In 1995, at the Labinsky breeding plant in the Krasnodar Territory, work began on the development of a domestic egg breed for industrial use. Rhode Islands and Leghorns became the ancestors of the new chicken. Then a new egg breed appeared, called the red Kuban chicken. Officially, the breed is registered under the name "UK Kuban - 7" and is more of a cross than a full breed. Breeding work on the Kuban breed of chickens is being carried out today. The goal of the breeders is to increase the egg production of the breed.
A bit of history
If you believe the description of the Kuban red breed of chickens, then they belong to the egg direction. They were bred by domestic breeders by crossing Leghorn and Rhode Island relatively recently, but today a large number of farmers choose this particular bird. As you might guess from the name, the birthplace of the breed is the city of Kuban, which is located in the Krasnodar Territory. Today, chicken breeding enterprises are operating at full speed, and work is ongoing to improve their characteristics.
Origin
The bird was bred in the Kuban at the poultry ... The Cuban Red Layer was obtained by crossing overseas crosses Rhode Island and Leghorn.
In 1995, 9 autosex lines were obtained, which became the first representatives of the breed. Poultry breeding today is carried out in several factories, but most of it is reproduced in the factory that bred this breed.
Breeders do not stop improving the poultry, and the Kuban breed of chickens is becoming more and more productive.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let's dwell on this aspect in more detail. According to numerous reviews, the breed of Kuban red chickens has both certain advantages and disadvantages.
Among the strengths are the following:
- good health;
- early maturity;
- ease of care and maintenance;
- fast weight gain;
- excellent profitability indicators;
- good adaptation to almost any climatic conditions;
- excellent survival rate of young animals;
- calm and benevolent disposition;
- high stress resistance;
- can do without free range for a long time;
- quickly get used to new types of feed;
- large egg size;
- excellent taste of meat.
As for the minuses, although there are not many of them, they are there. Among the main ones, there are only two:
- relatively short period of egg production;
- gradual decline in productivity.
Considering all the advantages and disadvantages listed above, it is safe to say that the breed of chickens is Kuban red, the breeders' reviews about it are mostly positive, it is one of the best for breeding in order to obtain eggs. According to experts, today it ranks first in terms of productivity.
Cost, pros and cons
The cost of "UK Kuban - 7" eggs is within 10 rubles apiece, chickens cost 50 rubles apiece.
Among the positive qualities of the Kuban red chickens, it is worth noting:
- high immunity;
- good egg production;
- early maturation;
- easy to find;
- low cost;
- large eggs;
- tender meat.
The disadvantages of this breed are much less: a relatively short period of egg production and an early decline in productivity.
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Breed standards
The main task of breeding when breeding new breeds of hens of the egg direction is to achieve maximum productivity with minimal financial costs. When it comes to poultry farming, it is one of the most profitable niches in agriculture. Initially, it was planned to use 4 lines at once to get new layers, but ultimately it was decided to reduce it to three.
When choosing breeds, the following criteria were taken into account:
- shell density and color;
- size and commercial quality of eggs;
- protein consistency;
- the size and shade of the yolk;
- the nutritional value of eggs;
- quality of meat;
- presentation of the carcass;
- vitality;
- resistance to stressful situations;
- the ratio of the efficiency of funds spent and productivity.
If you look at the characteristics of the Kuban red chicken, you can see that it is superior to many other breeds that exist today. The poultry business is highly profitable and pays for itself in a relatively short period of time.
Diseases and their prevention
The breed is characterized by strong immunity, but only if the basic conditions of keeping and feeding are observed. It is believed that most often representatives are faced with parasitic infections.
The owner should keep an eye on the condition of the birds. Infected individuals become lethargic or simply less active, lose their appetite. The tail feathers fade.
Diarrhea is a symptom of the disease. If this symptom appears, there is an increased risk that the entire herd will be infected. In such cases, you must definitely contact your veterinarian. He will recommend anthelmintic drugs that you can add to your feed.
