Description of Chinese silk chickens, their productivity, cultivation and care. Overview of the breed Chinese silk chicken How silk chickens are kept in China

Increasingly, outlandish breeds of chickens appear in farmlands. The object of this article was one of them, namely, a representative of Chinese silk, whose amazing appearance managed to conquer not only Asia, but also Europe and America.

From this article you will learn about the origin of birds, their appearance and temperament, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the breed. In addition, it provides information on what rules must be observed when keeping birds; what to do so that the young grow up healthy than to feed the chickens. You will also learn about the diseases that can be encountered when breeding birds, about the preventive measures that are usually taken to maintain the health of birds.

Origin of the breed

The exact date of the Chinese "silk" breeding (as well as the name of the breeder) remains a mystery to researchers to this day. It is only known that the representatives of the breed who live in China - their historical homeland - are more than a thousand years old.

The first notes about the bird date back to the 13th century, when the famous traveler Marco Polo set off on a trip to China and Mongolia. In his notes, he described as accurately as possible the appearance and habits of Chinese silk chickens. At the time of Marco Polo's arrival in China, the breed was already widespread in the East and was bred for both decorative and medicinal purposes.

Did you know? One of the most unusual versions of the origin of Chinese silk chickens is the assumption of a group of researchers that the reason for the appearance of such an unusual breed could be the crossing of a chicken with a rabbit. Such a myth appeared due to the unusual, fluffy appearance of the bird.

On the territory of Russia, "silks" appeared only in the 18th century, passing through Astrakhan and Siberia. Contributed to the spread of the breed in Russia, connections with the Persian state. Another century later, Chinese silk entered the list of officially approved breeds compiled by America. From that moment began the spread of fluffy breed around the world.

Characteristics of the breed

The main feature of Chinese silk chickens is their exotic appearance, which makes it impossible to confuse “silks” with any other breed. However, this is not their only feature, but only noticeable externally.

Another distinguishing characteristic of birds is the color of their skin, bones, and even meat. In the body of birds, a large amount of a natural dark pigment called "eumelanin". Its presence determined the black color of the bird's skeleton, brown-black or blue-black skin and gray-black meat. For this reason, silk chickens are also called "crow-bone chickens" in China.
As expected, the appearance of a chicken and a rooster has differences. First of all, the difference lies in the weight - the cock is always heavier. In addition, the fluffy chicken looks more miniature: the size of its head and body is somewhat smaller than that of a rooster. Her comb is small, there are earrings. The neck is shorter, the metatarsus and lower legs are also shorter.

There is also a difference in plumage - the Chinese chicken is more fluffy in the shins and lower back (while the rooster boasts a lush tail, mane and flight feathers). Another difference is the color of the feathers. Female individuals have a monochromatic color in soothing colors, but the “men” of downy breed look more colorful and bright against the background of chickens.

There are such types of feather color: black, silver, lavender, blue, red, yellow, wild. Birds of the aboriginal line have white feathers (possibly a slightly yellowish tint).

Did you know? « Silks» have branching productivity: one "line" is decorative and common in Europe and America. In Asia, the second “line” is flourishing - productive. These birds are called« natives» .

It is important to know that there are some requirements for color. For example, in chickens with red feathers, the color should be solid, the yellow color of the feather is inherent in the bearded variety of the breed, and with black there should not be any blotches of another color (like red or brown). “Silk” girls with a blue feather should also have a uniform color, and in a rooster, the plumage color can be slightly darkened in the lumbar region and mane.

Otherwise, the color of the bird will indicate the uncleanliness of fluffy chickens. Future owners of birds of this breed should know that the main sign of the purity of the breed is the silkiness of the feathers, and not the color. Birds with different colors of the edge belong to different subspecies of Chinese silk. More details about other features of the appearance of Chinese "silks" - below.

Appearance description

The main and most recognizable characteristic of this breed are feathers, more like wool. Other characteristics of the appearance of "silks" are reflected in the table:

Appearance	Peculiarities
Head	Small, round
Crest	Short, rose-shaped, blue-red tint, warty
Beak	Strong, blue
Neck	Well developed, strong, short
Breast	Rounded, deep and full, blends smoothly into the abdomen
Stomach	Well developed, complete
Wings	Fairly wide, free, short, not tight to the body.
Tail	Short, set high, full.
Paws	Five fingers of a bluish hue, with short metatarsus, abundantly pubescent on the back side and the same short and fluffy shins
Plumage and color	Feathers have an underdeveloped feather core, which is why they feel like soft, silky wool to the touch. Color can be white, red, blue, lavender, yellow, wild, black and silver.

Traits

Chinese silk chickens have a calm character, friendliness and sociability are inherent in them. Birds are happy to make contact with people, willingly go on hands and love affection, like cats or dogs. Between themselves, birds, as a rule, do not arrange conflicts.

Did you know? The meat products of chickens of this breed have not only excellent taste characteristics, but also medicinal properties. In China, meat is used in the manufacture of stimulants, dietary supplements and medicines that fight headaches, tuberculosis and other serious diseases. The reason for this was the unique substances contained in the meat.

Roosters of this breed can sometimes show aggression if it is necessary to protect their family or compete for attention or primacy among fluffy "ladies". For this reason, it is recommended to keep roosters separate from hens, which have a soft temperament and some clumsiness. They are excellent "mommies", carefully incubating eggs and raising hatched chicks.

The maternal instinct of the Chinese silk is so strongly developed that the owners sometimes lay the eggs of other birds on the hens so that the hen will hatch the chicks. The chicken copes with this task easily, without showing aggression or rejection to other people's eggs.
Despite the fact that birds get along well with each other, silk birds prefer to keep a distance from each other and live an independent life independently of each other. An exception may be the situation when they are insecure.

Then they will get together in one crowd in order to feel the protection and support of "relatives". In calm times, fluffy chickens move freely around the house and do not come into contact with each other once again.

