Description and characteristics of the dwarf Cochin chicken breed, maintenance rules

The Dwarf Cochin is an ornamental breed of chicken that is suitable for small areas. Many people mistakenly think that these birds are a smaller copy of ordinary Cochins. It is a full-fledged breed with certain traits and characteristics. When raising birds, it is worth providing them with complete and high-quality care. It should include proper arrangement of the poultry house, nutrition, and disease prevention.

Description and characteristics of dwarf cochins

Dwarf Cochins have a number of features. This should be taken into account before starting to breed birds.

Appearance

In appearance, the birds look like small fluffy balls. They are distinguished by their rounded body and abundant plumage.

Roosters

Cockerels have a small head with a strong and strong beak, which has a rich yellow color. Birds with dark feathers often have a slight coating on their beaks. At the same time, there is a straight comb on the head with uniform teeth and large cutouts. The bird's head has a red tint and is decorated with the same round earrings. The eyes are yellow or orange. Birds with black plumage are characterized by brown eyes. The birds are distinguished by a short neck with a lush mane. It falls beautifully on the back and shoulders.

Roosters have a strong and wide body that leans slightly forward. The back is slightly raised in the lower back and smoothly merges into the tail. It is covered with lush and abundant plumage.

The tail feathers are evenly spaced in a circle. In this case, the braids differ in the same length as the tail feathers. Thanks to this, the tail looks like a ball. Birds have a wide chest and a full belly. The wings are wide and covered with short feathers. The lower legs are considered massive, but short. They are covered with a lot of feathers. The metatarsals are distinguished by their yellow color.

Chicken

Hens of this breed have a more massive build than roosters. At the same time, they are set quite low, due to which they appear stocky. Feathers have a soft and loose consistency. The body of chickens is more inclined than that of males.The lumbar pads are quite lush, making the females appear even more massive. The earrings and comb are distinguished by a red tint, but are smaller in size. In other respects, hens resemble roosters.

Invalid signs

Chickens of this breed are often distinguished by characteristics that do not meet the standards. These include the following:

• long and flat back and chest;
• white earlobes;
• dark shade of legs;
• a small number of feathers on the metatarsals;
• a long tail;
• dark coating on the beak of light-colored birds.

Breed productivity

This is a decorative species of birds that is not particularly productive. The maximum egg production is 100-120 eggs per year. In this case, 1 egg weighs 50-60 grams. Chickens of this breed are more active in laying eggs in winter and spring. Females, on average, weigh 3.5-4 kilograms, and roosters - 4.5-5. Young birds have average growth rates. By the end of 4 months they weigh 2.5 kilograms. Puberty of birds occurs quite late, and therefore this breed is considered not the most suitable for obtaining eggs.

Character traits

Dwarf Cochins have a wonderful character. These are calm chickens that do not have a tendency to aggression. Even in stressful situations they remain calm. Cochins are tame. They quickly get used to people and have difficulty withstanding a change of owner.

Advantages and disadvantages

The key advantages of the breed include the following:

• attractive appearance;
• unpretentiousness to food;
• undemanding conditions of detention;
• well developed maternal instinct;
• calm character;
• high egg production in winter;
• quality meat.

The disadvantages of chickens include the following:

• tendency to obesity;
• late plumage of birds;
• high price;
• late start of oviposition.

Specifics of maintenance and care

In order for birds to develop normally, it is recommended that they be provided with the correct living conditions.

Poultry house

Dwarf Cochins tolerate frost well. Therefore, it is permissible to keep them in areas where the temperature drops to -30 degrees. The poultry house needs to be heated only when the temperature drops to -12 degrees. Chickens are small in size. Therefore, they do not require much space in the chicken coop. At the same time, you should make sure that the birds do not touch each other. Creating high-quality perches is of no small importance.

To do this, it is worth using small bars that the birds can clasp with their paws. It is prohibited to keep chickens on the floor.

It is definitely recommended to monitor the dryness and cleanliness of the litter. It should be quite small. Chopped sawdust and straw are suitable for this. The poultry house must have closed drinking bowls that do not allow birds to pour water onto the litter.

Walking yard

It is recommended to organize a walk for these birds in a clean place. It is located on a hill, far from groundwater. Short grass is an excellent option for birds. They will be able to walk and look for insects in it.

Molting and break in egg production

During the molting period, chickens stop laying eggs. Although birds molt relatively quickly and painlessly, you should not expect them to lay eggs.

What to feed the breed?

In order for birds to develop normally and not get sick, it is recommended that they be provided with complete and high-quality nutrition.

Adults

There are no special requirements for the diet of birds. It is recommended to follow these rules:

1. It is forbidden to overfeed birds and use excessively high-calorie foods.This provokes obesity and negative consequences for birds. In this case, the chickens should be put on a plant-based diet and sprouted grains should be included in the menu.
2. The main food for chickens should be grains. It is also permissible to use special feed formulations. They contain crushed cereals, meal, minerals and vitamins.
3. Give birds the right amount of fat. They also require vitamin and mineral supplements.

Chickens

It is recommended to feed chickens for the first time 5-6 hours after birth. In this case, they are given a boiled yolk with small grains - wheat or corn. After 2 days, greens can be introduced into the diet. It is also worth adding calcium and vitamins to the menu. Since the chicks are small in size, it is recommended that they be given crushed food for longer. It should have a crumbly consistency to avoid sticking to the inside of the crop. From 2-3 weeks the diet can be expanded.

Chicks that go out for a walk eat insects, greens, and worms. Also, stones and sand enter their body, which are necessary for normal digestion.

How to breed birds?

These birds are distinguished by a clearly expressed maternal instinct. Therefore, an incubator is not required. Problems in breeding can arise at the stage of fertilization of eggs and the choice of incubation material. It is best to buy chicks from breeders.

To obtain eggs that are suitable for hatching, 1 cockerel is required for 4 hens. If there are more females, the number of unfertilized eggs increases. When selecting material for incubation, it is worth considering the weight of the eggs. They should weigh at least 35-40 grams. It is important that the material has the correct shape and a strong shell.

It is definitely recommended to adhere to the shelf life of eggs for incubation.When the chicks hatch, the hen will keep them warm and train them. Chickens grow very slowly. They gain 70 grams of weight per week. Development lasts up to 7-9 months. Feeding is carried out in the same way as other breeds.

Frequent illnesses

The greatest danger for these birds is infection with parasites. The livestock may suffer from attacks by fleas, ticks and lice beetles. For preventive purposes, birds should be treated at least once a month. Birds are not prone to other pathologies.

Dwarf Cochin has a decorative appearance. At the same time, birds cannot boast of high productivity. To achieve success in breeding birds, it is recommended that they be provided with complete and high-quality care. At the same time, the birds will have to properly equip the house and provide them with a balanced diet.