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If you often visit specialized agricultural forums, you get the impression that residents of Ukraine and Belarus are much more active in agriculture than Russians. This may not be the case, but the vast majority of animal breeds that are still little known in Russia are already quite widespread in other countries. Quite recently, according to the standards of livestock breeders in Ukraine, a new breed of Hercules chickens was bred.
These birds were bred according to the principle “Doctor, I need more pills for greed, more, more.” According to the description, the Hercules chicken breed should be distinguished by its heavy weight, good egg production and excellent health. True, the chicken breeders who bought this breed have not yet decided whether it is a breed or a cross. Based on the results, experiments are carried out on the second and third generations, bred on a private farmstead.
In addition, the reviews about Hercules chickens were not all positive. It makes sense to try to figure out whether it is a cross or a cross breed. And also where is the advertising, and where are the real results of the “experimenters” who raised these birds in their yard. At the same time, it will be necessary to take into account that the “experimenters” could have been sold to someone else under the guise of Hercules.
Who are they and where did they come from?
Hercules chickens were bred in Kharkov at the Ukrainian Institute of Poultry Farming in 2000.Chickens were bred from broiler crosses by crossing them with other gene pool breeds. Broilers are crosses in themselves, so it is still premature to really say about Hercules that this is a breed.
Advertising
Advertising descriptions and photos of the Hercules chicken breed claim that it is a very large, fast-growing bird. They grow at the same speed as broilers. They reach puberty like an egg-laying breed.
The productive characteristics of Hercules chickens are very high. Pullets begin to lay eggs at 4 months. At first, eggs with 2 or 3 yolks are often laid. Then the situation stabilizes. Similarly, at first the weight of the product can vary from 55 to 90 g. Then everything stabilizes, and Hercules begin to lay eggs with an average weight of 65 g. The productivity of Hercules hens is 210 eggs per year.
Chickens also have high meat characteristics, but private photos do not confirm this.
The website of the Borki farm states that the weight of one-year-old roosters reaches 4.5 kg, and pullets 3.5 kg. Hercules have a high growth rate, comparable to broiler crosses, and do not require large amounts of feed. At 2 months, chickens grow to 2.2 kg in weight. Chickens and young animals have a very high safety rate: about 95%.
Description
The general appearance of the Hercules breed chickens in the photo does not give the impression of a very powerful bird. These chickens have a medium sized head. The eyes are orange. The comb is single, leaf-shaped, red. There are from 4 to 6 teeth on the comb. The earrings are red, round in shape. The lobes can be light or red. The beak is yellow, slightly curved.
The body is powerful, with a wide back and loin. The chest is well filled, with developed muscles.In roosters, the belly should be voluminous and toned, in chickens it should be round and well developed.
Shoulders are well developed. The wings are lowered, but fit tightly to the body. The tail is short. The rooster has long, curved braids.
Legs set wide apart. The thighs and lower legs are powerful and well feathered. Metatarsus without feathers, long, yellow. Metatarsal bone of large diameter. Fingers spread wide. Hercules chickens have a calm, good-natured character.
The number and types of colors vary according to different sources. If we focus on the data of the Kharkov Institute, then there are 6 colors: silver, black-striped (aka cuckoo), white, pockmarked, golden, blue. According to private individuals, the Hercules have already acquired 8 colors. Columbian and red-and-white have been added.
The “official” colors of Hercules chickens are shown in the photo below.
Blue.
Blue chicken in the foreground on the right.
Silver.
Cuckoo.
Month-old cuckoo Hercules along with 2-month-old raspberries.
Golden.
White.
Pockmarked.
The advantages of the breed include fairly rapid growth of young animals, high egg production, and excellent health. The disadvantages include the loss of parental qualities in the offspring. However, the latter is typical for crosses.
Owners' opinions
Reviews of Hercules chickens from private owners are often diametrically opposed. From “the eggs didn’t fit in the egg trays” to “so far 55g.” According to the taste characteristics, the meat is also rated from “very tasty” to “ordinary meat, worse than broiler.”It has been experimentally established that broiler crosses reach the same slaughter weight in 1.5 months, and Hercules chickens in 2.
Disagreements in meat quality also stem from different ages at slaughter. If Hercules are sent for slaughter at 2 months, then the chicken meat is still soft and tender. At an older age, Hercules meat is already suitable for broth, and not for frying.
What advertising and private traders clearly agree on is the good survival rate of chickens and their ability to independently provide themselves with food while out on the range. (Stealing from a dog is a sacred thing.)
The video shows chickens of the Hercules breed on a private farm a year after purchasing the chickens.
Raising chickens
Taking into account the impossibility of breeding chickens of the Hercules breed “in itself”, there is no question of the correct selection of producers in this case. But due to the large distances, many buyers prefer to take the egg and hatch Hercules chickens in their own home incubators. Therefore, the issue of raising chickens is very relevant.
With proper transportation, 80-90% of chickens hatch from purchased eggs. In the first days the brooder should be 30°C. Gradually the temperature is reduced to normal street temperature. Due to their rapid growth, chickens require large amounts of high-protein feed. If it is not possible to use specialized starter feed, chickens should be given a finely chopped boiled egg. Chopped greens must be included in the food. Some people prefer to give green onions, believing that they disinfect the intestines. But there is still nothing to disinfect the gastrointestinal tract of freshly hatched chickens. Therefore, you can give chopped parsley with the same success. If you're not too lazy, you can cut grass picked from the street.
Cereals provide a large amount of carbohydrates, but have very little protein. If you feed chickens with crushed grains, including corn, then you must add meat and bone meal to the diet.
Legumes are also suitable for providing protein. You can buy alfalfa meal at pet stores. Alfalfa contains a significant amount of protein and can replace peas or soybeans.
Content
Hercules are fairly frost-resistant chickens. Thanks to its dense plumage, this breed is able to withstand Russian frosts. In the chicken coop, it is enough to ensure that there are no drafts and deep litter.
The main diet of adult Hercules chickens consists of cereals and legumes. Chickens are also given beet pulp, sunflower cake, and bran. Be sure to include animal proteins. Since chickens have a fairly high egg production, they need a high protein content in their diet. In winter, the diet includes chopped beets, carrots, apples, and boiled potatoes.
To compensate for calcium deficiency, feed chalk, limestone or shell are placed separately. To ensure that chickens’ digestion is not impaired, they should receive fine crushed stone or coarse quartz sand, which will act as gastroliths in the stomach.
To get rid of parasites, place baths with ash and sand. The contents of the baths must be changed frequently.
Reviews
Conclusion
Judging by the reviews about the Hercules chicken breed, this is a cross that cannot be bred in a private backyard. Those who annually buy chickens from an official manufacturer are satisfied with Hercules chickens. When buying second hand, the quality is usually lower. Perhaps this is the second or third generation of Hercules chickens.