This breed is often found in petting zoos - places where you can communicate with animals, stroke them or feed them. With all the decorativeness and outward tenderness, birds have a fairly high resistance to cold temperatures.

Did you know? The disposition of silk chickens is so docile and soft that the people of China often have this bird as a pet.

Pros and cons of the breed

Every breed has its pros and cons. Before you get yourself a bird, it is recommended to carefully read the information about the breed. To understand whether such a feathered pet is right for you, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of Chinese silk chickens.

The advantages of the breed include:
- aesthetic appearance;
- resistance to cold climatic conditions;
- unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention;
- useful properties of egg products;
- calm, friendly nature of birds;
- the possibility of using silk down in rural industry;
- saturation of meat products with amino acids and vitamins;
- highly developed maternal instinct.

The disadvantages are much less, but they are:
- low level of productivity;
- high cost of chicks.

Chinese "silk" is not a whimsical breed, they perfectly adapt to various climatic conditions. Birds of this breed have their own characteristics, which are important to consider when arranging a home for them, so that they actively develop, avoid diseases and feel as comfortable as possible.
Further about what diet is best for "silks", and how the hens of this breed cope with the role of fluffy "parents".

Growing conditions

Did you know? Chinese« silks» it is necessary to periodically spend a day of haircuts - birds grow feathers quickly enough and subsequently block their view. For this reason, adults need to cut down, which in the future can be used as a material for making downy things. For one haircut from a bird, you can get up to 100 grams of fluff.

Chicken coop requirements

One of the most important requirements is the humidity level in the poultry house. It should not be too high, and the room itself should be dry and as warm as possible. "Silks" differ from any other breed of birds in the special structure of the feather.

If ordinary chickens can not be afraid of rain - drops roll down the feathers and do not penetrate the skin, then Chinese fluffy chickens will quickly get wet and become less attractive in appearance. It is recommended to keep the humidity level in the poultry house below 65%. It is also desirable to protect the walking yard, if any, from excessive moisture.

Despite the fact that "silks" get along well with other breeds, it is best to keep Chinese silks separately from other breeds (in particular, separately from waterfowl, since their presence increases the level of humidity in the room; because of this, the bedding gets wet faster and becomes dirty ).
Another important point is the absence of drafts. Birds tolerate cold well, but drafts can cause illness, so it is necessary to ensure that there are no cracks, holes or other damage in the walls of the house.

Periodically, it is necessary to clean the premises in which the "silks" live. At the time of harvesting, the birds can be sent for a walk or to another room - depending on whether it is summer outside or winter.

Important! Make sure that large rodents do not have access to the chicken coop: a large rat or ferret can bite the bird.

Chinese chickens cannot fly. For this reason, there is no need to arrange a perch for them at a high altitude - you need to equip it low, or put a small ladder next to it, along which the birds could climb it. The same rule applies to the placement of nests. But it is strongly recommended to provide the birds with a deep bedding of hay or sawdust.

There is also the option of keeping this breed in cages. It is possible to equip a fine mesh floor with feathers, but it is important to understand that such flooring is good only at warm temperatures in the house.

If you do not have the opportunity to heat the chicken coop during the cold season, and the air temperature during this period drops below 12 ° C, it is recommended to equip the birds with a deep bedding - it will retain heat and help the "silks" survive the frost.

The temperature in the house should be depending on how old the bird is there:

if the chicks have just hatched, then the temperature regime should be as follows: not lower than + 30 ° С;

by 3-4 ° you need to lower the temperature;

when the chickens reach the age of one month, + 18 ° C will be optimal for them.

It is highly desirable that the chicken coop has a large number of windows through which light penetrates inside. In this case, it is not necessary to equip a walking yard, the birds will receive vitamin D without leaving their home.

In winter, it is necessary to extend daylight hours with the help of artificial light sources so that they continue to lay eggs. True, if the lighting in the chicken coop is too bright, pecking may begin.

Important! It is not necessary to supply the room with a heater, but in this case« silks» stop laying eggs during the cold season. Under warmer conditions, they will prolong egg production.

walking yard

Silk chickens do not have an active lifestyle, so the equipment of a walking yard is another optional condition. But if you have the opportunity to equip a platform for birds in the fresh air, then this must be done: fresh air and fresh grass in the diet have a positive effect on the development of individuals.

First of all, you need to make sure that the site is dry. This means that swampy areas and any other with high humidity will not work - the fluff will quickly get dirty and stick together, because of which the birds will lose their attractive appearance.
It is equally important to provide birds with protection from the rain. To do this, it is necessary to equip an impromptu roof over the place for walking "silks". If this is not possible, it is advisable to cover the yard with a fine mesh so that the birds have protection from predators and other non-domestic birds.

Another important point is the fence of the courtyard with a chain-link mesh from all sides. Silk chickens must be reliably protected from possible attacks on them by animals or rodents.

Important! You can bring birds out to breathe fresh air both in summer and in winter. It is only important to remember that high humidity is harmful to the health of birds, and choose dry days for walking.

If you have a patio for walking, you can even send small "silks" for a walk. Such procedures strengthen the immunity of babies, tempers their body. However, do not abuse the frost resistance of birds and leave them outside in the cold for a long time.

Drinkers and feeders

The cleanliness of the poultry house largely depends on the choice of drinkers and feeders. In order not to add extra work to yourself and slow down the pollution of the premises where Chinese silk chickens live, it is recommended to pay attention to feeders that can be easily transferred.
As for drinkers, nipple water tanks are the best choice. It is imperative to monitor the cleanliness of the water container - it is a favorable environment for the development of harmful bacteria, so the liquid should be periodically changed to clean.

What to feed

Chinese "silks" are unpretentious birds when it comes to nutrition. In their diet, you can include the same products as when feeding other breeds. And yet there are basic rules for compiling a diet for this breed.

