Chickens of Spain: description, photo

Hens of Spain are a southern and heat-loving breed, and rare for Russia. However, the productivity of this bird's original color is quite good. Therefore, some farmers, especially those living in the southern regions of the country and in the North Caucasus, are interested in the characteristics of this breed, as well as in the methods of keeping it. In this article we will give a detailed description of the Spanish white-faced woman and talk about the ways of her breeding.

History of the breed

As already can be judged by the name, this chicken was hatched in Spain. This breed is actually very old. They received it in the 18th century by crossing minors with fighters' chickens. As a result of long selection work and careful selection of producers, a very beautiful, enduring and productive bird has turned out. For several centuries the Spanish white-collar has been very popular with farmers in the warm regions of Europe.

general description

Externally, the chickens of Spain are very much like the minors known to our farmers. They have exactly the same black plumage and a bright red leaf-like comb. The only difference is that the face of the Spanish woman is painted in a pure white color. In minors, this is considered a defect. Earrings and the one and the other breed are also white. Only in Spanish they are more massive. To the main distinctive features of the Spanish white-collar, in addition to the slate-black with a bluish feather drop, one can attribute:

• Well highlighted on a white background are dark eyes.
• Highly planted neck, giving the bird a solid, "important" look.
• The smooth line of the back is the tail.
• Long, well-developed gray legs.
• Luxurious tail tail.

Thus, Spaniard - chickens, which have value not only in terms of productivity. This is also a spectacular decorative breed.

Main characteristics

The Spanish white-chicken refers to the meat-egg direction and can lay 180 eggs a year. The color of the shell is white. The weight of one egg reaches 55 g. The live weight of the chicken can be 2.5 kg, the adult cockerel - 3 kg. You can see the bird of this breed in the photo below. Chickens "Spaniard" is actually very beautiful.

Despite the years of breeding, the Spanish squirrel managed to preserve the instinct of incubation. The maternal qualities of these chickens are not particularly good, but the chickens hatch very hardy. The survival rate of the young in this breed is more than 96%.

Features of the content

As already mentioned, the chickens of Spain are a heat-loving breed. Therefore, farmers in the central part of Russia who want to breed this beautiful bird will have to build a warm shed for it. In addition, Spaniards are afraid of high humidity. Therefore, the shed for them must also be dry. Of course, it should be arranged with good lighting and ventilation. The windows in the chicken coop, intended for the Spanish white-faced, should be large enough. After all, this bird is southern and has got used to a lot of sunlight. The area of windows should be at least 10% of the floor area. It is necessary to provide the second removable winter frames.

The floor in the room for hens of this breed is usually made of adobe. You can even spend a little and knock down the wooden flooring. On the concrete floor, Spanish women will freeze. Ceilings in the hen house should not be higher than 1.8 m. This will save the maximum heat.

What is more characteristic of the Spanish breed? These chickens are very active, active. For the breeding of this bird, of course, absolutely not suitable. An enclosure for it should be spacious enough and enclosed by a high mesh fence. It is located on the south side of the chicken coop.

In the southern regions of Russia, where the air temperature in winter does not fall below -10 degrees, heating in the poultry house for Spaniard can not be arranged. However, since the chicken is also very afraid of a sharp drop in temperature, we still have to insulate the shed. You can use mineral wool or polystyrene foam for this. The floors in such a barn are necessarily covered with a thick layer (at least 5 cm) of sawdust or hay.

Features of Spanish nutrition

The ration of chickens of this breed is practically no different from the "menu" of any other. The only rule that must be observed is the inadmissibility of using poor-quality or stale food. In Spanish, this has a very strong effect on productivity. In addition, such food weakens the body of the bird, as a result of which it is less resistant to various diseases, including colds.

Feed Spaniel hens should receive at least three meals a day. In the morning, wheat is given, sprinkled with additives, increasing productivity, as well as a small amount of chalk and salt. At lunch, make a mash. For its preparation, you can use any fresh vegetables and root vegetables.

In summer, it is necessary to add young juicy grass. It can be nettles, quinoa, radish tops and carrots, etc. Apples and pears are given out of fruits. Like all chickens, Spanish very fond of potatoes. You can give it raw. But at the same time, care should be taken to ensure that the shoot does not contain germs. It is very good to add white fresh or dry (not moldy) bread to the Spanish menu. Usually the brisket is also poured into the mash. After all the ingredients are ground, they are poured with boiled water. Sometimes it can be replaced with fish or meat broth, cooked from cheap sets.

In the evening, the chickens are again given wheat with additives. Between the feedings, in the event that the grass does not grow in the enclosure or it is small, it is necessary to spread the leaves of cabbage, rootstocks, quinoa, nettle, etc., to the chickens.

How to Plant

The chickens of a Spanish white-faced woman are born black. Farmers, breeding this bird, believe that it is better to leave eggs under the chicken. In this case, survival will be greater. However, if no hen will sit on eggs, you can try placing them in the incubator. The rules of nursing during the ripening period are the same as for any other breed. The only thing - the regime should be observed exactly. This is especially true of humidity in recent days. Otherwise, it will be difficult for chickens to get out of eggs.

What you need to know about

The chickens of Spain, described above, have one small drawback: indigestion occurs more often in them than in other breeds. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a large amount of mash for them at once. Chickens should eat the proposed food for no more than half an hour. Water in birds should also be clean and fresh. Drinkers and feeders should be periodically cleaned and disinfected. In the hen house and aviary, it is necessary to place containers with small pebbles and shells. They contribute to the grinding of food into the chickens' chickens.

At the moment, Spaniard breed only a few poultry-lovers. On an industrial scale, this chicken is not used to produce meat or eggs. They keep it mainly as a genetic reserve fund. However, those who want to breed this breed will not remain in any way. The productivity of this bird is really very good.

Holoche chickens

This is another breed of chickens, called Spaniards. Its main distinctive feature is the complete absence of plumage on the neck. Externally, such chickens are somewhat like vultures. By the productivity of any special results, this chicken does not show. In addition, domestic farmers regard the neck of the birds of this breed as a certain defect. Therefore, a chicken is bred spaniard-naked rarely. Contain it only individual lovers of the original decorative bird. They take care of the representatives of this breed in about the same way as for the Spanish white-faced.