The challenge for the chicken farmer or private homeowner is to select chickens that produce good, consistent, high quality eggs. Today there are more than 100 types of chickens, each with its own characteristics. Laying hens of the breed Leggorn, Dominant, Hisex, Kuchinsky Jubilee, Loman, Rhodonite are considered productive. Knowing the characteristics of each type, it will be easier for you to choose the right one.

Eggs of egg breeds of hens are twice as large as those of ordinary universal breeds

Hindus noticed the egg laying of chickens 3 thousand years ago. Later, their experience was adopted by the Egyptians and Persians, and other countries followed them. Centuries later, breeders began to work on breeding new breeds of mother hens.

Laying hens not only lay well, but are also good hens

The task was to get the breed:

• Unpretentious to feed.
• Gives viable chickens.
• With good immunity to diseases.
• Calm.
• Consistently laying large, hard-shelled eggs.

The work of breeders has yielded results - today in the world there are more than 100 varieties of birds that meet all the requirements listed above.

Laying hens appeared on farms, in private farmsteads, they are bred on an industrial scale.

Characteristics of egg breeds

Each breed of laying hens has its own characteristics, but there are characteristics that combine Dominant, Rhodonite, Brown, Loman and other popular types of birds:

• Egg breeds of chickens that rarely weigh more than 3 kg.
• They have a large wingspan and long tail feathers.
• Birds are mobile, appetite is good.
• Puberty in a brood hen is early, at 4-5 months it is able to give offspring.
• Birds normally tolerate life in a cage and a mini-aviary.
• Chickens require a balanced diet, they need mineral supplements with a high calcium content.

leghorn

Leghorn laying hens were bred in the 19th century. They are hardy, quickly adapt to any climatic conditions. Representatives of this class weigh up to 2 kg. The average egg production of chickens is 300 eggs per year, some individuals give up to 350-370 pieces. The eggs are large, the weight of one is 60 grams, the survival rate of the offspring is 92 percent. Leggorns are birds with an active temperament, they themselves often make noise, but they cannot tolerate noise from the outside. Leghorns are classified as white and brown. The brown subspecies has dark-shelled eggs, while the white ones have white ones. Birds demonstrate the highest productivity in the first year, in subsequent years their productivity decreases.

Hens of breed Leggorn white (white)

Purebred birds in households are rare, but for large-scale production, these are the best breeds of laying hens.

Mini Leghorn

Mini Leghorn is a carrier of the B 33 gene, which is responsible for its miniature size. The dwarf breed of birds was bred in the 19th century in England, the weight of an adult is 1.5 kg. With a small weight, the mini breed shows an enviable fertility: one laying hen produces up to 260 white-shelled eggs annually. Each weighs, on average, 60 grams. Chickens begin to rush at 4 months, by the age of six months, they already give a high-quality large product. Mini Leghorns are demanding on the quality and composition of the food. Deficiency or surplus of protein, other vitamins and minerals negatively affects the health of chickens - metabolic processes slow down, and with an excess of protein, the offspring of mini breeds curl their fingers, after a few days the chickens fall to their feet and cannot move independently. The feed should be balanced, contain protein that is easily digestible by a fragile organism.

The mini-leghorn red breed has a small stature

There are other promising mini breeds: Russian white chickens, New Hampshires. Russian whites weigh 1.6-1.8 kg, outwardly resemble mini Leggorns. Hampshires give fewer eggs - up to 200 per year, but this breed is unpretentious in terms of feed quality and keeping conditions.

Dominant

Representatives of the Dominant species are actively involved in programs for the production of organic products in Switzerland. The Dominant breed is suitable for beginners and experienced farmers: the birds are hardy, tolerate severe frosts and sweltering heat well. Another feature of the species is unpretentiousness to feed. Dominant will extract useful substances from any low-grade mixture. Poultry is strong, with excellent immunity to colds and viruses, and recovers from illnesses quickly with proper care.

Dominant laying hens come in different colors

Dominant hens give up to 320 eggs in the first year. The weight of one egg is up to 70 grams. You can increase the egg production of chickens to the maximum by a balanced diet - it should contain a sufficient amount of protein and calcium.

Breed Dominant striped

Kurei Dominant is bred on an industrial scale and in private households. In the second case, indoor mini-aviaries and open-range areas are suitable for breeding.

Dominant blue is not only productive, but also a very beautiful view

The viability of young animals reaches 97 percent. Dominant chickens are immune to colds, easily tolerate high humidity and temperature changes.

The egg sizes of Dominant chickens are impressive

The dominant normally eats different feeds, but the productivity of laying hens depends on the type of feed.

Loman Brown

Loman Brown was bred by German breeders. They initially set the task of breeding a cross with high egg production, regardless of the conditions of its maintenance. Laying hens produce 300-320 eggs annually, they start laying at 21 weeks, and reach peak productivity by the 30th week. Loman eggs of the first laying are medium-sized, but with each subsequent incubation they reach their normal weight - 60-65 grams, the shell is brown.

The breed of laying hens Lohman Brown is one of the most titled in the world.

Loman is an egg-meat breed, its egg production lasts up to 80 weeks, after which it is seriously reduced. Further poultry keeping becomes unprofitable, therefore it is more profitable to score Loman Brown for meat.

One carcass weighs about 2 kg. The demand for Loman is explained by the unpretentiousness of birds to the conditions of detention, the ability to breed in any climatic conditions without loss of productivity. The only thing that can affect the quantity and quality of Loman Brown laying eggs is the composition of the feed and the number of feedings. The bird reacts sensitively to any changes and disturbances in the nutrition system - the egg production of the Loman breed is significantly reduced.

Large high quality eggs, good productivity, strong bones, resistance to degeneration and the desire of each hen to become a laying hen are far from all the advantages of the Kuchinsky Jubilee species. The name Kuchinsky breed received because it was bred at the plant of the same name, and the jubilee breed, because it was bred for its 25th anniversary. Birds of domestic selection have practically no shortcomings. The Kuchinskaya jubilee gives large eggs for 11 months a year - it does not rush only during molting. The egg production of the breed is 200 or more pieces per year.

Kuchinsky jubilee - the best domestic laying hens

The mother hen is able to incubate up to three dozen eggs at the same time, and not just once a year, but several.

The Kuchinskaya Yubileinaya variety is sensitive to overfeeding, as soon as this happens, the number of eggs decreases sharply, the bird becomes susceptible to diseases. When breeding the Kuchinsky Jubilee breed, farmers need to take care of feed enriched with proteins and minerals, add fresh herbs, vegetables, ground shells and dairy products to it. From the first days of life, Kuchinsky jubilee in fermented milk products and chopped vegetables. Bran can be added to the diet of chickens.

Chickens of the Kuchinsky Jubilee breed are as beautiful as adult chickens

hisex

Hisex, like the Kuchinsky breed, is loved by poultry farmers. The breed is hybrid, bred by Dutch breeders in 1970. There are two varieties of Hykes: white and brown. Both are egg breeds of chickens, but the Brown subspecies has higher productivity. White Highsex produces 260-280 eggs per year. An adult weighs 1.8 kg, has good immunity to helminths, fungal infections. The average egg weight is 65 grams, the survival rate of offspring reaches 95 percent. Hisex white is sensitive to the quality of feed, this breed needs nutrition with mineral supplements. Hisex Brown has higher productivity - 320 eggs per year weighing up to 70 grams. According to the phlegmatic temperament, the hatchability of offspring is 99 percent.

Chickens Hisex white

The vulnerability of the Brown subspecies is an acute reaction to temperature fluctuations. With a sharp increase in temperature in a mini-house, individuals eat less.

Hisex Brown lays beige-brown eggs

This does not affect productivity, but the quality of the eggs becomes worse. Hisex Brown, like any egg and meat breed, requires grain supplements in feed. Wheat or corn give the yolk a rich orange color, improve the taste of meat. Vegetables are also good food.

Rhodonite

Rhodonite was bred by German breeders, since 2002 it has been bred in Russia. Russian farmers managed to improve the characteristics of the variety, significantly increasing their productivity. Rhodonite, like other egg breeds of chickens, weighs up to 2 kg, quickly adapts to the climatic features of the breeding region, and is unpretentious in feed. The productivity of the Rhodonite breed does not depend on the air temperature - the laying hen gives up to 300 eggs annually even at low temperatures. An egg weighs up to 60 grams.

Rhodonite chickens are small in size, but rush very well

Rhodonite hens reach their peak productivity by week 80, after which their productivity drops sharply.

Poultry farms solve this problem by vaccination - after the injection, the fetal individuals of Rhodonite carry eggs for another 80 weeks. The breed is suitable for home breeding, but

Young growth of the Rhodonite breed should be bought only in nurseries

Rhodonite requires certain conditions of detention:

• The minimum height of the ceilings in the chicken coop should be 1.70 m.
• Ventilation is necessary in the room, but individuals of Rhodonite are afraid of drafts.
• The optimum temperature for keeping birds is from -2 to + 26 degrees.
• Each individual needs an area of ​​0.5 sq.m.
• For feeding birds, it is advisable to use special formulations mixed with vegetables, herbs, chalk and mineral foods. Feeding with wheat and mixed fodder is allowed.

Experienced poultry farmers advise buying roosters and layers on large poultry farms - there is a guarantee that the chicken is healthy and will stably lay eggs.

The task of modern egg poultry farming is to satisfy the population's need for food, and specifically for eggs. Breeds of laying hens play a decisive role in this matter. The high productivity of poultry allows reaching new volumes in egg production. Breeders are working to ensure that new breeds of laying hens not only have high egg production, but also produce better quality eggs.

A bit of history

The lively temperament makes the bird be in constant motion in search of food, pebbles or insects. Early maturation, fast acclimatization, endurance - these qualities make leggorns attractive for breeding in private households. The highest egg production is observed in the first year, then it falls.

There are also brown leghorns that produce dark colored eggs. Recently, consumers prefer eggs with such a shell. Compared to white leghorns, brown ones acclimatize much worse. The bird is demanding on the conditions of keeping and feeding.

