Description and rules for keeping chickens of the Aurora breed

The Aurora chicken breed is considered very popular. These birds are distinguished by excellent productivity and unpretentiousness. However, for the normal development of chickens, they should be provided with suitable living conditions. To do this, it is recommended to properly equip the chicken coop and make an aviary for walking. Equally important is a balanced and high-quality diet, which is selected depending on the age of the chickens.

Breeding history

There is no exact information regarding the breeding of these chickens. It is known that this is a Russian breed, which was obtained by VNIIGRZh breeders. Australorps were selected to breed birds. At the same time, scientists tried to obtain a universal breed.

As a result, it was possible to develop a breed group that is characterized by excellent egg production parameters and unusual external features. That is why Aurora chickens are both decorative and egg-laying.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Before breeding birds, you should familiarize yourself with their key characteristics. They are characterized by an unusual appearance and high productivity.

Appearance of Aurora chickens

Birds of this breed are characterized by an elongated body and harmonious physique. Hens have small heads and short necks. Roosters are characterized by larger heads. Regardless of gender, the head is decorated with a bright leaf-shaped comb.

The birds are distinguished by large brown or orange eyes and a small blue-gray beak. The plumage has a spectacular appearance - it is distinguished by a blue tint with a dark border. The feathers of females are uniform in color. Roosters have a darker back and wings.

It is recommended to judge the health of the bird by the shade of the scallop. If it acquires a pale pink tint, this indicates the development of pathology or a violation of the conditions of keeping the birds.

Character of birds

Birds of this breed have a difficult character. They are quite shy and cautious. Chickens avoid people, including their owners.At the same time, the birds are very active and curious. They do not conflict with representatives of other breeds.

Hatching instinct

Hens of this breed are characterized by a not very well developed brooding instinct. At the same time, poultry farmers practically do not breed birds on their own, since this method does not allow preserving the characteristics of the breed.

To update the livestock, young animals should be purchased or raised in an incubator.

Productive qualities of the breed

This breed is considered quite productive. Performance parameters are mainly assessed by the egg production of birds.

Live weight of chicken and rooster

Birds of this breed are characterized by compact sizes. Roosters, on average, weigh 2.5-3 kilograms. At the same time, the weight of chickens is 2-2.5 kilograms.

Sexual maturity and average annual egg production

Birds begin to lay eggs at 4 months. This period depends on the time of year in which the chick was born. Experts say that puberty occurs faster in chickens that hatched in February-March. This is due to the length of daylight hours.

Maximum egg production occurs at 1 year. Subsequently, this parameter decreases by 15-20% every year. The average productivity of a laying hen is 200-220 eggs per year. The mass of eggs reaches 55-58 grams. They are covered with a white shell.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of birds include the following:

• attractive external characteristics;
• good productivity;
• resistance to low temperatures.

However, birds of this breed also have certain disadvantages:

• change in appearance in subsequent generations;
• insufficiently expressed brooding instinct.

Keeping and caring for birds

In order for birds to develop normally and not get sick, it is recommended that they be provided with suitable living conditions.

What should a chicken coop be like?

Chickens of this breed can live in unheated poultry houses. However, maintaining a stable temperature at +23-25 ​​degrees can significantly increase the productivity of birds. In winter, the temperature should not be less than +15 degrees.

It is worth setting up a spacious room for Aurora chickens. There should be at least 1 square meter of space per 2-3 birds.

Laying hens enjoy multi-level roosts.

Keeping the chicken coop clean and dry is important. High humidity and dirt provoke a drop in egg production and the appearance of diseases. Experts advise frequently performing disinsection and vaccinating birds against major infections.

The poultry house must have at least 1 window for fresh air and natural light. If there are no windows, it is worth providing high-quality ventilation.

Chickens require long daylight hours. It must last at least 16 hours. Therefore, in winter it is recommended to use additional lighting sources. During molting, the length of daylight hours is reduced.

There must be nests in the poultry house - at least one for 5-6 chickens. It is worth placing a mat on the floor. It is made from hay or straw. It is also acceptable to use sawdust or other materials. In winter, the thickness of such a layer should be at least 50 centimeters. It is recommended to regularly change the litter.

Is it possible to breed in cages?

Today, farmers often raise chickens in cages. Although many consider this method inhumane. It is worth considering that this method is recommended only for raising a large number of birds, since it is associated with significant costs.When kept in a cramped room, the productivity parameters of laying hens will decrease.

It is permissible to keep 5-7 individuals in 1 cage. It is worth considering that such chickens have less strong immunity. This is due to lack of air, sunlight, and movement.

Walking area

If possible, it is recommended to make an aviary for walking birds. Such a site should be quite free. There should be at least 1 square meter of area per 1 hen.

It is advisable that the enclosure be located under trees. It should be covered with a net and a canopy. This will help the birds hide from the rain. Feeders and drinking bowls are placed in the walking yard.

Feeders and drinkers for chickens

The chicken coop must have drinking bowls and feeders. Drinkers should have a capacity of 5-6 liters. The size of the feeders depends on the number of birds. There should be at least 10-15 centimeters per individual.

What do birds eat?

In order for birds to develop normally and lay eggs well, they should eat properly. The diet of chickens depends on age.

Chickens

At the initial stage of development, chicks are given mash. It is made from greens, eggs and grains. When the chickens grow a little, it is worth introducing vegetables, cottage cheese, and yeast into their diet. It is permissible to introduce an adult menu at 2 months.

Adults

Such birds need the following diet:

• 60-65 grams of cereals in summer, 70-75 grams in winter, and the basis of the diet should be wheat;
• 20-25 grams of bran;
• 5 grams of fishmeal;
• 100 grams of vegetables;
• 1 gram of salt.

It is recommended to strictly adhere to the dosage of food. If a bird receives too much or too little food, it begins to get sick. For winter, food should be prepared in advance. For this you will need zucchini, cabbage, pumpkin.Dried hay and sunflower cake are also used.

It is worth considering that birds require a sufficient amount of water. If chickens lack fluids, this will lead to a decrease in their productivity. Therefore, there should be drinking bowls in the chicken coop and walking yard. The water in them should be changed every day.

During the molting period

This period occurs in October and November. At the same time, the chickens' productivity decreases. This is due to the large expenditure of body resources on the growth of new feathers.

During this period, birds need a lot of protein. Therefore, it is recommended that they be given a mash based on meat broth. It is also worth introducing fermented milk products into the chickens' diet. They are often given cottage cheese or yogurt.

Boiled vegetables and chalk are of no small importance for the normal development of birds. They are also given minerals and vitamins. If the birds do not have the opportunity to walk, they should be given sand and clay.

Planned herd replacement

It is impossible to breed young animals with the same characteristics as their parents. Therefore, during a planned replacement of livestock, it is worth buying chicks. It is recommended to do this in trusted nurseries. A decrease in the productive characteristics of birds occurs in the third year. It is during this period that it is worth replacing chickens.

Frequent illnesses

Chickens of the Aurora breed are faced with the development of various diseases. Pathologies are often caused by improper care. Sometimes provoking factors are contact with rodents or wild birds, which spread infections.

To minimize the likelihood of disease development, disinfestation is carried out systematically. Maintaining hygiene and proper and balanced nutrition is of no small importance. It is imperative to vaccinate the herd. Vaccinations help protect chickens from common pathologies.

Aurora chickens are very popular among farmers. These birds are highly productive and resistant to low temperatures. To achieve good results in raising birds, they should be provided with quality care.