Description and characteristics of Vorwerk chickens, rules of keeping and breeding

The Vorwerk chicken breed is considered very popular. These birds have an unusual attractive appearance. In addition, they are distinguished by high productivity parameters and universal purpose. Birds belong to the meat-egg direction. They are undemanding to care, which is why they are popular with many farmers. At the same time, in order to obtain a large number of eggs and tasty meat, chickens should create suitable conditions.

Description and characteristics of the Vorwerk breed

To get a unique list of characteristics and unusual appearance, breeders combined Orpington chickens and local village birds. As a result of their efforts, after several generations, they managed to obtain a meat-and-egg chicken.

Appearance

Birds of this breed are characterized by an original appearance, which can serve as a real decoration for a poultry yard. The main characteristics of birds include the following:

1. Body size and shape atypical for meat and egg birds. Choughs have a large, down-to-earth body with wide sides. This makes them look a little awkward.
2. Chickens are characterized by a wide back and a rounded belly. The lower legs and thighs are not as expressive. Small wings are attached to the body.
3. Birds have dense plumage that contains a small amount of fluff. Roosters of this breed have a large tail.
4. The birds are characterized by an unusual color. They have a black neck and tail, while the rest of the feathers are red or brown.
5. The birds have a red face and oval white ears. The head is decorated with red earrings and a jagged straight comb.
6. The beak and metatarsus are gray in color.
7. Hens and cockerels reach a weight of 2-3 kilograms.

Chicken productivity

Birds belong to the meat-egg category and are characterized by high productivity parameters. Every year they produce up to 170 eggs, covered with a strong, soft creamy shell. 1 egg weighs 55-60 grams. The maturation of individuals continues for six months. At the same time, birds lay their first eggs earlier, while weight gain can last up to 1 year or even more. The meat has excellent taste. They hardly change with age.

Bird temperament

These birds received a calm and balanced character from their parent breeds. They are difficult to scare. Chickens tolerate any stressful situations calmly. External factors do not affect the health or productivity of laying hens. Chickens of this breed quickly become attached to people. This can create difficulties when moving to a new location. Roosters are not inclined to start fights or showdowns. With the correct sex ratio, it is possible to create a calm environment in the chicken coop.

Puberty and oviposition

The maturation of chickens of this breed occurs at an average rate. The approximate start of egg laying is six months. However, this does not end the growth phase. Both hens and cockerels continue to grow throughout the year. Sometimes development continues further.

Birds lay medium-sized eggs. In this case, the peak of productivity occurs in the first year after puberty. During this period, chickens produce up to 170 eggs. Subsequently, these parameters quickly decrease.

Hatching instinct

Birds do not have a brooding instinct. However, its absence is not an obstacle to breeding birds. Today it is enough to acquire an incubator and have certain skills. Vorwerk chickens do not have maternal instincts. During the selection process, they lost the genes that are responsible for the brooding instinct.

Of course, there are rare exceptions to this rule, but it is better to entrust the offspring to an incubator or another hen.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of chickens include the following:

• active development and weight gain throughout the year;
• excellent taste of meat;
• calm character;
• attractive appearance;
• resistance to frost;
• unpretentiousness to food and living conditions;
• strong immunity;
• savings on feeding.

There are also disadvantages:

• rapid decrease in egg production;
• difficulty meeting breed standards;
• lack of brooding instinct;
• long molting period.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

Chickens of this breed are distinguished by a calm and friendly disposition. They require special attention during the molting period.

Setting up a chicken coop

The chicken coop must be insulated and have additional heating, ventilation, and lighting elements. There should be 5-6 chickens per 1 square meter. In this case, it is recommended to arrange a bedding on the floor made of sawdust, straw or other material that absorbs moisture well. If necessary, it should be partially changed. When disinfecting a room, it is recommended to completely remove the covering and cover the floor with fresh material. The thickness of this layer should be 1-2 centimeters.

It is recommended to fix the perches low. In this case, it is worth making the distance between the levels 30-50 centimeters. It is better to place the nests in a quiet and dark place, covering them with hay or straw.

Choosing an area for a walking yard

The walking area should be fenced with a net. At the same time, the height of the fence should reach at least 2-2.5 meters. The area should be well lit by the sun. You should not organize walking in places with high humidity, where the soil does not dry out for a long time. In a separate part of the courtyard it is better to place a bath with ash and coarse sand. It is not advisable for these chickens to meet with other breeds.

Shedding period

These chickens have a hard time molting. In this case, the plumage remains uneven for a long time. To speed up the recovery process, birds require increased nutrition. It needs to increase the amount of calcium and greens.It is worth mixing shell rock and crushed eggshells into the nutrient mixture. Birds also need chopped beet and carrot tops. They can be given nettles and dandelions.

Herd replacement

Birds produce the maximum number of eggs in the first year of life. Subsequently, their volume is reduced by 25%. It is worth replacing the livestock at intervals of 2 years.

What to feed the breed?

Chickens of this breed are considered very unpretentious. It is best to feed birds grains. The diet may contain oats, buckwheat, millet, and corn. You should definitely add vitamins, mineral salts, and legumes to the feed. In the summer, chickens need greenery. At the same time, they are able to find food for themselves. Constant access to clean water is important.

Chicken breeding

These birds should be bred using an incubator. Choughs of this breed are considered very mediocre hens. In the first year they do not sit on eggs. If chickens do begin to hatch chicks, they rarely finish the job. Sometimes there are lucky exceptions. However, experienced farmers advise using an incubator or a different breed of chicken.

Diseases of Vorwerk chickens

These birds have a fairly strong immune system. Their diseases are caused by hypothermia or a deficiency of useful elements. Most often, Vorwerk chickens encounter colds, cannibalism and vitamin deficiency.

It is worth considering that birds are not immune from dangerous infections. Therefore, for prevention, routine vaccination of chickens is carried out. Vorwerk chickens are distinguished by good productivity and unusual appearance. They are unpretentious in care, and therefore are grown in many farms.