Leghorn chickens are used both in the industrial production of eggs and for home keeping. In private farms, they are famous for their improving qualities for local chickens.

highsec

Highsec laying hens are also not deprived of the attention of poultry farmers. Excellent adaptability to new conditions and resistance to many diseases, along with an excellent ratio of feed costs to the amount of production received, contributes to the wide distribution of this bird.

The breed was bred in Holland in 1970. If we take into account the parameters of official livestock breeding, then highsec is a leghorn hybrid.

Through the efforts of breeders, two varieties were created: highsec white and highsec brown laying hens. The first hybrid has white plumage, the second has brown. This is a "gift" from New Hampshire chickens that were used by breeders. Laying hens of the Highsec Brown breed have higher productivity.

Highsec white

Chickens are small in size, with light bones. Outwardly, they are very similar to leghorn chickens. A distinctive feature of all birds is the presence of a chic crest. Its size does not allow it to maintain a vertical position, and it coquettishly hangs to one side.

Another characteristic feature is a silky, very pleasant to the touch plumage. Despite an active lifestyle, the character of the bird is quite balanced.

Highsec white laying hens have the following indicators:

• egg production - up to 280 eggs per year;
• egg weight - up to 65 grams (sometimes the value reaches 90 grams);
• hatchability of chickens - up to 95%;
• egg color - white;
• features - endure infectious, helminthic and fungal diseases;
• chicken weight - up to 1.8 kg;
• cock weight - 2.0 kg;
• temperament - calm;
• productivity - egg.

Chickens require good conditions of detention, they need mineral supplements. Any violation of zootechnical standards of maintenance immediately affects their productivity. Especially sharply they react to deterioration of feeding.

Hisek brown

For any breeder involved in the development of a new cross, productivity comes first. Highsec Brown has a narrower specialization than a white hybrid, respectively, better egg production. They have the same disease resistance as white highsec. The plumage color of the bird is brown, sometimes the tips of the feathers are painted white.

Laying hens of the Highsec Brown breed have the following indicators:

• egg production - up to 315 eggs per year;
• egg weight - up to 70 grams;
• hatchability of chickens - up to 99%;
• egg color - red;
• features - hardy, sensitive to temperature changes (with an increase, feed consumption decreases, this does not affect productivity);
• chicken weight - up to 2.0 kg;
• cock weight - 2.6 kg;
• incubation - the instinct is poorly expressed;
• temperament - phlegmatic;

broken brown

Breeders in Germany set themselves the task of bringing out a cross that does not depend on the conditions of detention. The original breeds were Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island. Individuals of the first generation interbred with each other.

The paternal hybrids were carriers of the color gene. The offspring had a brown color interspersed with black feathers on the tips of the wings and tail. On the mother's side, the hens had white feathers. The plumage of the broken brown cross has a reddish-brown color.

Laying hens of the broken brown breed are characterized by the following indicators:

• egg production - up to 320 eggs per year;
• egg weight - up to 65 grams;
• hatchability of chickens - up to 98%;
• egg color - brown;
• features - unpretentious content;
• chicken weight - up to 2.0 kg;
• cock weight - 3.5 kg;
• incubation - the instinct is poorly expressed;
• temperament - calm;
• productivity - egg and meat.

Chickens start laying eggs at 21 weeks of age. Peak egg production occurs at 26-30 weeks. From one laying hen of the broken brown breed, up to 320 eggs of excellent quality are obtained. At the very beginning of laying, the eggs are smaller, then they reach their average size of 63-65 grams.

After 80 weeks, egg production drops sharply, therefore, further maintenance of the bird to obtain eggs is unprofitable. It is advisable to score it on the meat. From each individual, you can get a carcass weighing up to 2 kg, meat of excellent quality.

Unpretentiousness in content makes this breed very popular. A variety of climatic conditions do not affect the performance of the bird. But any violation in nutrition (norm, frequency of feeding, volume, balance of feed) entails a sharp decrease in productivity. The nutrition of chickens and adult laying hens differs in composition and norm.

It will not work to get highly productive offspring from such chickens in a private household. The best qualities of the breed are reproduced only with selective breeding. It is recommended to purchase chickens of this breed at poultry farms. In a spontaneous market, a purchase can turn into a disappointment. It is very difficult to distinguish by eye a broken brown chicken from an ordinary laying hen, similar to it in plumage color.

Breeds for home breeding

Which breed of laying hens is better, each owner of the yard decides for himself. Of course, it is more profitable to keep chickens that can produce a lot of eggs. The second type of product is meat. It is desirable that the chicken carcass has a decent weight and good taste.

Depending on the purpose, a breed is chosen for breeding and maintenance. Selection criteria can be:

• the availability of the breed;
• specialization (meat, eggs);
• productivity;
• disease resistance;
• ability to acclimatize;
• the possibility of using local feed;
• presence of a market.

For commercial egg production, the Leghorn is the best breed. In the first year, they give maximum egg production, later it begins to decline. At the age of one year, the bird is slaughtered and the herd is renewed. This allows you to maintain the production of eggs at a consistently high level, and meat provides additional profit.

Laying hens of the Leghorn breed tolerate cage content well, which is an additional plus when choosing a breed.

In addition, Leghorn roosters can be used to improve local chickens. The productivity of the first generation, due to the phenomenon of heterosis, will differ significantly from the parent breed in increased egg production.

Breeds of domestic laying hens of combined specialization are in especially high demand. Of the above, the broken brown breed is most suitable for keeping in a private household. With high egg production rates, the bird is able to produce a meat carcass of decent weight with excellent taste.

They perfectly adapt to the cellular content, but require strict adherence to the norms and diet of feeding. Another nuance is that in a private economy it is impossible to obtain high-quality offspring in a natural way. To update the livestock, you will have to contact the poultry farms.

Many amateur poultry farmers select breeds according to one more criterion - plumage color. They find it very aesthetic sight when snow-white laying hens walk around the yard. White breeds are numerous and varied. In addition to the representatives already listed, breeds can be noted:

• Russian white: productivity - 255 eggs weighing up to 62 grams;
• alstein (white): egg production - up to 200 pieces, egg weight - up to 64 grams.

• tetra (white): egg production - 310 eggs, weight 67 grams;
• shaver white: amazing productivity - 405 eggs weighing 62 grams (these are averages);
• high-line, egg production reaches 350 eggs, weight up to 65 grams;
• isobraun, egg production - up to 320 eggs, weight up to 63 grams

It has been noticed that the breeds of laying hens with white plumage differ from their comrades in terms of productivity, they have higher productivity and larger eggs. This is one of the main reasons why geneticists around the world treat the gene pool of these birds so carefully.

In private farms, such chickens will be invaluable material for obtaining highly productive poultry, regardless of whether they are bred "clean" or used as an improving breed.

Prospects for poultry farming

The growing need of the world's population for food remains the most powerful incentive to continue breeding work. Modern breeds of the egg direction are capable of producing more than 200 eggs in the first year of life. Such successes have been achieved since the twenties of the last century, when, in fact, the purposeful breeding of chickens for productive specialization began.

During this time, more than a hundred breeds of chickens for egg, meat, decorative or universal purposes have been bred. Today, geneticists are faced with the task of not only maintaining the high egg production of chickens, but also ensuring the quality of the product itself. Pay attention to:

• shell strength;
• egg composition;
• egg weight.

New technologies for keeping poultry are being developed. Work is underway to optimize the composition of feed for laying hens. This will allow you to get eggs with the specified parameters for the qualitative and quantitative content of certain nutrients.

Despite the variety of breeds, breeders around the world continue to work on the development of new lines and crosses. Particular emphasis is placed on crosses. It has long been known that if we compare a purebred bird and a cross-breed, then the second is preferable.

Crosses are more resilient, enduring, easier to adapt to new conditions, resistant to diseases and have higher productivity. They are used in industrial poultry farming, regardless of the type of product obtained - eggs or meat.

Usually, purely egg breeds of chickens are in demand at large poultry farms, where eggs are the main source of profit for the enterprise. But often in smaller farms they prefer to breed universal breeds or crosses, which are not only distinguished by the high productivity of laying hens, but also by the rapid weight gain of the young.

The main features of laying hens, comparison of egg production of different breeds, as well as the most productive varieties of chickens are the main topics of this article.

There are a lot of the best breeds of laying hens, there are also crosses of these breeds, the females of which are also distinguished by high egg production. But they all have common features that are characteristic of representatives of egg breeds.

Laying hens do not gain too high body weight, they have a special body composition and a special psyche:

• the main advantage of laying hens is the number of eggs laid per year. For representatives of the best breeds, this figure is above the mark of 300 pieces;
• precocity of young- already 120 days after birth, representatives of many breeds are already starting to rush. By this age, chickens are fully feathered, become independent and do not need the troubles of a mother hen;
• the maximum weight of male egg breeds does not exceed 3 kg. And laying hens usually weigh even less - about 2.3 kg. Such breeds have the ability to fly, and the plumage of the wings and the whole body is better developed than in other breeds of chickens. The wingspan is large, and the tail plumage is elongated;
• chickens perfectly absorb and process all types of feed, the metabolism in their body is accelerated. Feed should be enriched with minerals as much as possible. During the period of active egg production, laying hens especially need calcium so that the egg shell is strong enough;
• breeders note the following traits in these breeds of chickens- turmoil, high activity. Therefore, laying hens should be provided with walking at any time of the year;
• in the process of selection in the best breeds of laying hens, the maternity gene was lost, therefore, such individuals do not become hens. In order to breed these breeds on the farm, you have to lay eggs in an incubator, or lay eggs on hens of other breeds.

If we compare the egg production of the best breeds of laying hens, it can be noted that most females are able to lay 290-310 eggs per season. In order to increase the number of eggs to 320-340, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions for them in the winter.

• To do this, you need to ensure that in the winter the temperature in the chicken coop does not drop to negative values, the litter is constantly dry, and the floor is warm, there is no draft in the room.
• You should also install fluorescent lamps in the house to bring the length of daylight hours to 12-14 hours.
• In addition, the egg production of different breeds depends on the quantity and quality of feed.

