In animal husbandry, new breeds are improved types of domestic animals, which are created artificially by crossing already existing representatives of the same species. As a rule, this is done to increase productivity or other important qualities.
When breeding new breeds of chickens, the most important role is played by their egg-laying and meat characteristics, which are the main criteria for choosing a bird for further breeding.
If you are also interested in good breeds of chickens, we suggest meeting with representatives of the Poltava breed, who have been striking the poultry farmers for many years with their versatility and unpretentiousness.
Detailed description of Poltava hens and their main breed traits
Chickens, which are the predecessors of the breed, which will be discussed in this article, were known at the beginning of the last century. Then they were exhibited at all the most popular exhibitions and were considered record holders in terms of egg production - one chicken could, on average, carry about 100 eggs a year.
However, undertaking to actively breed such chickens on an industrial scale, the poultry farmers completely ruined the breed.
However, there were professionals who, thanks to purposeful crosses, still managed to preserve the main features of the old local breed and developed a new, improved Poltava.
Today the breed is one of the best in its direction of productivity, which explains its prevalence. It is also worth noting that There are three subspecies of these chickens, which mainly differ from each other in the type of feathering:
Black Poltava chickens. Quite productive representatives of the breed, whose habitat was limited to one of the districts of the Poltava region. To date, their number is limited to a few dozen, but breeders and biologists are trying to preserve and propagate them.
Zozulistye (cuckoo) Poltava chickens. Representatives of this subspecies attract the attention of a very beautiful type of plumage, but they are also on the verge of extinction. In terms of color, they have a lot in common with striped Plymouthrocks, only in Poltava, with the alternation of light and black stripes, the first (light) strip is wider.
Poltava chickens clay color. Today it is one of the most important breed, which is used for breeding on large poultry farms and with the help of which the population is provided with good chicken and eggs. The ancestors of this subspecies are considered to be local origin smokers, crossed with fawn-colored Orpingtons imported from Europe, the Viandoths and representatives of the New Hampshire breed.
During Soviet times, this breed was very widely represented on the poultry farms of many republics, but today the number of its representatives is constantly decreasing. Today, clay Poltava hens are officially registered as a breed of meat-producing productivity.
What are the advantages of keeping and breeding Poltava chickens?
The very first factor to which all poultry farmers who have ever dealt with Poltava hens pay attention is their calm disposition. They are completely harmless, very responsive to the kindness of the owner. Due to this, they can easily be kept with chickens of other breeds and next to other animals.
Another breeding advantage of this breed is good adaptive abilities. Transportation or relocation does not appear on their weight or behavior.
This versatility allows you to easily grow them both on large specialized poultry farms, and in poultry houses, and even in the cage variant. Even in the most meager conditions without walking the Poltava breed chickens still show very high egg production and also grow well and gain weight.
To date, this breed continues to improve, which allowed us to develop a very strong genetic line (14-3). Its advantage lies in the fact that it has a high resistance to diseases such as neoplasm and salmonellosis. Thus, the survival rate of birds significantly increases, which makes their breeding more profitable. In addition, representatives of the same genetic line can boast of very high egg production rates and large egg sizes.
Another advantage that breeding breed gives is its exclusivity. Due to the fact that there are very few representatives of black and zozulist hens, they are bred in collection herds, which allows them to preserve their genetic gene pool.
Young Poltava chickens very reach sexual maturity and gaining weight. By the age of six months, cockerels usually weigh at least 1.5 kilograms, or even more.. However, regardless of age, the meat of these chickens is simply amazing for its taste. It is so tender and juicy that it is valued higher than the meat of the very popular Leggorn.
The disadvantages of the breed: what to do to not bring losses to the au pair?
It is not strange, but even such a beautiful breed of chickens as Poltava, has one drawback - the tendency to obesity. True, it does not manifest itself very often, but it can bring some to your household. financial losses:
the duration of life of obese cocks and hens is reduced by several times;- egg-laying diminishes or stops completely;
- in such chickens the instinct of the hen is dulled.
the duration of life of obese cocks and hens is reduced by several times;In order to prevent this, it is very important to give the birds only balanced feed, saturating the diet with plenty of proteins. Also, it is recommended to feed them regularly at the same time.. Do not forget about regular walks, which will allow chickens to waste some of their energy, burning even those fatty tissues that have already accumulated.
If you plant them in a cellular battery and do not have the opportunity to let go for a walk, then be sure to include stones in their diet. They will rub the chyme and stimulate digestive processes.
A very important step in exploring the characteristics of the breed of birds is the description of their exterior. After all, without at least one trait, chickens may be considered not purebred and rejected.
By what breed traits can Poltava chickens be identified?
Therefore, if for breeding Poltava chickens at home you are going to buy adults, be sure to pay attention to such specifications:
the head is of medium size, in relation to the overall size of the body of chickens and roosters, it may even seem very small;- the crest is rather large in roosters, and completely invisible in the hens; has a rose-like shape, but leaf-shaped variations are allowed; the color of the comb is red;
- ear lobes also attract attention in red and have an average length;
- the birds' face may be red or pink, covered with short setae on top;
- the beak is rather short, almost straight, only to the tip almost imperceptibly descends from the bottom, painted yellow;
- the neck is short and rather thick, which creates the impression that it is part of the chest, and the back passes smoothly through the head through an arched curve;
- the chest is rather wide, it is distinguished by a rounded shape, and stands slightly forward;
- Due to the large size of the bird, their back is very long and wide, it has a horizontal position, although the lush plumage gives the impression of a curved arc;
- On the whole, the body of Poltava hens is shallow and elongated; if you look at the birds from the side, its shape gives the impression of a boomerang;
- wings are small in size, very tight to the body;
- the legs of the representatives of the breed are widely spaced, have no plumage, are colored yellow; have an average length;
- the tail of even cocks is medium developed and consists of simple steering feathers of color of different shades, there are practically no braids; together with the body, the tail forms an obtuse angle;
- Poltava clay chickens are characterized by yellow-red eyes.
the head is of medium size, in relation to the overall size of the body of chickens and roosters, it may even seem very small;Clay Poltava chickens have their own special color of feathers: it is light yellow or dark yellow. Only the tips of the contour flight and tail feathers are distinguished by black color. Coloring down of chicks of both sexes at day old has a light brown shade.