Appearance
After reading the description of the Kuban red breed of chickens, you can find them some similarities with Loman Brown. The head is small in size with a large leaf-shaped crest, and the plumage is very dense and can be red, brown or red in color. The feet are strong and strong. Among the distinguishing features, it is worth highlighting rather large carcasses. The bird is noticeably larger than other breeds of layers, which makes it possible to breed it not only for the purpose of obtaining eggs, but also to send it for subsequent slaughter. The average weight of a chicken is 2, and a rooster is 3 kilograms. It should be noted that the meat of the Kuban red is distinguished by excellent taste, delicate texture and high nutritional value.
As for the character and behavioral characteristics, the individuals belong to the category of phlegmatic. They are very calm, nevertheless, they enjoy learning about the world around them. But even this is not the main thing. Kuban reds are characterized by high stress resistance, due to which good productivity is maintained regardless of unfavorable external factors.
Rules for the purchase of young animals
It is very important to learn how to choose the right chicks to buy. You can buy young animals at poultry farms, in specialized hatcheries, as well as from private traders.
- It is said that culled individuals can be sold at poultry farms, and therefore prices are usually understated there. But it is also worth noting that veterinary control is always carried out at such enterprises, which will save the buyer from the risk of acquiring sick poultry.
- As for private sellers, they usually offer small quantities of birds, most often in the markets. It can be difficult to determine the breed here and sometimes you can run into scammers. But if the seller is verified and honest, then the hens from under the hen will surely be healthy and as strong as possible.
- Specialized hatcheries usually offer bulk chicks for sale. The order must be made in advance.Perhaps this method of buying will not be convenient for everyone, but with this option, you can be sure of the quality characteristics of the young, since such an enterprise will always work for its reputation.
The age of the young stock offered for sale usually ranges from 1 to 10 days. Accordingly, the older the chickens, the more expensive they are. But at the same time, the older the chick, the more likely it will survive and develop well. A good percentage of the survival rate of young animals is considered to be the death of 2-4 individuals (no more) out of 50. But it is still recommended to carefully select healthy and strong birds in order to improve such statistics.
Read also: Why broiler chickens are dying, what to do so that the bird does not die at the age of one month, video
The chicken should be clean, its fluff should be nice and even. You should also pay attention to the area around the cloaca, it should be clean and free of inflammation. A healthy and hardy individual is a chick that stands confidently on its feet and moves boldly. The eyes should be fully open and slightly shiny. The wings should be snug against the body, and not sag down. There should be no bleeding on the umbilical cord. The tummy should be soft and not puffy. Youngsters should be carefully examined for deviations and external flaws.
Healthy individuals are always active and mobile. Their voice is clear, without wheezing. It is quite simple to check the activity of pets - you need to lightly knock on the box where they are and assess their behavioral changes. Also, young animals should respond to feed, eat with appetite.
Important! Before choosing chickens for purchase, be sure to check their age with the seller. After all, those individuals that hatched less than 7 hours ago will physically not be able to be active and mobile. This stage will come later for them.
Is it profitable to keep them?
The main advantage of this breed of chickens is egg production. It is for her that many farmers partially or completely switch to breeding Kuban layers. One bird on average brings up to 250 eggs per year, weighing about 65 grams, and with high-quality content, good nutrition and careful care, you can get up to 340 eggs from each chicken. According to many experts, today no other breed is capable of demonstrating similar results.
Fertilization is possible at the age of 4 months and the chickens immediately begin to actively lay. However, the first quality eggs with well-formed shells are not produced until 14 days later. And at 6 months of life, they reach their largest size. The egg production of chickens remains at a high level for two years. The meat tastes great, but is a little harsh. Which is typical for a representative of all egg breeds. The carcasses have a good marketable appearance, therefore they are well sold at the average market value.
The survival rate of offspring can be as high as 95 percent. Young individuals grow rapidly and gain weight. The breed reproduces well, and to achieve good results it will be enough to have one rooster for 10 females. Here, probably, many will have a question about how many years chickens live. It is difficult to give exact numbers, since everything depends on many factors, among which the main ones are the content and climatic conditions. But according to many experts, the average life expectancy is about 10-12 years. However, no one keeps so many of them, and after 3-4 years they are sent for slaughter. The live weight of chickens is from 2 to 3 kilograms.