To the disadvantages of such breeds, one should add low resistance to stress, which is why laying hens often drastically reduce egg production. Therefore, the place for the poultry house should be chosen so that large roads do not pass nearby, there are no other structures that emit strong noise.

Silence and tranquility are the main criteria by which a place is chosen for a chicken coop in which egg-laying breeds will live.

Below will be presented the best breeds of laying hens in terms of egg production and some other indicators, the productivity of which can range from 280 to 340 laid eggs per year.

Another nuance that should be noted in laying hens is that they usually lay for no more than 4 years, and then their productivity begins to decline, so their further maintenance becomes unprofitable. In this case, the females are sent for slaughter, replacing them with promising young.

Egg production of breeds of different productivity:

• meat breeds of chickens. They have the smallest number of eggs laid - no more than 100-120 pieces per season, since these breeds were bred exclusively for quick weight gain and precocity, and egg production for such breeds is just an additional application;
• universal breeds of chickens. Laying hens in this case can carry up to 200-240 eggs per season. In addition, many of the females are excellent hens;
• egg breeds. Laying hens of such breeds have the highest productivity genetically laid down in them (up to 340-350 eggs per year). And when breeding such breeds, breeders try to increase this indicator if possible. But at the same time, laying hens with high egg production rates are not planted on eggs, since such hens are bad mothers and hens, their task is only to carry eggs.

The best breeds of laying hens with photos and descriptions

In terms of egg production, several of the best breeds of chickens stand out, the cultivation of which pays off not only in small farms, but also at an industrial level.

The main feature of thoroughbred chickens is that they can be reproduced even in a small farm. To do this, it is better to purchase several families of the same breed from different manufacturers (so that they are not related to each other). Then it will be possible to collect eggs for laying in an incubator for further offspring.

Important! When selecting offspring, young animals should be culled in a timely manner in order to maintain the purity of the breed. Indeed, in most breeds of chickens, already in the first weeks of life, they have the qualities inherent in this variety. Culled chickens are separated from the main herd. They are usually fattened for meat and sent to slaughter as soon as the substandard young have reached a certain weight.

Loman Brown

This breed was bred by breeders from Germany, and Plymouthrock roosters and Rhode Island chickens were taken as the basis. The result was a cross Lohman - Brown, which belongs to the egg species of chickens.

• The standard color of the feathers varies along the body from light brown to dark brown.
• The habit of this breed is calm, so the Loman-Brown herd can be kept next to other birds in the house.
• Laying hens Loman - Brown are not afraid of people, they are distinguished by great endurance, as well as a high rate of egg production.
• Laying hens of this breed can be kept both in cages and in aviaries.

Another advantage of Loman-Brown is high efficiency. In their diet there is a fairly small amount of feed, and the birds themselves are distinguished by precocity and after 5 months they begin to rush.

Egg weight - about 65 g, shell color - light brown (as in all breeds of chickens with brown feathers). During the season, one laying hen can carry from 300 to 330 eggs. Therefore, this breed is very popular not only among small farmers, but also in large poultry farms.

Russian white

Many farmers in our country prefer to keep chickens of Russian breeds in their farmstead, believing (and quite rightly) that such individuals are adapted to our climate, are accustomed to domestic feed, so there will be much less problems with them during the growing process.

All these qualities are met by individuals of the Russian White breed - chickens whose "parents" were white Leghorns and local individuals, which as a result became larger in size and increased productivity.

The females of this breed begin to rush from 5 months. The color of the shell is snow-white, the weight of the egg can reach 59 g. During the season, the laying hens of the Russian White can lay 190-210 eggs.

The main advantage of this breed is that the productivity of laying hens does not fall in extreme heat, the periodic lack of food also does not affect the egg production of these individuals.

hisex

Breeds of chickens Hisex Brown and Hisex White are the most popular among farmers in our country, as their advantages are undeniable:

• the eggs of this breed are large, in taste they are superior to most similar products from other breeds;
• do not require special care;
• perfectly adapted to the conditions of detention in different climatic zones of our country;
• their immune system is highly resistant to most diseases that affect chickens of different breeds;
• individuals can gain body weight well even on simple feeds.

Adults can gain body weight up to 3 kg. By 5 months, hens gain at least ¾ of the mass of an adult bird, and laying hens begin to lay eggs. Moreover, during the season, each chicken lays one egg almost daily. Its mass is 70 g.

Individuals of the Kuchinskaya Jubilee breed belong to the universal variety of chickens - they receive not only egg products, but also delicate dietary meat.

The color of the plumage of the hens is light brown, the roosters look more beautiful: the red-brown plumage of the body goes well with the black-green tail plumage.

This breed of Russian selection is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention and the diet of feeding, the young growth is distinguished by medium precocity. 2/3 of the weight of the chicken is gaining by about 6 months. Around this time, the hens begin to lay. Laying hens can lay up to 175 eggs per season. The weight of males can reach 3.8 kg, and females are 900 g lighter.

Isa Brown is a hybrid cross that belongs to the egg variety of chickens. These chickens appeared only a couple of decades ago in the Netherlands, but since then they have become the favorites of farmers in many countries, not only in Europe, but also on other continents. The Dutch breeders took the well-known breeds as the basis - Leghorn and Rhode Island.

A characteristic feature of the young of this cross is precocity, thanks to this quality, laying hens begin to lay eggs from the age of 5 months, and after another couple of weeks, that productivity in laying hens reaches its highest value.

And such egg production in females lasts almost up to a year. And then the chickens begin to lay worse. During the first 12 months, the hens of this hybrid are able to lay more than 370 pieces, the weight of each egg is about 64 g.

Many farmers note that if the diet of the Isa Brown cross is well balanced, then the egg production of laying hens increases dramatically.

leghorn

This breed is rightly considered the world standard of the egg-laying breed of chickens. And of all the crosses, the Leghorns of white color are considered the best. Basic Leghorn Standards:

• torso - wedge-shaped;
• chest - rounded, slightly protruding forward;
• the back is long, wide, slightly concave in the central part;
• the head is smaller than average in size with a leaf-shaped comb and a red beard;
• eyes - orange (in aging birds - yellowish);
• beak - powerful, strong, painted yellow;
• the neck is extended, with a slight bend;
• the body has a classic shape for egg-laying breeds - a triangle with the same sides, and the top is a small head;
• limbs - not high, narrow, color - bright yellow, in old age they become whitish with a bluish tinge;
• the tail plumage of the roosters is slightly raised, that of the hens is lowered to the ground.

The main positive qualities of Leggorns:

• calm disposition, quickly adapt to new conditions, friendly, so they can be added to other breeds of poultry;
• about 300 eggs are laid per season, and the indicators remain at this level for 3-4 years;
• the birth rate of chicks is 98-99%;
• precocity - chickens begin to rush from 4-4.5 months;
• eggs are large in size;
• on average, a rooster fertilizes 9 eggs out of 10;
• Leggorn laying hens show the highest egg production in the first year of life.

It is the representatives of this breed that most breeders use to breed new breeds of chickens.

Tetra

Chickens of this breed are frequent guests in small farmsteads, but are also found in large farms. These chickens belong to the universal type - meat-and-egg. Newborn chicks grow quickly, not only gaining muscle mass, but also starting to lay eggs as early as 17 weeks. By this age, young animals gain at least 2/3 of the mass of adults (up to 1.5 kg), and adults gain weight of 2.4-2.7 kg.

By 4.5 months, a laying hen can already carry more than 90% of the total number of eggs carried by older individuals . After 5 months, all Tetra hens should be laid. For a year, hens can carry up to 310 eggs. During the first season of their life, such females lay up to 220-240 eggs.

The shell is strong, painted in an intense brown color. The weight of most eggs is from 60 to 64 g. The taste of eggs and meat is high. Tender, dietary meat of such chickens can even be introduced into complementary foods for babies.

Weight gain in young animals is fast. But these individuals should choose the right feeding ration so that weight gain does not decrease, and laying hens rush well.

Minorca

There are three varieties of this breed:

• Spanish Minorca black;
• breed Minorca white color (according to the English standard);
• minorka dwarf.

General advantages of these varieties of Minorca:

• the death of newborn chickens does not exceed 2-3%;
• precocity;
• laying hens lay eggs throughout the year, egg production begins at 20 weeks;
• good taste qualities of egg products;
• attractive and their appearance;
• meat has a delicate dietary taste;
• chickens of this breed are distinguished by a calm disposition.

Rhode Island

These representatives of the meat-and-egg breed are the result of the selection work of scientists from the United States. The body color of the laying hens is red-brown. In roosters, blue-black plumage prevails on the back, and the tail plumage is green with a black tint. The limbs are strong, powerful, the wings are small in size, tightly pressed to the body. The scallop is erect, red, the beak is bright yellow, strong.

Birds of the Rhode Island breed are popular with farmers in many countries of the world, since individuals are relatively early maturing, by 7 months the young are pushing more than 2/3 of the weight of an adult bird, and chickens at this age are already beginning to actively rush.

The weight of an adult male can reach 4 kg, and the weight of a female can reach up to 3 kg. For a year, a hen can lay 190-210 eggs. The taste of meat and eggs is excellent.

This breed was created over a hundred years ago in the United States as a variety of Rhode Island. But over time, thanks to ongoing breeding work, New Hemshire was listed in a special edition of poultry breeds as a separate breed.

Juveniles quickly change down to permanent adult plumage and quickly begin to build muscle mass. Females start laying early enough. The nature of this breed is calm and friendly, they quickly get used to a new stop and other owners.

The mass of females does not exceed 2.7 kg, and males can weigh almost 4 kg. In the first season, laying hens lay up to 190-210 eggs without interrupting laying in the winter. The shell is colored brown with a yellowish tint. The mass of the egg is about 60 g.

The survival rate of young animals is up to 87%, and in adult birds this figure is higher - about 93%.

Chickens are the most unpretentious among all types of poultry. Therefore, most often beginner poultry farmers begin to breed chickens. For their cultivation, any utility room that is on the plot is suitable. The main thing is that there should be no drafts in it, the house was located away from the noisy highway.

