There is a huge variety of breeds of chickens in the world. Some of them are meat-oriented, others are egg-bearing. In Tsarist Russia, Liven chintz chickens were widely known and widespread. They combined all the requirements of the peasants for chickens: they rushed well and gave a sufficient amount of meat. An unjustifiably forgotten breed is now being revived and gaining popularity.
Breeding
The first Liven chintz chickens appeared in the Livensky district of the Oryol region of the then Russian Empire. Hence the name of the breed. Sometimes it is called Oryol. The peasants themselves were engaged in breeding a breed of chickens suitable for a peasant economy. It was important for them that it met several requirements: it lay well, was a source of meat and, most importantly, was simple and unpretentious in care. The peasant family did not have to make much choice of food even for their children, so the chickens had to be content with the food that was available. The perseverance of the peasants was rewarded, they managed to achievegoal - the Liven calico breed of chickens was born.
Appearance of the breed
The breed, bred by simple peasants, was distinguished by its attractive appearance. Initially, a certain standard for determining pedigree was not formed. Only in 1990 did they receive specific criteria for the breed of liven calico chickens. The description of the unique characteristics includes the following traits:
- small leaf-shaped or rose-shaped comb;
- calico plumage color (each feather has several colors - black, yellow, golden, all together they create a characteristic motley outfit);
- massive torso, horizontally elongated;
- medium sized head with small yellowish bill.
Laying hens of this breed may have a tuft next to the comb or feathered hairy legs. The weight of one individual ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 kilograms. Cockerels are more massive and heavier than hens, their weight is from 4.5 kilograms or more. Each male is decorated with a magnificent tail, which is located perpendicular to the body. The tail is bright, with beautifully developed braids.
Characteristics of breed productivity
Each owner tries to get the most out of the animals in the yard. The benefits of raising chickens are eggs and meat. Liven chintz chickens, whose characteristics are beyond praise, will quickly pay back the funds invested in their purchase. The breed belongs to the category of meat and egg. In addition to a large number of nutritious eggs, a lot of tenderdietary meat.
Each laying hen produces 200 eggs a year, sometimes 220. The color of the shell is from cream to light brown. The average weight of one egg is from 50 to 70 grams. It happens that a chicken brings an egg and 90 grams. These eggs usually come with two yolks. But this sign is not considered a cost of the breed, but rather its advantage.
Young growth gains weight very quickly and reaches puberty by the age of six months. At this age, young birds can be allowed for meat. The young begin to produce eggs. Hens can lay their first egg at 5-6 months. With maintenance costs, the time of egg production is delayed and occurs at 7-8 months. At first, the eggs are small, but within the limits of the lower norm. After the first rest, the mass of the egg increases and reaches a maximum. There is no time for a winter break to restore strength in the breed. Rest-respite does not last long - two to three weeks.
Features of behavior
Behavioral features are of no small importance for breeding birds. Liven calico breed of chickens, the description of the productivity of which attracts the attention of poultry farmers, has a peaceful character. Chickens are calm, their activity level is reduced, so they easily tolerate cellular content. In the summer, it is better to keep chickens on free pasture. In this case, the owner should take care that they do not scatter. To do this, you need to make a fence higher or trim the feathers on the wings of birds.
To otherschickens are friendly to birds. They are not afraid of people, they immediately respond to the invitation of the owner to eat and run to the place of feeding. Unlike many breeds, the Livens are silent. They will not be early calls at dawn to wake the owner, demanding food.
Males are not as peaceful as females. The owner of the harem is aggressive towards each competitor. If he imagines an opponent in the owner, the rooster can pounce on him. Here it is necessary to show firmness and show who is the boss in the house.
Participation in the upbringing of offspring
Breeding and raising a new generation of chickens is not an easy task. Liven chintz chickens greatly facilitate the work of the poultry breeder in this matter. Chickens have a well-developed maternal instinct. In the summer, it is the turn of the removal of children. Klusha begins to make peculiar sounds - cluck. At this time, she tries to hide and lay eggs in a secluded place. Some sit down to breed chickens in a permanent place where all the females of the yard rush. To breed offspring, the expectant mother must be placed in a separate place.
Kvochka will sit on the eggs for as long as it takes. One mother hen can bring out a dozen and a half or two small chicks at a time. She will take care of the offspring for about two months, until a new batch of eggs ripens inside her. Liven calico breed of chickens is responsible for caring for chickens. Not only hens, but also a rooster stands up for the protection of offspring if it is threateneddanger.
Little showers and care for them
Chickens of the Liven breed from the first hours of their lives show enviable activity and vitality. They are born in three colors: brown, yellowish with dark patches on the back or yellow-brown. Plumage crumbs is slow; feathers first appear, as in other breeds, at the tips of the wings. By daily chicks, it can already be determined that these are Liven chintz chickens. Photos of babies, as well as adults, look very festive.
For the proper maintenance of chickens, you should not follow special rules. The conditions of feeding and care are the same as the rules for raising chickens of any breed. The temperature in the room should be appropriate for the age of the children. If the chickens are cold, then they huddle together. If they are hot, then they open their beak, breathe heavily and lower their wings. Brood should be fed three to four times a day, maintaining a high protein diet. (boiled egg, semolina, cottage cheese).
Cages must be kept clean, dishes must be washed from food residues. Vitamins and prophylactic drugs against infections are very important for babies. However, if children grow up with their mother, their care consists only in feeding. From two weeks old, the hen can be released with chickens on the lawn.
Rules for keeping chickens
Liven chintz chickens are bred as an unpretentious breed. In the summer, the bird does not require special care, especially if it is kept on free pasture. With cellularcontent, it is important to adhere to several rules:
- control the air exchange in the house (avoid the lack of fresh air);
- twice a year, treat the premises from parasites and infections;
- in winter, keep the temperature in the chicken coop at least -5 degrees.
Feeding rules for chickens
Feeding something special to chickens is not necessary. Liven calico chickens, reviews of experienced poultry houses confirm this, completely unpretentious birds. On grazing, they can eat grass or a spider bug, find tracing paper or a pebble, dig out a worm. Everything that the owner offers them, the chickens eat. But the duty of the owner is to form a balanced diet for his clubs. It is preferable to offer chickens three types of feed: dry grain (preferably wheat), wet mash and combined dishes. In winter, laying hens require vitamin supplements and pebbles. It is not necessary to buy specialized feed, since the breed was bred by peasants to be unpretentious in food.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
The positive characteristics of the breed include:
- endurance and unpretentiousness;
- meat productivity;
- high egg production;
- great maternal instinct.
The Liven breed has no shortcomings. The Livenskaya breed is endowed with excellent resistance to most bird diseases. If the poultry house and the birds themselves are treated for parasites in time, disinfected, then the chickens practically do not get sick. Theseeven a novice poultry farmer can take preventive measures.
The aggressiveness of males described above at some moments (for example, when protecting the brood or guarding the harem) plays a positive role. The only negative can be called the rarity of purebred chickens. Finding them is difficult, but possible.
