Content
Chickens are the most common pet in households. Farmers from all over the world raise chickens for meat and eggs. Today there are more than 180 breeds of chickens, 52 of which are in demand in Russia.
All existing breeds can be divided into 5 groups:
- meat;
- egg;
- meat and eggs;
- fighting;
- decorative.
The most popular are, of course, meat and eggs. Meat and egg chickens are a set of universal breeds that are raised to produce meat products, as well as eggs. They are unpretentious to the conditions and undemanding in feeding. They have a well-developed maternal instinct.
There are specially bred meat and egg chickens (by crossing), as well as those that naturally possess these qualities. Some chickens in this group can also be classified as decorative, due to their beautiful appearance.
Egg production meat and egg chickens at a high level, and practically not inferior to egg breeds. The quality of the meat is very good, but such chickens grow more slowly than representatives of the meat group. But they do not require complex care, they are calm and hardy. They are easy to keep even in a small area at home or in the country; they do not require high fences or large spaces for walking.
This is also important for gaining muscle mass.
This includes the Moscow black breed, which is one of the most popular types of chickens. Let's look at some of the features of this breed, as well as the history of its appearance. A detailed description will help you make the right choice as to whether it is worth breeding such chickens.
Breed Features
Moscow Black chickens are very popular. Grown by farmers since 1980. This year, this breed was bred and approved in Moscow. It combines the most necessary characteristics for living in cold climates. As sources, 3 breeds were used, from which Moscow black chickens inherited good immunity, high quality eggs and meat.
Chickens have high disease resistance, unpretentiousness and productivity. With proper nutrition, they can lay very generously, more than 200 eggs per year. Not many chickens have such high egg production as the Moscow black chicken. The quality of the meat is also at the highest level, it is white, tender and dietary.
Chickens of this breed are usually black in color. Roosters have a copper-orange mane and loin, and a black body. The chicken has a copper-golden neck. Agree, this coloring looks much more interesting and original than that of an ordinary speckled chicken. Moscow black chickens have very dense feathers, so they are not afraid of even the harshest winters. There is a bright red jagged crest on the head. The beak is small and black. Eyes may be orange or brown. The neck is wide and has lush plumage. The back is long, the body is wide.The legs are of medium length, the tail is low. Roosters usually have lighter legs than hens. Chickens have single white feathers on their feathers, but they disappear over time. This is clearly visible in the photo.
Thick, densely packed feathers provide Moscow black with high cold resistance. Such chickens feel comfortable even in unheated rooms. They have high disease resistance. Due to their unpretentiousness to feed, raising these chickens is not expensive. The important thing is that the survival rate of chickens is almost one hundred percent. The Moscow breed of chickens grows slower than meat chickens, but the final weight of an adult rooster is only 0.5 kg less than that of a meat chicken.
The solution is incubation hatching. It’s also bad that up to 1.5 months it is almost impossible to distinguish the sex of chickens.
The weight of an adult rooster can range from 2.5 kg to 3.5 kg, and a laying hen can weigh up to 2.5 kilograms. If we compare the Moscow black with chickens of the egg or meat group, then their meat has better taste than that of egg chickens, and the weight is slightly less than that of meat chickens. But the difference is not that big, only 0.5 kilograms. In addition, this breed has incredible stress resistance, which has a good effect on the quality and quantity of eggs.
There are also white Moscow chickens. They have the same characteristics. With proper care, egg production and meat quality will be the same as that of black representatives of the breed. In white chickens, a phenomenon often occurs when one egg contains another one. This occurs due to the collision of a ready-made egg with an undeveloped one.
Content Features
From their own experience, farmers saw that no other breed is so well adapted to the harsh Russian climate.
If the temperature in the room where the birds are located is exactly 0°C, then the chickens will not stop laying eggs in winter. During this period, good nutrition is important, and instead of water, snow will come off, which the chickens will happily peck.
You can keep this breed in any place convenient for you. They feel calm both in cages and in a common chicken coop. They quickly get used to the area and their owner, so you can safely let them out into the yard. The birds are very calm and peaceful, they get so used to people that they can even walk into people’s hands. But chickens, on the contrary, are very active and elusive. They should be released for walking together with the club. She will be able to protect her offspring from danger.
Many people believe that when buying chickens, you need to choose the largest ones. In this case, this is an error.
Features of feeding
Feeding is very important for high productivity. Proper and varied nutrition will only have a positive effect on the chickens’ body. Since this breed includes characteristics of both egg and meat groups, it accordingly needs less food than meat animals and more than egg animals. Egg production and the rate of muscle growth depend on the amount of feed.
By the appearance of the eggs, you can determine what the chickens’ body lacks.
Typically, chickens are fed with various grain crops, mixed feed, hay flour, and boiled potatoes. But, in addition to this, you should add fresh greens (cut grass), vegetables and fruits to your diet. Also remember that eating boiled potatoes too often can lead to obesity. It is recommended that if it is not possible to let chickens out to pasture, at least sometimes add dried larvae or meat to the food. Thanks to this, the birds will receive the necessary protein.
Don't neglect drinking. Chickens must always have water. It will be useful to give chickens small limestones; they have a good effect on the stomach and help them digest food better.
Disadvantages of the breed
There is no need to write much here. Even if there are some specific shortcomings, they are so insignificant that because of them you should not deny yourself the pleasure of raising such beautiful chickens. But still, let's look at everything one by one. Feedback from farmers has shown that the main problems when keeping Moscow black chickens may be:
- Poorly developed ability to hatch chicks;
- Although young individuals begin to lay eggs at 4-6 months, eggs can be used for incubation only from 8 months. Until this time they have very low viability;
- If improperly or excessively fed, chickens can become obese.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Moscow black breed of chickens is one of the most popular among farmers. In their opinion, these chickens are ideal for a personal plot. And it’s not surprising, because they combine good quality meat and high egg production.In addition, both chickens and adult chickens have high disease resistance and vitality. They are mobile, but not at all aggressive, they do not peck or rush at their owners.
So, the description and characteristics of the Moscow Black chicken breed showed that this species is excellent for growing even in a small area. They do not require complex care and large space for walking. They can grow and develop well even in cells. They tolerate cold winters well and are insensitive to temperature fluctuations and changes in seasons. Usually, in winter they rush as actively as in the warm season. And in the video you can more clearly see the characteristics of this breed and the principles of its maintenance.
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