Depending on what the owners want to get from the poultry they raise (meat, eggs, or all together), it is worth choosing the appropriate breeds of chickens.

The main varieties of these poultry are:

• meat, which is characterized by rapid weight gain and large sizes. The egg production of such breeds is average (or below average). The best breeds are broilers, cochinchin, bromine and some others;
• egg - with a low mass, but high productivity of egg products. The best breeds are Leghorn, Russian White, Minorca, Rhode Island;
• meat and egg. Chickens of these breeds are most often grown in small farmsteads, as the owners can get both eggs and delicious tender meat. The main breeds are May Day, Poltava, Kuchinskaya and some others.

The best breeds for beginner poultry farmers: video

The most profitable chickens in poultry farming: video

Breeding laying hens in small farmsteads is a rather profitable occupation, since the main egg breeds are unpretentious in terms of keeping conditions and diet, and their productivity is high.

Today, domestic laying hens are not inferior in popularity to other types of animals. Like many centuries ago, people buy them, breed them and keep them for eggs or meat. The reason for their demand is that they do not require special care, are picky in nutrition and allow you to get a good income.

Overview of laying hen breeds - bird names

Laying hens today are in great variety. Each breed has its own characteristics of breeding and keeping. The choice of a suitable option is influenced by criteria such as the farmer's experience, housing conditions and climatic factors.

Pedigree white chickens that carry large eggs

This breed is characterized by small size, light bones. In appearance, they are very similar to. A characteristic feature of these birds is the presence of a beautiful crest. Its size does not allow it to stand straight, so it hangs slightly on its side.

You can familiarize yourself with the description of the rhodonite breed.

In addition, white chickens have a very silky and pleasant to the touch plumage. Although animals lead an active lifestyle, their character is very balanced and calm. The number of eggs per year is 280 pieces. The mass of one product can reach 65g. The viability of chickens reaches 95%. These chickens are not afraid of infectious, helminthic and fungal diseases. Females weigh 1.8 g, and males 2.2 kg.

These animals do not need to create special living conditions. Mineral supplements must predominate in the diet. In case of any violation of the rules for the necessary maintenance, the productivity of birds decreases. They react very badly to low-quality food.

Loman Brown

When the laying period ends, the hens give eggs in small quantities, so they are sent to the slaughter. The characteristic advantages of this breed is the high viability of chicks. It reaches 97-98%.

You will find a photo of the Adler silver.

leghorn

These layers boast high performance. Sexual maturity in birds is already 17-18 years old. Intensive egg laying leads to the fact that hens produce 220-300 eggs per year.

The shells of the resulting products are white, and they are all 55-58 g. The maximum number of eggs produced comes in the first year of the breed's life. After that, these figures decrease markedly.

The description of the Moscow black breed can be found.

Kuchinsky anniversary

This breed of laying hens is characterized by quick and easy adaptation to various climate conditions. Kuchinskaya chicks can give eggs already upon reaching 5-6 months. They lay 180 eggs a year. With the creation of favorable conditions of detention, these indicators can increase to 250 pieces. The resulting product has a light brown color, and the weight of one is 58-61 g.

Adler silver

These chickens were obtained in the last century in the city of Adler. These chickens also boast of their rapid adaptation to living conditions. In order for the animals to give as many eggs as possible, it is necessary to create favorable conditions for this.

It is obligatory to walk the birds outside. There they can find the necessary protein of animal origin. The number of eggs per year will be 260-280 pieces. The weight of one product is 61 g.

How many eggs does a chicken lay a day will help you understand.

New breeds of chickens

Today, in the period of innovative technologies, not one agricultural sector does not stand still. These changes also affected the carrying breeds of birds. Thanks to this, it was possible to introduce new, more “improved” species. In the course of breeding new breeds, it was possible to increase such parameters of chickens as egg production, quick adaptation to living conditions, unpretentiousness in food. Consider breeds with photos and names (bred both in Russia and in Ukraine and other former socialist republics).

The list of breeds of black chickens is presented.

Hisex Brown

Loman-Brown (brown)

Puberty of chickens of this breed occurs at 135 days of life. During this period, they have their first egg. Already on day 150, egg production reaches 50%. And intensive production of eggs was noted on the 180th day of life. These chickens produce approximately 300-310 eggs per year, just like.

The viability level reaches 98%. This new breed is characterized by large eggs of large weight, one product can weigh 62-64 g. If you use the cellular type of content, then chickens consume 112-114 g of feed per day. Can be built. Produced hybrid chickens differ by gender already after a day from the moment of their birth.

Tetra S L

This breed of birds is characterized by such an advantage as high productivity. Already at 17-19 weeks, chickens are able to produce 90% of eggs. One chicken requires 6.8 kg of compound feed per day. The daily requirement reaches 125 g.

It is already possible to distinguish chickens by gender after a day has passed from the moment of birth. Females and males have different plumage colors. In addition, the new breed of chickens is characterized by eggs with a dark brown shell.

What breed is the most productive

When a person decides to start breeding chickens, then involuntarily he has a logical question as to which breed is the most productive. Everyone wants to start a breed that, with proper care, would be able to produce the maximum number of eggs. According to the level of egg production, leghorns are considered the most productive. If your choice fell on these birds, then in a year you will be able to get 300 eggs from one individual. Sometimes specimens can be found that can produce 365 eggs per year.

The breed was bred in Italy. The world saw it already in the 19th century, and its name is due to the English port. The breed of birds was brought to Russia in the 20th century. Leghorns were used in various sectional work on breeding new Russian breeds of chickens. But, despite the fact that modern breeding methods were used, it was not possible to obtain a breed with greater productivity.

At present, these works have not been stopped, but are continuing. Due to the large number of advantages, Leghorn chickens are in such wide demand not only in Russia, but also abroad.

As for external characteristics, this domestic layer breed is characterized by a leaf-shaped comb. The head of the birds is small, narrow. Feathers are presented in snow-white color. The structure of the body is light, slender. The sternum is strongly convex forward. Their legs are high, but not low. The neck is very large in height, but narrow in width.

The plumage is dense, thanks to which the chickens feel great in harsh climatic zones. The tail feathers are long and voluminous. The weight of these productive chickens is small. For females, it is 1.5-2 kg.

What breeds are best not to breed

If we talk about those breeds that are undesirable for breeding, then you should pay attention to minocorks. These animals are characterized by high egg production. They were obtained by selective breeding. Exited in Spain. According to the color of the feathers of chickens, there are black, yellow and white. Their crest is rose-shaped or leaf-shaped.

They have a very slender, slightly elongated body. The head is small, with an upright crest. The earrings are white and the neck is straight and long. The sternum is deep set and the back is long. The eggs produced have a white shell.

These are all only the external characteristics of the bird, and now it is necessary to dwell on why it is so undesirable to breed this bird. The reason is that they are not adapted to harsh climate conditions. If the weather on the street worsens, frosts come, then the egg production rates of chickens fall sharply. In addition, this breed is very demanding on the walking area. You need a lot of space in order for the animals to feel comfortable. In frosts, ridges can freeze in chickens.

In addition, birds obtained by breeding are very poorly resistant to various diseases for the reason that they have weak immunity.

What is the Pavlovian breed, will tell.

Video

This video will tell you about the best breeds of laying hens.

The breeds of laying hens presented are far from all types of chickens that today can be bred and kept at home. When choosing these animals, their origin, egg production, nutritional characteristics, and the degree of egg production play an important role. It is necessary to choose chickens that will suit you according to all your keeping criteria. You will find information about how long a laying hen lives.

Chickens are bred everywhere, because these poultry are the most productive. Taking this fact into account, breeders work tirelessly to create various breeds that can satisfy human needs. To date, at least 700 breeds are known, although only a third of them are known in Russia.

Selection directions

By productivity, breeds of chickens are divided into types:

• meat;
• meat and egg;
• egg;
• crosses and broilers.

In addition, there are decorative and fighting, not of great economic importance. Many previously bred breeds, which have become rare today, are leaving in the past. You can meet them only at ardent poultry-keepers and collectors.

meat breeds

Chickens have a large body weight, sometimes it reaches 6-7 kilograms. Individuals are characterized by low mobility, infantilism, and constant food consumption. Birds are stocky and massive, with a dense thick feather. The crest is often underdeveloped or hangs to one side. Clushes have a strong maternal instinct. They are able to incubate offspring 2-3 times a year. Chicks grow quickly and briskly, especially with increased feeding. They fledge almost immediately after hatching. Chickens start laying eggs at middle age, starting at 6-7 months. They bring an average of 3 eggs per week.

