Description and characteristics of the Livensky calico breed of chickens, maintenance requirements

The Livensky calico chicken breed is considered lost and is found only on private farmsteads. This breed is not bred on an industrial scale in large poultry factories and farms. At the same time, Liven chickens have a number of positive characteristics and are characterized by constant productivity.

Origin story

Liven calico chickens were bred through folk selection. Over the course of a long period of crossing different species, this breed was discovered and quickly became widespread in Russia, Belarus and European countries.

In the post-war period, the breed was bred at poultry farms to enhance the production of meat and egg products. Then more productive breeds appeared, and Liven chickens faded into the background. In the early 80s, the breed remained exclusively on private farms.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Liven calico birds are characterized by several features. When planning the breeding and maintenance of the breed, it is recommended that you read the detailed description.

Appearance

Birds are characterized by large size and powerful physique. The weight of hens reaches 3.5 kg, roosters - 4.5 kg. The body is oblong, located horizontally. The back and chest are wide and well developed. The wings are short and located close to the body. The head is small, with a poorly developed leaf-type crest.

The plumage is thick, but not dense. There are many feathers, and they can take on different colors, including golden, gray, white, and black. The predominant shade is calico, which explains the origin of the name of the breed.

Poultry productivity

When considering the productivity of a breed, it is worth paying attention to egg production and the amount of meat obtained from each individual. The Livensky breed is valued for its high productivity in two respects.

Egg

Females begin to lay eggs at the age of 7-8 months. The average production figure is 150 large eggs. A distinctive feature is the seasonal nature of egg production.Half of the hen's annual norm is laid in the period from the 3rd to the 5th month from the first egg laying.

The weight of one egg is 70-80 g. The amount of dense protein in eggs is much higher compared to other breeds. The shell has a yellowish tint, and the structure is more round than that of the eggs of other domestic chickens.

Meat

The weight of a chicken after slaughter and evisceration often reaches 3 kg, which is a favorable indicator. The meat has high taste characteristics and a delicate structure. If the bird's diet is incorrectly prepared, the meat may become tough, but the taste and juiciness will not deteriorate from this.

Character of chickens

Chicks at an early age are shy and restless. Adults exhibit a restless and sometimes aggressive character. You can often observe older individuals plucking feathers from chicks and pecking at eggs.

Advantages and disadvantages

The variety of Livensky calico chickens has a large list of positive aspects. Among the advantages it is worth highlighting the following:

• not picky about diet;
• immunity to common diseases;
• large eggs;
• high percentage of young animals survival;
• ability to adapt to adverse weather conditions, including severe frosts.

The main disadvantage is the comparatively late puberty. Chicks fledge more slowly, so during active development they should be kept in a heated room under constant supervision.

Recommendations for maintenance and care

Chickens of the Livensky breed do not have specific requirements for maintenance and care. Individuals easily adapt to non-ideal conditions, but maximum productivity can only be ensured by creating a favorable environment.

Setting up a chicken coop

Due to the large structure of chickens, it is preferable to keep them indoors with plenty of free space. It is not necessary to insulate the chicken coop for the winter, but you need to put bedding on the floor and make sure it remains dry.

It is allowed to place chickens in a barn with cattle and build separate seats for them. Nests should not be placed too high so that it is easy for heavy individuals to climb into them. To prevent damage to the eggs, a sufficient number of places should be provided, taking into account the number of individuals.

Walking area

Representatives of the breed in question love to be outdoors even in winter, so it is worth building a walking yard next to the poultry house. The fence around the allocated area may not be high, since chickens are not able to fly high. The advantage will be the presence of a large amount of vegetation in the yard so that individuals provide themselves with additional nutrition with green food.

Feeders and drinkers

Inside the chicken coop you need to place drinking bowls with water and constantly ensure that they are not empty. You can periodically add food into the feeders, taking into account the calculated norm, or you can always add balanced feed as it is eaten.

Molting and pause in egg laying

During the molting process, chickens completely change their plumage. Usually feathers begin to fall out at the beginning of autumn, and the process takes 1-1.5 months. During this period, females do not lay eggs. Immediately after the change of plumage, egg production is restored.

Exhibition preparation

To prepare chickens for participation in an exhibition, they should not be allowed to remain in the open sun for a long time. Feathers may develop faded spots and yellowing.Rejected chickens are not selected for exhibitions and are not used for pure breeding. Chickens with the following defects are not suitable for exhibitions:

• too low, narrow or short body;
• bald spots in plumage;
• a comb thrown to the side;
• elongated beak;
• rough texture of the skin of the lobes and comb;
• productivity is below standard indicators.

Preparing individuals for exhibition events involves creating favorable environmental conditions and a proper diet.

Selected individuals must be constantly examined in order to promptly detect and eliminate developmental abnormalities.

What do you feed chickens and adult hens?

It is recommended to include large amounts of calcium in the breed's diet to prevent cannibalism among birds. For this purpose, a box with crushed chalk or shell rock is placed inside the chicken coop.

Active weight gain will be facilitated by the consumption of special feed for chickens, which contains several grain crops.

Young chickens require animal proteins to develop properly. The growth and quality of plumage is positively affected by the addition of ash to wet mash. Liven chickens also love vegetable preparations, twig food and dried nettles.

Features of bird breeding

In order to successfully breed Liven chickens, you need to observe a number of care and rearing features. The main requirements are the presence of a spacious area in the chicken coop and mandatory outdoor walking.

It is recommended to place baths with sand and ash inside the poultry house, which will help maintain a beautiful appearance for the birds. Bird nests are located in secluded corners, providing easy access to them. The condition of chickens should be constantly monitored to monitor their development process.

Diseases and their treatment

The most common disease of Liven calico chickens is mycoplasmosis. Infected chickens exhibit the following symptoms:

• slow growth;
• lack of appetite;
• wheezing in the tracheal area;
• dyspnea;
• decreased productivity.

Antibiotic drugs are used to treat mycoplasmosis. Medicines are diluted in water and given to the birds to drink. The standard course of treatment does not exceed 5 days.

Among the parasites for Liven chickens, worms are dangerous. Because of them, diarrhea occurs, the color of the scallop fades, apathy is observed, and weight loss occurs. Disinfection of the premises and treatment of infected chickens help fight worms. The medicine Piperazine, which is sold in a veterinary pharmacy, is used against worms. The course of treatment is 3 days.