More than 50% of the feed should be cereals. A mixture of rye, wheat and barley is best. It is advisable to add different types of flour to food - bone, fish and shell.

Important! Feather health supplements should be given to birds no more than 2-3 times a week. Their excess in the diet is fraught with consequences in the form of obesity, reduced productivity and a negative impact on the functioning of internal organs.

A properly composed menu will positively affect the condition of the feathers. For example, it is good to add nutritional supplements in the form of sunflower seeds and nettles, and oatmeal will also help keep plumage in an attractive form.

In the summer, the bird can eat fresh grass if released into the walking yard; there she will find small worms or insects. In winter, you need to pay more attention to the diet of birds.

Their menu needs to be diversified with vitamin supplements and dried grass - nettle, hay, alfalfa. You can also add vegetables, which are preferably warmed up before feeding.

hatching instinct

Chinese silk hens are rightfully considered the best "mommies" among all breeds of chickens. The bird is gentle and caring, it is responsible for hatching chicks. The fact that a chicken is able to incubate the eggs of other birds (for example, pheasants) has already been discussed above.

Thanks to patience and calm nature, the bird will be able to provide the eggs with reliable protection and stable climatic conditions, which favorably affects the development of the embryo inside the egg.

How to raise young

Chickens of Chinese downy hens are somewhat different from chickens of other breeds, so they need to provide favorable conditions for development. Caring for the chicks consists in proper menu planning, diet, as well as timely, thorough care and vaccination so that the birds do not get sick. To avoid errors, the information below may be helpful.

Proper feeding

Particular attention is paid to the diet of chicks, and for good reason: food for them is the best way to get useful microelements and substances with which their body will get stronger, and “silks” will begin to develop actively.

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the diet. Young Chinese chickens should be fed every two hours until they are one month old. Grown up chickens are fed every three hours. As the birds grow older, it is necessary to gradually increase the intervals between meals so that the grown individual eats three times a day.

Important! All food that chicks eat must be of high quality.

As for the diet itself, feathered babies need to be fed with cereals, vegetables, and dairy products. It has a good effect on the development of chicks and the addition of special feed for chickens. From cereals, millet, corn and semolina are perfect; Any vegetables are suitable, but they must be thermally processed.

As a dietary supplement, fish oil is suitable, which requires only a couple of drops. It is worth paying attention to the addition of vitamins A, B and E to the chicks' food. If you prefer to buy ready-made feed mixtures, look at the protein content in the product: silk chicks need to get about 20% protein.

For small Chinese chicks, you also need to install a drinking bowl and make sure that there is always clean water there. Vacuum drinkers can be used for this purpose. In order to saturate the body of chicks with useful substances, it is recommended to add vitamin complexes to food, the content of which in the bird menu should be about 40%.

Did you know? When silk chicks grow up a little, they can be kept in the same room with« mommy» - the chicken will make sure that the kids eat on time, and, if necessary, will warm the offspring.

There are also contraindications to the menu of downy chickens. They categorically should not be given raw meat, raw vegetables; Coarsely ground food is also prohibited - "silks" can suffocate. Taboo foods are chocolate in any form and poisonous plants.

All this may contain substances that are poisonous to small birds or be infected with various diseases. Feeding them to birds is fraught with consequences not only for their health, but also for yours, because all products obtained from diseased “silks” will also be infected.

Care

Silk babies are about half the size of ordinary chickens. For this reason, these chicks are more sensitive to climatic conditions, and they need to provide a comfortable air temperature. Having shown due attention to the microclimate in the room where the chicks are, you will take care of the timely plumage of the babies and their health.

Wherever the chicks are, the room should always be clean. As with raising any other chickens, you need to follow the rules of hygiene and clean up on time.
The room temperature should be 30°C. In such conditions, newborn "silks" will feel as comfortable as possible. Over time, the temperature can be lowered by 2-3°C per week. However, avoid sudden changes and watch the behavior of the chicks.

If necessary, place them next to the mother hen, which will keep the chicks warm if necessary. The decrease in temperature should be gradual so that one-month-old chicks feel good at an air temperature of 18°C.

Vaccination

Newborn chicks do not yet have strong immunity, unlike adults, so their health should be taken care of. Young "silks" will receive a lot of useful trace elements from food, however, in order to prevent the development of a number of diseases that birds of this breed are susceptible to, vaccination should be carried out. It is advisable to carry out this procedure for chickens at an early age.

Diseases of Chinese silk chickens and their prevention

Like any other chickens, Chinese "silks" can get sick. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, it is necessary to carefully care for the birds, provide them with proper living conditions, and also know what preventive measures are. By taking them in time, you will help your feathered pets stay healthy.

Most often, birds with silk plumage get sick:

rickets;
coccidiosis;
lung diseases;
viral infections of the respiratory organs;
inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract;
intoxication of the body;
infectious diseases of the intestine;
the appearance of worms and pests in feathers (fleas, ticks and downy eaters) is possible.

To avoid such diseases, it is necessary to take preventive measures in time. Wet cleaning of the chicken coop, which should be carried out regularly, will help to take care of the well-being of silks. Walls, floors, containers for water and food are subject to washing, it is necessary to periodically update the litter.

It is equally important to ensure that, along with the food, the birds receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients, with the help of which the immune system of birds will become stronger.

Another preventive measure is the presence of fresh water in drinking bowls. Water tanks are a favorable place for the development of harmful microbes and fungus, so it is important to change the water in a timely manner and keep it clean. The food that downy chickens eat should always be fresh. Spoiled foods should be thrown away, otherwise the bird may get intoxicated.

Did you know? Silk birds are able to adapt to different climatic conditions, but the presence of a draft in the room can lead to disease. Severe frosts also weaken the immunity of birds.

