Chickens - one of the best poultry. They have the ability to adapt to a wide variety of living conditions, delight the eyes with the beautiful color of feathering and provide their owners with tasty and healthy products - eggs, meat and down. And although today, many are beginning to abandon housekeeping, chickens still remain the most faithful companions of man.
At the same time, among the many existing breeds and varieties of these birds, it is quite difficult to choose the right one. If you are looking for a breed of a universal type of productivity and having an attractive appearance, then black bearded chickens, also known as Galans or wood grouse chickens, can be an excellent option.
What is the manifestation of beardedness or the description of the breed signs of black bearded chickens?
This breed of chicken is called differently. Due to the fact that it was bred in Russia, where it is distributed today, I also call itt Russian black bearded breed of chickens. ABOUTHowever, the names of Galana and Glukhari are no less common (it is believed that the described breed has some external similarity with these birds). But still, we will call them just black bearded, which fully reflects their most important external signs and will not confuse anyone.
Although the birthplace of these chickens and known, but breeders still can not come to one opinion regarding the origin of the breed. Some believe that it was obtained as a result of the crossing of representatives of the Viandot and Krevker breeds, and according to others, this is the result of the selection of Viandotov with black Oryol hens. But this question is not so important, because the breed has been quite popular for the past century, not only because of its productive characteristics, but also because of its beautiful exterior color.
At the beginning of their history, they were divorced exclusively in the courtyards of rich people, for which reason they were even called the Barsky breed. And today Black bearded chickens are very often bred as decorative.
We get acquainted with the advantages of the breed: what surprises and attracts bearded chickens?
The most important thing that attracts in these chickens is their unusual appearance, due to which bearded chickens are often referred to as a decorative type. First, their plumage has an unusually black color with an attractive greenish tint of a noble emerald color. Secondly, individuals of both sexes have a magnificent beard, which gave the name to the breed.
Because of this beard, the birds' neck visually appears several times thicker and more massive than it actually is. This feature of Black Bearded Chickens still attracts the attention of collectors, especially since in addition they are able to please quite good productivity.
But the beautiful and dense plumage serves these birds not only as an ornament, but also warms well in winter. This is a very important advantage of the breed, since it does not need to build special poultry houses and insulate them for the winter. Many poultry farmers keep Black bearded chickens in semi-free conditions, giving them only shelters to shelter from bad weather.. This content is quite economical also because, starting from spring to autumn, a significant part of their diet these chickens produce independently.
It is convenient to keep Black Bearded Chickens for another reason: they are rather phlegmatic in nature. Even spending 24 hours on the street, they will never leave the territory of your yard on their own, so they do not even need a special aviary.
In one flock, you can simultaneously contain several roosters - they will not show fierce competition, as is the case among representatives of other breeds. They do not compete and do not fight with other birds. Black bearded can live without problems in the same house with other chickens and walk around the yard with other animals.
Disadvantages of the breed: what features of breeding Black bearded chickens should be aware of the poultry farmers?
On the one hand, black bearded chickens are birds that are very tenacious and resistant to low temperatures. However, if you do not take into account such a feature of this breed of chickens, as a very slow growth of plumage, then you can cause a high mortality rate among the young.
To have the fluff in the chickens managed to be replaced by a full feather cover, it is necessary to plant the hen on the eggs in early spring. The first few weeks after the birth of chickens are recommended to keep in a closed house, so that they do not freeze and develop more quickly.
The young of the described breed is quite vulnerable to various external factors, therefore it requires a lot of attention and care from the owner. Thanks to this trick, for the spring period, summer and part of autumn before the onset of frost, they will have time to get a reliable cover that will heat chickens in winter and protect them from freezing.
Description of the breed signs of the exterior of black bearded chickens
Due to the fact that these chickens have a very large number of advantages for breeding and housing in households, they are often used to improve other breeds. New hybrids may have much in common with Black Bearded, however, consider them to be purebred representatives of the breed.
Such individuals are quite often found in the markets, because calling the bird Black Bearded can be much more expensive to sell. But to calculate such unscrupulous sellers can be quite simple, if you examine in detail all Breed attributes of these beautiful chickens:
- the head of true representatives of this breed has a very large size and a good regular shape, which largely depends on the opulence of the plumage and beard;
- beak is small, relatively short, although thick. The tip of the key is slightly bent to the bottom. The color of the beak is fully consistent with the color of feathers and the name of the breed:
- most often there are birds with absolutely black or dark black beaks;
- large head correspond to large and full eyes, which seem even slightly convex. The color of the eyes of the Black Bearded breed is brown or dark brown;
- the skin on the face of these hens is red;
- the comb has a pinkish shape and a scarlet color. By the end of the ridge significantly narrowed, which is a characteristic feature of the representatives of the breed. They have no spike on the ridge;
- distinguish the breed and very long earrings that dangle during any movement of the bird and are characterized by an unusual rounded shape;
- earlobes of chickens are colored red, due to which they stand out strongly against the background of black plumage, although they are medium in size;
- the beard that distinguishes the breed most of all is very heavy and full. It occupies a significant part of the face and neck of these chickens, it expands quite strongly towards the back of the eyes, acquiring the shape of an arc;
- the neck is not long and rather thin, although they look very dense and wide behind the lush mane, the neck has a strong bend, to the shoulders it becomes thinner;
- on the head and neck there is a slight combing;
- the back is straight and wide, slightly narrower towards the tail;
- the tail of the representatives of the breed is very elegant, has a medium size, straight set. Cocktails are very long, impressive in their plumpness and elegance;
- the chest and pectoral muscles are rather full, differ in a rounded shape;
- in general, the body is not very large, although it seems rather impressive because of the plumage;
- the loin is full and lush;
- the wings of birds of medium size, fit snugly to the body and close well;
- Black bearded chickens have very strong and fleshy tibiae, differ in medium length;
- tarsus birds very strong, stable, although small. The color of the plus and fingers is fully consistent with all the colors of these chickens - dark gray, almost black.