There are also some differences between roosters and hens of this breed. So, the cocks behave more importantly, in the movements they are smooth, although quite decisive. In clay roosters, the feathers on the wings have a dark yellow color, and on the neck - golden. They are also distinguished by a large comb, which consists of five teeth of regular shape. The tail of the cocks is completely black, only the braids can have a greenish tint.
The productivity of Poltava chickens: the most important indicators in numbers
Diluting Poltava chickens is extremely advantageous because they are characterized by very good precocity. Chickens can carry the first egg at the age of 140-150 days. With that, if for representatives of other breeds such early egg-laying is extremely undesirable, then for these chickens such a feature is quite normal. Regarding the overall egg production pay attention to the following indicators:
- the average annual number of eggs that one chicken can carry can vary from 160 to 217;
- record-laying hens raised on special farms, were marked by indicators of 290 eggs per year;
- eggs of the representative of Poltava breed are quite large, their weight ranges from 55 to 58 grams;
- Poltava chickens have a unique gene of goldenness, which is displayed not only on the color of feathers, but also on the color of the eggshell, which they often have brown color. In addition, their shells are very thick, often used as feed and source of calcium;
- eggs differ in very large amounts of protein;
- the fertility of eggs is very high, which provides the same high hatchability rate of Poltava chickens - 80-83%.
Meat productivity of hens of the described breed pleases not less. So, roosters on reaching mature age gain weight of 3-3.5 kilograms, while chickens weigh much less - only 2.2-2.5 kilograms. Of the total weight of the bird, the meat yield is not less than 52%, and the bones - about 11%. The juiciness and good taste of the meat of Poltava chickens ensures the presence of very thin fatty layers, which are located between the muscles of the birds.
Of industrial importance is also the fluff of these birds. Opereny they are quite abundant, which allows to obtain large quantities of this product. From it you can make good pillows and featherbeds.
Features breeding and breeding Poltava chickens in the household: practical advice
Breeding chickens should start with the purchase of chickens or eggs of the breed that you need. This method is cheaper, but it has many difficulties and time consuming. Therefore, you can simply acquire several individuals and use their eggs to get their offspring.
Poltava chickens manifest themselves as very good chicks, so you definitely will not have problems with chickens hatching. This process lasts for 20-21 days, therefore, it is necessary to plant a chicken on eggs in mid-April - early May, so that the young offspring comes into being with the arrival of heat and there are no problems with its growth. 13-15 eggs can be laid under one chicken.
In the first days you need to carefully monitor the hen, so that it does not leave the nest for too long a period of time, otherwise the eggs under it may deteriorate.
Do not forget to regularly feed and water the hen.
What to feed and how to keep chickens to increase offspring and productivity?
The main part of the diet of Poltava chickens should be corn grains and waste from their production. They will not only bring great benefit to these birds, but will instantly be eaten by them. But from the very beginning of their birth, the chickens are fed millet and dairy products, which are a very good source of energy and protein for them.
Until the age of 7 weeks, such food should be mandatory, since it can provide an increase in muscle mass and in general the body of birds. Also, this allows for the full manifestation of the genetic potential of Poltava chickens. But besides food, it is important for small chickens to provide good lighting inside the house. From the moment it emerges from the egg, it should be around the clock, and by the age of 9 weeks it should be reduced to 9 hours.
After overcoming the chicks age at 7 weeks, they are best fed with special feed, in which the amount of protein will not exceed 14%. This will allow to reach the optimal mass in the shortest possible time and fully enter into the period of puberty.
Later in the diet of adult birds can include:
- a variety of cereals, although the advantage is still to give the corn;
- root crops and seasonal fruits, but in small quantities;
- green fodder, which can even be interfered with in small chickens;
- clean and fresh water, drinkers from which must always be in the house or near it.
We have repeatedly noted that this breed is prone to obesity, so do not allow an increase in their body weight. Regular feeding in the winter should be 2 times a day, and in the summer one will be enough, especially if the birds are on the run. An important aspect in the content of this breed is the ratio of males and females: the best option is when there are 8 chickens per cock. For a comfortable stay for these birds The following conditions must be met:
- if chickens are kept in the house directly on the floor, then they definitely need to scatter the litter. The best options can be straw, sawdust from wood and dry peat.
- But do not forget that it should be changed regularly so that it does not get wet and retain freshness in the house;
- The drinking bowl should be installed in a bright place so that chickens can see it. It can be installed directly in the house, but in this version the chickens will bathe in it and pour it all over the room (you can prevent this by installing a special net over the trough, through which the bird can stick only its head);
- birds also need to arrange a place with sand or ashes where they can bathe and clean their feathers;
- Try to provide your pets with regular walks, on which they will be able to squander some of their energy, as well as diversify their diet with the help of green fodder and various insects.
