Rhodonite is not a separate independent breed of chickens, but an industrial cross. This hybrid was bred from two others: Lohman Brown and Rhode Island. Both crosses are considered egg. Consider the features of an unusual type of chickens, the rules for feeding them and the subtleties of breeding.
Characterization
If you pay attention to the description of rhodonite chickens, then you should note their great visual resemblance to their progenitors – birds of the Loman Brown and Rhode Island breeds. However, this applies only to external unity.
It should be noted that the process of breeding rhodonite chickens was very difficult for scientific breeders. The thing is that the first few “versions” of animals were completely unsuccessful. So, after 18 months of life, laying hens lost their productivity and egg production. Besides, initially this species was created for keeping in the conditions of poultry farms, i.e. for industrial needs. In this regard, chickens were not adapted to adverse environmental conditions.
Thus, geneticists and breeders had to do quite a large-scale work, which, nevertheless, was crowned with success. Rhodonite is the result of crossing on 4 lines: red Rhode Island line P35 (roosters), red Rhode Island line P36 (hens), line P37, line P38.
If we talk about the characteristic features and features that distinguish this cross from any other animals, it is important to note that there are some standards regarding the appearance, dimensions, and some other indicators of these animals.
First of all, rhodonite breed chickens have all the signs of a quality laying hen.
Traditionally, the weight of a female does not exceed 2 kilograms, and the weight of a rooster can reach a maximum of 2,5 kilograms.
The head of a chicken in its dimensions does not exceed the average. The beak is yellow, at the top of which, as it were, a wide line of a brown tint is drawn. The crest of the rooster has a leaf-like shape, it is medium in size and painted red. The eyes in their shape are quite convex and have a green-orange color. There are also earrings.
As for the anatomical structure, the skeleton, which is quite light in weight, is considered an important feature of these chickens. The body in animals is located in a horizontal direction, and its upper line is straight. The back and loin are quite wide.
Animals have a magnificent tail, which is set quite high on the body. The chest itself has a bulge, but the stomach is well developed. The wings of rhodonite are quite small, as are the legs. Moreover, on the legs, in addition, the muscles are practically undeveloped. The plumage is dense in structure and can be painted in a variety of colors: from light brown to ashy.
Pros and cons of the breed
Rhodonite chickens, like any other pets, have their own unique characteristics. Some of them are positive, while others are exclusively negative. One way or another, but it is necessary to familiarize yourself with both groups of signs.
So, the following indicators can be attributed to the pluses of the cross:
- high level of egg production and long-term productivity – its decrease occurs only at the 5th year of life;
- frost resistance, which makes it possible to keep animals even in the northern regions and areas with an unfavorable and unstable climate;
- high survival rate;
- high feed conversion.
However, not only the advantages characterize the unique cross rhodonite. Animals also have noticeable shortcomings. Among them, the following features are most often distinguished:
- the inability to breed chickens “in itself”;
- eating their own eggs with a lack of nutrients;
- decrease in productivity during molting;
- laying hens do not have a special nesting instinct, so eggs can be randomly scattered throughout the territory where the hens live.
Despite the cons, the advantages of this cross far outweigh its disadvantages. Due to its numerous advantages, this type of chicken is preferred by many breeders and poultry farmers, regardless of their experience and skills.
How to determine gender?
Determining the sex of rhodonite cross individuals is not difficult. It is carried out within a day after birth through an external examination.
First of all, attention should be paid to fluff and body. If it is yellow, then it is a rooster, and if it is brown, then it is a chicken. In addition, the halo around the eyes in females is light, while in males it is dark. Another external characteristic of the animal, by which you can easily determine its gender, is the color of the head. If it is yellow (especially if brown spots are observed on it), then this is a rooster, and if brown, then a chicken.
What to feed?
In the process of caring for representatives of the rhodonite cross, special attention must be paid to their diet. Veterinarians and scientists report that ready-made combined mixtures, as well as the so-called mash, will be the best food option for such animals. If desired, meat and fish broths can be added to these complexes.