Breed name	Basic indicators	Characteristic
Brama	Rooster weight - more than 4 kg .; chicken weight - 3.6-4 kg .; egg production - 120-150 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-60 gr.;	It originates from the middle of the 19th century. Brahmas are calm, friendly, trainable chickens. There is never a fight in the flock, so they keep the bird along with other livestock. Chickens have a developed maternal instinct, they hatch young well, but the mortality rate of chicks is high due to the heaviness of the mother, who often crushes newly hatched chickens. The plumage of the Brahms is lush, thick. Thanks to the stuffed feather, the birds seem much more massive and larger than they really are. There are three types of colors: light, dark and fawn. Each color is represented by a complex pattern. In all species, the legs are also covered with down and feathers. The disadvantage is the slow growth of young animals. Today, Brahma is kept mainly for exhibitions, rather than for obtaining meat and eggs.
	rooster weight - 4-4.2 kg .; chicken weight - 3-3.6 kg .; egg production - 140 pieces per year; egg weight - 55-60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 7-8 months; availability is widespread.	An unpretentious breed of a predominantly meat direction, which also carries eggs well. Large individuals are squat. They have a magnificent decoration of variegated cuckoo-colored feathers. Head, crest, lobes and wattles are red, legs are yellow. Wyandottes are famous for their gentle nature. They are practically handmade. Calm, balanced, moderately curious. Easily get along with other animals. Hens are prone to incubation, so it is necessary for them to have many nests and “layings”. The mother hens do well with the role of the mother, the survival rate of the young is very high. It is noted that Wyandotte meat is very tasty, suitable for a diet menu. To obtain high-quality products, I use one-year-old pullets. The rest of the hens are kept on the egg. In the 19th century, these chickens were called "American Seabright", "Excelsior".
	rooster weight - 5-6 kg .; chicken weight - 4.5 kg .; egg production - up to 150 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-60 gr.; accessibility is difficult to access.	One of the best beef breeds offering tender, juicy white meat rich in nutrients. Chickens grow for a long time, but "the game is worth the candle", because by 18 months the carcass of pullets already reaches a lethal size. Although Dorkings are bred for tasty meat, good egg production can also be obtained from hens. By the way, although Dorkings have red earlobes and earrings, they lay white eggs, while other breeds with the same upper body color can only produce brown-shelled eggs. Dorkingoy females are ideal mothers. Their incubation instinct is so developed that two or three times a year they can “freeze” with the whole flock, hatching the next chickens. Chickens are peaceful and very obedient. It is more rational to keep Dorkings in a spacious paddock - from an active lifestyle, bird meat becomes more juicy and soft. Dorkings are very different from other breeds in their appearance. Roosters have a six-pointed single comb on their heads, and not 4 fingers on their feet, like everyone else, but 5. The most common color of chickens is silver-gray. But there are also golden, variegated blue, white, striped, cuckoo, dark red Dorkings. Today this breed is rare, and the price of carcasses is astronomical.
	rooster weight - 3.5-4 kg .; chicken weight - up to 3.5 kg .; egg production - 130-150 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-55 gr.; availability is widespread. There is a dwarf version.	Initially, the breed was called "Indian Fighter". Modern chickens of this variety have lost their fighting qualities and are used to obtain meat products. By physique, the Cornish are strong, large individuals with a developed skeleton, thick dense plumage. Both males and females are always colored the same. The most common color is white. But there are individuals of red, fawn, speckled color. Chicks grow rapidly and develop as early as two months, their net weight is about two kilograms. To get a meatier carcass, Cornish is recommended to be kept in cages, as they develop legs and hips in the wild. Cornish eat a lot of food, because they grow very quickly. For a healthy life, they require a varied diet with vitamins and nutrients. Chickens of this breed are distinguished by aggressiveness, shyness, pugnacity. Mother hens can suddenly leave the nest, so it is better to use an incubator to hatch the young.
Javanese chickens	rooster weight - 5-6 kg .; chicken weight - 4 kg .; egg weight - 45-60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6-7 months; availability is rare. There is a dwarf version.	Not common in Russia, these chickens have a large yield of meat. In addition, the Javanese breed became the basis for the creation of Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Islands and the Jersey Giant. Absolutely unpretentious bird has a calm disposition. She loves to forage, so she is economical in feed. An adult female lays 3 brown eggs per day. The laying hen matures for a long time, while its meat qualities are only getting better. Clushes are good hens, but the instinct can be stopped if the eggs are removed from under them in time. Javanese chickens do not tolerate the Russian winter well, so the chicken coop must be equipped with a heated appliance for the winter. Roosters look heavy, well-fed, "fleshy". They have a rectangular body, a dense dense feather, a single crest and red earrings. The black variety has an agate-black plumage with an emerald hue. In the speckled variation, the ends of the feathers are white. Previously, there was also a white color, but since it did not meet the standards, it was rejected at the beginning of the last century. Today, the Javanese breed is considered an endangered species.

Egg breeds of chickens

Able to produce up to 300 eggs per year. They differ in relatively small body weight and lively temperament. The advantages of egg usually include high immunity to diseases, love for foraging, long-term productivity (egg production lasts up to 4 years). Of the minuses, sinewy and not very tasty meat, thin bones, and a small carcass weight can be noted.

Many laying hens do not stop laying during cold weather and during molting, but this can only be achieved with a balanced diet with enough protein. In general, chickens of this orientation are very scrupulous about their diet. Every day they need to eat dry food, and juicy grass, and wet talkers, and animal protein, and vitamins.

On a note!

Lighting plays an important role in high egg production. Light day for laying hens should be at least 12 hours a day.

Breed name	Basic indicators	characteristic
Ancona	rooster weight - 2.1-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - 1.5-2 kg .; egg production - 200-250 pieces per year; egg weight - 55-65 gr.; availability - import only.	Ancona occupies a special place in the chicken class - it is considered one of the oldest chicken breeds. Chickens have beautiful black plumage with small white streaks that become larger with age. The earlobes are white, and the wattles and large leaf-shaped comb with five distinct teeth are bright red. The beak is long, yellow. The legs are white, without plumage. Ancons are peaceful, quickly get used to the owner, but very shy. In danger, they demonstrate hysteria, they can be crippled. A distinctive feature of the breed is good egg-laying even with little winter lighting. Chickens devote a large amount of time to searching for pasture than to incubation. Clushes are bad brood hens; young animals have to be bred in an incubator. Mortality of chickens is small, 2-3%. Ancons are kept in spacious chicken coops. It should be taken into account when building a pen that Ancons can fly high, so the fence must match the skills of birds. Chickens tolerate prolonged cold well. In Russia, Ancona is not popular, and it is difficult to find it.
	rooster weight - up to 3.5 kg .; chicken weight - 2 kg .; egg production - up to 300 pieces per year; egg weight - 55-65 gr.; the beginning of oviposition -4-5 months; availability is widespread.	Comfortable and unpretentious breed of English selection. Sexual maturity occurs very early, at 4 months the laying hen lays the first egg. Masonry does not stop even during molting. Due to this feature, the hens have completely lost the instinct of incubation. By the way, rejected cockerels can go for meat - they have it juicy and tender. Akin to the Bankivian Jungle Hen, Leggorns have the ability to fly very well, often sleeping in trees. In search of pasture, individuals can travel long distances, returning to the nest only late in the evening. Chickens do not like to communicate with a person, they are quite shy, fussy. The appearance of the Leggorns is memorable. The plumage is pure black or white. But always in contrast to the feather are a huge jagged comb and earrings of bright red or pink colors. The body of the roosters is almost vertical with respect to the ground, which makes the appearance of the male look like a fighting one.
Loman Brown	rooster weight - 2.2-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - up to 2 kg .; egg production - 300 pieces per year; egg weight - 60 gr.; availability is widespread.	Record holders among breeds of the egg direction. Laying hens maintain high productivity both in cages and free range. The waste of young animals is very small, the chickens grow quickly, at the age of 18 weeks they begin to lay eggs. Productivity is shown for two years of life, then it is sharply reduced. Loman Brown is a difficult cross, and therefore it is impossible to replenish the population in a private backyard. In content, the Lomans are unassuming. They are calm, quiet, balanced, non-quarrelsome. They like to forage, they fly badly. The exterior is normal. The body is compact, wide, densely feathered. The color of laying hens is red-brown with a light tail, the roosters are white with orange splashes. The sex of the chicks can be immediately determined by the color of the down: the females are brown and the males are bright yellow.
Easter chickens	rooster weight - 2 kg .; chicken weight - 2 kg .; egg production - 200 pieces per year; egg weight - 60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6 months; availability is rare. There is a dwarf version.	A plain-looking chicken differs in all its nature from other breeds. Its main advantage is that it carries colorful eggs. The shell at different times of the year can be painted in blue, green, rose, cream colors. Possessing a gentle character, obedience and calmness, chickens are reputed to be the favorites of children. They do not require walking, they live quietly in cages. Eggs do not incubate. Outwardly, the hens are small, compact, of medium build. The color can be different, but red-brown chickens are more common. Roosters have a pea-shaped comb, sideburns, and a beard. The tail is strongly feathered, looking up. Easter chickens are similar in genes to Araucans and Ameraucans (they also lay blue eggs). However, the presence of tufts of feathers behind the ears in the Easter individual indicates the predominance of the gene of the foreign breed. This is considered a marriage, as the gene results in the death of the embryos in the egg. The breed is not officially recognized by the poultry association, and has no quality standards. The owners of Ameraukans and Araucans also do not recognize these chickens, considering them outbred hybrids.
Pushkin chickens	rooster weight - 3.5 kg .; chicken weight - 3.3 kg .; egg production - 250 pieces per year; egg weight - 80-85 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 4-5 months; availability is widespread.	Bred in 1970 in the Leningrad region, the city of Pushkin. The Australorp, Leggorn and Moscow White breeds participated in its creation. In 2008, the breed was officially recognized. Pushkin chickens have early maturation. Already at the age of 4 months, laying hens begin to lay eggs, maintaining productivity for 4-5 years. At the same time, they show good table qualities - poultry meat is tender, dietary. The main feature of Pushkin's chickens is large eggs of rich brown color. Chicks have a good survival rate, rarely get sick. Chickens tolerate winter well, but sometimes a large leaf-shaped comb of roosters can freeze. Chickens love to forage, walk a lot. Their character is calm, peaceful, inhibited. Roosters are active and can "serve" up to 25 hens. The body of the laying hens is strong, with long, widely spaced legs. The back is wide, the chest protrudes forward. The females are black and mottled, while the roosters are more often light with dark spots.

Universal (meat and egg) breeds of chickens

Formed from crossing meat and egg chickens. Their physique and biology are in the middle between meat and egg breeds. Pullets mature quickly and begin to lay eggs quite early - at 5-6 months. In winter, these females are engaged in incubation, although some species continue to rush even in cold weather and short daylight hours. The meat of universal chickens is much superior in quality to egg breeds. Due to the rapid growth of young animals and high live weight, 1.5 times more meat can be obtained from these birds than from egg hens.

On a note!

In general, meat and egg chickens are rather unpretentious and humble creatures. They do not require a high fence and a lot of space for walking. Chickens love to get their own food. If the goal is to get a lot of eggs and high quality meat, then a versatile breed will be an ideal option.

