For breeding in small household plots, as well as on farms, Pushkin chicken is simply ideal. This bird belongs to the meat-producing direction of productivity and is distinguished by a calm and friendly disposition.
Breed history
The Pushkin chicken was bred in our country at the Scientific Research Institute of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences in 1976-2005. Parent breeds used such popular breeds as Leghorn, Australorp, Moscow White and Cross Broiler-6. Selection was carried out by free mating, as well as group selection according to live weight and exterior. The Pushkin chickens were approved as a breed in 2007. At the moment, it is one of the most popular in Russia. This is the only breed bred in our country over the past 30 years.
Appearance
Pushkin’s motley or striped chicken looks very beautiful. In layers, the plumage is fluffy with a beautiful white swell. Thanks to the latter feature, the carcass of these hens has a very attractive presentation. Pushkin cockerels have a white color with rare dark spots. The main features of this breed can also include:
- High, thick neck with a pronounced feather mane.
- Ivory beak sharply bent down.
- White high legs with four toes.
- White bent claws.
- Trapezius, tapering to the tail.
- Wide chest.
- Vertically set tail.
- Slightly lowered wings.
- Thick fluffy plumage.
- A pinkish low red crest with pronounced spikes.
- Convex orange eyes.
The skin of this bird is completely white, without any shades. In some farms, Pushkin chicken and other colors are bred. However, motley (with black) in hens and pure white in males is still found most often.
Reviews about Pushkin breed
The temperament of these chickens is quite phlegmatic and very friendly. Reviews from farmers about this breed are just wonderful. Pushkin’s get along with another poultry very easily. If something scares them, they do not start to fuss like layers of other breeds, but simply press themselves to the ground and calm down. Catching a chicken, if necessary, is a snap. There are never conflicts between layers of this breed - neither because of food, nor because of nests.
Cleverness is another undoubted advantage of such a bird as Pushkin's hens. Owners of personal plots reviews in this regard are also very good. The requirements of the owners of these wonderful birds understand literally instantly. Such an accommodating nature is one of the main reasons for the huge popularity of Pushkin chickens among homeowners.
Productivity
For the most part, Pushkin chickens, reviews of which are only positive on the Internet, are kept for the sake of getting eggs. One layer can lay up to 260 pcs. in year. But this, of course, is a record. However, under normal conditions of keeping less than 200 pcs. owners usually do not receive per year. Pushkin's begin to rush quite early. Their eggs can have either pure white or light cream shells. In size, they are quite large. The weight of the eggs can vary from 58 to 61 g. The taste of their quality, judging by the reviews of farm owners, is simply wonderful.
Fertility in eggs of the Pushkin breed is very good - 95%. At the same time, the survival rate of young animals is excellent - 95%. Adult chickens - under normal conditions of detention - about 87%.
Pushkin’s meat is also very tasty. As in the case of egg breeds, unnecessary males and hens are slaughtered in the brood after a decrease in productivity after several years (4-6). These birds grow quite large. The weight of a cockerel reaches 2.5 kg, laying layers - 1.8-2 kg.
Care Features
The Pushkin chicken is kept in approximately the same conditions as laying hens. That is, the outdoor method is usually used in an unheated shed. This bird is not completely afraid of frosts. With its introduction to this, one of the main accents was made. Fluffy plumage, high legs and even a small crest pressed to the head, which is almost impossible to freeze — all this makes it possible to successfully support chickens even in the harshest climates of the middle zone and Siberia.
Pushkin's striped-motley hens will feel good in a house built absolutely from any materials. However, concrete walls will still need to be insulated. Typically, a chicken shed of this breed is erected from sleepers or made frame-panel. A very thick layer of sawdust or straw should be laid on the floor. In winter, he will act as a "heater."
Perches are located at a height of 70-80 cm. Nests can be nailed to the wall of the barn. Under the windows they, as well as perches, do not have them. Despite good health and endurance, chickens of this breed, like any others, are afraid of drafts.
Breeding Features
The Pushkin breed of chickens, reviews of which allow us to judge it as very calm, can produce completely viable and productive offspring. Despite the flexible character, males are very active. Typically, 20-25 chickens get one such "macho". If there are fewer laying hens on the farm, it is worth leaving the cockerel quieter with them. Due to such a high activity of cavaliers, there are practically no unfertilized eggs in the nests.
The instinct of incubation with these birds is practically lost. In some cases, Pushkinskaya can sit on an egg. However, it often takes no more than two weeks to hatch the chicks, and then simply throws it. Therefore, eggs are usually laid in an incubator.
Feeding Features
Since the Pushkin breed of chickens, the reviews of which private traders are really good, belongs to the meat-producing direction of productivity, its representatives should be fed a little differently than ordinary laying hens. Chickens of this species are slightly prone to overeating. Overfeeding such a bird is highly not recommended. The fat deposited on internal organs will inhibit the hormonal regulation of egg formation. However, underfed birds, of course, is also impossible.
On average, chickens of meat-egg breeds feed approximately 15-20% more than conventional laying hens. The diet of this bird includes products such as:
- whole grain (preferably at least two types);
- crusher (also of two types);
- wheat bran;
- boiled potatoes;
- fresh vegetables;
- greens (nettle, quinoa, carrot and beet tops , etc.);
- reverse;
- fodder yeast, bone meal, salt, shells.
The Pushkin motley breed of chickens should receive wet mixes in such a quantity that they are eaten completely in about 40 minutes. In no case should they be acidified.
Feeding schedule
The schedule for filling the feeders of Pushkin chickens should be something like this:
- at 6 a.m., the bird is given whole grain, about 1/3 of the daily norm;
- at 8 o’clock in the morning, you can put a wet mash of vegetables with the addition of bran;
- at 12 o'clock again give grated vegetables;
- at 18 o'clock again impose the grain (the remaining 2/3).
Before collecting eggs for incubation, that is, during fertilization, it is advisable to give food to the males in separate feeders. In order for the hens not to eat from them, they are nailed to the wall of the barn at a certain height. In this case, the males will reach the feed, but the laying hens will not. To improve reproductive ability, 50 g of germinated grain per head is added to food. Also, cockerels during this period should be given special preparations enriched with vitamins A and E (20 g per 1 kg of feed).
Of course, chickens (Pushkin's striped and motley) also need fine gravel. It promotes grinding of feed. Place it in a chicken coop in separate containers.
Features of caring for chickens
Chicks of such a bird as the Pushkin breed of chickens, the description of which is given in full detail above in this article, are characterized by vitality and endurance. At first, they are usually given the specially designed Start food for chickens. On the fifth day, fresh finely chopped greens begin to be poured into the nursery. One week old chickens can already be fed with friable mixes on yogurt or meat broth. From the 10th day, they begin to give boiled potatoes. Any wet food should be eaten by chickens in a short amount of time. Residues must be removed immediately. Sour food will certainly lead to poisoning of the chickens and, most likely, to their death.
When growing Pushkin breed chicks, like any other, it is very important to observe the temperature regime. Without additional heating, even in a warm room, newborn chickens can die from hypothermia. Therefore, immediately after hatching and drying of the fluff, they are removed from the incubator and placed in a nursery with an air temperature of about 30 degrees. On the sixth day, it is reduced to 26-28, and then - by 3 degrees every week. At the age of one month, the chickens just feel great at 18 degrees.