Description, characteristics and conditions of keeping Redbro chickens

Redbro is a variety of chicken that is ideal for breeding. The bird is known not only for its high-quality meat, but also for its high egg production. Today, it is profitable for both small farmers and large industrial organizations to raise Redbro chickens. Let's get acquainted with the characteristics, conditions of keeping and features of caring for birds of this breed, as well as measures to prevent its diseases.

Origin story

Redbrough chickens were developed in England by crossing representatives of the Malay and Cornish species. Thanks to the inherited characteristics, the bird turned out to be large in size, with strong immunity and a good-natured character. Today, chickens of this breed are popular not only among farmers, but also in industry, as they are universal in terms of the volume of meat and eggs.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Redbros are raised to produce quality meat. Due to the special structure of the muscles, the bird has practically no fat layer.

Appearance

At a young age, the bird has a light color, which makes it difficult to recognize the breed.

Breed characteristics:

• large head;
• bright red plumage, tightly fitting to the body;
• small wings;
• red comb and leaf-shaped lobes;
• clear, short beak;
• dense strong legs.

Chickens acquire bright colors after their first molt.

Weight of hens and roosters

Birds of the Redbro breed are considered large. They inherited this feature from their fighting ancestors. The weight of an adult chicken is 3-3.5 kg, a rooster is 1 kg more.

The birds are unpretentious in keeping and quickly gain weight on regular food. At one month of age, chickens weigh 1-1.2 kg, by three months - 2.5 kg. They reach their main weight after six months.

Character

Despite their fighting ancestors, Redbros have a peaceful nature. They get along easily with other bird species. However, chickens do not like confined spaces. Keeping them in cages will not work. Spacious enclosures with space for walking are created for them.

Productive qualities

Poultry is a profitable breed. By 5-6 months of age, the female begins to lay eggs. A chicken produces up to 300 eggs weighing 60-75 g per year.In addition, the breed is valued for its dietary meat with low fat content. The average weight of a broiler carcass is 3-4 kg.

Chickens are sent for slaughter at the age of one year, since during this period egg production decreases, and raising the bird further is unprofitable.

Pros and cons of Redbro chickens

The Redbro breed is valued among farmers. Breeding these birds has certain advantages.

Pros:

• rapid weight gain;
• easy adaptation to living conditions;
• unpretentiousness in food;
• good health, endurance;
• non-aggressive character;
• nutritious, dietary meat;
• high egg production.

Chickens are easy to keep. They do not require special feed. They have a strong immune system and can walk even at sub-zero temperatures without losing productivity. The breed is characterized by a high level of chick survival, regardless of whether they are hatched by a laying hen or hatched in an incubator.

One drawback has been identified in the breed - the coloring of the young. Redbro chickens do not differ in appearance from chicks of ordinary chickens, so inexperienced breeders can be deceived when buying birds.

Content Features

Redbro chickens are unpretentious in keeping and quickly adapt to their environment and location. But there are some requirements that must be met for the successful rearing of birds.

Chicken coop requirements

The chicken coop should be spacious. For 10 sq. m are inhabited by no more than 20 individuals. The keeping room is made square, with a ceiling height of 1.8-2 m. The floor is covered with dry grass, and perches and nests with a depth of at least 30 cm are formed at the back wall.

The bird house should be well ventilated, but without drafts, the flooring should be dry. The filler must be changed at least once a week.

Temperature, humidity, lighting

Despite the unpretentiousness of the breed, birds must always be kept warm. In chicken coops in winter the temperature should not fall below +6. If necessary, you can artificially heat the room. In summer, temperatures should not be allowed to rise above 27 degrees. To eliminate overheating, vents are installed in the houses.

An important factor in the proper development of offspring is humidity. In the wet season, it is necessary to change the flooring more often and dry the air using artificial methods.

In order for chickens to lay eggs continuously, there must always be enough light in the chicken coops. In summer, a 14-hour day is achieved naturally; in winter, birds turn on lamps. For 10 sq. m – 60 W. Lighting is installed on the ceiling, in the area of ​​feeders and drinkers.

Walking yard

Walks are very important for birds. Breeders need to think about the location, shape and size of the enclosure in advance. For production, galvanized metal mesh mounted on wooden blocks is usually used. Aviaries are installed next to the chicken coop. At least 2 square meters are allocated per individual. m. area.

Installation of feeders and drinkers

In the summer, when the bird spends the whole day outside, it is worth installing feeders and drinking bowls there. In winter, chickens are in the coop all day, so sources of water and feed are moved indoors. The containers are attached to the wall at a short distance or placed on a shelf. Feeders and water bowls should not be placed on the floor, as birds often climb into them, scatter grain and trample it.

Feeders can be different, refilled manually or automatically. But it is worth considering that you cannot overfeed the bird, this is especially harmful for laying hens.

Bird food

Despite the fact that Redbros are unpretentious in food, the diet of birds must be balanced. High performance in poultry rearing is achieved by introducing mixed feed. Vegetables, fruits, and herbs are essential components of bird dishes. In the summer, chickens can forage for insects and grass while walking.

It is important to consider the amount of food per individual, depending on age. A chicken 2 weeks old is given at least 100 g of grain.

The norm increases in accordance with the development of the bird and reaches 300 g by 6 months.

Reproduction and breeding

Redbro chickens lend themselves well to breeding. Laying hens have a pronounced maternal instinct and conscientiously hatch their eggs. However, after puberty, birds do not produce good offspring. Chicks are born weak and small. Therefore, incubators are often used for breeding birds.

Adviсe:

• for breeding, choose eggs from the first clutch, of the same size;
• Before placing eggs in the incubator, wash them from dirt and wipe them with a cloth soaked in potassium permanganate;
• control the temperature and humidity in the incubator.

The time of day at which the chicks appear depends on the time they are placed in the incubator. Chicks are born with light brown plumage. At first, babies should be kept in a box, the bottom of which is covered with warm material. The room temperature should not be below 30 degrees. Every day it must be lowered so that by the age of one month the chicks are ready for cool conditions.

During the first days, chickens should be fed soft food rich in proteins. They are transferred to broiler feed no earlier than after a week.

Common diseases and their prevention

Despite good immunity, the bird is susceptible to some diseases.

Kinds:

1. Typhus.

The disease occurs as a result of infection entering the bird's body. The bird does not eat, it develops vomiting and loose stools. Body temperature rises. The pet appears weakened and inactive. The disease is transmitted from individual to individual. Treated with antibiotics.

2. Coccidiosis.

Birds become infected from parasitic insects. Signs include increased body temperature, diarrhea, and apathy. Treat with antiparasitic drugs, adding them to food and water.

3. Salmonellosis.

The disease develops as a result of untimely vaccination of individuals. Signs include swelling around the eyes, weakness and apathy of the bird. Chickens are treated with Furazolidone, adding it to their drink for a week.

4. Pasteurellosis.

A sign of the disease is the blueness of the comb and earring. Mucus is released from the nose, the bird stops eating and moving. Diarrhea appears and body temperature rises. Chickens are treated with sulfonamides.

To prevent the occurrence of infections and inflammations, the chicken coops are thoroughly cleaned every spring, and the walls of the premises are covered with slaked lime to eliminate harmful microbes. To protect against skin parasites, containers with ash are installed in the houses, in which the birds bathe. Vaccination is carried out once every 3 months.