Chinese representatives are resistant to cold, but severe frosts can help weaken their body. To prevent this from happening, in the cold winter, care should be taken to warm the house. In the warm season, it is desirable to provide chickens with the opportunity to walk. This is not a prerequisite, but fresh air, coupled with fresh grass, has a beneficial effect on the bird's body.

If the bird is already sick, it is necessary to isolate it from other chickens as soon as possible in order to avoid the spread of infection. The next step is to call the veterinarian and examine the rest of the birds. Following all these recommendations, you are unlikely to encounter diseases of silk chickens - this breed has a fairly strong immune system.

So, Chinese silk chickens are not only a decoration of the yard. The breed has good productivity, they are distinguished by a pleasant and easy character. They are unpretentious to living conditions and food, which greatly simplifies their maintenance. In order for “silks” to please you with their appearance and productivity, you need to take their health responsibly and remember the peculiarities of keeping this breed.

Chinese silk chicken has been known since the 13th century. The first description of birds was made by Marco Polo. Chickens came to Russia in the 18th century, according to legend, penetrating into Siberia and the Far East from Persia (modern Iran). The appearance of Chinese downy chickens directly from China is more likely, since the contacts of Siberians and residents of the Far Eastern Territory with China are denser than with Persia. Today, Chinese chickens are bred in zoos because of their original appearance and as an ornamental breed in private farms.

The origin of silk chickens - "Chinese"

The breed has been known since the 7th century. Due to antiquity, a reliable origin has not been established. Chickens have two types of mutations:

dominant mutation of the gene responsible for the synthesis of melanin;
recessive mutation of the gene responsible for the formation of feathers.

In the world there are several more chicken breeds with black meat and internal organs. The birthplace of the breeds is Southeast Asia. Foreign associations of poultry farmers have developed a scale for evaluating chickens according to the saturation of tissues with black pigment. Only the breed has a 10 on the scale, Chinese black meat chickens are rated below 5.

Whole grains should not be given to chickens and should not be given to adult chickens.

Greens are introduced into the diet gradually to prevent indigestion. Protein supplements for the diet:

blood meal;
meat and bone meal;
cottage cheese;
serum.

Protein feed for chickens is necessary for the normal development of bones and muscle fibers.

Adult nutrition

The diet of adult birds differs from the menu of young birds in a variety of grain feed. Productive chickens are given feed that increases egg production and fertility. Roosters intended for slaughter are given food for broilers.

Laying hens should not be overfed, otherwise their egg production decreases.

The rate of compound feed is calculated so that the chickens eat it in 15 minutes. Feed adult stock 2 times a day.

Breeding features

The Chinese downy chicken is a well-known breed in Russia, but not so common as to avoid inbreeding problems. Breeding standards require replacing the broodstock on the breeding stock every year. Self-repair breeding stock is also completely renewed annually: old layers are replaced with pullets of the last year of birth. In real life, replacing a rooster every year will not work due to the small number of “Chinese” compared to the total number of chickens in the country.

When breeding "for yourself" there are several ways out:

Hybridization. It will reduce the pressure of inbreeding on the livestock, but the offspring will turn out with the usual plumage.
Creating two lines and then crossing the lines with each other. Requires significant living space for chickens, allows you not to infuse fresh blood for 5 years.
Access to rooster breeders.

Breed defects

For the sake of exhibitions, chickens are culled from those with obvious signs of uncleanliness or defects:

non-feathered metatarsus;
leaf comb;
without a fifth toe;
with deformed flight feathers and braids.

Otherwise, the conditions for breeding downy chickens do not differ from other breeds.

Growing conditions

After removal with a temperature of +30°C. The breed is long-feathered and requires keeping in a warm room. After 2 months, the chicks are feathered enough to go for a walk in the summer on a sunny day. Before that, make sure that the chicks do not overcool. After growing up, Chinese chickens are kept in the same way as European breeds.

Diseases of silk chickens

Diseases in the "Chinese" are the same as in all representatives of the "banking chicken" species. Mutations did not affect disease resistance. The "Chinese" are sick:

Benefits of breeding at home

Chinese downy are good hens, which are used to incubate the eggs of other poultry. Mother hens even incubate the eggs of waterfowl. The decorative appearance of the birds attracts attention and serves as a decoration for the poultry yard. Chickens are not capable of flight and do not harm plantings in the garden.

Disadvantages of the Chinese breed

Silk chickens cannot be said to be finicky, but their shortcomings make the birds unsuitable for raising on an industrial scale.

The disadvantages of Chinese silk chickens include their productive characteristics:

Late maturity. Chickens grow up to a year, pullets begin to lay no earlier than 9 months.
Low egg production.
up to 40
The specific smell of the carcass, which manifests itself during heat treatment.

Dishes from the meat of this bird

In the homeland of the breed, silk chicken meat is considered a delicacy. In Southeast Asia, chicken meat is preferred to be stewed or boiled with seasonings and sauces. The preparation of dishes from Chinese silk chickens with the use of spices and sauces is dictated by the smell, and not by the desire to reveal the taste of meat.

It is not customary to fry carcasses, although fried is tastier and more tender than broiler. These chickens are not popular only because of the color and light specific smell that is noticeable after the preparation of the broth. If we exclude the smell, then the same dishes are prepared from black chickens as from broiler chickens.

Conclusion

In the conditions of Russian reality, Chinese silk chickens are an amateur bird. There are no benefits from its content, except for the exotic appearance.

Fans of exotic birds will love these unique chickens. Chinese silk chickens boast unusual plumage and a variety of colors, therefore they are considered one of the most spectacular decorative types of poultry. The description and features of keeping the breed of silk chickens at home are discussed in detail in the information of our article.