As noted earlier, the Kuban red is one of the best breeds, combining excellent productivity and relatively low maintenance costs.The bird is in good health and rarely gets sick, and is also highly resistant to negative environmental factors.
Brief information about the breed
- Productivity type: egg.
- Rooster weight: 3 kg.
- Chicken weight: 2 kg.
- Ovipositor start: early (after 4 months).
- Egg production: high (340 eggs per year).
- Features of the: increased productivity, demanding on temperature conditions.
- Egg size: large (60-65 g).
- Are they suitable for a beginner: Yes.
Features of the content
Let's dwell on this in more detail. In order to regularly receive a large number of products, it is necessary to provide the poultry with good conditions, and also to equip the chicken coop accordingly. The features of the content of the Kuban red chicken do not differ in any special delights, but great attention should be paid to the temperature regime. According to experts, laying hens feel best at a constant air temperature of 17 degrees Celsius. The main difficulty in this is that it is practically impossible to maintain it in winter. Therefore, the farmer must carefully consider and adjust the heating system. It is also necessary to insulate the room well in order to minimize heat losses and remove drafts.
It is undesirable to allow the temperature in the house to drop to two degrees below zero. In this case, there is a risk of frostbite on the ridge. This is not fatal, but egg production may significantly decrease or the chickens will stop laying at all. In extreme heat, from 25 degrees and above, the eggs will have a very thin shell, which will negatively affect their quality and ability to transport. Therefore, before starting a breed, you need to think carefully about everything, prepare the room and make good nests for laying hens, in which they will be warm and comfortable. If it is not possible to adjust the temperature regime, then you should think about buying other breeds.
Bird maintenance and care
Crosses UK Kuban-7 can be kept in cages or on the floor without walking. Feathered are phlegmatic and do not need daily exercise. In the chicken coop, you will have to create good conditions so that the chickens do not get sick and rush well. The requirements for its arrangement are as follows:
- The presence of ventilation. Stale and too humid air has a detrimental effect on the immunity and productivity of the bird.
- The indoor temperature should not fall below the critical level of +10 degrees in winter, otherwise the chickens will stop laying eggs. Comfortable values for birds vary within + 15 ... + 20 degrees. Strong heat is also poorly tolerated - if the thermometer rises above +26 degrees, egg-laying may stop.
- No draft. It is especially important to position the nest boxes so that they are protected from cold air currents. Otherwise, the chickens will look for another place to lay eggs or stop laying at all.
- Lighting. In summer, when the nights are short and the days are long, additional lighting is not needed. In autumn, after the end of the seasonal molt, the duration of daylight hours is artificially regulated. Ideally, it should be 13 hours. Soft, dim lighting is suitable for chickens.
- Perches are required, which are installed at a height of 80 cm. Each chicken is given 30 cm of the length of the pole.
- Drinking bowls and feeders are placed in an accessible place. It is important to correctly calculate their number. Usually 12 cm of feed tape is allocated for each bird. For 8-10 individuals, 1 nipple teat is needed.
Keeping the coop clean will help prevent ectoparasite infestation and protect chickens from infectious diseases. The droppings should be removed every week. The premises are disinfected twice a year.
Chicken nutrition
Kuban red chickens are demanding on the diet, because they work for wear and tear due to their high egg productivity. The birds' diet is based on grain - millet, millet, barley, rye.Its share of the total food volume is 50%. Birds need protein, so the menu includes:
- peas;
- soy;
- lentils;
- alfalfa;
- low-fat cottage cheese;
- boiled fish;
- serum;
- meat broth.
Attention! To compensate for the calcium deficiency, the feed is enriched with chalk, crushed eggshells and crushed shells.
Highly productive chickens of the Kuban red breed need vitamins. Their source is greens and vegetables in summer, and grain sprouts and grass flour in winter. It is recommended to feed the birds with premixes, as well as to add bone meal and yeast to the feed. Food is distributed 3 times a day. At lunchtime, they usually offer wet mash, cooked in broth or whey.
