by crossing individuals of highly productive birds of various orientations that such breeds as Dominican, Plymouth Rock, Wyandot, Rhode Island, Chanticleer, New Hampshire were obtained. While maintaining good egg production, that is, bringing from 150 to 180 eggs per year, they gain a large live weight (roosters grow up to 4 kg, and chickens up to 3 kg).

Luxurious representatives of the Rhode Island breed on a perch in the chicken coop of V. Stepantsov (Tyumen).

Toward the end of the same 19th century, chickens with excellent combined indicators also began to appear in the Carpathian region. An example is the "Carpathian greenleg".

In the second half of the 20th century, Soviet breeders massively engaged in breeding meat and egg chickens in the USSR. This was all the more relevant because the poultry industry was not considered a serious direction in the state industry. It was in the 50-60s that more than 20 new breeds of chickens appeared, including Moscow, clay, Poltava, Adler silver, jubilee, Kuchinskaya. But most of them were recognized by poultry farms as unprofitable in an industrial sense.

The first breeds of meat-and-egg chickens and chickens for breeding at home on a ranch appeared in the United States of America in the second half of the nineteenth century. For the first time, meat and egg breeds began to be bred in the USA from the second half of the 19th century for ranch breeding. Species of this breed also appeared in the Carpathian lands by the end of the nineteenth century (Carpathian green).

In 1950 to the sixties of the twentieth century, a breed of meat and egg chickens was bred on a large scale in the USSR. At that time, the poultry industry was not yet so extensive and was not the basis of the industry.

Then people who were seriously involved in chickens created about twenty breeds and even more groups of breeds. A little later, most of the meat and egg breed was ousted from poultry farms, because they were considered unprofitable.

Photo

View photos of bird species.

What are characteristic?

Consider the direction of meat-and-egg breeds of chickens in Russia with a description and find out which ones to choose? It is taken as a basis that this breed has a lighter and more proportional skeleton, unlike breeds that are grown for meat, but slightly larger than those chickens that are only egg-laying. Their plumage is quite dense and evenly dense.

This allows the bird to adapt well in sub-zero temperatures. Without additional lighting, egg production may decrease in winter. Mandatory requirement according to the content of such chickens, it is a clean and dry house, or a cage, without the slightest suspicion of drafts.

The meat and egg species of the bird are considered more active and inquisitive. are more likely to "communicate" with people. Such chickens are characterized by average indicators of both egg production and weight gain for slaughter: about one hundred and eighty eggs during the year and weight gain up to four kg by cockerels and a little less by hens. Puberty occurs at five and a half to six months.
If you are raising chickens in a backyard, then you need to think about dividing the bird population into a family of chickens that will reproduce their kind (precisely to get eggs for incubation or incubation by the hens themselves), into chickens that will lay eggs for sale, and hens and cockerels to be fattened for meat.

It is worth doing this in order to know which chickens will be best fed.

Short description

1. Moscow black breed of chickens

   This breed has a well-developed musculature, their color is black with obvious visible inclusions from copper to golden hue. As a rule, bettas can have a bright golden hue on the shoulders, mane, as well as the lower back.

   • The weight of the live weight of the bird for hens is two and a half kg, for males three and a half.
   • Egg production from two hundred and twenty eggs per year to two hundred and eighty.
   • One egg weighs an average of sixty grams.
2. Adler silver

   This breed adapts well to the cold climate of the Urals. A change of scenery or feeding is perfectly tolerated by the bird. This breed has a high survival rate. Chickens have a high viability. The bird is resistant to various diseases, unlike many others. Laying hens are about four years old and the number is not decreasing.

   • The weight of a cockerel can reach four kg, and chickens no more than two and a half to three kg.
   • Egg production is at least 180 eggs, and if the weight of the hen is less, then this figure can reach 200 pieces per year.
   • The weight of the egg is not more than 60 grams.
   • Laying hens may be ready to lay eggs at six months of age, but this can be detrimental to their health.