Description of the breed of Chinese silk chickens - characteristics, coloring

For the first time, documentary references to such unusual birds were found in the travel notes of the great traveler Marco Polo. This happened back in the 13th century, and from the beginning of the 18th century, chickens were actively bred in Russia. Subsequently, the breed turned out to be unclaimed, therefore it practically disappeared from the households of our country. Now there is a renewed interest in these exotic birds, so it would be useful to learn more about this breed.

In the photo - Chinese silk chickens:

Chinese silk chickens

Characteristics of the breed of silk Chinese chickens:

Birds have black bones, dark gray skin and meat, which, out of habit, can even cause fear.
Chickens have five feathered and divided toes on their feet.
The feathers are not linked to each other, as they do not have hooks, which are characteristic of most representatives of chicken breeds.
Outwardly and to the touch, the plumage resembles the fur of fur-bearing animals or light fluff.
The range of possible colors of silk chickens varies from snow-white to blue. The plumage is most often monophonic, and crossing must be carried out on this basis in order to prevent marriage of color.
The physique is compact and graceful, the short back is located steeply upwards. The neck is short, planted vertically, which gives the bird a proud look.
The eyes are dark brown, almost black. The beak is small, usually dark blue. On the head, bluish earlobes are hardly noticeable, most often underdeveloped.
The males have a small pink comb, the crest is erect, thrown back.
Females are distinguished by their miniature size, disproportionately small head, the tail is almost invisible under the bulky plumage.

On the video - breeding of Chinese silk chickens:

Productive indicators - egg production

The weight of an adult chicken ranges from 800 grams to 1.2 kg. Males grow from 1.2 - 1.7 kg.
The average weight of eggs is 35 grams.
The productivity of the breed is up to 100 eggs per year.

Chinese chickens- very caring hens. Despite their miniature size, they are able to incubate up to 120 eggs per year, almost 2 times less than. At the same time, it does not matter whether “relatives” are children or foundlings, the mother hen will take care of all the offspring in the same touching way. This quality is often used to breed other breeds that do not have such caring hens.

Representatives of this breed are distinguished by cleanliness and always look impressive and attractive. In addition, they are completely tame and quickly become attached to their owners. In addition to valuable meat and eggs, it is also possible to shear a bird to get a unique fluff. Feathers grow back quickly enough, so the haircut is carried out about once a month. About 150 grams of down can be obtained from one individual, which is then used to make pillows and feather beds, as well as yarn, if the necessary equipment is available.

You may also be interested in information about and also about the condition of its breeding at home.

Breeding and keeping chickens, how to feed

The advantages of this breed include not only the value of the products obtained, but also unpretentiousness in content. For such inhabitants of the chicken coop, there is no need to equip additional devices. They don’t even need traditional perches, because this bird can’t fly at all.

There are also disadvantages to the breed. First of all, this is a rather high cost. Even hatching eggs will “tighten” from 300 rubles apiece, and the price for adults reaches up to 3,500 rubles and more.

Rare subspecies of silk chickens, which are distinguished by a unique color and improved characteristics, will generally be problematic to buy.

Most farms focus on more promising breeds, ignoring such exotics due to their low productivity. But how Rhodonite chickens are bred, and how effective this breed is for breeding, is described in great detail

On the video - how the chicken breed breeds:

Necessary conditions for growing:

Spacious and heated in cold weather.
Sufficient nutrition.
Regular walking.
Protection from predators.
Regular airing and cleaning indoors.

But what is the difference between Hisex chickens and Loman Brown, and what are the fundamental features of their breeding, are described in great detail in this

In general, the conditions for Chinese chickens are no different from the standard content of any breed. At the same time, there are fundamental differences that guarantee an attractive appearance and a long laying period.

Special requirements for growing Chinese chickens:

Designed for aviary and cage content.
The breed withstands cold weather well, but continues to rush in a warm room.
To ensure a healthy plumage, vitamin supplements must be included in the feed, especially in winter.
Due to the structural features of the plumage, chickens do not tolerate high humidity, they get sick and die more often, the same thing happens with.
Newborn chickens in the first days of life need a temperature higher than normal (about 30 degrees Celsius).

Silk chickens are unique birds whose plumage resembles soft fur. The appearance is also quite interesting, so it’s hard not to notice such exotic even among the numerous livestock.

Compact size and surprisingly strong maternal instinct, as well as unusually tasty and rare meat - all this allows us to talk about the breed's popularity in mass and individual breeding of poultry.

The main characteristics and features of keeping silk hens at home are discussed in the information of our article. It is also worth paying attention to, as well as the condition of their breeding.

Among all the traditional types of poultry, the chicken is the most common inhabitant of the household. Moreover, quite a lot of breeds of this bird differ, among which there are exotic decorative breeds.

Namely, silk hens of oriental origin, which are not traditional laying hens, but really surprise with their attractive appearance and docile temperament.

The first mention of this bird appeared in the 16th century, but already then active disputes began regarding the exact origin of chickens and their class biology.
Interesting: some experts believe that silk chickens are a combination of chicken and rabbit.

Appearance of birds

This breed is classified as decorative and domestic. The silky inhabitants have a rounded body, soft pleasant feather coating which resembles silk fabric to the touch.

Such a silky cover is due to the fact that there are no hook-shaped grooves on the feathers. Such hooks are located only on the tail and on the tips of the wings.

Among other things, the body of these birds contains a large amount of melanin, which colors the skeleton and skin in a dark blue palette. Due to this feature of the organism, the soft areas of the cover turned out to be a rich shade of turquoise, and the beak and scallop are plain blue.

Reference: for such color features, the breed is also called black silk. On the top of the hens there is a compact "lotion" of feathers, strongly reminiscent of combed back bangs.

And some representatives of the breed were even awarded the so-called beard and sideburns. Such distinctive nuances of appearance made the chickens look like poodles with "berets" on top. Below you can see a photo of this breed.