The most interesting universal breeds:

Breed name	Basic indicators	Characteristic
Australorp	rooster weight - 3.6-4 kg; chicken weight - 2.2-3.3 kg; egg weight - 65 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 4-5 months; availability is widely available.	The ancestor of the meat and egg direction. Ordinary in appearance, Australorps have black plumage with a purple or blue tint (today, hybrids of blue and white are bred). Large, dense physique, in 1.5 years individuals reach slaughter age. The strength of the breed is high egg production. A mother hen brings 5-6 eggs per week. The color of the product is light brown. Chickens are unpretentious to the conditions of detention: they easily tolerate frosts, can live in a no-walk mode, and are unpretentious in food. The character is calm, friendly. Roosters rarely fight, do not fly, do not try to escape from the hen house. Mother hens are wonderful mothers. Due to the positive characteristics, Australorp genes are successfully introduced in the creation of highly productive hybrids.
barbezier	rooster weight - 2.1-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - 2.1-3.3 kg .; egg production - up to 250 pieces per year; egg weight - 80g; the beginning of oviposition - 6-7 months; availability is a rare breed.	An old French breed, which is characterized by unpretentiousness in maintenance, strong immunity, and endurance. It gives large tasty eggs and tender meat, similar in taste to duck. At home, barbie meat is considered an exquisite delicacy. The exterior is attractive. The color of the pen is pure black with a delicate emerald or blue tint. The red comb and earrings stand out in contrast. Comb sheet, with deep teeth. Barbezier is the largest French chicken. Adult roosters can sometimes weigh up to 6 kilograms. However, in appearance you can’t say about such power - the birds look slender and compact. Despite their considerable weight, chickens are very active. They can fly for a long time, so many farmers clip their wings. Chickens grow slowly, first building up the bones and feathers, and only then the meat. Therefore, individuals that have reached at least 5 months of age are suitable for slaughter, otherwise the carcass will be bony and the meat dry. For fattening for meat, chickens are fed with a balanced protein diet, limiting the space for walking. Only then will the meat be tender and juicy. Klusha are bad hens, so it is better to trust the incubator in breeding young animals. Eggs have 95% fertility. For Europeans, Barbezier is the ideal chicken.
Barnevelder	cock weight - up to 4 kg; chicken weight - 2.1-3.5 kg .; egg weight - 65-75 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6-8 months; availability is widespread.	Dutch breed of chickens with a decorative exterior. There are varieties of white, black, brown, blue and purple colors. Although fighting blood flows in the Barnevelders, these chickens are still very calm and peaceful. They love to sit on perches for a long time, calmly walk around the yard, looking for pasture. Hens are excellent hens. They constantly sit in nests, hatching their chicks. Because of this attention, the percentage of hatching and survival of chickens is almost 100%. Roosters are also not devoid of parental instinct. They protect the brood from other pets. Barnevelders have good immunity, hardy and unpretentious. At first, the breed was famous for its dark brown large eggs, which carried puffins in abundance. However, gradually the meat productivity of barnevelders came to the fore.
Zagorskaya salmon	cock weight - up to 4 kg; chicken weight - 2.2-3.5 kg .; egg weight - 75-85 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6-8 months; availability is average.	Breed of domestic production. Differs in unpretentiousness, endurance. Roosters are great singers. They adopted this feature from the mother breed "Yurlovsky vociferous". Laying hens give an abundance of eggs throughout the year, even in winter. They are bad hens, which allows you to get the food product uninterrupted. Zagorsk chickens are very economical, as they are excellent foragers, they like to get their own food on their own, but they do not disdain specialized feed. To increase egg production, a lot of protein is added to food. By their nature, thoroughbred chickens are quite sociable, cute creatures that quickly get used to the owner. There are no problems with them, because they can get along with other pets. The exterior of the chickens does not attract attention. The main color of males is tricolor - the body and tail are black, the mane and base of the tail are silver-white, and the wings are variegated with brown patches. Klushi are predominantly light, brown-cream, salmon shades. They have a compact and slender body.
Kuchinsky Anniversary	rooster weight - 4.5 kg .; chicken weight - 3.5 kg .; egg production - 250 pieces per year; egg weight - 55-65 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6-7 months; availability is widespread.	The most popular domestic breed of universal purpose. It was bred in the early 50s of the last century. Obtained by crossing Australorps, New Hampshires, Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Islands, Leggorns and Orlov Livenks. The resulting individual could produce almost 250 delicious eggs, and without interrupting the laying even in winter. By 1990, the number of Kuchinsky chickens reached more than 1 million individuals. It was then that the breed was officially recognized. And in honor of the anniversary of the local poultry plant, the word "Jubilee" was added to the name. Kuchinsky chickens are large, powerful individuals with dense plumage, unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention and food. Females are excellent mother hens, males are peaceful and balanced. The young growth quickly sings, by 5 months the weight of the males reaches 2.4 kilograms, and the weight of the hen is 2 kilograms. The flock can be kept indoors, but to improve productivity, it is still necessary to allow the hens to trample in the yard. Outwardly, roosters are much larger than hens. In males, a large leaf-shaped comb and earrings are painted bright red, the ornaments of klush are rather ordinary, the color depends on egg production: in hens, the comb is pale red, in laying hens it is bright. The plumage has a golden chintz color with various variations of the ornament with a black tail. There are individuals of a red color of the body and a black breast. Today, Kuchinsky chickens are considered the most common breed, which can be found in almost every farmstead.

Fighting breeds of chickens

Initially, chickens were originally bred for entertainment, participation in battles. However, fighting chickens, when properly fed, give quite weighty carcasses with tasty meat.

Adult fighters have a frightening appearance. The compact body stands almost vertically to the ground. Their body is sinewy, strong, powerful. A narrow chest and broad shoulders, a small upturned tail and bloodthirsty eyes give out in the male kinship with wild fearless ancestors.

On a note!

The most interesting fighting breeds:

Breed name	Basic indicators	Characteristic
Azil	cock weight - 2.2-3.5 kg; chicken weight - 2.1-3.3 kg; egg production - up to 150 pcs. in year; egg weight - 35-40 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 8-9 months; accessibility is difficult to access.	An old fighting breed, which today is bred for meat. Azil has a quarrelsome aggressive character, fights “to the death” constantly occur between roosters, separate maintenance is necessary. At the same time, roosters know how to get along well with hens, protect their offspring. Females have a well-developed maternal instinct, so the hen is used as an incubator for breeding chicks of other breeds. Egg production is poor, one hen can only lay 1 egg per week. Chickens grow slowly, in adulthood they have a powerful strong muscular body, wide bones, fleshiness, strong legs. The bird has a frightening, always ready to fight look, the body is strictly vertical. The content assumes the presence of a closed chicken coop and a small walking yard. Roosters are good at flying and digging, so the fence should be high. The breed is recommended for experienced poultry farmers. On the basis of Azil, the Cornish breed and other meat varieties were obtained.
	rooster weight - 2.1-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - up to 2 kg .; egg weight - up to 40 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6-8 months; availability - import only. There is a dwarf version.	The most peaceful fighting breed. It is currently on the verge of extinction. The main difference between Kubalai and other fighters is the absence of spurs on his legs. Individuals of Kubala are not as aggressive as their counterparts, but their temper is difficult to pacify. By the way, they show good egg production and give tasty fine-fiber meat (like the Kubalai meat and egg breed was bred in Cuba, while in other countries it is a purely decorative breed). The development of an individual lasts an average of 2 years, but many specimens reach slaughter age by the year. The females are good hens. Roosters rarely quarrel with humans, but they can easily fight with their own kind. In general, Kubalai chickens are quite friendly. The appearance of the chickens is spectacular. In the red variety, the black body is gracefully juxtaposed with red wattles and a superficial orange feathering that continues into a drooping tail. The tail of Kubalai is tilted down, and not up, like in other breeds. To date, varieties with different feather colors are known - white, black, red black-breasted, silver, gold, blue.
Malay fighting	rooster weight - 3.5 kg .; chicken weight - 3.5 kg .; egg production - 50 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-55 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6-8 months; accessibility is difficult to access.	Chickens are among the ancient representatives of sports birds. They have a complex character. They are aggressive, pugnacious, rebellious. Separate content required. The appearance of the fighters is awesome. Roosters grow almost a meter high. Height is achieved through long legs and neck. Their body is thin, sinewy. The meat is tasteless and tough. This breed is bred solely for the sake of exhibitions, although earlier Malayan roosters were the best in the segment of fighting chickens. Natives of Asia, chickens do not tolerate cold well, do not tolerate closed keeping. Hens are good hens, but because of their rare plumage, it is difficult for them to keep the eggs warm. Therefore, it is better to entrust the hatching of young animals to the incubator. Chicks are not kept together with adults, otherwise there is a high probability that they will be pecked by males or hostile females (she can easily kill a chicken that comes too close). Malayan chickens are wary of strangers, so it is necessary to introduce a new neighbor carefully, carefully observing the reaction of the fighters. Malayan chickens are classified as Asian breeds with hard plumage. Indeed, their feather is long and very hard (like armor). The undercover, feather and down, is practically absent, and the head is completely “naked”.
	rooster weight - 5 kg .; chicken weight - 4.5 kg .; egg production - 150-180 pieces per year; egg weight - 55-65 gr.; availability is rare.	Great singers. Roosters have a ferocious disposition, for which it is not so easy to keep them in a personal household. Females mature late, the first egg laying can be observed only at 8-9 months. Not all females are good hens. There are those that will not incubate eggs or kill the brood. Roosters are aggressive, especially with females, so they are kept separately, allowing only for the duration of mating. Outwardly, the birds are large, muscular, powerful. A wide back, a convex chest, strong long legs, hard plumage - all this was inherited from fighting ancestors. The color can be different - black, silver, Colombian, brown. Yurlovsky chickens cannot be kept locked up, they are lovers of long walks, high flights and endless singing.
Indian black fighting	rooster weight - 5-6 kg .; chicken weight - 4.5 kg .; Egg production - up to 100 pieces per year; egg weight - 55 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 7 months; accessibility is difficult to access.	The well-known fighting breed is considered arrogant and embittered. Birds have a large body, broad chest, long powerful legs. The head is small. The beak is short. The tail is not long, but thick and fluffy. Chickens are active, aggressive, pugnacious, restless. They love to get into fights with each other and with other pets. A ferocious temper does not allow keeping birds with other pets. Roosters are kept separately in cages. For walking provide a separate corral. Chickens are good hens, the output of young animals is high. The chicks grow quickly, and already in childhood they show their fighting character. Until now, Indian chickens are raised to participate in battles.

