Chickens holosheyki

The hairless chicken is a breed that has recently gained great popularity and is loved by many poultry breeders. First of all, the breed attracts attention due to its unusual appearance. The question of where exactly the naked chickens appeared is still open. Chickens were brought to Russia and Ukraine from Semigradia (that is how Transylvania, western, northwestern and central regions of Romania were called in a different way), therefore, in addition to the ordinary name, you can find such a breed name as Semigrad or Transylvanian chicken.

Since it was only in Romania that chickens were so widespread, this country began to be considered the homeland of naked chickens. Birds are equally popular in European countries such as Germany, France, Austria and Hungary. But in the USA, Ukraine and Russia, this breed is much less common.

The most popular and widely known among the hairless chicken are the Spanish flu and French hairless chicken.

Chicken Holosheyka: characteristics of the species

Bare-necked chickens were obtained by crossing a turkey with a chicken, so this breed is difficult to attribute to any species. The hens got their name due to the absence of feathering in the neck and goiter. This can be explained by the fact that the follicles in these parts of the body are absolutely undeveloped. With age, the exposed areas of the bird become rough and wrinkled, and the skin color turns red. A small feather cap can be seen on the top of the bird, and a red "bow" in front.

Chickens holosheyki

The brood hen can be distinguished by its bright round earrings, and their comb is deep red in color.

Bald spots in chickens can also be seen under the wings, these bare spots are called apterias. The inner part of the lower leg is similarly devoid of feather cover.

Holosheyki have a varied palette of color cover, ranging from white and variegated to brown and black. The bird has a slightly curved yellow or black beak. The chickens have a scarlet face, the eyes are red-red. The comb is bright red. Medium earrings.

Chickens with a bare neck have a small cylindrical body, a rounded belly. The pectoral muscles are well developed. The wings do not fit tightly to the body, therefore they look slightly saggy. The paws of the breed are strong, with 4 toes. The bird's tail is small, but voluminous, slightly raised.

A hen can reach a weight of 2 to 3 kg, and a rooster - 4 kg.

According to the reviews of experienced poultry farmers, it is unacceptable that the eyes and face of a bird of this breed are too dark, and the earrings are white. Also, an underdeveloped body and yellowing of bare skin are not allowed.

Breed productivity

In Soviet times, this breed was not used in any way, since the bald skin in the neck area frightened people away, they considered the bird sick and infectious. Therefore, no benefit could be derived from it, and there was no point in keeping.

Breed productivity

The situation changed when people learned how productive such a chicken can be. This bird is a good laying hen. As soon as the hen reaches the age of 5-6 months, it immediately begins to lay eggs.In one year, you can get from 140 to 160 eggs, each of which can weigh 50-60 g. The color of the shell can be beige or white.

Naked chickens are also prized for their delicious meat. It can be considered dietary, such easily digestible meat can be consumed not only by adults, but also by children.

Based on the fact that the weight of a bird can reach 2-3 kg, and the breast is well developed, this breed can be considered not only egg, but also meat.

Meat breed

Selection of bare-necked chicks

When buying chickens of the French or Spanish breed, the first thing to pay attention to is the body. If it is underdeveloped, this is the first sign of illness in birds. What else to pay attention to:

• Legs should not be frail.
• If the eyes are dark in color, this also indicates the presence of a disease.
• If feathers are found in the apterial zones (where they should not be), this is not an acceptable norm for the bird.
• Yellowing on bare areas is also a sign of illness.

It is worth noting that chickens have excellent endurance. Approximately 95% of the young survive.

Selection of bare-necked chicks

Features of bird care

Naked chickens, despite their exotic appearance, are actually unpretentious to care for. To grow them, it does not require colossal costs and knowledge, but nevertheless, it is important to follow some care rules.

For the bird to feel comfortable, the room temperature must be at least 0 ° C. Despite the fact that the golosheyka lacks feather cover in some parts of the body, this does not in any way affect the bird's resistance to cold.

The optimal litter is peat, as it removes bacteria and prevents excess moisture.