These birds have a compact and flat back. The lower legs are small and densely covered with plumage. The eyes are almost black. As for the color of the feathers, they are almost always black. But there is a golden color, gray, red, white and blue. The weight of one such bird is about 1.5 kilograms.

Another difference between silk representatives- the number of fingers on the paws. Ordinary chickens have four fingers, while the exotic breed has five, and they are also covered with feathers.

The nature of chickens of this breed

These birds are surprisingly friendly and calm. Moreover, of all types of poultry, these representatives of the breed willingly make contact with people.

Silk chickens can often be found in petting zoos, and in their “homeland” in China they are kept as pets at all, as they allow you to take yourself on your knees and love gentle strokes. And most importantly, they are not capricious to living conditions.

These birds have a well-developed instinct for hatching offspring. They are friendly and affectionate. But the main disadvantage of the breed can be called an insignificant degree of productivity and expensive incubation "material" for growing.

This cute variety of chickens does not imply any special maintenance requirements. It is quite possible to acquire this exclusive pet at home, which is practically no different from the usual chicken.

For reference: breeding this breed in the household is no different from caring for ordinary Russian birds.

Standard Care Requirements:

It is important to feed on time and only high quality products;
these birds are very demanding on cleanliness and sanitary standards of cells;
the silk oriental variety is resistant to low temperatures, however, it is important to provide cages for winter time warmth and light so that the hens continue to lay eggs;
for walks it is important to provide own paddock to protect birds from predators.

Lack of walking silk hens does not hurt. Eastern hens are deprived of the ability to fly, so it is not at all necessary to equip perches in cages. And do not forget that these birds need full-fledged sunny conditions, that is, a sufficient amount of light in the house.

You can learn more about the content in this video:

Description of productive features

In China, silk chicken meat is highly valued, as it is surprisingly tasty and has dietary properties.

The Chinese have long studied all the beneficial qualities of this bird's meat, namely, it contains calcium, various amino acids, phosphorus, nicotinic acid and many vitamins.

Interesting: in Chinese medicine, silk chicken meat is actively used to treat headaches, tuberculosis and other diseases, as the product contains a large number of special substances.

Chinese birds are valued by the Chinese for their down and feathers. Just a pair of haircuts of one bird gives fluff, weighing up to 150 grams. And in general, a domesticated bird of this breed is able to bring a lot of joy to its owner, it is interesting to watch it, especially its clumsy movement.

Characteristics and differences between a rooster and a chicken

This breed has several subspecies that differ in plumage color: red, yellow, blue, black, and so on.

The weight of roosters reaches one and a half kilograms, and chickens can weigh up to 1.1 kilograms. As for egg production, one individual is capable of producing one hundred eggs every year, each of which weighs 35 grams. The shell is colored brown, and the eggs themselves have an increased nutritional complex.

Growing conditions

Chicks of the Chinese silky variety are sensitive to perceptible temperature fluctuations, so their care must be competent. The basic rule for young animals: this is a rich nutritional menu, a balanced regimen and ensuring optimal temperature parameters in the hen house.

Interesting: these chickens are bought as hens, because they can hatch not only their own eggs, but also the eggs of pheasants, partridges and other feathered representatives.

Chickens from an incubator

If you plan to grow the breed through an incubator, then consider the following points:

chickens of these birds are much smaller in size than traditional chickens, so they are sensitive to temperature changes;
immediately after hatching, the chicks should be kept indoors for a long time the temperature should be +30 degrees;
decreases after a week three degrees, but no more;
monthly chicks develop perfectly already at a temperature +18 degrees.

Nutrition of young animals

It is important to include useful elements in the daily menu of a future adult, such as boiled yolk, low-fat cottage cheese or sour cream, boiled carrots, semolina or corn grits. Do not forget about ready-made store-bought vitamin complexes. Hatched chicks are fed every two hours.

Advice: 60% of the diet of young animals should consist of grain and vegetable feed. It is recommended to give chicks boiled vegetables frequently.

As soon as the babies have reached the age of one month, they can already be fed three times a day, while grain is actively added to the diet. It is also recommended to feed the young with clover, mint pumpkin, millet and other food options. Drinking water should always be clean.

Breeding features

The price of these decorative representatives of the feathered family is an order of magnitude higher compared to the cost of traditional chickens.

For example, one silk "Chinese" egg will cost you five dollars, and for a chicken you will have to pay about seven dollars at all. The price of an adult chicken is approximately $50.

You can buy such an interesting breed only in specialized pet stores, professional farms or official agricultural markets.
When buying silk chickens, you should help them as much as possible to adapt to the new territory. But the main way of growing is still incubation of eggs by an adult bird.

Important: the Chinese breed is not adapted to rainy weather and is sensitive to humidity in the chicken coop, so make sure that the chickens do not get wet.

Diseases of silk chickens

As far as adult diseases are concerned, the following ailments are common:

poisoning organism;
viruses pulmonary system;
inflammatory processes in the digestive system;
rickets;
infectious intestinal viruses;
appearance worms;
coccidiosis.

Disease prevention

To avoid all of the above diseases, it is important to observe the following points.

First, chicken pens should always be clean, systematic cleaning is important.
Secondly, nutrition should be fresh, with the obligatory addition of vitamins to the diet, which are the source of health.
Third, regularly change the water in a drinker.
Fourth, provide the hens with sufficient walking, and in severe frosts, do not forget to insulate the chicken coop.

And finally, as soon as you notice signs of weakness or illness, immediately isolate the sick individual from the rest of the birds. It is recommended to seek help from a veterinarian, and for other birds, carry out prophylaxis.

In fact, silk "Chinese" with proper care practically do not get sick, despite the harsh Russian climate.

Advantages of the Chinese breed

The chickens in question are not only very attractive, but also highly valued in the rural industry.

