Content
The Oryol breed of chickens dates back more than 200 years. The passion for cockfighting in Pavlov, Nizhny Novgorod region, led to the appearance of a powerful, tightly built, but, at first glance, medium-sized bird. The origin of the breed is not reliably known, but researchers agree that the Malayan fighting breed of roosters is among the ancestors of Oryol chickens. There is even a version that the Orlov calico breed of chickens appeared thanks to Count Orlov-Chesmensky. But it is unlikely that the count actually exchanged money for a bird, being obsessed with the idea of bringing quality horse breeds. The name of these chickens is most likely misleading.
In the 19th century, Oryol calico chickens were very popular among all segments of the population of the Russian Empire. They were bred by peasants, townspeople, artisans, and merchants. At the peak of their popularity at the end of the 19th century, birds began to be exported abroad, presented at exhibitions where they received very high marks. By this time, the breed had moved from a fighting breed to a universal one. Chickens of the Orlovskaya breed were distinguished by their productivity in both meat and egg production, showing good results. Oryol laying hens laid eggs even in winter.And at that time, winter eggs were very expensive, since the life of the chicken population in unheated chicken coops was not conducive to egg production. Beautiful variegated plumage was also valued, along with characteristic breed characteristics that were absent in other chickens.
Restored rock
At the end of the same 19th century, a general fashion for foreign breeds of poultry arose and the “eagles” quickly began to disappear. Although the birds were still taken to exhibitions, after the last one in 1911 the breed completely disappeared in Russia. In fact, there is not even a description left of the Oryol calico breed of chickens. Although in 1914 a standard was even set for this chicken in the Russian Empire, it was already too late.
In the first half of the 20th century, there were no longer any purebred birds left in Russia. The “pied birds” running around the yards were, at best, crossbreeds, but not purebred birds.
The restoration of the breed began only in the 50s of the 20th century and was carried out in two directions:
- isolation from crossbred livestock and consolidation of the necessary breed characteristics;
- buying purebred poultry in Germany, where this chicken was appreciated and bred in purity.
Real results were achieved only in the 80s of the last century, and today there are two lines in Russia: Russian and German. When restoring, they were guided by the standard written after the actual disappearance of the Oryol population and, possibly, by artistic depictions of these birds. There is also an unconfirmed opinion that the Russian and German lines are, in fact, different chicken breeds that cannot be crossed with each other, since already in the first generation the birds lose their breed characteristics. True, this contradicts genetics.
In today's description of the Oryol chicken breed, their significant weight with small body size is especially noted. This feature is explained by the fact that muscle tissue is much heavier than fat tissue. And these birds, descended from the fighting breed, should not have fat, but they need well-developed strong muscles.
Birds of the 19th century
Of course, there are no photos left of the Oryol breed of chickens from that time. Only the drawings have survived. And a verbal description of the old Oryol breed of chickens without a photo raises the same doubts as a description of the old breed of Irish wolfhounds.
It is said that in those days roosters were so large that they could eat from the dinner table. At the same time, objective data when weighed at an exhibition at the end of the 19th century indicate that the roosters of that time weighed only 4.5 kg, and the laying hens - 3.2 kg. This is quite consistent with the universal direction of chickens, but not with their gigantism. The rooster could only eat from the table by flying onto it. Especially considering the fact that the bird's body is small compared to its weight.
This is not a photo of old Oryol chickens, but there is a scale: a log. It is clearly seen that the old-type roosters were not very large in size, but carried all the signs of a fighting breed:
- vertically placed torso;
- small comb;
- thick plumage on the neck, protecting from the beak of an opponent;
- sharp curved beak.
In those days, representatives of the “Eagles” were distinguished by a wide frontal bone and a “swollen” mane, protecting them from the beak of an opponent. The appearance of such a mane is clearly shown in the pictures above. The beak was very curved and sharp, no other chicken had this.
Modern birds
Today's photos of the Oryol breed of chickens clearly indicate the fighting origin of their ancestors: roosters have a much more pronounced vertical stance than laying hens.
Modern description and photo of Oryol calico chickens:
- with their decent modern weight (from 4 kg for a chicken and up to 5 kg for a rooster), the birds give the impression of medium-sized specimens. According to reviews, Oryol calico chickens have practically no fat layer;
- the head gives a predatory impression. Red-orange or amber eyes appear deep-set due to well-developed brow ridges. The yellow beak is thick at the base, strongly curved and short. The comb is very low, reminiscent of a raspberry cut in half. The ridge is located very low, almost hanging over the nostrils. The spines of the ridge are very low, but there are many of them. There must be a “wallet” under the beak;
- The characteristic “swelling” of the feather cover in the upper part of the neck has been restored. The head is surrounded by sideburns and a beard. As a result, the neck appears to end in a ball of feathers. The neck is long, especially in roosters;
- The body of males is short and wide. Located almost vertically;
- the back and loin are short and flat. The body tapers sharply towards the tail;
- the tail is richly feathered and of medium length. Placed at right angles to the top line of the body. Medium length braids, rounded, narrow;
- broad shoulders protrude forward. The wings are of medium length and tightly pressed to the body;
- the chest with well-developed muscles in roosters protrudes slightly forward;
- tucked stomach;
- the legs are long and thick. This is also a legacy of the Malayan fighting cocks;
- metatarsus yellow;
- the plumage is thick, dense, and fits well to the body.
