Although today it is easy to find up to a dozen breeds and types of chickens that are distinguished by good productivity, yet well-known breeds have not lost their relevance.
In particular, one of those are the chickens of Leggorn, which have been known to the world for their excellent characteristics for many years.
Moreover, today they are actively used as a genetic source of one of the best materials for the production of new chicken breeds.
The title of the article has already suggested to you that this breed is most famous for its egg-laying.
However, this is not its only merit, for which reason we decided to acquaint you in detail with the Leghorn.
Distinctive features and other features of Leggorn's curia
The origin of this breed is Italian, however, it is common outside of this country for a long time. All the characteristics of Leghornam were obtained by breeding the breed, since it was initially of no special value.
Also, such improvements in the breed are carried on by specialists to this day,Based on these chickens, a large number of new species and subspecies were bred, which are also gaining their popularity.
Appearance and parameters of Leggornovskaya breed of curia
For many years, breeding and breeding of this breed of chickens were obtained very different types of color. But, most common leggorny in our countries are birds of white color (and in general, this color is most characteristic of the breed).
But, if you have to meet black, blue, partridge, fawn or brown chickens, they may also turn out to be Leghorn.
Characteristic of all of them will be the small size of the body, which makes even adults very compact. Also, their vertical wedge-shaped hull shape is very different.
Also, to distinctive features These birds include the following features:
- The skin of chickens is mostly yellow or flesh colored.
- Head size is small, the comb is also medium in size, bright red.
The comb is one of the differences between chickens and roosters, since in the former it may hang slightly, and in the latter it is usually standing. The neck is rather long and thin in representatives of both sexes of this breed.
- In comparison with other breeds, the Leggorn have a very short beak with a characteristic yellow color. An interesting feature is that at the tip it is slightly bent.
- Despite the fact that the back of the curia of the breed described is flat, they are distinguished by a protruding chest and a rather wide belly.
- When a mature age is reached, the birds' legs form white and thin, their length is average. It should be noted that in chickens and young stock the skin of the legs is usually yellow.
- The tail of both the chickens and the cocks of the Leggorn breed is rather wide, with respect to the body it is inclined by 40º. But here in laying hens it is usually a little lowered, whereas in roosters it is raised up.
The most important indicators of productivity leggornov smokes in the household
The breeding of these chickens is usually done only by those who want to get only eggs from them. In this aspect, they are real champions, because their egg production rate is 300 eggs per yearthus, such an abundance of eggs from one layer can be obtained already in the first year of her life.
The big advantage is also the fact that the eggs of the hen begin to bear already from 4.5-5 months of their life, that is, from this moment on, birds of both sexes begin puberty.
Regarding the eggs themselves, they are also quite large in this breed, from 55 to 70 grams. Eggshell is white, with a good diet of chickens solid.
Practically all the eggs of the Leggornovy chicken received are fertilized, since the fertility index itself usually does not fall below 95%. The chick brood level is somewhat lower, although in general it is also high - 92-93%.
But as a meat breed these chickens are practically not valued, the main reason for this is their low live weight. Thus, even in adulthood and with a rich food base, adult hens reach a weight of only 1.5-2 kilograms, and the maximum weight of a rooster can reach only 2.6 kilograms.
But besides the fact that this breed produces quite a bit of meat, it is also not good enough for consumption. In particular, it cannot boast such tenderness and richness as at the Kuchinsky jubilee.
Advantages of the Leggornovo breed, which you should definitely pay attention to
Breeding these chickens is very beneficial not only in terms of obtaining a large number of high quality products, but also in their ease of care. In particular, they are rather phlegmatic in their behavior, calm and not loud at all.
In interaction with people they very friendly, quickly get used to the owner, do not get scared and develop a conditioned reflex between your appearance and the appearance of food.
Moreover, in spite of the Italian origin, chickens can very well acclimatize to various conditions of detention - from the hottest to the coldest climate.
Frosty weather can rarely adversely affect their health: unlike other breeds, the open areas of the Leggorn body (ears, comb, beard, and legs) are rarely frozen, although it will not be superfluous to warm the house for the winter.
Does the breed have flaws and what are they?
Although, on the whole, Leggornov’s egg production is very high, and remains at a fairly satisfactory level throughout the whole life of the hen, in the second year it falls very sharply.
Of course, in comparison with other breeds, this generally cannot be considered something terrible, but for this breed, a decrease in egg production to a production rate of 150 eggs a year is considered almost catastrophic.
For this reason, many poultry farmers and farmers prefer to replace chickens with new individuals every 1.5 years, and let old ones replace them for meat.
However, the issue of reproducibility of the new generations of the Leggornas breed is also quite problematic and paradoxical. In particular, in spite of the good fertility of eggs and hatchability of young, they can be hatched only in an incubator or by laying eggs Leggorn chickens other breeds of chickens.
The fact is that the incubation instinct of this breed is almost completely lost. And if at least one of the 50 chickens shows a desire to produce a new generation, the probability that it will not spoil the eggs will still be quite low.
Description of other Leggorn species: the most popular and productive
White Leghorn is not unique. Using them as the main genetic material, other breeds, no less productive, breeds of chickens were produced.
Therefore, if you succeed in meeting the "multicolored" Leggorn, pay close attention to them too.
Leggorny brown or Italian partridge chickens
This breed of chicken also belongs to the egg. A distinctive feature of the brown Leggorn is sexual dimorphism in the color of the plumage.