Rare breeds of chickens

With all the variety of different breeds and crosses, there are many chickens that are on the verge of extinction, or the breed is represented by a small number of individuals. Many breeds are included in this group due to difficulties in keeping, feeding, low productivity. Therefore, interest in some breeds gradually subsided, and some varieties completely remained in the backyard of the chicken class.

Breeding rare species of chickens is a profitable business. Some enterprising poultry farmers manage to do this even in city apartments, selling eggs and chickens for a fabulous day.

The most interesting rare breeds:

Breed name	Basic indicators	Characteristic
ameraucana	cock weight - 2.1-3.5 kg; chicken weight - 2.1-3.3 kg .; egg production - 200-250 pcs. in year; egg weight - more than 60g. ; accessibility is difficult to access.	One of the rare varieties of chickens that lay blue eggs. Ameraucana was formed from the Araucan breed, which included crested, tailless and with sideburns and a goatee. The first two varieties were taken as the standard of the Araucans. And those chickens that had a beard and sideburns were improved by breeders and called Ameraukans. Officially, the breed appeared in 1980. The exterior of the chickens is impressive - the plumage is dense and lush, so outwardly the individuals seem much "fatter" than they really are. The color of the feather can be different, from golden brown to purple and gray. Chicks are born with yellow down. Thoroughbred females are good mother hens. Roosters are aggressive in nature even in relation to chicks, therefore they are kept in separate cages. Chickens need a lot of space for walking, the constant cleanliness of the chicken coop. Since females carry quite a lot, they need to be regularly supplied with vitamins and other nutrients, as their body is quickly depleted.
Delaware	rooster weight - 2.2-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - 2.2-3 kg .; egg production - over 200 pieces per year; egg weight - 60 gr.; availability - import only.	American breed. The population is supported only by enthusiastic poultry farmers. On an industrial scale, poultry is not bred. Delaware - by nature, universal, as they were created for meat and eggs. Give light meat and up to 4 large brown eggs per week. Displaced from the market by more productive breeds. Individuals tolerate climatic cataclysms well, give a good viable litter. Chicks fledge very quickly and mature early. The color of the thoroughbred Delaware is white with black stains on the neck and tail. Roosters have a prominent red comb with five teeth. Chickens are distinguished by a calm disposition, they are somewhat phlegmatic, inhibited, take the young for a long time. Roosters are somewhat aggressive, but only in exceptional cases. A flock can coexist amicably in a small closed chicken coop, as they do not like to walk a lot and look for food for themselves. Today, the Delaware population is about 1000 units.
Dominic	cock weight - 1.6-2 kg; chicken weight - 1.6-1.9 kg .; egg weight - 45-60 gr.; the beginning of laying - 6-8 months; availability - rare, only import.	Originally an American breed, at one time it was widespread both in northern Canada and in hot Texas. Today these birds are on the verge of extinction. Chickens are particularly survivable, they do not care about cold or heat. They carry well enough even during molting. Chicks develop rapidly, reaching slaughter age by 18 months. Dominicas are excellent females. By nature, they are calm, peaceful, unhurried. The young are brought out without loss, the chicks are protected and taken care of. Roosters, on the contrary, are pugnacious and aggressive towards other animals. Chickens are unpretentious to content, a small courtyard and a closed chicken coop are suitable for them. Color Dominica black and white. The colors alternate with each other, forming a simple pattern, reminiscent of the color of a zebra. Rosy crest, earlobes and wattles are bright red. The body structure of chickens is strong, but not powerful. Due to the lush plumage, they seem large, but in fact they do not have much weight.
Campin	rooster weight - up to 2 kg .; chicken weight - up to 1.8 kg .; egg production - 200 pieces per year; egg weight - 35-40 gr.; availability - import only.	The oldest breed known to the world. A native of ancient Rome. Today it is on the verge of extinction due to its complex nature (about 2 thousand individuals have survived in Europe). Birds do not like to be locked up, wayward, naughty. When a person appears, chickens scatter in the corners, get nervous, get scared. It is because of this "wild" disposition that interest in the breed has not been shown for more than 70 years. Laying hens prefer to forage for days on end, swarm in the sand, while giving 5-6 very tasty small eggs per week. Females are bad mothers. In contrast to all the shortcomings of behavior, Campinas have chic plumage. There are two breeds - Golden and Silver Kampina, named so for the color of the feather that falls from the head to the back: the Golden breed has a light brown color, and the Silver breed has white.
Krevker	rooster weight - 2.1-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - up to 3.3 kg .; egg weight - 45-55 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6-7 months; availability - import only. There is a dwarf version.	Decorative and very rare French breed of meat chickens. Today it is bred exclusively for the sake of exhibitions. The Krewker is an active, friendly bird that is easy to care for. She does not like to forage, but sitting still is not her style. Some roosters have aggressive behavior towards other animals. In winter, chickens can freeze outside, or rather, their beautiful protruding comb, so in cold weather the flock is kept in a closed chicken coop, additionally heating the habitat. A distinctive feature of Krevkers is pitch black plumage and a lush black crest on the head. It was this whisk that made the birds so popular as a decorative chicken. Almost on the forehead is a V-shaped comb, similar to horns. The beak is black and the legs are grey. The number of fingers is 5.

Decorative breeds of chickens

Many purebred decorative breeds were brought to Russia from different countries in the 18th century. Gradually, the Russian nobility also acquired our own, domestic beautiful birds.

On a note!

The Orlovskaya breed is considered the earliest decorative chicken.

Today, interest in royal chickens has not disappeared, because, in addition to their beautiful appearance, such chickens give very tasty and tender meat, and most of them are fine with egg production. On the farm, decorative chickens are inconspicuous, they eat the same food as ordinary relatives. Chickens grow slower than their compatriots, sexual maturity usually occurs much later, only by 9-10 months. Adults have a fairly large weight (up to 4.5 kilograms), which indicates their meat orientation.

The most interesting decorative breeds:

Breed name	Basic indicators	Characteristic
Andalusian chickens	cock weight - 2.1-3.5 kg; chicken weight - 1.6-2 kg .; egg production - 150-200 pieces per year; egg weight - 50-60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 4-5 months; accessibility is not easily accessible.	Andalusians belong to the class of Mediterranean chickens. Homeland Spain. Decorativeness is manifested in the unusual color of the feather - dark blue feathers have a black border, which creates a peculiar pattern on the bird's body. The simple leaf-shaped crest and long wattles are red, the eyes are brown, and the beak is black. As a result of crossing black and white Andalusian chickens, a variety with a blue feather appeared. Active, fussy, restless chickens. By temperament, they are wayward, rebellious. Plums lay up to three eggs per week and do not stop laying eggs even during molting. The content is unpretentious, can live in a limited space. The plumage is dense and dense, which allows chickens to walk around the garden in winter, swarm in the snow. Andalusian chickens are bred very rarely, under the control of the breeder, through repeated crosses, which carry a lot of costs, which makes their breeding too expensive, and therefore rare.
Banking jungle chickens	rooster weight - 1.6-2 kg .; chicken weight - 1.5-2 kg .; egg production - up to 150 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-55 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 9 months; availability - import only.	Asian roosters have a large, important appearance, significantly outnumbering unassuming females. The color of males is red-orange on the body and black on the tail. The hens are mostly colored brown mottled. Their comb and earrings do not stand out and are almost invisible. For roosters, the comb and earrings are the main decoration of the bird. The wild ancestors of domesticated Banking chickens live in trees, lead an active lifestyle, eat a lot, and have a muscular body. Modern thoroughbred chickens are not inferior in character to savages. They fly well and are mobile. Puberty comes late, the first laying can happen only by 10 months of age. However, the hens have a good incubation instinct and immediately begin to hatch the young. Mothers become aggressive when protecting their chicks. Roosters also monitor the safety of their family, and in case of danger they get into a fight. It is not easy to keep these chickens because of their complex nature. Banking chickens are the ancestors of all poultry.
Hamburg chickens	rooster weight - up to 2 kg .; chicken weight - 1.8 kg .; egg production - 200-250 pieces per year; egg weight - 35 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 4-5 months; availability is widespread.	An early breed of laying hens that start laying eggs at 4 months of age. Although the testicles are tiny, there are a lot of them - the laying hen brings up to 6 testicles per week. In addition, hens remain productive for 4-5 years, for which the Dutch affectionately call them "eternal laying hens." Hamburg chickens have a wild, anxious disposition. They cannot live locked up - they need a free area rich in fodder. They prefer to spend the night in trees. They tolerate winter quite well. Because of its restless disposition, it is difficult for a mother hen to incubate offspring. Moreover, the birds are very shy, and if the hen is frightened by a sudden appearance, then she may completely refuse to hatch. The plumage of Hamburg chickens can be speckled silver, golden, lemon yellow, black and white. The breed is defined by a sharp beak, painted horn-colored with a gray base. The carcass has light meat, while the bones are a rich dark shade. Hamburgs come in dwarf varieties. Only their weight differs from the usual ones: the mass of bantams barely reaches 700 grams.
Egyptian Faioumi	rooster weight - up to 2 kg .; chicken weight - up to 2 kg .; egg production - 140 pieces per year; egg weight - 45 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - after 8 months; availability - import only.	People from the Nile Valley. Scientists have found a rare feature - Egyptian chickens practically do not get sick. Outwardly, the Faioumi look like the Mechelen Cuckoo, and their color is the same - white with black mottling. However, gives the breed too little weight. Their body is slender, thin, elongated. The legs protrude strongly forward, a small red crest sticks out on a small head. Fioumi is recommended to be kept in spacious pens covered with netting on top, as chickens are very fond of flying and try to escape from the chicken coop at any opportunity. Fioumi are very nimble, restless birds. They are very difficult to catch, as they are afraid of a person, and run away from him all the time. Pullets do not like to incubate eggs, they prefer to forage and quickly run around the yard from a non-existent enemy. Possessing a purely decorative warehouse, the hen of this breed is very difficult to maintain.
Yokohama	rooster weight - 1.8 kg .; chicken weight - 1.8 kg .; egg production - 120 pieces per year; egg weight - 45 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 7-8 months; availability - import only.	Japanese breed bred for exhibitions and championships. It has a purely decorative character due to the long two-meter tail. The bird must be constantly kept clean, which leads to additional labor costs. The Yokohamas are kept in a large corral, the perches are made high, the length of the tail. The litter should always be dry and fresh, otherwise the main decoration of the bird quickly loses its decorative effect. Thoroughbred chickens are not man's best friends. They are distrustful and aggressive. Keep them separate from other animals, otherwise they can suddenly attack them and cripple them. The decorativeness of the bird is impressive. The long flowing tail looks like a peacock. The color of the pen is white or variegated, brown. But what is typical for birds of any color is the presence of a red spot on the back.