Also, it is recommended to add other products to the base, in particular – vegetables, herbs and wheat groats. If there is a need to introduce any vitamins or minerals into the diet, as well as any artificial additives, then you should consult with your veterinarian in advance about this. Otherwise, this can lead to a disease in chickens such as hypervitaminosis. Livestock breeders also note that rhodonite chickens are especially fond of wheat and corn cereals.
If you want to add any healthy additives to your homemade bird food, ingredients like chopped chalk or parsley can do the trick. They are able to maintain the level of calcium in the body of the chicken at the required level for the normal growth and development of the animal. If the level of calcium is too low, then this can lead to a wide variety of negative consequences., for example, chickens will begin to lay eggs with too thin shells or none at all.
In order to activate the work of the gastrointestinal tract and the digestive system of the animal, a small amount of sand can also be added to the feed.
Good to know. Rhodonites is a chicken cross that is famous for its good appetite. So, according to calculations, the average individual eats about 28 kilograms of feed annually.
Thus, in order to produce 10 eggs, a hen must consume 1,5 kilograms of food.
Arrangement of a chicken coop
The most ordinary chicken coop or barn can become a permanent home for rhodonites. At the same time, it is worth remembering that it is strictly forbidden to keep animals in a cellular mode, since they need constant walking. The floor in the poultry house should be covered with flooring. They can be sand, wood shavings or sawdust, and peat is also suitable.
A prerequisite is an organized ventilation system. Birds should have access to fresh and clean air. However, care must be taken to ensure that rodents do not enter the chicken coop through the ventilation holes.
Opposite the exit from the chicken coop, special crossbars should be installed that will serve as perches. Moreover, they should be located no lower than 1 meter above the ground. Do not forget to equip special nests. It is important to pay attention to their dimensions – they must match the size of the laying hens themselves.
Bathing trays can be installed on the floor, with the help of which animals can clean themselves and get rid of harmful parasites.
Breeding
The main problem in the breeding process is that female rhodonite crosses do not have a planting instinct. That is why animals are bred by incubation or placed under other hens.
It should be noted that if you plan to breed animals, then it is important to follow the rule – there should be 4 rooster for 1 chickens.
At the same time, it should be remembered that rhodonite is not a separate breed, but a cross. Therefore, chickens that hatch from eggs will not meet all the characteristics of rhodonite. They will be much weaker.
Diseases and their prevention
Despite the scientifically proven fact that rhodonites are quite viable and resistant animals, they can be susceptible to a variety of diseases. It is believed that rhodonites are most prone to the following diseases:
- intestinal infection pullorosis;
- respiratory disease pasteurellosis;
- violation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- coccidiosis;
- tuberculosis;
- endo- and ectoparasitic infections;
- mycoplasmosis of the respiratory system.
Painful symptoms include the following:
- decreased activity, mobility and energy;
- elevated temperature;
- discharge with mucus;
- tumors in the joints;
- lack of appetite;
- constant thirst, etc.
If these signs appear, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. Self-medication can only worsen the general condition, and delaying treatment can lead to an epidemic.
In order to avoid such diseases, special attention must be paid to prevention, because it is known that it is considered the best treatment.
So, first of all, it is necessary to carefully study all the physiological and anatomical features of chickens, to get acquainted with the necessary health indicators that are standard for rhodonite. It is also important to acquire only genetically healthy individuals. In order not to become a victim of fraud, you should check all documents (licenses and certificates) from sellers.
It is important to keep the chicken coop clean, disinfect it and not ignore the rules for keeping chickens.
Do not forget to do regular vaccinations and preventive examinations. Also, hypothermia and overheating should not be allowed – it is necessary to carefully monitor the temperature indicators.
Reviews
The responses of owners who have rhodonite cross animals are very diverse. Some of them are enthusiastically positive, while others have a negative connotation. In general, egg production is one of the undoubted positive characteristics of chickens. Therefore, if it is this quality that interests you, then you should, without hesitation, give preference to this cross.
On the other hand, many owners speak negatively about the breeding process, complaining about the lack of the notorious planting instinct. In addition, the taste of the meat of females and males is significantly different – the meat of chickens is soft and pleasant to the taste, and the meat of males is too hard.
For information on when rhodonite chickens begin to lay, see the next video.