Roosters are especially bright because their neck and back are covered with shiny golden-red feathers.
And their chest, belly and tail are black with a very rich green metallic sheen. But the hens are painted more modest color, not so rich.
Leggorn cuckoo-chicken
This type of breed of chickens described in the article belongs to autosex birds, the sex of which can be distinguished already on the first day after hatching from the egg. Males you can identify by the lighter color of the gun.
These chickens are very easy to keep because unpretentious and viableas white Leghorny. The bird moves a lot and has a very friendly character.
In adulthood, the rooster and chicken differ not only in size, but also in coloring. Chickens of this breed are very productive in laying eggs with the usual white shell.
But, eggs are medium sized. Their instinct is also poorly developed. Adults can reach a maximum weight of 3.5 kilograms.
Leghorn Golden - a combination of beauty and productivity
The golden color and small size of the carcass make these chickens almost decorative, but they also have an unusually high productivity.Thus, in one year, one layer on average lays 260-265 eggs.
The weight of one egg can vary from 60 to 61 grams, their shell is white. Roosters on average weigh about 2.2 kilograms, and chicken - 1.9.
Leghorn spotted - the purest breed of chickens
The purity of this breed is guaranteed by the fact that it came into being almost anomalously, and in the future it was no longer mixed with any other breed.
At the same time, such an unusual color is characteristic only of the Leggornas, since they are dominated by white in the combination of black and white colors.
Usually in this case there is more black plumage.
At the same time, the two primary colors on the plumage of birds seem to be placed absolutely chaotically, although if you look very closely, you can easily notice some regularity.
Egg production layers of this breed very high, 200 to 250 eggs per year. The average weight of birds can range from 1.8 to 2.7 kilograms, depending on the gender of the individual.
We are engaged in breeding and breeding Leggornov at home
Practical tips on leggorn chicken
And so, if you are going to contain Leggorn at home for many years under a row,then the only way to get a new generation of these chickens will be to buy chickens or to use an artificial incubator or a hen of another breed for incubation.
Moreover, the eggs are well suited for their own, not just purchased ones, because in any case they give excellent results. It is not at all difficult to purchase both young animals and Leggorn eggs, since this breed is very common and known to many poultry farmers.
In breeding chickens breed Leggorn is nothing complicated, as well as in the care of adults. Their greatest advantage is considered high viability and survival even in the absence of "mother".
But still, some of the necessary conditions must be met, and also do not forget about good nutrition. So, immediately after hatching from the shell, the chickens are given a chicken egg, softened and rolled in semolina.
Over time, it is possible to start adding greens, grain (necessarily crushed), bone meal to it.
Since this breed is growing very rapidly, then at the age of one month the chickens can fully eat the same food as adult chickens, only they will consume much less.
Requirements for the maintenance of adult birds Leggorn breed
It is very simple to grow this breed in any conditions, even without much bothering about building the perfect house. They will equally effectively be carried in the hen house when kept on the floor, and in special batteries from cells.
They even it is not necessary to provide a lot of walking spacebecause even if they are given a small amount of space, they do not lose their healthy appearance and fertility.
But still, too much crowding and density is also not desirable, since in this case the birds can begin to get very sick.
Therefore, in the case of industrial cultivation and maintenance of Leggorn, it is very important to try to leave as much space as possible for each individual and to carry out a special disease prevention: It is very important to add more antibiotics and hormonal drugs to chicken feed.
This will not only reduce the risk of spread of various viruses and bacteria, but also improve the immunity of birds. Also, in factory production, after a year, laying hens will be rejected.
The only difficulty in keeping the Leggorn hens is the need to maintain a constant silence during the period of the most intensive egg production. Otherwise, these phlegmatic individuals may experience very real noise tantrums.
That is, the birds start shouting very strongly, flapping their wings, damaging them against the cage or crippling them against each other. The consequence of this becomes a decrease in egg production and general vitality.
When breeding and growing this breed at home, it does not need to create any special conditions. Of course, in the house should be a sufficient number of perches and nests for eggs, feeders with food and drinkers.
Do not forget about the regular frills and sanitary treatments of the chicken coop, which will help prevent the spread of disease.
Diet for laying hens: how to provide the birds with the most necessary?
Another very good quality Leggornov chicken - they eat very little, which will significantly save on feed for them. Thus, these chickens bring significantly more benefits than costs. The only caveat: although there should not be much food, it should be of high quality.
In order to maintain normal body metabolism of chickens and ensure egg production, it is very important to balance the feed in relation to their protein and mineral content.
In addition, the bet must be made not only on the usefulness and nutritional value of food, but also on its variety and freshness. In particular, grain, bone meal, slaked lime, chalk, and other mineral additives should be constantly poured in the feeders. And do not be afraid that your pets will start to gain too much fat mass - they will not eat more than they need.
In addition to the usual feed, do not forget to make a varied diet with the help of wet mash, as well as vitamin feed. But in this case it is not necessary to give a lot of food, so that it stagnates and does not spoil.
Portions should be just such that they can feed all individuals at a time. Do not forget also regularly fill the troughs with clean water and fresh water.
To prevent the birds from spilling moisture throughout the house, trays should be placed under the troughs. With proper diet, you will immediately notice that the hens have become more active in laying eggs, the quality and size of which will also increase.
