Description and characteristics of Tetra breed chickens, maintenance rules

Tetra chickens are very popular among farmers. These birds are distinguished by their dietary meat and produce a lot of tasty and healthy eggs. To achieve success in raising birds, it is worth providing them with quality care. It should include the proper arrangement of the poultry house, the preparation of a balanced diet, and the organization of a walking area. Disease prevention is of no small importance.

Origin story

This is a relatively new breed, which was developed about 40 years ago. Hungary is considered the birthplace of Tetra chickens. During the selection process, scientists crossed different breeds, resulting in a productive hybrid. It is characterized by high-quality meat and high egg production.

At the same time, broiler crosses have 2 directions - Tetra NV and Tetra SL. Both varieties are considered four-line hybrids. At the same time, leghorns of the egg direction were used to obtain the Tetra SL breed. As a result, they managed to convey excellent egg production. Tetra N chickens were obtained using the same Leghorns and other lines. However, this information remained secret.

Description and characteristics of Tetra chickens

Tetra chickens have certain characteristics that set them apart from other breeds.

Appearance and character

The characteristic features of the breed are the following:

• small head;
• light yellow beak;
• scarlet leaf comb;
• short neck;
• rectangular body;
• small tail;
• resistant paws;
• compact wings that fit securely to the body;
• round belly in females and flat in males;
• red-brown feathers.

Tetra HB birds are characterized by a calm disposition. They do not show aggression and behave somewhat clumsily. Chickens are highly active. Males usually do not enter into conflicts. An exception may be a war for a female or territory.

Birds are considered curious; they try to explore new territories. At the same time, you should not be afraid that the birds will escape. They value their safety too much.

Chickens are not afraid of people and get along well with other non-aggressive birds.

Productivity and weight gain

This breed is highly productive. At 17-19 weeks, the hen produces 90% of her eggs. By 21 weeks, all hens are hatching eggs. In 52 weeks they produce 309 eggs. In the first year we manage to get 230 pieces.

In addition to high egg productivity, chickens produce tasty and tender meat. The young animals quickly gain the required weight. Chickens, on average, weigh 2.5 kilograms, roosters - 3.

Sexual maturity and egg production

This variety of laying hens is characterized by early maturation. The first clutches are possible as early as 4 months. At the same time, in terms of physical parameters, birds mature much later. At the beginning of laying, birds produce small eggs - their weight does not exceed 46 grams. Gradually, the mass of the product increases, reaching 61 grams.

Chickens rarely lag behind in development. However, sometimes there are situations when birds begin to produce eggs only at six months. Such problems arise from an unbalanced diet or deficiency of vitamins and calcium.

It is worth considering that birds can become obese. This negatively affects the development of birds, the taste of meat and performance indicators.

Compared to other breeds, Tetra chickens are considered very productive. One laying hen can produce more than 300 eggs per year. They are distinguished by a brown tint.

Main positive and negative aspects

This hybrid has many advantages because it combines the characteristics of meat and egg breeds. Chickens begin to lay eggs quite early and are distinguished by strong immunity.

The safety of young animals up to 18 weeks is at the level of 97-98%. For adults this figure is 95-97%. Large eggs with good taste are considered an undoubted advantage. Poultry meat is also characterized by excellent taste.

The disadvantages of the breed include the need for a large amount of food.To raise a chicken up to 18 weeks, you will need 6.8 kilograms of feed. Annual figures are 43-46 kilograms. In this case, the daily volume cannot be less than 115 grams.

Features of maintenance and care

In order for chickens to develop normally and maintain high productivity, it is worth providing them with proper care.

Poultry house requirements

There are no specific requirements for keeping birds. Birds adapt to any climatic conditions and are considered very unpretentious. It is recommended to keep birds in a spacious room. At the same time, the floor and walls should be insulated.

