The Moscow black breed of chickens (a description of the breed is given in the article) belongs to the universal representatives of the meat-and-meat direction. It is popular with farmers and summer residents, it belongs to a breed that is beneficial for home breeding and maintenance. The large number of poultry in home gardens and farms ensures an uninterrupted supply of fresh eggs and dietary meat.
Moscow black: exterior features
This is a fairly common breed, characterized by unpretentiousness and high productivity. It is classified as meat and egg. Moscow black was bred by crossing Leghorns, Yurlov and New Hampshire chickens. This work was carried out by the breeders of the Svetly state farm, located in the Moscow region. Hence the name of these chickens.
The Moscow black exterior is proportional and harmonious. A golden fawn color of the neck is allowed. The comb in chickens of this breed is neat, small, erect, and the tail is very lush, but not high. The plumage of males and females is no different. The only thing is that in roosters, in addition to the neck, the mane may also have a golden hue. This color sometimes spreads to the back. The legs of the black Moscow chickens are somewhat darker than the cockerels.
Feeding an adult herd
During the day, one bird should eat 120-130 grams of feed. In winter, chickens have a better appetite than in summer. You need to feed the birds three times a day. In the morning, give juicy and high-calorie food: zucchini, boiled potatoes, beets, carrots, green grass, etc. At lunchtime and in the evening, limit yourself to grain crops: wheat, rye, oats, barley. If there is an opportunity to buy compound feed, then give it at lunch, and grain in the evening. In the feed you need to mix fish, meat and bone meal, various vitamins, salt. To strengthen the shell, periodically add shells.
Productivity
The plumage of these birds is very dense, which makes it possible to breed them in regions with a cold climate, including in central Russia, as well as in Siberia. From one layer of this breed, you can get about 220 eggs per year. An adult chicken weighs 2.8 kg, a cockerel - 3.7 kg. The average weight of eggs is 60 grams. Their shell is colored brown. Fertility of eggs is about 90%. Egg production directly depends on the quality of feeding.
The Moscow black breed of chickens is distinguished by its vitality and easily crosses with other varieties. Especially good results can be achieved when mixed with Leghorns and Russian Whites. These chickens have a rather calm and balanced disposition. However, they are rarely bred in cages. These chickens feel much better when breeding in a barn with a spacious range.
Conditions of detention
There are no difficulties in keeping the Moscow breed, which has a calm character. Walking space does not need to be fenced off with a high fence. Birds perfectly survive stressful situations, quickly get used to a new place. Moscow black chickens can be kept both in cages and on the floor.
A litter is laid on the floor; straw, sunflower husks, small hay, dried leaves, peat or wood chips can perfectly fulfill its role.All of these types of bedding will absorb moisture well, which is released as a result of the life of birds. In winter, the thickness of the litter should be at least half a meter to provide warmth. Over time, microorganisms form in the litter layer, which, by their activity, will create a microclimate. He, in turn, thanks to the high temperature, will allow keeping the bird in an unheated chicken coop.
Littering materials are prepared in summer, using a dry room for storage, which is periodically ventilated to prevent mold. One bird needs to store 15 kg of dry material per year. Under the right conditions, the Moscow breed of chickens will run better.
Read also: Pavlovsk chickens: breed description, photo
Feeding features
Mixed directions of chickens need more feed than birds that belong to one direction or another. If we take a percentage, then Moscow blacks consume 20% more feed per day compared to representatives of the egg breed.
Despite being fastidious about the food base, it is important to provide birds with a good diet, thanks to which you can achieve optimal productive results.
Mainly, feed with hay flour is used for feeding, but it is recommended to diversify the diet of chickens, for example, introduce juicy feed, consisting of green grass in the summer, vegetables, and fruits. As soon as the warm days come, hay flour can be discarded by replacing it with grass.
Be wary of feeding boiled potatoes to birds. The black Moscow breed has a phlegmatic character, individuals move inactively. In birds, the digestive system works more slowly, and when overfeeding with potatoes, obesity of the internal organs begins, which negatively affects the health of chickens.
It is necessary to install a sufficient number of feeders and drinkers with fresh water in the room. It should be changed regularly and the containers should be cleaned properly.
Breeding subtleties
Breeding work on the breed led to the fact that hens almost completely lost their maternal instinct. To obtain a herd, either purchased young animals or incubation material are used. Healthy chicks can only be obtained through careful selection of eggs.
Ovoscopy is performed, thanks to which you can see the presence of an air chamber, which is located at the blunt end of the egg. Products with a displaced chamber are not allowed before incubation, as well as eggs with several yolks or without them at all, when the shell is deformed.
Meat and egg chickens reach sexual maturity somewhat later than egg representatives. For incubation, eggs are taken from hens that have reached the age of 8 months, while they should not be allowed to lie in the nest for more than four days.
Russian black bearded chicken
This beautiful and rather productive breed was bred at the end of the last century by domestic breeders. Nothing is known for certain about its roots. However, it is believed that the parental breeds of the Russian Black were Krevkers and Viadonts. Some scientists also suggest that Oryol chickens were also used in the breeding work. In tsarist Russia, the Russian black was considered an elite breed. Only rich people bred her. Ordinary peasants did not have such chickens.
general description
The main features of this breed, in addition to black plumage, are:
- large head with a small beak, slightly curved at the end;
- large, full, protruding eyes;
- pink ridge strongly tapering towards the end;
- long dangling earrings;
- heavy lush beard, widening towards the back of the eyes;
- round chest and small wide body;
- small wings that fit tightly to the body;
- medium straight tail.