   Most breeds of meat and egg chickens start laying eggs early. This is not desirable for good bird health. In order to prevent pre-carrying, the use of artificial developmental delay is necessary. A common way is to hatch young animals in early summer or reduce feeding and artificially reduce daylight hours.

   We are watching interesting video about the Adler breed of chickens:
   

3. Poltava clayey

   The breed is light brown or dark brown in color. With some nuances of selection, you can bring out the cuckoo color or with a predominance of black.

   • The weight of the chicken is from two to two and a half kg, and the weight of the cockerels, respectively, is more by kg.
   • The main feature of the taste of meat is the low presence of fiber and a pleasant taste.
   • The weight of an egg is about fifty-six grams.
   • Egg production from one hundred and eighty to two hundred pieces per year.
4. rhode island

   The breed has dark brown feathers. The bird is calm, unpretentious, quite friendly towards people and neighbors.

   • The weight of a cockerel ranges from two kg eight hundred grams to three and a half kg, and hens no more than two and a half kg.
   • Egg production one hundred sixty-one hundred and seventy pieces per year.
   • The mass of the egg is about sixty grams.

We watch an interesting video about the breed of chickens - Rhode Island:


5. Yurlovskaya vociferous chicken

   These chickens are black in color with a hint of gold, and their back is silvery. But there are also individuals that have silver and white, red and salmon or black plumage. The tail of the bird is very lush and beautiful. Most chicken breeders noted that the meat of this breed is tastier than broiler meat.

   • Large cockerels weigh up to four and a half kg, and hens up to four kg.
   • Egg production is not more than one hundred and sixty grams.

We watch an interesting video about the breed of chickens - Yurlovskaya vociferous:


6. Moscow white

   The Moscow White breed was bred specifically for keeping conditions with a predominance of a cold climate. Sufficiently dense plumage prevents freezing in winter, and white color does not allow the bird to overheat in summer.

   • The weight of hens is not more than two kg, seven hundred grams, and the weight of cockerels is not more than three kg, six hundred grams.
   • Start laying eggs at five and a half to six months.
   • Eggs weigh sixty-two grams.
   • Egg production up to two hundred and thirty eggs per year.

   Reference! Birds of this breed tend to peck both their eggs and each other!

7. Wyandot

   If you would like to see chickens in your farmstead who willingly make contact with people, then Wyandottes are the best in this business. The nature of this bird is very calm, friendly. Hens can be excellent mother hens who will later take care of their chickens. There is a dwarf subspecies.

   • The weight of a cockerel is up to three and a half kg, and that of a hen is up to two and a half, although it can reach the weight of a cockerel.
   • They are distinguished by low egg production, about one hundred and fifty pieces per year.
   • The weight of an egg is forty-five to sixty grams.
8. Zagorsk salmon breed of chickens

   Hens have light brown plumage, and cockerels are black and white. The breed adopted the vociferous singing from its direct ancestors of the Yurlovsky vociferous. Therefore, when choosing a place for a poultry house, consider this fact. Laying hens are poor hens.

   • Hens and roosters reach approximately the same weight from two kg to three and a half.
   • They have a high egg production of 200-250 pieces per year.
   • The weight of the egg is over sixty grams.
   • Egg laying begins at six to eight months.

We watch an interesting video about the Zagorsk salmon breed of chickens:


9. Legbar

   These chickens have a special attraction. The main distinguishing factor of the breed is autosexism. The bird has a dense predominantly variegated cuckoo coloration. Females have a more pronounced brown color, while males have lighter or cream colors. The hens lay greenish-blue eggs.

   • Hens up to two kg, males up to three and a half kg.
   • Eggs weigh forty-five to sixty grams.
   • Beginning of laying eggs six to eight months.

We watch an interesting video about the breed of chickens - Legbar:


10. Maran

    Marans come from the humid regions of France, they tolerate wet weather well, but the presence of a large comb and earrings can be prone to frostbite. Chicken breeders admit that the birds are very calm, quiet, there is no aggression even among cockerels.

