Characteristics and description of Golosheyka chickens, maintenance and breeding

The bare-necked breed of chickens differs in appearance from most of the usual varieties. The specific type of Goloshek chickens is one of the reasons for its prevalence on farms, along with the ease of maintenance and unpretentiousness to the diet.

A little history

There are several versions of the origin of the Golosheek chicken breed.The most common belief is that the birds were bred in Romania and were previously called Transylvanian. There is also a version that the breed originally appeared in the Spanish province of Andalusia. Bare-necked chickens were first noticed in 1875 and only a few decades later began to spread in Europe and the USSR.

Description and characteristics

When breeding chickens, you should first familiarize yourself with the detailed characteristics of the breed. Knowing the description of the birds, it will be possible to track development and notice deviations based on visual signs.

Appearance of Golosheynaya chickens

The main distinguishing feature of this breed is the absence of feathers on the neck, crop, inside of the legs and under the wings. Such fates in hens and roosters are called apteria and occur in every individual, since they are born with underdeveloped follicles on certain parts.

A pronounced feather bow appears on the back of the head of broilers, and on the front of the head the feathers form a kind of collar. Chicks are born immediately with a bare neck, as this is a genetic trait and a dominant trait.

Productivity and character

According to the type of productivity, Golosheyka chickens belong to the meat and egg category. The meat is juicy and tastes similar to turkey. The process of egg production begins from the fifth month of development. Females lay eggs every 2-3 days. During the first year, it is possible to collect 180 eggs from each individual, and subsequently - 150 eggs. The weight of one egg reaches 60 g.

The nature of the birds is calm. Regardless of age, chickens do not show aggression towards other living beings. Compliance simplifies the process of caring for birds.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

When planning to breed Holoshek chickens, it is worth studying the positive and negative characteristics of the breed. The main advantages are:

• easy plucking due to the lack of plumage in some areas;
• not picky about living conditions and diet;
• productive and early egg production;
• soft character.

The disadvantage of the breed is its underdeveloped maternal instinct. The female can arrange a nest and lay eggs, after which she forgets about them. For this reason, it is recommended to hatch chickens using an incubator or place the laid eggs on other hens.

Specifics of keeping Goloshek

Despite the exotic nature of the breed, keeping and breeding Barnacles does not require specific knowledge or large expenses. To raise productive chickens and get tasty meat from them, it is enough to adhere to standard rules for caring for birds.

Poultry house, feeders and drinkers

To keep birds in Russia, you need to build an insulated, closed chicken coop. The list of basic tips for arranging a poultry house includes the following:

1. Suitable indoor temperature conditions should vary between 10-15 degrees Celsius.
2. Birds' nutrition needs to be controlled, since individuals lay eggs and grow only with constant consumption of food. Drinkers and feeders should be placed inside the house.
3. When choosing bedding, you should give preference to peat material, since peat reduces the moisture content, which prevents the development of dangerous bacteria.

Walk

Even taking into account the calm nature of the Holoshecks, they are not considered a passive breed. In order for chickens to constantly develop, you need to regularly release them into the open air, even in winter, if the temperature does not drop below -15 degrees.

Birds need sunlight from the early stages of development, so it is not recommended to locate a walking yard in a shaded area. The presence of herbaceous plants in the pen will be useful, since the greens can partially replace regular food and it will be possible to reduce the cost of feeding the birds.

How to heat a chicken coop in winter?

The most affordable is a natural way to heat a poultry house in winter. The essence of this method is to maintain the optimal temperature without the use of heating equipment. To do this, you need to eliminate the presence of cracks in the chicken coop and leave only a hole for exhaust ventilation.

The walls of the poultry house are made of two layers, with insulating material placed between them. Glass wool or polystyrene foam is suitable as insulation. A bedding of peat 10-15 cm thick is constructed on the floor.

The natural heating method is relevant only for regions with a prevailing temperate climate. In places with extremely cold winters, it is impossible to do without the use of electric heaters.

Nutritional Features

A properly selected diet has a beneficial effect on the development of birds. The nuances of feeding depend on the age of the chickens.

Chicks

Chickens begin to be raised using standard feed. It is also allowed to prepare food yourself, including animal proteins and fish oil, which is needed to prevent rickets. The diet may contain ground vegetables, finely chopped tops or grass.

Adult birds

Adults are unpretentious in their diet, and their diet includes a basic set of components: greens, root vegetables, grain, feed chalk and proteins.In the cold season, birds additionally need energy feed, so in winter they increase the proportion of grain and animal feed in the diet. The best option is a balanced feed containing all the necessary substances.

Chicken breeding

The easiest way to breed birds is to use an incubator. Hatching chicks should be placed in a dry room with good ventilation, without drafts, at a temperature between 26-30 degrees. As the chicks grow, the temperature is lowered and after the first month it should be at 18-29 degrees.

Possible problems and illnesses

Poultry diseases lead to decreased productivity, slow growth, and deterioration in the taste characteristics of the resulting meat. The most common infectious diseases are mycoplasmosis, salmonellosis, pullorosis and avian influenza.

To prevent diseases, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of birds and promptly cull infected individuals.

Inside the chicken coop, in the walking yard and the surrounding area, sanitation rules must be observed and disinfection must be carried out. Treatment measures require the use of sulfa drugs or antibiotics.

Where to buy and how much they cost

It is recommended to purchase chickens for further cultivation from trusted farms from professional breeders. When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the conditions of detention, since the health of the individuals will depend on them. The cost of birds is determined by each breeder individually. On average, the price for one individual is several hundred rubles.