Black breeds of chickens

In fact, these are quite ordinary chickens that lay eggs and provide tasty meat. Many of them have a humble disposition and are easy to care for. However, interest in black birds is only increasing every year. Poultry farmers admire the pitch-black plumage of unusual birds. The black color (and not only the feather, but also the beak, skin, bones, comb and earrings) of the feather arises from the pigment - melanin. The bulk of black-feathered chickens live in Asian countries.

On a note!

At home, these chickens have a special status - they are worshiped, considered sacred birds that bestow happiness. In Asia, black bird meat is expensive, as it is considered a delicacy. Throughout the rest of the world, black-colored chickens are bred as decorative ones.

The most interesting black breeds:

Breed name	Basic indicators	Characteristic
Ayam Tsemani	rooster weight - 2.1-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - 1.6-2.1 kg .; egg production - less than 150 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 7-8 months; availability - import only.
Spanish black white	rooster weight - up to 3.5 kg .; chicken weight - up to 3.3 kg .; egg production - 180-200 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 9 months; availability - rare, only import.	An old Spanish breed, the appearance of which dates back to 1572. Previously, Spanish women were called "Seville chickens" and "Clowns". The breed was created for "egg" purposes. Their meat is tough and not very tasty. Spanish belongs to the Mediterranean group. Chickens have a unique, only inherent appearance. Their color is completely black, only the muzzle with large earlobes is pure white. Breeders note excessive talkativeness, shy and eccentric nature of birds. They are not given in the hands, they constantly fuss, although in general they have a completely friendly character. They cannot be kept in closed small-sized sheds - Spanish women need will. The breed is extremely sensitive to cold, and therefore the chicken coop needs to be heated.
	rooster weight - 2.5-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - up to 3.4 kg .; egg production - 200 pieces per year; egg weight - 55 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 9-10 months; availability - import only.	Black chickens have a quarrelsome temperament, fly a lot, avoid communication with a person, are difficult to train, and are not suitable for home keeping. The direction of the breed is universal. Chickens are bred commercially for tasty meat. Young growth matures for a long time, but, according to the French, it's worth it. Force-feeding is used for chickens - this way the meat is less fat and more juicy. Chickens La Flesh have a spectacular appearance. They are nicknamed "Devil Birds" because of the huge crest, horn-like red long earrings and pure white lobes. The color of the feather is pure black, however, individuals of other, lighter colors are also found.
Moscow black	rooster weight - 3.3-3.5 kg .; chicken weight - 2.1-3 kg .; egg production - 250 pieces per year; egg weight - 55-65 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 5-6 months; accessibility is difficult to access.	A modern breed of domestic production, obtained by mixing breeds of Italian Partridge, Yurlovsky vociferous and New Hampshire. Shows good egg production and gives high quality meat. Unpretentious breed, resistant to cold and disease. Does not interrupt laying in winter. Ideal chickens for verified regions. Chickens by nature are calm, accommodating, lazy, eat a lot. If feeding is not limited, then the individual will quickly become obese. The females are excellent mother hens. They hatch their offspring with trepidation, protect newborn chickens. The structure of the body of chickens is muscular, oblong, the chest protrudes forward. On the head is a graceful erect leaf-shaped crest of red color. The color of the feather is black with a slight splash of red. There are individuals with a golden and copper-red color of the back.
Cochinchin black	rooster weight - 4.5 kg .; chicken weight - 4 kg .; egg production - 120 pieces per year; egg weight - 60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 8-9 months; availability is common.	The breed originates in Indochina in the 19th century. She has many varieties, but the most recognizable birds with a black feather. Kokinhins have a medium-sized body, which is covered with a thick feather, more like down. The cover is not only on the body, but also on the legs. This unique plumage creates the appearance of a black ball with a bright red small crest on the head. The advantages of the breed include a complaisant nature, excellent immunity, the ability to fatten individuals for meat. Klush is often chosen for breeding chicks of other breeds. The disadvantages include the slow growth of chickens, which also have weak immunity. The bird needs a full-fledged varied diet, otherwise the chickens will show poor productivity. If the chicken overeats, then she will quickly become obese and will not be able to fully rush.

Crosses

Crosses are several lines of chicken breeds, the crossing of which leads to more productive birds. Such chickens are called hybrids. To obtain crosses, certain lines of chickens are used, and not purebred breeds. The line includes several different species (2-3 breeds) of birds with some one similar trait: high egg production, unpretentiousness, immunity to diseases, rapid growth of muscle mass, etc. Cross-countries come in different directions - egg and meat.

On a note!

All egg crosses are based on the Leggori breed. The plumage of these chickens is colorful and very diverse.

Breed name	Basic indicators	Characteristic
Star (Black and Red)	cock weight - 2.1-3.6 kg; chicken weight - 2.2 - 3.4 kg .; egg production - more than 220 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 4-5 months; accessibility is difficult to access.	The cross includes two variations of the breed - the Red Star and the Black Star. Their standards are not recognized, therefore the offspring can be obtained independently with the plumage color and features that the breeder desires. So, to get the Red Star, you need to cross a Delaware female and a Rhode Island male. And to create a Black Star, you need to make a pair of a female Barred Plymouth Rock and a male Rhode Island. Star - excellent chickens, giving up to 6-7 eggs per week and good quality meat. They can be presented at exhibitions or taken as a basis for breeding new hybrid breeds. They are unpretentious to the external conditions of life, friendly, calm, they eat everything they give. The plumage of the Red Star is golden brown. Black star cocks have black plumage with a brown-red neck collar, while laying hens are completely black.
Master Gray	rooster weight - 4-4.5 kg .; chicken weight - 4 kg .; egg production - 150 pieces per year; egg weight - 65 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 6-8 months; availability is widespread.	Universal cross meat and egg direction. Chickens are distinguished by a calm peaceful disposition, easy to keep. I can live in cages or on the floor, but to get quality meat it is better to give the chickens freedom for long walks. The clovers are happy to sit on the eggs, take care of the chickens. Mortality of chicks is 2%. Laying hens start laying at a record 3.5 months. Outwardly, Master Gray is a strong powerful bird with bright silvery plumage and a red single crest and earrings. In hens of a related cross, the feather color is red. Everyone can keep these beautiful chickens in their household. The only problem is to replace the flock - since Master Gray is a cross, purebred livestock can only be obtained by purchasing a hatching egg at a specialized poultry farm.
Shaver	rooster weight - 2 kg .; chicken weight - 2 kg .; egg production - 250 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 4-5 months; availability is average.	Dutch egg cross. The hybrid has three feather colors - white, brown and black. The body is small, densely feathered, the wings are pressed. In roosters, the comb is erect; in hens, it can lean to one side. The chest and abdomen are rounded, the back bends, the head is small. Legs are bright yellow, darkening with age. Layers are early. They lay light brown eggs. In the first laying, the size of the eggs is small, then, with an increase in productivity, the weight of the product also increases. Chickens maintain high egg production for two years, then it is recommended to replace them. Since Shaver is a cross, it is impossible to get the same purebred offspring on your own. It is better to replace the tribe with the help of young animals sold by poultry farms.
	rooster weight - up to 3 kg .; chicken weight - up to 2.5 kg .; egg production - more than 250 pieces per year; egg weight - 60 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 3.5-4 months; availability is rare.	Cross bred in Ukraine. I liked the bird because of the high productivity and peaceful nature. The plumage of the roosters is red with black stains, and the hens are pure red. Outwardly, Avicolor is a strong, downed bird. Roosters are owners of a magnificent variegated tail and a large toothed comb. Chicks grow rapidly, their weight reaches 700 grams per month. Maturity occurs at 3.5 months. Layers can be laid daily throughout the year. It is easy to keep them - chickens are calm in cages, buried chicken coops, but they are not averse to taking a walk in the wild. Plums are excellent brood hens. The safety of the brood is 100%. Avicolor is a breed with solid pluses. However, the only thing that stops summer residents from buying such promising chickens is the impossibility of obtaining offspring from them that are genetically similar to maternal individuals.
	rooster weight - 2.1-3 kg .; chicken weight - 2.1-2.9 kg .; egg production - 150-200 pieces per year; egg weight - 45-55 gr.; the beginning of oviposition - 4-5 months; availability is rare.	Hungarian meat and egg chickens. Magyars have a calm disposition, unpretentiousness, rapid growth of young animals and high productivity. Outwardly, the Magyars are not large, densely feathered birds, more often of a red color with black patches on the tail and neck. The tail is quite small, but motley and slightly rounded. All parts of the head are small, bright red. Chickens have a well-developed maternal instinct. The survival rate of chicks is almost 100%. Chickens grow very quickly and already at 7 weeks can weigh 1.5 kilograms. The only disadvantage of this cross is the need for high-quality fodder for the flock. With an unbalanced diet, the growth of birds slows down, and the eggs become many times smaller. In addition, Magyars are prone to infectious diseases.

Despite the wide variety of breeds, lines, hybrids and crosses, breeders do not stop working on breeding more productive, hardy, viable chickens. Every year new breeds appear in the world, surpassing their parents in quality and longevity. At that time, many previously popular breeds are forgotten and go into oblivion.