    Those who decide to start marans need to remember that seven to eight females are needed for one male. There are several bred colors (cuckoo with gold, black, white, silver-black, copper-black, black-tailed and Colombian).

    • The weight of cockerels is three and a half kg, and the hens can be from two kg to the weight of a cockerel.
    • Low egg production up to one hundred and fifty pieces per year.
    • Large eggs over sixty grams.
    • The egg laying period is six to eight months.

We watch an interesting video about the breed of chickens - Maran:


11. master gray

    The bird gives out a good carcass, which has a developed brisket and weighty legs. Their meat is very satisfying, tasty and healthy. The hens are ash-white in color with a speck near the neck, and the cockerels have blue-black tails.

    • The weight of the cockerel is over three and a half kg, and the hens are over three kg.
    • Eggs are large over sixty grams.
    • The egg laying period is the same as in previous breeds.
12. May Day chickens

    The breed is more suitable for regions that are in the South, but with good conditions the content is suitable for the northern. The color of hens and cockerels is white with black feathers on the tail.

    • The weight of cockerels is up to three and a half kg, and the hens are no more than two and a half.
    • Egg production one hundred and seventy eggs per year.
    • Egg average forty-five-sixty grams.
    • Egg laying earlier at four to five months.

We watch an interesting video about the breed of chickens - Pervomaiskaya:


13. Pushkin chickens

    The birds are peaceful and quiet. They rarely show aggression. Roosters require a large number of hens, based on one male, about twenty-five females. A good, long range can help the owner save on feed. The hens are variegated black, and the males have light plumage with small dark patches.

    • Egg production of two hundred and twenty pieces per year.
    • Cockerels weighing up to three kg, and chickens up to two and a half kg.
    • Large eggs over seventy grams.
    • Egg laying begins at five months.
14. Barnevelder

    The breed is more like a meat breed than an egg breed, as it lays on average about three to four eggs per week. But the taste of meat replaces low egg production. The color of the bird is chocolate-black, with a lush black tail in males. The hens are good hens.

    • The weight of males is up to three and a half kg, and the hens are from two to three kg.
    • Egg production from one hundred and fifty to two hundred pieces per year.
    • Egg weight is standard, sixty grams.
15. Amrox

    The universal breed of bird has a striped color that distinguishes it from others. The hens are great at incubating eggs and taking great care of the chicks. Cockerels can be aggressive when protecting hens. The color of the feather of this bird is similar to the colors of the sailors' vests, the horizontal stripes black and white alternate with each other.

    Cockerels are slightly lighter than hens, they have more white feathers. They have a luxurious tail, consisting of long feathers, like a sickle.

    • The weight of the cockerel is up to three and a half kg, and the hens are from two to three kg.
    • Excellent egg production from two hundred pieces per year.
    • Eggs are average forty-five to sixty grams.

We watch an interesting video about the breed of chickens - Amrox:


16. Bielefelder

    This breed was bred by the German breeder Herbert Rott. Chickens are good productive characteristics, but in Russia they are known so far only in amateur circles of chicken breeders. This breed has proven itself to be an interesting plumage (variegated mixture of ocher colors with black and gray, and white feathers on the head, like those of hawks). There are no feathers on the legs.

    • Egg production from two hundred to two hundred and thirty pieces per year.
    • The weight of the cockerel is up to four and a half kg in the second year, and the hens are about four kg.
    • The weight of an egg is about seventy grams.
    • Good consistent egg production starts at one to two years of age.
17. Faverolles

    The bird of this breed has many colors, but salmon is the most common. The bird itself is white in color, and salmon on the back, wings and tail. The legs are also covered with light feathers. Faverolles are very curious, so they quickly adapt to poultry houses when they are placed in a common herd. There is a dwarf version of the fireballs.