Meat rooster and chicken tender and dietary, rich in vitamins.
Silk fluff, like sheep wool, is used in rural industry.
Eggs silk "Chinese" are quite large, despite the size of the laying hens.
Chickens are calm, do not fly and are happy contact with people.
Silk hens not whimsical to the conditions of detention and quietly breed in the Russian climate.

The world knows about 700 individual breeds and varieties of chickens: for industrial breeding, for household farming. Some birds are famous for their rapid weight gain, others for amazing egg production.

The breed of Chinese silk chickens (during the Tang Dynasty they were called "snares"), in addition to excellent meat, excellent dietary characteristics of the egg, the most delicate fluff, amazes with its truly extraordinary appearance.

Origin of silk chickens

The Chinese silk chicken, the photo of which you can see in the article, is not a design refinement of modern breeding, the history of the breed has been measured for centuries.

As is often the case with any Chinese antiquity: no specifics in the opinions. When discussing the origin of the species (apart from the initially fantastic version of the crossing of a rabbit with a peacock), involutionary gene mutations fixed by selection are more often mentioned. Domesticated quails, pheasants and turkeys of the Himalayan foothills served as the source material for the snares. The exact dates are also “out of style” of the Celestial Empire: the phrase “about ten centuries” appears in the breed standard.

Overseas farmers, having first encountered the delightful appearance of silk birds at the beginning of the nineteenth century, for a long time refused to breed “for food”. Overseas, the selection and distribution of the breed took place in the status of an exhibition, decorative exotic.

Today in the world there are two separate lines of silk chickens from China:

Chinese silk native;
exhibition and decorative.

Description

The snare's lean, healthy physique is formed according to the "egg" chicken prototype: a developed chest, a flat straight back, a short (proudly planted) neck. Silky snares are medium-sized birds. Roosters weigh up to two and a half kilograms, chickens no more than two. The “native” species bred for meat is “swinged” by selection to an adult weight of about four kilograms.

Chinese exotics cannot be confused with anyone: a tuft covering the eyes of females, a beard with sideburns in roosters. Red-blue, underdeveloped catkins with small warty ridges.

The breed is unique in the black color of the skin.

It is interesting! The silky Chinese chicken cannot fly.

The principal reference sign of the breed is a solid color.

Acceptable colors

The breeding specimens of the silk bird exported from the Celestial Empire were exclusively white. The "natives" intended for industrial cultivation also delight the eye with their snow-whiteness.

Design delights of exhibition exotics surprise the public with the widest color range of colors:

white classic;
forever fashionable black;
sky blue;
wild color;
red;
yellow (exclusive color of the bearded variety).

These are the basic, "catalog" color options. Overseas breeders love to pamper judges of exhibition rings with new shades: crested azure, silver, milk chocolate are in fashion.

Breed varieties

Specialists distinguish two subspecies in the Chinese breed: standard and "bearded snares". Bearded birds delight with fluffy, soft framing of the “face”, rich, yellow-golden color. The "standard" subspecies is distinguished by experts only in color.

Poultry farmers also consider varieties for their intended purpose: industrial breeding (“natives”) and decorative exhibition selection.

Silk natives - a breed variety intended for agricultural breeding: a large early maturing bird with tasty black meat.

Features

Peculiar appearance is the main distinguishing feature of silk Chinese from numerous hens of the world:

fluffy plumage, more like a fur cover;
compact body structure;
five toes on the paws (three in front and two in the back);
black skin color;
crested head;
blue color of the beak.

The combination of these features creates a unique, easily recognizable image.

The nature of Aboriginal chickens

The "silk" nature of the snares is not a marketing ploy. Calm, friendly, friendly birds willingly contact people. Chickens love affectionate "hugs", stroking - they willingly go into their arms.

It is interesting! A fashionable fad in modern China: housing silk as a pet. The warm fluffy "psychologist" perfectly calms the citizens of the Middle Kingdom who have returned home after a long day of work.

Silks are very popular in petting zoos.

Rules of care and maintenance

The cornerstone of the maintenance of Chinese silk chickens is the exclusive down plumage. To minimize the contamination of "fluffy beauty", experts recommend keeping in cages or on a loose carpet of sawdust, hay, fine sand.

Snare drafts are very harmful to health. From sudden changes in temperature, chickens easily get sick. Humidity leads to wetting of downy plumage, the formation of tangles and the occurrence of various skin pathologies.

Silk chickens do not fly: they equip the perch low from the floor. To save space in the chicken coop, ladders are built, along which the birds get to the nests.

care requirements

Exotic Chinese chickens are very unpretentious in their care. Nothing extraordinary is required (everything is within the framework of the traditional requirements of keeping chickens):

timely feeding with high-quality products;
strict implementation of sanitary and hygienic standards in the poultry house;
heating the chicken coop in the autumn winter;
artificial lengthening of daylight hours to improve egg production;
fencing livestock from predators.

room

The main rule of the chicken coop: cleanliness with order. When choosing a ready-made project, or planning a chicken coop on your own, you need to take into account a lot of aspects:

a place for inventory: autodrinkers, nests, ladders, feeders, baths, a tool for cleaning rooms;
the possibility of separating common perches from the cells of chicks and young animals;
organization of lighting, ventilation;
placement of fire and security alarms.

A well-thought-out layout of the premises and a carefully implemented plan for the construction of a chicken coop will create comfortable conditions for keeping the bird.

Yard for walking

Many breeders of silkies do not organize a special paddock at the chicken coop. The birds are simply let out for a walk in the courtyard: they do not create any special problems. Aboriginal people are not walked at all, practicing cage keeping. For other representatives of the species, the possibility of free movement is recommended (hens feel better, egg production increases).

If possible (for walking on rainy days), a canopy canopy over the walking area is desirable.

Shedding, break and completion of egg production

Silk Chinese chickens do not have juvenile molting (replacement of the primary (juvenile) feather with the main one during intensive growth of young animals). But throughout their lives, every year in the spring, Chinese downy renew their magnificent “clothes”. During this period, the clumps become slow, lethargic, completely stopping egg laying. Within a month, egg production is restored.