There are practically no differences between roosters and hens of the described breed. The only comment is that chickens have a more “feminine” look. They have a smaller comb and earrings are significantly shortened, so that they don’t hang out like that when walking. But the combing that is on the neck, they have a little more pronounced than the roosters. The back is the same wide. The tail is a little lowered and not standing up straight, like roosters. But the most important feature by which chickens can be distinguished from roosters is the absence of a first greenish ebb on the feathers.
Indicators of productivity: how profitable and useful to breed Black bearded chickens?
Representatives of the described breed contain not only to admire them.
As representatives of the meat-producing direction of productivity, they are able to please with very good indicators:
The total weight of breed roosters can range from 3.5 to 4 kilograms;
laying hens usually weigh a little less - from 2.7 to 3 kilograms, although sometimes they gain more;
laying hens have very high egg production rates, which usually only representatives of the egg-bearing direction of productivity can usually boast, and this figure is about 200 eggs per year;
Eggs are not only very tasty and healthy, but also quite large - on average, their weight is about 65 grams, while for ordinary chickens this figure is 58 grams. The shell color is light brown. For breeding new generations of Black Bearded breeds, it is recommended to use only the largest eggs, which guarantee almost 100% appearance of the chickens.
It is worth paying your attention to the fact that both the weight and the egg-laying of these chickens are significantly affected by the conditions of housing and nutrition. The worse they are, the worse the productivity. It is especially important to provide attention to the young, so that he could gain strength to the beginning of puberty.
Cultivation, maintenance and care of the Black Bearded Chickens: the secrets of experienced poultry farmers
We buy pedigree chickens and breed our own offspring.
Having made the decision to breed Black bearded curia on the proper residence it is necessary first of all to find out exactly where they can be purchased. You can buy both chickens and eggs and adults. In the first two cases, of course, you will have to be a bit of a fuss over successfully growing good quality chickens from young stock. However, the result of care and assertiveness in leaving will not make you disappointed.
When breeding chickens from your own chicken, you need to know about some of the rules and features of the process of hatching eggs in this type of bird:
- This breed is recommended to be planted on eggs as early as possible in the spring, although in general the chicken will be removed at the end of this time of year so that the chickens appear closer to heat;
- incubation period in chickens is 20-21 days. During this entire period, the birds practically do not rise from the nest, therefore it must be fed and watered with water, otherwise it is very draining and will not be suitable for slaughter;
- up to 15 eggs can be laid under one chicken, although the optimal number is 13. Less will not be profitable, but a larger number of hen will not be able to warm it;
- if the chickens do not hatch at the same time, then they will need to be picked up from the hen, so that she can calmly sit down all the other chicks;
- day-old chicks are fed millet and dairy products, which are the most nutritious for them. We must not forget about clean water. When the young have time to grow up a bit, their diet can be slightly varied with the help of green fodder;
- if the weather is warm outside, then the young can begin to be released on the paddock from the very first days. If the weather is not favorable for walking, then it’s better not to risk.
What to feed representatives of the Black Bearded Breed?
As for the meat-breeding breed, black bearded hens should choose not only nutritious food, but also combine them well, so that the total diet of these birds is well balanced. We have already mentioned that their productivity will depend directly on the characteristics of feeding, and meat and egg will depend on it. Even if you have already made such a mistake, which led to the loss of old forms by chickens, it would not be difficult to rectify the situation. For this you need:
- add to the general ration of chickens egg shells and boiled egg white. As excellent sources of protein and calcium, they will have a positive effect on the formation of the muscle tissue of birds and on their egg-laying;
- give enough cereals, which should form the basis of chicken ration. Among them, the first place should be occupied by wheat and corn;
- in small quantities, chickens can be given a variety of root vegetables, with both in boiled and raw;
- by providing your wards with regular walking, you will also provide them with the opportunity to eat plenty of green food and catch various insects, which they also need for a proper and full digestive process;
- Chickens should have constant access to clean and fresh water.
Conditions of detention and the necessary rules of care
The maintenance of these birds is the simplest task. If you have a not very big yard, and you are worried that in your climatic conditions these chickens can freeze, then you can prepare a comfortable poultry house for them. If you have a room in which you already keep chickens, then Black bearded people can easily be hooked up to other birds, without worrying about how they live and adapt to each other.
However, even without a special room, these chickens will be able to fully grow and gain weight, while giving a good egg productivity. True, in case of half-free content, to realize the last direction of productivity, the chickens must still have some kind of permanent place where they can organize themselves a comfortable and safe nest for laying eggs.
To incubate chickens, the chicken is also put on the nest in the room so that it is comfortable and no one can interfere with this responsible process. It should be noted that representatives of the described breed do not fly, therefore they will not disappear from the yard.
As for the care of these birds, in addition to feeding, they need to provide some more mandatory conditions:
- set in the yard or in the house a large trough with sand or ash, which will serve as chickens as a bathroom in which they can clean their feathers and get rid of parasites;
- clean the house regularly and cover it with fresh bedding of straw, peat or sawdust.