In hot countries, holos can be grown directly on the street. In places with a cool climate, it is better to build a chicken coop. The bird will be able to endure the summer period without difficulty (after all, the Spanish breed is accustomed to the heat), but the winter time will be much more difficult for the bird to survive. Therefore, it is important that the chickens are in the hen house, the temperature in which will be from +5 to + 15 ° C.

Walking

Holosheikas are calm and rather peaceful birds, but not passive. Of course, females are much calmer than males. However, such activity can be inherent in males of any other breed. In order for the birds to grow better, they need to be released for a walk in the yard, even in winter. If the temperature outside drops below 13-15 degrees, the walking should be interrupted.

Herbaceous vegetation will be of great benefit to chickens, it can partially replace their usual grain feed, therefore, the farmer can save on food for the holoshey. Dust trays are also helpful.

Choice of feed

Beginners who were not previously familiar with this breed may not worry too much about what food is best for the bird. Holosheks are absolutely unpretentious in food, so their diet may include the same food as that of ordinary chickens. It includes: cereals, clover, potatoes, dairy products, corn grains and more.

Choice of feed

Sprouted grains and various vegetables are perfect for layers. So the bird will be able to get the necessary nutrients and elements. You can also diversify the diet of shanks with yeast, ground eggshells and chalk, since these products contain calcium, which is necessary for poultry.

It is not uncommon for farmers to use a combination feed that allows the hens to get all the nutrients they need, but it is important that the food is balanced. The daily norm for an adult, which weighs 2 kg, can be considered 120-130 g. With each subsequent increase in the bird's weight by 240-250 g, 10 g of an additive can be added to the portion.This type of feeding will help raise large and healthy birds.

The water in the drinker must be constantly replenished.

Breeding

When breeding this breed, it is important to consider the number of females and males. The male is able to fertilize up to 10 females.

Eggs should be laid out in an incubator, as hens do not sit on them for a long time. But they take great care of their offspring. At first, chicks should be kept in a warm and dry place, which should be periodically ventilated. Gradually, as you grow older, the temperature is lowered. Chicks grow quickly and gain weight, and keeping them is also not a hassle.

The chicken diet includes the following foods:

• Pounded eggs;
• Crushed grains;
• Carrot;
• Beet;
• Greens.

Wheat bran can also be added to chicken feed and contains all the necessary elements. After 2 months, it is worth adding corn grains and fish oil to the diet, they will help prevent obesity.

Every second hour the chicks' feeders need to be replenished with feed. Accordingly, they must be kept clean and uneaten food must be removed. So you can save the health of the chickens.

Breeding chickens

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Characteristics of chickens with noses includes both pros and cons.

Advantages:

• The bird tolerates persistent frosts well, and feels great in the heat;
• Unpretentious care;
• The poultry diet can be very varied, so the farmer will not need to carefully select the menu;
• Raising young is as easy as raising an adult;
• The survival rate of bare-necked chickens is 95%, which shows their high viability;
• This breed perfectly tolerates various diseases;
• Due to the peculiarities of the feather cover, the chicken is easily and quickly plucked;
• Poultry meat is not only tasty, but also easily digestible. It is suitable for both adults and children.
• The breeds are also kept for breeding other breeds, including for such as broiler holosheyka. Bare-necked broilers also do not pose much of a hassle to care for them;
• Holosheyka, due to its docile nature, easily gets along with any other chickens.

Minuses:

• Due to the rather unpresentable appearance, many poultry farmers do not dare to have such chickens, so they are rarely found;
• A holosheyka, having laid eggs, after a while can simply forget about them, therefore, it is recommended to hatch the chickens using the incubator method, or simply put them to other hens.
• The chicken produces very few eggs.
• If it is cool in the coop, the hen may stop laying eggs altogether.

The above description of the hairless chicken breed suggests that even despite its unusual appearance, such a bird is excellent for breeding. It is not only famous for its delicious meat, but also does not cause any trouble. A special advantage can be considered a high survival rate. Experienced farmers say with confidence that this breed will eventually take its rightful place in poultry yards.