Today there are many breeds of chickens, each of which has many characteristics. Some of them may even disappear. When raising rare breeds of chickens, you should follow a number of recommendations. They are characterized by demanding conditions of detention. Equally important is a correct and balanced diet, which ensures strong immunity for birds.
A little history about chickens
Currently, there is no consensus among scientists regarding the homeland of birds.Some sources claim that they appeared in China or India, others confirm the appearance of chickens in the Middle East or Egypt.
The efforts of breeders have led to the appearance of many species of birds. Chickens are raised not only for meat or eggs, but also for decorative purposes. Today, elite breeds of birds are known, which are quite rare.
Top unusual breeds
Today there are several popular breeds that differ in productivity and decorative properties.
Silky
These chickens are distinguished by their calm nature and amazing plumage that resembles silk. Birds are characterized by blue skin and bones. The history of the origin of chickens is unknown. They are believed to have originated in ancient China.
Ga Dong Tao
These chickens live exclusively in Vietnam. The population does not exceed several hundred birds. The birds were bred 6 centuries ago as fighting birds. Today they are classified as decorative and meat. Birds have medium body sizes. Roosters weigh 3-4 kilograms, chickens - 2.5-3.
The characteristic features of birds include a dense body and small wings. There is a nut-shaped comb on the head. Birds are distinguished by sparse plumage and have thick limbs with growths in the form of scales.
Ayam Tsemani
These birds are native to Indonesia. Their distinctive feature is black feathers. The rest of the body is painted the same color.
Birds grow quite slowly. Thanks to this, a lot of vitamins accumulate in meat. The weight of males reaches 2.5 kilograms, females weigh 2 kilograms. The eggs are covered with a creamy shell. Their weight is 45 grams. A distinctive feature of the breed is the black blood color. Meat and bones have the same color.
Fighting breed Shamo
This is an Asian species of birds. Its name translates as “fighter”.There are several varieties of birds. They can be large, medium or dwarf. The distinctive features of birds include a developed chest and short feathers that fit well to the body.
Birds are characterized by a unique posture. They are characterized by a vertical neck and straight back. The birds have a small head and a predatory look.
Phoenix
The breed was bred in Japan. Birds are characterized by their small size. Roosters weigh 2 kilograms, hens - 1.3. They have smooth and dense feathers. At the same time, the color can be different - white, red. There are also black and white birds. There is a large crest and earrings on the head.
A distinctive feature of males is their huge tail, which grows up to 3 meters. This is a late maturing breed. Chickens produce their first eggs only at six months. They are covered with a creamy shell and weigh 50 grams. Bird meat has an excellent taste.
Westphalian Totlegers
These chickens are distinguished by loose plumage, which abundantly covers the body. Feathers are especially pronounced on the collars of cockerels. Birds are characterized by average productivity and compact size.
Cockerels weigh a maximum of 2 kilograms, laying hens weigh 1.5. The annual egg production parameters reach 150 pieces.
Breda
These birds have an original appearance. In place of the scallop there is a symbolic crest. The legs of these chickens are abundantly covered with feathers. Roosters have beautiful feathers. Their tail is especially brightly decorated.
Laying hens of this breed produce 160 eggs. They weigh about 2 kilograms. The meat has an unusual taste.
Brabant chickens
This is a decorative breed, which today is classified as a meat-egg breeding breed. These birds are characterized by an upright posture.Laying hens have a helmet-shaped crest, and cockerels have a lush beard. The comb includes 2 halves and looks like horns.
In the first year, the birds lay 170 eggs. Subsequently, productivity parameters gradually decrease.
Bald Israelis
These birds are not very attractive in appearance. They are characterized by a complete absence of plumage. Birds are distinguished by their elongated body and developed muscles.
They have a strong neck, a large crest and red earrings. Chickens have well-developed legs. Their natural temperature is 40-42 degrees. The breed belongs to the meat category. At the same time, it is possible to raise birds only in warm areas.
Gilyan beauty
There is no exact information about the origin of chickens. Experienced breeders assure that these chickens are also called Orlovsky. One version claims that the birds are of Dagestan origin, the second considers birds to be the basis for the creation of the modern branch of Oryol chickens.
There are no purebred specimens from this family. In any case, birds are distinguished by their excellent decorative properties and unique characteristics.
Chinese silk
These birds were bred in the East. This is a decorative breed that has an attractive appearance. Bird feathers are not fastened together, so they resemble fur or wool.
The birds' head is decorated with an original fur cap.
She partially closes her eyes. The weight of laying hens is 1.5 kilograms. They produce a maximum of 80 eggs per year.
Polish Crested
These birds are characterized by a feather cap and impressive size. The plumage is white or black. There are also unusual brightly colored chickens. Productivity is average and reaches 120 eggs. Birds weigh 1.5-2.5 kilograms.
Dutch white-crested
This breed was bred in Holland back in the fifteenth century. At first, it belonged to the meat-and-egg direction, but the efforts of breeders gave the birds decorative properties.
The birds are of medium size. Males weigh 2.5 kilograms, females - no more than 2. The feathers on the body are black, and on the head - white.
Lakenfelder
This is a Belgian breed that belongs to an endangered species. Birds are characterized by beautiful feathers and a large, stately body.
Males have a luxurious black tail, while females have a black and white tail. This breed belongs to the meat-egg breed and is characterized by good productivity. Roosters weigh 2.2 kilograms, laying hens - 2. The annual productivity of hens is 180 eggs.
Wyandotte
These birds were obtained in the nineteenth century. Today there are more than 15 species of birds. They all differ in color. Chickens come in white and blue. Silver and golden individuals are also found. This is not a complete list of possible shades.
Roosters weigh 3.5 kilograms, chickens - no more than 2.5. The characteristic features of birds are an elongated body and a wide back. They have a bushy tail and a neat comb.
Rare breeds of chickens have unusual characteristics. They have excellent decorative properties and require proper care..