The plumage of black bearded chickens is very lush, which makes it possible to breed them even in the cold regions of the country. Exterior chickens differ little from cockerels. They also have a beard, the comb and earrings are slightly smaller.
Productivity and character
Males of this breed can reach a weight of 3.5-4 kg, hens - 2.7-3 kg. Laying hens lay about 200 eggs per year. As in the case of the Moscow breed, the egg production of the Russian black directly depends on the quality of feeding. The more food a bird gets, the better it rushes. The eggs are light brown in color and weigh about 65g.
The character of the Russian black chicken is calm and even phlegmatic. Males of this breed practically do not fight.
At the moment, this breed is practically not contained in farms and household plots. You can mainly meet her only at collectors.
Testimonials
Marina Alexandrovna, Irkutsk region.
I have been keeping chickens of the Moscow Black breed for several years. Egg production is good, unpretentious in care. They eat all the feed so that you don't pour it into the trough. There were cases when the shells on the eggs were soft. To prevent this from happening, she began to give the vitamin "Tetravit". In addition, he not only allowed the shell to be strengthened, but also improved egg production. I am satisfied with the quality and quantity of eggs.
Elena Georgievna, Rostov region.
Laying hens of the Moscow Black breed began to be kept and bred five years ago. We were looking for a breed of chickens that does not freeze without heating. The birds fly perfectly, there are enough eggs not only for themselves, but also for sale. I have never regretted that five years ago I drew attention to this breed of chickens.
The breed of chickens Moscow Black was bred under the conditions of Russian regions. It will take root anywhere. Caring for her will not burden you, but meat and egg productivity will delight you.
Chickens black australorp
This is another interesting breed, developed in Australia in the early 19th century by crossing the Orpington with local chickens. Hence its name. As in the two previous cases, this breed is classified as meat and egg. In the USSR, the australorp was imported several times, but unfortunately, this black chicken in our country, unfortunately, did not receive a particularly wide distribution.
A bit of history
Breeding was done in the Soviet Union. Representatives of the Moscow Agricultural Academy and the Bratsevo poultry farm worked on it. The task was to develop a universal, unpretentious breed. Therefore, crossing was carried out between Yurlovskiy, Italian partridge and New Hampshire chickens.
The resulting hybrids interbred with each other. This made it possible to achieve good egg production without losing weight in the laying hen. Years of painstaking work have been crowned with success.
Did you know? The Moscow black breed was entered in the state register in 1980.
Description of the breed
The plumage of the black Austrolorp is characterized by a pronounced green tint. This breed is not particularly resistant to cold weather. The fact is that her plumage, although magnificent, is rather rare. Perhaps this was the reason that the Australorp did not take root in Russia. The exterior features of black chickens of this breed are as follows:
- a small head with a dark, straight beak;
- leaf-shaped erect ridge with five teeth;
- wide, convex chest;
- stocky body and round build;
- a small raised tail.
Black castellana
This breed was bred in Spain and belongs to the egg direction. Since black castellans have been bred in this country for many centuries, nothing is known for certain about exactly how the breeding work was carried out. Presumably, it was bred in the city of Al-Anadaluz by the Mauritanians.
Unfortunately, at the moment this breed is practically not found in the farmsteads of even Spanish farmers.Recently, it has been supplanted by other varieties of chickens, which are considered more productive. Today, the livestock of thoroughbred Spanish castellans is no more than 150-200 units.
Due to its interesting plumage, this chicken is still of some interest. But in this regard, it is being replaced by many other breeds. For example, the same black, silver, golden, smoky, black and white chickens of the Pavlovsk breed. If measures for the restoration of this bird are not taken, most likely, in the coming decades, it will disappear completely.
Features
Outwardly, this is a very interesting breed. The black La Flèche chicken has white auricles and a bright red crest. Its shape, both in roosters and in layers, is rather unusual (with the letter V). In appearance, the scallop of these chickens very much resembles horns. It was they who became the main reason for the superstitions associated with this breed.
The productivity of these chickens is very good. In addition, they are unpretentious and distinguished by their vitality. Their character is very lively and temperamental. Males can reach a weight of 4-4.5 kg, hens - 3 kg. Egg production is at a fairly high level - 180 pieces per year.
Dominants are black
Egg cross. Layers with a massive body and short legs, because of the dense, voluminous plumage, they seem to be very low. The head is small, decorated with a comb and deep red earrings.
The nature of the hens is balanced and calm, they quickly get used to those around them.
Performance:
- the weight of the rooster does not exceed 3.5 kg;
- chicken weight - 2.5 kg;
- the beginning of laying - at the age of 5 months;
- annual egg production - 310 pieces;
- egg weight - up to 70 grams.
In addition to black, the dominant crosses are blue, brown, sussex (white with black), leghorn (white).
Breeding and care
The diet of such birds is absolutely no different from the “menu” of chickens of other breeds. They are fed mainly with mash (from root crops and vegetables), wheat crushed and bran. There are 4-5 chickens for one cockerel. Eggs can be left under the clump or taken to the incubator. Chickens are first fed with millet, boiled eggs and cottage cheese, and then gradually transferred to adult food.
The barn for black chickens should be dry and light. It is imperative to equip it with perches, nests and feeders. A large fenced walk is arranged in front of the barn.
Of course, the black color of the pen is quite impressive and beautiful. Chicken breeds of this color are often bred as decorative. But this feature does not affect the productivity of the bird at all. Chickens with such plumage lay eggs no more and no less than usual. The disadvantages of some black breeds include the presence of dark hemp on the carcass, which worsen its presentation.