The exterior characteristics of the Oryol breed chickens are somewhat different from those of the rooster breed: the body is more horizontal, longer and narrower than the rooster breed; the comb is very poorly developed, but chickens have more luxuriant head plumage; The angle between the back and tail is more than 90 degrees.
German "eagles" are lighter and smaller. But they “cover” their shortcomings with higher productivity.
Exterior faults
It is difficult to find photos of the shortcomings of the Oryol calico breed of chickens for clarity, since the birds themselves are still very few. We can only describe those exterior defects that lead to the exclusion of chickens from breeding:
- small size;
- back with a hump;
- spindle-shaped, narrow, horizontal body;
- little weight;
- narrow-chested;
- narrow back;
- poor head plumage;
- thin and long beak without bending;
- any color other than the color of the metatarsus or beak allowed by the standard;
- black feather on the “wallet”;
- a small amount of white on the body;
- the presence of residual feathers on the metatarsus and toes.
There is currently a heated debate surrounding the Orlovok standard, and perhaps it will be revised after the breed gains popularity and the population increases in size. According to reviews from owners of the Oryol calico breed of hens, laying hens do not have high egg production, “producing” 150 eggs per year. But the meat has high taste characteristics.
Colors
Photos of the colors of Oryol calico chickens give an idea of the beauty of these birds. There are also disagreements regarding colors. So, according to one requirement, a single color other than white is unacceptable. On the other hand, they say that “eagles” can also have a clay, black and mahogany color without white.Perhaps it's a matter of German and Russian lines. Perhaps their ancestors, the Gilan chickens, are confused with the “Oryol chickens”. The main generally recognized colors are: scarlet black-breasted, scarlet brown-breasted and calico.
The white Orlov breed of chickens stands apart. These are the only representatives of the breed with a generally recognized monocolor. Apart from color, Oryol white chickens are no different from other representatives of the breed.
Mahogany brown-breasted.
In the video, an expert evaluates chickens of the Oryol breed:
Breed Features
The Oryol breed is a late-ripening breed. At one year of age, hens weigh 2.5-3 kg, cockerels 3-3.5 kg. Chickens begin to lay eggs at 7-8 months. In the first year of life, they can lay up to 180 eggs, then the productivity of laying hens decreases to 150. The eggs weigh 60 g. Depending on the color of the laying hen, the color of the shell can vary from light cream to white-pink.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages include the decorative appearance of the bird and the high taste characteristics of the meat.
The disadvantages are late maturity and difficulties in raising chickens. The young grow slowly and fledge late.
Content
According to the description, Oryol chickens are frost-resistant and the photo below confirms this. True, in this photo the Oryol hen looks more like a stepdaughter sent by an evil stepmother into the winter forest for snowdrops.
Lush, thick plumage protects these birds from Russian frosts. Nevertheless, it is better for Oryol chickens to build an insulated chicken coop for the winter.
Otherwise, the maintenance of the Oryol calico breed does not differ from the maintenance of other “village” chickens. Just like other “simple” breeds, “eagles” can eat anything. But for full development they must be provided with a balanced diet. However, these are the truths that apply to any chickens.
Raising chickens is significantly different. The Oryol chicken is preserved today as genetic material. You can purchase purebred chickens either at breeding centers or from a few private traders. But in the latter case, you need to be confident in the reliability of the seller.
Chickens of the Oryol breed at a young age are characterized by low survival rate and slow feathering. They have to be monitored more carefully than more resistant breeds.
The color of the cockerel is darker than that of the hen. Often the descriptions, photos and reviews about chickens of the Oryol breed of chickens do not match. But with a high degree of probability this is due to the fact that the bird is not purebred. In addition, there is still a large variability of phenotype in the Oryol breed of chickens.
Owner reviews
Conclusion
The Oryol calico breed of chickens in private backyards these days will most likely have decorative value. Same as what you already have Cochins and brahms, who were practically no longer kept for meat. Oryol chickens are much inferior in egg production to other breeds. And excessive aggressiveness will not allow them to be kept in the same room with other birds.
