Fluffy chicken breeds are distinguished by their original appearance. A distinctive feature of birds is considered to be high frost resistance. However, they have certain growing characteristics. In order for chickens to grow well and not get sick, it is recommended that they be provided with the right diet and suitable conditions in the poultry house. It is also worthwhile to vaccinate birds in a timely manner.
Story
Today there are more than 800 breeds of chickens, which belong to different areas of productivity.Some birds produce a lot of eggs, while others actively increase their mass. Decorative breeds are also very popular. Such birds are also considered productive, but in terms of weight gain and egg production they are inferior to other breeds.
Downy chickens with shaggy legs can hardly be called rare. The first attempts by scientists to breed birds were recorded in the nineteenth century. Today, farmers breed a total of more than 100 original breeds of chickens. A third of them have furry paws. At the same time, it is worth choosing a breed taking into account the climate.
Features of furry breeds
Already from the name it is clear what the key difference between shaggy-legged breeds lies. Their main feature is considered to be the fluffy trousers on their paws. In many species of birds, the metatarsus is bare, and in furry species there are many feathers on them. This makes them look very funny.
Among the bushy-legged chickens there are birds of normal size and miniature birds. They differ in origin. Such breeds were bred in Turkey, China, and France. Russian breed lines are perfect for growing in harsh climates.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages and disadvantages of hairy chickens depend on the breed. The universal advantages include the following:
- attractive appearance;
- resistance to frost;
- unpretentiousness to living conditions;
- beneficial properties of eggs and meat.
At the same time, decorative birds also have some disadvantages. These include the following:
- not very good productivity;
- high cost of hatching eggs and birds.
Popular types
Shaggy chickens have an original appearance. These include many varieties. Each of them is characterized by certain features.
Ushanka
Chickens of this breed are considered very stately.It is based on the genes of the Pavlovsk and Orlov breeds. Ushanka has light brown plumage. The limbs are covered with small feathers. There is a beard under the beak. Due to its lush plumage, a small chicken seems huge. The weight of females is 2.5 kilograms, males weigh 3 kilograms.
The head is decorated with a beautiful neat comb. Birds are characterized by a strong beak. Sideburns are considered a distinctive feature. A hen starts producing eggs at 6 months. Annual productivity parameters reach 160 pieces.
The breed does not require specific housing conditions. Birds of this species are covered with a large number of feathers. It is recommended to systematically carry out preventive treatment to avoid parasites infesting birds.
Dominant chickens
These birds are large in size. Adult roosters can grow up to 3 kilograms. Males are light in color, while females are darker. Birds of this breed are considered unpretentious and hardy.
At the same time, the birds are distinguished by their squat body and tightly fitting wings. The earrings and comb have a rich red tint. The short legs are yellow in color. Egg production parameters are considered high and reach 310 large eggs per year.
Brahma
These birds are popular all over the world. They have many advantages. These include strong immunity and excellent endurance. The birds are distinguished by their unpretentiousness in keeping and average productivity parameters.
The legs of these birds have thick feathers. The birds belong to the meat-egg breed. Egg production parameters reach 140 eggs per year. The eggs are white in color and covered with dark spots. A chicken carcass weighs from 3.5 to 5 kilograms.The meat has excellent taste and slight toughness, which is not typical for most domestic chickens.
Chinese silk chicken
This shaggy chicken has a unique appearance. Her entire body is covered with fluffy plumage that sticks up. Therefore, birds are usually bred for decorative purposes. At the same time, many experts claim that their meat has medicinal properties and benefits the human body.
This chicken is characterized by grayish meat and black bones. It is characterized by relatively low productivity, which reaches 100 eggs per year. They are mainly used for hatching chicks.
Chicken is unpretentious in food and tolerates cold well. Birds practically cannot fly, so they are unable to reach high perches. A distinctive feature is considered to be delicate plumage, which is recommended to be cleaned periodically.
Cochin
These birds are characterized by a decorative appearance. In addition, they are undemanding when it comes to food, produce a lot of eggs in winter, and do not require long walks. The birds also gain weight well.
At the same time, the breed is also characterized by certain disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the high cost. In addition, the slow maturation of chicks remains a breed characteristic.
These birds are massive in size. That’s why they are classified as meat products. Birds are characterized by a small head and bulging eyes. The head is decorated with a rough crest of scarlet color. The plumage can have a different shade. There are black, white, and brown birds. There are also two-color chickens.
Sultana
This is a rare variety that is difficult to breed.It was obtained on the basis of the Russian Pavlovian chicken breeds. The birds are characterized by a lush crest and beautiful white feathers, which make the chickens very elegant.
The bird has brown-red eyes and a horn-shaped crest. Chickens are characterized by a short body and large belly. It gradually turns into medium-sized wings. The tail spreads out magnificently in height. Hens have a more rounded body than cockerels. They are not characterized by high productivity. Every year chickens produce no more than 60 eggs. In this case, the weight of the carcass does not exceed 2 kilograms.
Pavlovsk breed of chickens
This is one of the oldest breeds, which was obtained in the village of Pavlovo, located near Nizhny Novgorod. This happened back in the seventeenth century. Birds are characterized by their original plumage color. Pavlovsk chickens are used to produce eggs. Every year they produce 170 eggs weighing 60 grams. Chickens weigh 2-2.5 kilograms. The body shape of the birds is somewhat similar to pheasants. Roosters of this breed have a hot temper and love to fight.
Pavlovsk chickens are often used to obtain new species, as well as to participate in various competitions and exhibitions.
Faverolles
These birds have excellent decorative properties. They are characterized by an elongated body and a dense neck. The birds are also distinguished by their raised tail. Chickens are characterized by a powerful beak, a raised fifth toe and a slightly flattened head.
The birds have lush gray feathers. It is possible to obtain an excellent broth from the meat, which has excellent taste.
Siberian moths
These birds are distinguished by high egg productivity. It can reach 180 eggs per year. The carcass is of medium size and weighs 2.5-3.5 kilograms.Eggs are also characterized by high fertility. These chickens are easy to care for. Birds of this breed have a long and thick beard. The head is decorated with a small comb, which is almost invisible under the crest. Shaggy plumage protects birds from severe frosts.
Which one is better to choose?
When choosing a specific breed, it is recommended to take into account the climatic conditions of the region. It is worth remembering the tasks that a poultry farmer sets for himself. Fluffy chickens can be meat, egg or mixed. Some farmers even breed birds for decorative purposes.
Specifics of maintenance and care
Most breeds of fluffy chickens are low maintenance. In order for their cultivation to be successful, it is recommended to follow these rules:
- provide a spacious poultry house;
- make low perches;
- organize a place for walking.
Other criteria differ depending on the breed. The basis of the diet should be cereals. Be sure to give your birds vitamins and minerals. In summer they should be given free access to greenery.
Fluffy chickens are very popular among farmers. They are distinguished by their attractive appearance and high productivity. For birds to be raised successfully, they need to be provided with quality care.