As much food is put into the feeder as the birds can peck in 30 minutes, the remains of the food are removed. In hot weather, such food quickly deteriorates. Digestive problems may occur if the hens eat a sour mash.
Disease propensity and prevention
Kuban chickens have a stable immune system, but representatives of egg breeds are susceptible to inflammatory diseases of the oviduct. For this reason, farmers are advised to inspect pullets that have recently begun to rush on a daily basis. Signs of salpingitis:
- an increase in the volume of the abdomen;
- depressed look;
- loss of appetite;
- the chicken moves a little, and if it gets up, it walks slowly, as if dragging along the ground.
Attention! One of the causes of inflammation of the oviduct is a lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet. In pullets, salpingitis develops due to trauma to the oviduct if a large egg cannot come out through a narrow canal.
Laying hens of the Kuban breed are not insured against infectious diseases. Young animals are at risk. To prevent the spread of deadly diseases, the livestock is vaccinated.
Molting
During a feather change, the productivity of chickens decreases. Molting begins in autumn and lasts 2 months. During this time, birds become more vulnerable to cold and disease. To maintain immunity, it is recommended to solder the birds with vitamin complexes and keep the chicken coop clean. At the end of the molt, egg production continues in the same mode.
Care features
Creating ideal growing conditions for chickens is far from all that is needed to achieve high productivity. Any pets and birds need proper care, something that most novice farmers overlook. As for the Kuban red layers, they are more demanding than other breeds. Even small mistakes can cause egg production to drop dramatically.
When leaving, you should adhere to the following recommendations:
- complete cleaning of the chicken coop at least twice a year;
- whitewashing the walls with lime every 2-3 years;
- in winter, the floor should be covered with a litter of dry sawdust or hay at least 20 centimeters thick;
- nests for laying hens of the Kuban red breed should be above the floor at a height of 80 centimeters and have soft bedding;
- eggs should be collected regularly and at the same time, otherwise the bird may begin to peck at them;
- in the poultry house, cup drinkers with fresh water should be placed for chickens;
- To reduce the risk of developing diseases, the areas in which the bird is located are regularly ventilated.
By following the tips and tricks listed above, you will be able to achieve high productivity from chickens and build a profitable breeding business.
Why do chickens drop feathers
There can be several reasons for feather loss:
- Seasonal molt. This process has a certain sequence. First, the neck becomes bald, then the back and the very last to renew the plumage of the stomach and wings. Young birds molt in spring and adults in autumn. The process takes 4 to 8 weeks.
- Aggressive rooster. When a rooster tramples on a hen, it clings to its sides and back with its claws. There should be one rooster for every 10 females in the livestock.If these proportions are not observed, the poultry farmer will incur many problems. When there are few males, the likelihood of getting fertilized eggs is reduced. When there are few chickens, the rooster tries to fulfill its potential on those females that are. He begins to trample females indiscriminately several times a day, which leads to the loss of plumage.
The rooster tramples on the chicken, leaving scratches on its back and sides with bald patches
- Diseases. Avitaminosis can result from poor nutrition. If the chicken does not receive the vitamins necessary for the body, it not only stops rushing, but its external indicators also become worse. If the bird lacks minerals, it begins to suffer from alopecia. As a result of this disease, laying hens lose not only feathers, but also down. Prevention and treatment of these diseases occurs by introducing vitamin and mineral complexes for chickens into the diet.
- Stress. Sometimes the result of a change of residence is stress. The pestle stops rushing, eats poorly, behaves inactive and sometimes loses its plumage. Only one thing will help here: wait two weeks for the Kuban red layer to adapt to the new conditions.
- Skin parasites. Chickens are susceptible to parasites such as ticks and fleas. You can fight them with ash baths or medication.
Prevention of skin parasites with ash baths
Molting in chickens
A novice poultry farmer may be intimidated by the fact that his charges are shedding their feathers. Sometimes moulting in chickens occurs so intensely that the entire floor is covered with feathers. However, this does not always indicate a health problem. In some cases, the farmers themselves trigger this process. And for what, you will find out from our article.