It is recommended to place a bedding on the floor. This may include straw, sawdust or peat. It is recommended to change these materials on time. It is worth disinfecting the entire chicken coop 2-3 times a year. To do this, it is recommended to use special products that help destroy viruses and bacteria.

The chicken coop must have perches. Their height should be 70-80 centimeters. The organization of nests for eggs is of no small importance. There should also be feeders and drinkers in the poultry house.

You should definitely put a container with sand and ash in which the birds can bathe.

Ventilation and lighting

The chicken room must have adequate lighting. The duration of daylight should be at least 13 hours. This duration is required for full egg laying. Laying hens do not lay eggs in the dark.

Adequate ventilation is of no small importance. This will help prevent the development of viral infections. Fresh air has a beneficial effect on the number of eggs. It is better to ventilate the chicken coop in the morning and evening. If there are a lot of chickens, it is worth installing a special ventilation system.

Conditions for walking

Birds need walks in the fresh air. Therefore, they need to organize a walking yard. It should be set up near the chicken coop and fenced with netting. There should be a special canopy on top. It helps protect birds from bright sun and rain, and will also help avoid attacks by wild birds.

It is worth placing containers with ash outside. Thanks to this, birds will be able to clean their feathers from parasites. A walking yard is placed in an open area. Thanks to this, the birds will be able to find food during the warm season. It is advisable to plant clover and knotweed for them in advance.

Molting and break in egg production

Chickens begin to molt in the fall - during the onset of cold weather. At the same time, egg production remains stable. During this period, it is recommended to increase the amount of vitamins and minerals in the birds’ diet. They have a special need for calcium, which is required for the formation of feathers.

Feeding chickens

Birds need a special diet. It is worth considering that Tetra chickens have a tendency to overeat. This provokes the appearance of excess weight and disturbances in the functioning of the digestive organs. That’s why it’s so important to follow a special diet regimen.

Since birds are meat-egg animals, their diet should include calcium. Adequate protein intake is important. You can make bird food yourself. It is important that it is nutritious and includes 20% protein.

For 1 chicken there should be a maximum of 120 grams of feed per day. Birds also need a sufficient amount of fresh grass. In winter, instead of greens, grass hay is used.

Breeding

Typically, chickens of this breed mature at 5 months. At the same time, they begin to lay eggs 2-4 weeks earlier.It is impossible to breed birds of this breed on your own. They are an interbreed hybrid that can be obtained under special conditions.

Therefore, to breed birds, you will have to buy hatching eggs from a supplier who breeds chickens. It is also permissible to purchase chickens from a trusted breeder.

Chicks of this breed are characterized by a high survival rate. If you follow simple care recommendations, you will be able to save 97-98% of birds.

Hatching instinct

This breed is a hybrid, so laying hens do not have maternal instinct. You should not expect birds to patiently hatch eggs and care for their offspring. An incubator will help solve this problem. It is also quite acceptable to simply purchase chicks - they are considered relatively inexpensive.

Chickens

This breed is characterized by excellent survival rate of young animals. This is considered an indisputable advantage, since the maximum number of losses occurs among the chicks.

Chickens of this breed are characterized by rapid development. By the age of 4 months they weigh 1.5-1.8 kilograms. During this period, it is worth providing the birds with the correct diet. This will help avoid unnecessary losses.

Diseases of these chickens

A characteristic feature of birds is considered to be strong immunity. Thanks to this, they practically do not get sick. To avoid problems, it is recommended to properly care for birds. Sometimes birds suffer from parasites. To avoid such problems, they should be systematically processed, periodically given anthelmintic drugs and regularly inspect the birds.

If the chicken becomes lethargic, loses appetite and experiences extreme thirst, it is recommended to immediately remove it from the flock and contact a veterinarian.

Tetra chickens are highly productive and are considered very easy to care for. To achieve success in growing them, it is recommended to take into account many features. First of all, it is worthwhile to properly organize the poultry house and walking space. A complete and balanced diet, as well as disease prevention, are of no small importance.