Many owners of private houses are independently raising poultry for fresh meat and eggs. Among the huge variety of breeds, a variety of barbezier chickens is in great demand. This species has proven itself well in both the egg and meat industries. In the article we will consider this type of poultry in more detail.
Description
The barbezier breed of chickens has the following external features:
- elongated, long neck;
- the length of the lobes reaches 5 centimeters;
- massive, strong legs and hips;
- the scalp has a bright pink color (without feathers);
- plumage color – black;
- males are decorated with a lush tail with a green tint;
- a leaf-shaped comb attracts attention with a rich scarlet color, its length reaches 8 centimeters, and its height is up to 14,5 centimeters:
- rounded shape of the body;
- four-fingered paws, have, like a beak, a gray color;
- large eyes with orange irises.
The above characteristic indicates that the Barbezier breed stands out noticeably from the background of others with its original dark plumage. The fact that the paws and beak are of the same color indicates that they belong to the elite breeds. This type of bird has a correct posture and a charming exterior.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the process of molting. As soon as it ends, the appearance of the chickens becomes more expressive. The plumage is restored quickly, while becoming more magnificent and more beautiful. The body of the bird is completely covered with black plumage with a matte texture.
Features
Russian farmers highly appreciate the above breed. Experts note the excellent development of chickens, as well as high egg production. As a rule, this variety is used in private households for the reason that white meat turns out to be surprisingly tasty, but expensive.
The main characteristic of the breed:
- maximum chicken weight – up to 3,5 kilograms;
- the weight of an adult (rooster) is even greater and reaches 4,4 kilograms;
- egg production rate – from 160 to 200 units per year;
- egg weight varies from 75 to 90 grams.
With proper care, young chickens adapt to a change of residence without any problems. It is also worth noting the high survival rate (about 96%). Young laying hens begin to lay eggs from an early age, from 5 months. The egg shell is white, the size is large, the color of the yolk is rich yellow.
As for growth and development, the mass of the bird reaches a peak by the year. Also by this time the skeleton is fully formed. This time is considered the ideal period for slaughter – the birds have already gained maximum weight, while the meat has retained softness, juiciness and tenderness.
In addition to their amazing appearance, chickens delight their owners with a calm and peaceful disposition. Due to the large weight, a high fence around the chicken coop is not required. Birds cannot fly far.
Pros and cons of the breed
The positive qualities include high frost resistance. Also note the peaceful nature. The disadvantage is the slow plumage of young individuals and the practically lost instinct of incubation in chickens.
The breed appeared in France, on the territory of the district of the same name. Features of the local climate have formed a cold-resistant variety of poultry. The result is a species characterized by excellent productivity and resistance to the vagaries of the weather.
How to choose?
For high-quality offspring, chickens are carefully selected, adhering to a certain standard. Birds with the following characteristics fall under the category of marriage:
- plumage is not black;
- discrepancy between the weight and age of the bird;
- disproportionately developed body structure;
- brown iris.
The rejection process is carried out in 4-5 months. By this age, individuals are completely covered with feathers, and the tail is fully formed in roosters.
Content
In order for chickens to form and develop correctly, they need special care. There are specific standards that must be adhered to.
Chickens of this breed are unpretentious to climatic conditions, due to which it is possible to carry out walking even in the cold season, for example, in winter. Birds love to walk outside and dig in the snow. Spacious movement around the yard, as well as around the chicken coop, significantly affects the quality and taste of meat. You can’t keep birds in cages.
Fry food
In order for the birds to receive the necessary amount of nutrients and vitamins, Their diet should include the following:
- ready-made vitamin complexes designed specifically for keeping poultry;
- fresh fruits and vegetables;
- bone flour;
- pasture green fodder from pastures or meadows.
These are the most important components. Vitamins and herbal flour are also actively used. Barley, rye and wheat are great as complementary foods. During the off-season, use fishmeal and reverse.
Be sure to make sure that the chickens have enough clean water. For growing chickens, special mineral supplements are needed with the addition of substances that positively affect the formation of the skeleton.
Note: most people who have just started growing prefer to use industrial compound feed so as not to prepare the feed themselves. In this case, it is desirable to add chalk to the composition for the development of bird bone mass.
Coop
poultry houses that keep chickens must have the following characteristics:
- dense bedding made of natural materials (straw and hay);
- full lighting;
- stable indicator of temperature and humidity;
- perches and closed nests;
- absence of drafts.
To maintain cleanliness, be sure to turn the bedding over and change it if necessary. This is an important condition for maintaining excellent egg production. You also need to install a special bathing container in the chicken coop. It will be useful in the hot season.
Breeding
This breed can be easily bred, both at home and in industrial conditions. Experts who have been breeding this type of chicken for more than a year say that it is recommended to use laying hens of other breeds for raising chickens. All due to the fact that some representatives of the French breed may not have a maternal instinct. But even though the chickens leave the roosts, the offspring reaches 95%.
Chick feathering is slow. To prevent the withdrawal of the breed, it is desirable to avoid crossing relatives. Otherwise, the number of defective individuals will increase with each subsequent offspring.
disease
At a young age, chickens of the above breed have a weak sense of smell and take everything in a row for food, as a result of which they suffer from diarrhea and poisoning. To prevent unpleasant consequences, activated charcoal is added to young chicks, and chalk is also added. A decoction of chamomile and flax is widely used, with which chickens are soldered.
Stomach problems can occur in chickens of any age. Often the cause is an increased protein content in food. In this case, the dosage of feed and additional components must be strictly observed.
Do not forget about vitamin supplements. With a lack of vitamins, the development of young individuals is inhibited and disrupted. The following symptoms appear:
- weak weight gain;
- rare plumage;
- in some cases, chickens stop laying eggs.
To cope with arthritis, special medicines are used, which can be purchased at veterinary pharmacies. They are mixed into chicken feed. Some components, such as benzylpenicillin and potassium salts, are administered intramuscularly.
If the rules of hygiene are not observed, the risk of infection with heterokidosis (worms) increases sharply. Parasites actively multiply in the intestines of the bird, as a result of which the chickens begin to rapidly lose weight, become inactive and lose their appetite. The best prevention of the disease is a regular change of water and bedding. Also use special pharmaceutical preparations.
In some cases, this breed is affected by ascites. These are dropsy formations in the abdominal cavity of birds. Excess liquid is disposed of with a syringe. To restore the health of birds, they are fed with vitamins and feed with nutritious greens.
Remember that any disease is easier to prevent. Regular veterinary check-ups will help to avoid unpleasant consequences. Also, do not forget about compliance with the conditions of detention.
Reviews
At the end of the article, we will get acquainted with the reviews of those people who are personally involved in the cultivation of this breed. Consider the real responses left on thematic sites. Most responded positively to this variety, noting the numerous benefits.
Positive feedback
The attention of many poultry farmers was attracted by the unusual color of birds, which stands out noticeably against the background of other colors that are more common. The graceful plumage of chickens is consistent with the sophisticated French name. Many confirmed the calm disposition.
Also, users mentioned the excellent gastronomic qualities of meat, the tenderness and juiciness of which is preserved even when the birds reach adulthood. Eggs of birds of this breed were also highly rated.
Poultry farmers living in regions with a harsh and changeable climate report on the frost resistance of birds and their ability to adapt to weather conditions.
Negative feedback
There are very few negative reviews, but they still exist. The main drawback was the almost complete absence of maternal instinct in laying hens. This brings certain troubles when breeding birds.
For information on how to properly raise barbezier chickens, see the following video.
