Description and characteristics of the Kotlyarevskaya chicken breed, maintenance rules

Many farmers raise the Kotlyarevskaya breed of chickens. These birds are distinguished by high productivity parameters. They are considered hardy and unpretentious. An undoubted advantage is its excellent decorative properties. Laying hens will become a real decoration of the poultry house. At the same time, birds also have certain disadvantages - in particular, they have a tendency to increase body weight.

Origin story

This breed was bred at a breeding plant located in Kabardino-Balkaria. At the same time, today the characteristics of chickens are being improved at Genofond LLC.

The Kotlyarevskaya breed was developed based on many species chickens – Zagorsk salmon, Bare-necked, Striped Plymouth Rock. Breeds such as the New Hampshire and Russian White were also used.

Description and characteristics of Kotlyarevskaya chickens

These birds are characterized by a number of features that are recommended to be taken into account before breeding birds.

Exterior standard

Roosters of this breed are characterized by white feathers with small fragments of black. The tail is black in color and has a blue or green tint. Males have pronounced lobes and a bright red crest.

In chickens, the processes are not so pronounced. They have a darker color compared to roosters. White feathers gradually turn into black. Some individuals have feathers with clearly defined edging.

Temperament

These chickens are characterized by a good character. The birds recognize the owner and easily go into his hands. At the same time, roosters can be cocky. They show their character to newcomers. Therefore, it is better to keep young males separately.

Aggression often manifests itself when starved or kept in a cramped, stuffy house or in low light conditions. Stress factors increase the agitation of birds.

Representatives of the breed practically never leave the territory. They try to stay near full feeders.

Roosters are able to fly 1.5-2 meters, while chickens do not have such a skill.

Productive qualities

These birds are characterized by rapid development and have an impressive mass. A rooster aged 6 months reaches 3 kilograms.Adults weigh 3.8 kilograms. Chickens weigh 2.5-3 kilograms.

Currently, there are often varieties of the breed that are shifted in the egg direction. Such individuals have less weight. The weight of roosters is 2.8 kilograms, hens - 2.3.

At the same time, egg productivity increases significantly. A laying hen is capable of producing 240 eggs per year. This breed is characterized by productive longevity. Chickens produce eggs for 5 years. They reach approximately 65 grams.

Hatching instinct

As a result of selection, the maternal instinct of chickens was lost. The Kotlyarevskaya breed has partially retained this property. However, identifying a good hen is problematic. Almost all chickens are capable of hatching eggs, but no more than 30% complete this task.

Puberty and egg production

A characteristic feature of the breed is its rapid development. By the age of 6 months, roosters reach 3 kilograms, and hens begin to lay eggs.

With age, the productivity of females increases. They are capable of producing 240 eggs per year, which have a dense creamy shell.

Pros and cons of the breed

The key advantages of this breed of birds include the following:

• excellent adaptability to harsh climates;
• good egg production in the winter season;
• precocity;
• high performance for 5 years;
• good functioning of the digestive organs;
• strong immunity.

However, chickens also have some disadvantages. The main disadvantages include the following:

• the need to trim the wings or build a chicken coop with a high enclosure;
• different productivity of chickens;
• the need for periodic renewal of the livestock.

Features of maintenance and care

To achieve success in raising chickens, you should follow a number of recommendations.

Chicken coop requirements

These chickens are considered unpretentious. They need a warm coop that is well ventilated. There should be a maximum of 7-8 adult chickens per 1 square meter of area.

There should be nests and perches inside the house. For 5 hens you will need 1 nest box. It is worth putting hay in it. Straw or sawdust can act as bedding.

Laying hens need a special microclimate. The temperature should be +16-25 degrees. The influence of high and low temperatures negatively affects the health of chickens. To ensure that chickens produce eggs all year round, it is recommended to provide sufficient lighting. For 1 square meter it is worth using a 40-watt light bulb. Daylight hours are 12 hours.