The diet
This aspect should be given special attention. Feeding chickens should be complete and balanced. Food is given twice a day, mainly at the same time. At the same time, it is desirable that the diet consisted of half of such grains as rye, barley and wheat.
Also, the bird happily eats the following:
- freshly cut grass;
- legumes;
- fresh vegetables;
- compound feed;
- bran;
- milk serum;
- wolf beans;
- wet mash;
- eggshell;
- a piece of chalk;
- shell rock;
- bone flour.
When breeding Kuban layers, it is important to take into account one important nuance. They have an increased metabolism, therefore, in order to prevent the development of vitamin deficiency and mineral deficiency, it is imperative to include vitamin and mineral nutritional supplements in the diet. In the spring-summer period, it is imperative to give the chickens fresh grass, and straw can be stored for the winter. In cold months, experts advise pouring nettle broth into drinkers to provide wards with all the important nutrients.
You need to understand that not only a complete diet is of great importance, but also proper feeding of chickens.
Therefore, you should adhere to the following rules:
- in summer, meals should be 2, and in winter - 3;
- the daily amount of feed per adult is 120 grams;
- fresh grass should be given between meals;
- the wet mash is removed from the feeders 30 minutes after the bird stops eating. Otherwise, they will turn sour and can lead to indigestion or the development of other serious diseases that can be fatal;
- the water in the drinking bowls is changed at least once a day so that it does not stagnate.
These are the basic rules for feeding high-yielding hens. But don't forget about the products themselves. They must be fresh and of good quality.
Feeding chickens
What should be included in the chicken menu
A correct diet is the key to successful growth and high egg production in Kuban red chickens.Already from 4 months, laying hens need to be fed even more densely, since they regularly lay eggs, thereby depleting their body.
The diet of Kuban red chickens must include grains of wheat or oats, protein supplements, peas or beans, vitamins and greens. One bird should have about 120 grams of feed per day.
Chickens without water can have serious health problems: dehydration, indigestion. After eating, they will not be able to flush their nostrils, respectively, breathing becomes difficult, which can lead to suffocation.
Differences in nutrition in summer and winter
In the summer, when there is a lot of grass and weeds in the garden, it is necessary to regularly feed the Kuban red chickens with greens. It is rich in calcium and vitamins that have a positive effect on the general well-being of birds, preventing the development of weakness in the legs.
In the summertime, chickens should not be given liquid mash, cooked in milk or fermented milk products. They quickly turn sour, as a result of which the Kuban red chickens have digestive problems. For the same reason, any wet mash cannot be kept in the heat for a long time - they deteriorate in half an hour.
In winter and early spring, chickens begin to have problems with a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. For this, special vitamin and mineral supplements are added to food. They are purchased at pet stores. In winter, clover or lupine hay is added to the feed (they are harvested in advance and dried in the summer).
Features of nutrition at different ages
Kuban red chickens are developing rapidly. In the first days of life, their diet should consist of yogurt and crushed eggs. Poultry farmers also use special feed for chickens.
Further, greens, boiled vegetables, yeast, ground and sprouted grains, cereals, bran, cake, meat-bone and fish meal, fish oil are gradually introduced into the diet.
They should have access to water and food around the clock. At first, chickens are fed 8-12 times a day. As they grow, the number of meals is reduced first to 5-6 times a day, then to 4. In six months, young animals should eat 2-3 times a day.
When laying hens of this breed begin to lay, calcium and protein additives are added to their feed: cottage cheese, boiled eggs with shells, meat and bone meal, crushed chalk and shell rock.
Breeding
Growing of chickens of Kuban red hen is carried out in an incubator. This is a very important condition on which the productivity of the bird depends. Females themselves are able to incubate offspring, but in this case there is a high probability that they will stop rushing. The survival rate of young animals reaches 95 percent. It is best for them to hatch naturally, but older hens need to lay eggs.
Chicks need good care from the first days. As with any other breed, they are placed in a cardboard box or brooder. The latter option is more preferable, since the equipment is equipped with heating elements that allow you to maintain an optimal temperature regime.