The period of maximum productivity of laying hens does not exceed four years: experienced breeders regularly renew their stock every three and a half years.

Frost resistance of the breed

Reference books of expert content characterize the silky breed as frost-resistant. Exhibition individuals withstand significant frosts, but the most comfortable thermal regime of keeping should not fall below minus five degrees.

Menu of adult silk hens

Breed features require a special menu:

half of the daily ration is dry feed grain. This basis is supplemented with mixed fodders;
to maintain fluffiness twice a week, it is necessary to add sunflower, nettle seed, oatmeal to the menu;
in winter, top dressing with dried herbs is recommended;
veterinarians insist: the bird needs mineral supplements all year round (egg, bone and shell meal);

During the summer walking, the birds themselves will supplement their diet with young greens.

Productivity

Most fans of the silk breed consider fluffy birds as a decorative component of the farmstead. The practice of huge Chinese poultry farms demonstrates a completely different approach: breeding aborigines brings a stable income, absolutely profitable.

In addition to the extravagant exterior, fluffy birds demonstrate high productivity.

The black color of the carcass shown in the photo is due to the high content of the natural antioxidant eumelanin. Nutritious, amino acid-rich meat and offal of Chinese silk chicken, in addition to healing properties, have a delicate, refined taste. Meat black delicacies are consistently in demand in the Asian food market.

With an egg production of 80-180 pieces per year (hens begin to lay eggs from the age of six months), the eggs are not striking in their size (an average of 35 grams).

Chinese feathered yarn is considered by experts as a high-quality exotic product.

It is interesting! Incredible, but true: Chinese silk hens are regularly sheared. An individual of industrial breeding (“native”) brings up to 70 grams of magnificent fluff per month.

Characteristics and differences between a rooster and a chicken

The difference between the Chinese klusha and the rooster lies in the size and intensity of the color. The body of the chicken is rounded, graceful, all sizes are many times inferior to roosters. The feather cover of laying hens is thicker, more magnificent in the area of the waist and lower legs, downy males strike with the fly feather of the tail, wings, mane.

The color of the hens is even and restrained. The appearance of males pleases with elegance, splendor, brightness of halftones (photo).

Breeding features

Growing "for divorce" requires the seating of birds "by color" of color: each "colored branch" has its own hatching territory. The activity of the roosters is amazing - one male per ten hens is enough (experienced breeders recommend keeping a spare rooster "for replacement").

The operational life of laying hens is five years (egg production decreases over time, but this does not affect the fertility of eggs). Males are "updated" every two years.

The formation of families is complicated by the late manifestation of sexual characteristics (the sexual maturity of birds finally develops after four months).

Crossing options

A fashionable hobby of modern poultry farms is the crossing of Chinese silk chicken with birds of other breeds. Breeders seek to increase productivity, avoid closely related ties through absorption crossbreeding. The first interspecific brood is subsequently reduced only from the snare, restoring the typical exterior.

Breeding practice has shown that brahms with orlingtons guarantee weight gain, and Orlov hens increase egg production and egg weight.

hatching instinct

Silky hens demonstrate excellent parental qualities. Caring chicks patiently incubate the clutch, provide the ideal temperature for egg development, freeing breeders from purchasing incubators.

It is interesting! Chinese snares are often kept in a poultry house to hatch foundlings. They lay eggs of pheasants, partridges and other breeding breeds of birds.

Silky chickens are not striking in size; immediately after they are born, they need warmth and care. Fluffy mothers take excellent care of young, motherhood is one of the basic components of the breed standard.

Chickens from an incubator

The use of an incubator in breeding work with Chinese silk chickens implies a number of subtleties.

Newborn chickens of Chinese silk hens react painfully to cold with drafts. The most important factor in the healthy growth of the brood: the temperature regime in the chicken coop (from +30 for the first week, with a gradual decrease to +18 by the age of one month).

The price of a “pedigreed” egg on the market reaches 250 rubles. Chicken can be purchased "from three hundred." The standard cost of an adult bird varies from two to three thousand rubles.

Nutrition of young animals

The nutrition of Chinese silk chickens is no different from the feeding of young animals of other breeds of poultry.

For the first month of life, silk babies are fed every two hours, followed by an increase in the pause between meals up to three hours.

Specialized stores offer a wide range of ready-made, perfectly balanced compound feeds, ranked by age of chickens.

When choosing a natural diet, the chicks are given low-fat sour-milk products, boiled vegetables, finely chopped greens, a chicken egg. Gradually, the diet of young animals is replenished with feed grains, finely ground cereals. For the healthy development of chickens, the natural menu is supplemented with vitamin and mineral complexes.

Diseases of silk chickens

Ancient oriental selection gave the world a bird with good health. Veterinarians exclude hereditary genetic pathologies, but warn about the "standard" bird ailments of eastern exotics:

intestinal pathology;
helminths;
poisoning and food allergies;
colds and pulmonary inflammation.

"Fur" plumage implies the regular appearance of ticks and fleas.

Disease prevention

The traditional slogan of chicken veterinarians is: "The best treatment for most pathologies is timely prevention." Very little is required from the breeder:

compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards in all rooms of the chicken coop;
organizing a healthy, nutritious diet;
compliance with the temperature regime, the fight against drafts;
providing livestock with a spacious range;
regular veterinary sanitation of livestock.

Living in compliance with all sanitary standards guarantees the health of the livestock.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Before deciding to purchase a snares, you should consider all the pros and cons of the breed.

Advantages:

extravagant appearance.
peaceful, restrained disposition;
amazing maternal instinct of laying hens;
unpretentiousness in content;
medicinal properties of meat, eggs. Down value.

Disadvantages:

low productivity;
high starting price of breeding.

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