    • The weight of a cockerel is up to three and a half kg, the chicken is from two kg one hundred grams to the weight of a cockerel.
    • Egg production one hundred and fifty to two hundred pieces a year.
    • The size of the egg is forty-five to sixty grams.

We watch an interesting video about breeds of chickens - Faverolles:


18. Australorp chickens

    In Australorp, the meat has a dark, closer to red color. Excellent taste, there is some similarity with beef. Recognized as the best breed in terms of its productivity both in terms of meat and egg. Plumage color is black. The iris is dark brown, with brown eye rims. The metatarsus is dark (gray or black), the nails and fingertips are lighter, the sole is white.

    Subsequently, white, blue, chocolate, golden varieties of egg breeds for business were bred.

    • The body weight of a rooster is up to four kg, laying hens - up to three kg.
    • Egg production of one hundred and eighty-two hundred eggs per year with some features in keeping and feeding.
    • The weight of an egg is fifty-five to eight grams.
    • Start laying eggs early four and a half months.
19. Sussex

    Conflict-free breed of chickens. Hens tend to show maternal qualities to chickens, and cockerels, by nature, can get along with several of their subspecies in the same herd.

    • The weight of a cockerel and a hen can reach up to three and a half kg.
    • Egg production two hundred to two hundred and fifty pieces per year.
    • The mass of eggs is sixty grams.

We watch an interesting video about breeds of chickens - Sussex:

Basic bird crosses

Crosses in their origin are hybrids of other bred breeds. As a result, selections can have from two to four lines. The name can use the corresponding number indicating the number of lines.

The vast majority of new highly productive crosses, both egg and meat, are based on 4-line hybrids. Bred to increase both egg and meat productivity. Among the meat and egg crosses, the following breeds are considered the best:

• "Australorp".
• "Adler silver".
• "Hollows".
• "Kuchinsky anniversary".
• "Rhode Island".
• "Orlovskaya vociferous".

Features of care If something is wrong with the bird, then by its behavior it will be able to warn the owner in time. You need to be careful about how chickens make sounds. Usually, while awake, birds are very active so they sing and cackle a lot. In the event that the bird is sick, there will be silence.

When someone scared the bird, it shows it even more loudly than usual. A frightened bird begins to rush badly, but after the stress passes, it resumes its activity again. Chickens that start to get sick tend to stop feeding or eat very little. They are in a relaxed form, their head is tucked under the wing or lies with an outstretched neck.

The crest of the bird begins to wrinkle, turning blue or yellow. The feathers fluff up. Such a bird needs to be separated from the general flock, in order to heal and risk infecting other birds. For an expedient feed consumption, it is worth removing chickens that do not lay well from the general herd.

Reference! Laid eggs should be removed from the nests in time, this will suppress the incubation instinct, which is more developed in meat and egg breeds if the eggs are needed for incubation.

Nutrition and breeding

Feeding

In comparison of the main crosses and breeds of chickens of the egg direction, the former have a reduced metabolism. Their egg-laying processes are less intense and, in general, hens of this breed lead a less active lifestyle, less curious. They tend to overeat. As a result of this factor, not muscle mass, but fat can gain weight.

Fat is deposited, as a rule, under the skin and on the internal organs. Also associated with overeating is a decrease in the quality of eggs, a low percentage of egg production. Well, and, do not forget that overeating birds is always associated with high feed costs. Therefore, the daily diet of such breeds of chickens, which go only for meat or meat and eggs, should be made taking into account the factor described above.

Nutrition should be balanced both for gaining muscle weight and for the correct laying of eggs in the breeding season.

reproduction

These chickens are bred by selection. It will be very difficult for an amateur beginner to do this on his own, without knowing certain nuances and features. But most often, for a homestead, they buy a hatching egg of mini birds or young animals.

Conclusion

This article was useful for both beginner chicken breeders and experienced professionals in this matter. She was supposed to help with the choice of the best breed for you and the convenience for growing and keeping. Take poultry farming as seriously as possible, because this is a good business for the soul, as well as quite profitable for the family budget.