Very bright lighting has a negative impact on the health of chickens. Stress factors will cause them to start pecking at each other.

Maintaining cleanliness in the poultry house is of no small importance. The litter should be changed every 1-2 months. This is done as it becomes dirty. Floors and walls should be treated with disinfectant solutions, which lead to the destruction of fungal microorganisms and bacteria.

In the warm season, many farmers treat the premises with a sulfur bomb. To carry out this procedure, chickens should be removed from the premises for 1-2 days.

Walking yard

Birds need daily walks. Thanks to this, metabolic processes are improved and the immune system is strengthened. However, it is not recommended to walk birds in wet and windy weather.

Also, you should not let them outside at temperatures less than -6 degrees. If these recommendations are not followed, there is a risk of scallop frostbite and the development of colds.

It is worth considering that chickens of this breed are reluctant to fly, but are capable of doing so. To avoid problems, it is recommended to install a high fence.

Feeders and drinkers

All birds should have constant access to feeders and drinkers. Otherwise, the birds will start fighting with their brothers. It is recommended to treat the equipment every day with a soda solution and pour boiling water over it.

In the poultry house it is worth placing a container filled with sand and wood ash. These components are mixed in equal parts. Chickens enjoy dust bathing. In this way they cleanse the feathers of parasites.

Shedding period

Every year chickens moult. This process begins when daylight hours decrease. This is a physiological process that is not associated with any diseases. If chickens do not change their feathers themselves, they are forced to do so.

The method of stimulating shedding should be selected by the doctor after an examination. During this period, there is a reduction or complete cessation of egg production.

Planned herd replacement

The productivity period of these chickens is 3-4 years. During this time, the hen lays 650-750 eggs. Then it is replaced with a younger one.

What to feed the breed?

Birds of this breed should be fed with ready-made feed or mixed cereals. It is advisable to use a composition based on bran, wheat, buckwheat, oats, and corn. It is recommended to add additional vitamins and minerals to this mixture. This will help make your bones stronger.

It is also recommended to give birds coarse salt and ash. They need gravel for better digestion of food. Boiled fish and beans should be used as sources of protein. Meal and sunflower seeds are also added to the mixture.

In summer, representatives of this breed can be free-range. This will help reduce food costs by more than 2 times. Birds eat greens well, which serve as a source of vitamins.It is recommended to harvest dry grass for the winter.

The walking area should contain a lot of greenery - alfalfa, clover. The grass will become a source of nutrition for the birds and will help reduce the amount of dirt in the poultry house.

Breeding Kotlyarevskaya breed of chickens

Kotlyarev chickens are considered bad hens. Therefore, an incubator is required for breeding offspring. The eggs of chickens of this breed are even in size. Farmers do not recommend using specimens that are too large, since they often hatch into chicks with defects.

It is recommended to place medium eggs in the incubator that were collected before 18 hours. They should show no signs of damage.

After 3 weeks, the chicks appear. They are predominantly grayish or light brown in color. Females have dark stripes along the spine; males have spots on their wings. However, it will be possible to accurately determine the gender only after 3 weeks.

Immediately after hatching, chicks are active. It is recommended to keep them in brooders, separated from adult birds. The room must be maintained at a suitable temperature. Poultry boxes must have additional lighting sources.

After 8-10 weeks, the birds can be gradually introduced to adult chickens. It is recommended to monitor joint walking. Adults can show aggression towards young ones.

Possible diseases

Birds often encounter standard diseases that are common to all chickens. These include parasitic infections. Provided they are vaccinated in a timely manner, birds are not susceptible to other diseases.

Survival rates for young and adult individuals reach 95%. By performing standard preventative treatments, serious problems will be avoided..

The Kotlyarevskaya breed of chickens is very popular among poultry farmers. These birds are characterized by rapid development and high productivity parameters. To achieve success in raising birds, they are recommended to properly organize the house and provide proper and balanced nutrition.