Feeding of young stock begins immediately after they dry. As a rule, they give a hard-boiled and finely chopped egg together with an eggshell. In addition, chicks need crushed grain crops, among which wheat and millet are considered the best. To improve survival, you need to regularly change the water in the drinker. It is recommended to add a weak solution of potassium permanganate to it to reduce the risk of developing intestinal infections. On the second day, dairy products and fresh herbs can be added to the menu of young animals.
Heating continues for 20 days after hatching, after which it can be turned off. During this time, the chicks will have time to grow up normally and get stronger. If the offspring was obtained in the summer, then after reaching two weeks of age, walking in the fresh air is allowed. With the following basic tips and tricks, as well as proper care, the young grow up healthy and strong.It develops good resistance to negative environmental factors and demonstrates high egg production. How many years chickens live and retain their productivity has already been described earlier.
After hatching, it is necessary to cull the young. A poor-quality offspring is considered if there are the following problems:
- enlarged umbilical ring;
- reddened or swollen joints;
- paws with developmental defects;
- too thin or thick fluff.
As practice shows, most often pathology is associated with mistakes made during the incubation period, for example, non-observance of the optimal temperature and humidity. Therefore, you must first carefully familiarize yourself with the technological process. There is no point in leaving chicks with any defects, since they will not grow normally and gain weight.
The nuances of breeding birds in the household
For successful breeding, it is recommended to form a parent flock of 10 layers and 1 rooster. Since the hens of the Kuban breed have not retained the incubation instinct, an incubator or hen of another variety is used to breed chickens.
The incubation process lasts 21 days. Chicks hatch from eggs weighing 38–40 g, they are completely covered with yellow fluff. Only a month later, when they fledged, it is possible to determine their gender.
Reference. The loss of young animals in the Kuban breed is 5%.
Brood care
Chicks are placed in brooders, where they are kept until one month old. The temperature in the boxes is kept within 28-30 degrees Celsius. It is reduced by a couple of degrees weekly. The inside must be dry and clean.
Daily chicks are fed with boiled eggs. From the second day, steamed millet or chopped corn grits and a little green onions are mixed with it. From the fifth day, the diet of young animals expands, it includes:
- cottage cheese;
- boiled fish;
- grated carrots;
- nettle greens;
- serum.
Reference. Chickens begin to eat whole grain only from one month of age, since their digestive system is not yet able to process roughage.
Diseases and pests
Let's dwell on this aspect in more detail. A great advantage of the breed, for which many farmers appreciate it, is that chicks are already born with good immunity. Therefore, an adult bird is very rarely sick. Major health problems are caused by parasites, which in most cases are caused by improper maintenance and poor sanitation. Therefore, chickens must be periodically examined for the presence of harmful insects, and if they are detected, take the necessary measures in a timely manner.
As the bird grows older, it begins to molt. This is not considered any disease, but is a completely natural process to restore plumage. Its duration is about 6-8 weeks. It should also be borne in mind that aging negatively affects the productivity of chickens. Every year, the indicators are gradually falling, so many private farmers and industrial farms, after 2-3 years, send individuals for slaughter and rejuvenate the herd.
As for diseases, they are mainly caused by various infections. If you do not isolate patients in time and start treatment, then all livestock may die. The most common ailments are as follows:
- avitaminosis;
- pasteurellosis;
- alopecia;
- chicken pox;
- hepatosis;
- bronchial pneumonia.
Avitaminosis is treated by improving the quality of nutrition and introducing vitamin complexes into the diet. Infectious diseases require the help of a qualified veterinarian. If the bird is attacked by ticks and fleas, then it should be bathed in ash. This is one of the most effective parasite control methods.
Symptoms of the disease of the Kuban red chickens
Red layers, like other types of egg-laying birds, are susceptible to a number of diseases.The disease progresses quickly, so any deviation in the behavior of the bird should alert the breeder. Symptoms of an incipient disease can be:
- lethargy;
- lack of interest in feed consumption;
- inactivity or sitting in one place with your eyes closed;
- a sharp change in mood.
