To date, there are a huge number of breeds of chickens in different directions.
Some of them are very famous, some still have not received wide publicity.
These little-known breeds include Minorca chicken, although few people know about it only in the CIS, and in Europe this variety of chicken is very well known.
Minorca Hens very beautiful and graceful, but in our open spaces there are few hobbyists who know about it. Spain is the birthplace of this breed, or rather, Minorca Island, where black chickens were once crossed, which were extremely popular at that time.
This breed gained its present name after a while in England, where these animals were cultured and slightly improved. Attempts were made to make of this breed a representative of not only egg, but also meat, but these attempts came to nothing.
Although, to be honest, it was pointless to do it, since Minorok chicken meat is very tasty, and the level of egg production is simply excellent.
Zoologists believe that this breed can be attributed to the pure, as in its representatives or not at all, or very little from other breeds.
Appearance in these chickens is extremely demanding. They have a black with a greenish tint, shiny fluff, which forms a rather dense fur.
Roosters and hens of Minorca breed have a very beautiful scallop of bright scarlet color, leaf-shaped in shape, males have pronounced teeth, delicate white earrings.
The animals are small in size but mobile, with a small head and a long neck. The body is slightly elongated, the chest is wide, voluminous, the wings and tail are well developed. The back is short, but wide enough.
The limbs are long, slate hue. The eyes are brown, medium in size, the face is red. If the animal has wrapped feathers around its neck, then this is the main sign of degeneration. By nature they are shyDo not go into the hands of people, even with prolonged contact.
This breed has three branches: German, English and American. The most beautiful of them is the second type. They have an oblong head, a leaf-shaped crest.
In cocks, the scallop is rounded, dropping down to the middle of the beak. In some animals, the comb has the shape of a rose. This is the result of the presence of Hamburg chicken in the Minorca gene.
Some representatives of the Minorca breed have a white or variegated color.Their characteristic feature - a very beautiful comb - these animals received as a result of a long selection.
The lobes of these chickens are almond-shaped, flat, coinciding in size with the dove's egg. Although the Minorcan chickens do not come in contact with people, these animals able to live quietly in the same coop with other breeds of layers.
This breed of hens is considered quite early. Small chickens are very unpretentious in care, develop very quickly. Egg production remains at the same level throughout the year..
The annual egg production figures are 200 eggs per year, each weighing 70-80 grams, white, with a very smooth shell.
The weight of the bird is proportional to the egg production, that is, the larger the bird, the greater its fertility. The average weight of a chicken varies around 3 kg, and a rooster - about 4 kg.
Meat these birds very deliciousgentle white color. The females' maternal instinct is completely absent, since these animals were bred by artificial means.
Animals of this breed should be allocated spacious rooms in which animals will be protected from weather changes.Temperature fluctuations in the hen house should not be allowed, and the level of humidity should also be closely monitored.
Minorca breeds are contraindicated for dampness and draft. It is advisable to cover the scallop of animals with grease before walking in winter in order to prevent frostbite.
It is important to constantly monitor the young and subject to constant selection. The diet for the chicks of this breed is the same as for the young of other species. Giving young birds need grated eggs and crushed grain.
In time, chopped greens, wheat bran, bone meal, carrots, beets, and yeast should be added to food. Fatten the young Minorca breed easy enough.
Adult animals need to be fed food, which is rich in vitamins and easily digestible protein. Perfect for this fit the usual feed. It is also desirable to give the birds sand, which will improve the digestive processes.
Chickens and roosters of the Minorca breed are perfect for your household yard. These birds will not bring much trouble.