Loss of feathering is associated with infection with skin parasites
If you find one of the above symptoms, it is worth taking a closer look at the bird. You may find others:
- inflammation of the skin around the eyes, nose, cloaca;
- mucus in the nose;
- beak foam;
- excessive feather loss;
- slovenliness;
- diarrhea.
Sick chicken with symptoms of inactivity and refusal to feed
Infectious diseases
Diseases caused by infections are most dangerous for laying hens, as they are most often fatal. For example, a disease such as pasteurellosis is characterized by high fever, foam from the beak and nose, and wheezing breathing. The ridge turns blue and the droppings contain blood clots. Chickenpox is also infectious in nature. The head, and then the rest of the skin, are covered with red spots. Over time, they become coarse and turn a yellowish brown color. Birds stop eating, become aggressive and may lose their eyesight.
The manifestation of chicken pox
Diseases caused by parasites
The bird can be paralyzed by skin mites, bedbugs, fleas, helminths and other pests. Common symptoms of the appearance of parasitic organisms are loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of feathers and fluff. The presence of worms is determined by a rapid decrease in activity and loose yellow stools. For the prevention of chickens, bathrooms with ash and sand are installed.
Infection of the feather cover with parasites
Chicken mite control methods
Non-communicable diseases of chickens
Non-communicable diseases are most common in chickens. They are usually caused by a breach of conditions of detention, a poor diet or irregular feeding. For example, hepatosis and apteriosis are caused by irregular food intake, conjunctivitis and pneumonia can appear as a result of hypothermia in birds, and poisoning is a consequence of poor quality feed.
Manifestation of fatty hepatosis in chickens
Testimonials
As mentioned earlier, the hybrid was bred relatively recently. But today it is widely bred almost throughout the country. According to numerous reviews, the breed of Kuban red chickens is one of the most productive and egg-producing. At the same time, the bird has a strong immunity, and also differs in unpretentiousness and ease of care. Also a big plus is the high survival rate of the new generation. The figures given are not exaggerated, but are real. And, of course, many breeders speak very well of good health. With proper care, animals rarely get sick.
What does a hen look like?
The external data of the feathered beauty distinguishes her from her ancestors. See the photo in the article. The feathered lady is medium-sized - her weight reaches a maximum of 2 kg. The most important external advantage is the fiery red or slightly brownish feathers that densely cover the slender figure of the cough.
Some mothers may have a "zest" in the form of gray specks on the wings and tip of the tail. This beauty is crowned with a scarlet comb, towering on a small head. The skeleton structure is traditional for the egg type - it is light, not massive.
Maturing hens
As you know, Kubanochka is considered one of the fastest maturing egg breeds of domestic origin. Chickens begin their hard work at four months of age and do well in it. Today this cross can boast of high egg productivity - even up to 330 pieces per year!
All eggs are large, and have a dense shell of golden or light brown color. It is very important to help the growing body of a young laying hen at the beginning of her working life, because she needs a lot of calcium.
If you do not enrich her diet with special additives, an exhausted worker can begin to eat her eggs, and over time this threatens the emergence of a bad habit.
Helpful hint: if you want to start breeding this cross, but don't feel like messing with chickens, buy four-month-old birds. Otherwise, you risk missing a peak in performance.
What about motherhood?
Chickens are distinguished by a more developed incubation instinct and have good results in this matter. Feathered mothers conscientiously give their motherly warmth to the testicles within the prescribed time, subject to the availability of food, water and optimal conditions.
For the eggs to be fertilized, it is enough that in a bird harem for 10 feathered girls, there is one "combat-ready" gentleman.
How to feed in winter and summer?
According to experienced farmers and poultry farmers, feeding cuban hens is no different from the diet of most other chickens. Adult birds are transferred to two meals a day, and in the intervals between feeds they are given the opportunity to snack on greens or graze.
Certain cereals such as rye, wheat, barley must be present in the diet of Kuban. When it's winter outside, laying hens need warm food, namely, wet mash. It is noteworthy that these birds can be fed to almost everyone - they do not bother, and will eat what they are given.