Description and subtleties of keeping chickens of the Barbesier breed
Rarely, poultry varieties of European origin adapt well to the Russian climate without additional selection. An exception can be called the Barbesier - a breed of chickens, the description of which has not changed for many years. The bird attracted local farmers with its rich red meat with an unusual taste. Today this breed is rare and survives only thanks to the efforts of a small number of poultry farmers.
History of origin
The name connects the Barbesier chickens with their hometown, where the breed was bred more than 300 years ago. In France, the new variety has long been in demand due to its good quality meat and high egg production, but gradually the number of poultry began to decline. In the 18th century. the history of chickens received a new round, and the number of livestock was restored. The emergence of the first barbezier club helped establish the world's first breed standard in 1907.
In Russia, the breed appeared in 2000, but never became widespread. Chickens slowly gain weight, and the meat at the exit costs much more than analogues. However, lovers of delicious meat continue to breed this bird, despite the high cost. Now the breed belongs to the elite and is considered a generally recognized delicacy.
Description and characteristics of chickens
Barbezier chickens and roosters stand out from other breeds with a compact build, uncharacteristic for poultry of meat or universal direction. At the same time, the growth of the breed is quite high due to its long legs.
Appearance
The characteristics of the Barbesier chicken breed standard suggest:
- Compact torso with a powerful sternum, protruding belly and broad back.
- On the head of a medium size there is a serrated ridge of a leaf-shaped shape of bright red color.
- The eyes are yellow-brown.
- White earlobes in males reach a length of about 50 mm.
- Broad, muscular legs end with gray paws.
- Spread wings are in parallel with the back and tightly pressed to the sides.
- The relatively narrow tail has short braids.
- The growth of females is about 0.6 m, males - up to 0.7 m.
- The body weight of birds does not exceed 3.5-4.5 kg.
The main distinguishing feature of the Barbesier breed is the rich black color of the feather, which in males acquires a green tint. The surface of the plumage is smooth, shiny, without streaks and inclusions.
Chicken character
The Barbesier breed is characterized by good nature and docile disposition. Both females and males are distinguished by their peaceful nature and get along well with other birds. A relative disadvantage of chickens is excessive curiosity, which forces them to organize a large walking yard or aviary for birds.
The maternal instinct of the breed is practically lost, so you will have to use an incubator or a foster hen to breed chickens.
Maturation and productivity of birds
Barbesiers belong to the breed of universal productivity, producing large eggs with white shells and quality meat. Females are ready to rush from about six months of age. Chickens gradually increase the volume of productivity, by 1 year the bird lays 200-250 eggs. The mass of each is not less than 75 g. The meat of Barbesier chickens will not come out quickly, the bones are formed only at 4.5 months, after which the muscles begin to increase.
It will take about a year to feed the cockerels, which makes the meat prohibitively expensive..
Main positive and negative aspects
Among the advantages of the Barbesier breed, it is worth noting:
- quick adaptation to the climate;
- good chick health;
- high survival rate of young animals;
- quality meat and eggs;
- calm disposition;
- beauty of the exterior.
The disadvantages of chickens include:
- slow growth of chickens;
- undeveloped hatching instinct;
- rarity.
Features of the breed
Comfortable conditions for keeping chickens include:
- building a poultry house;
- arrangement of the aviary;
- proper balanced nutrition;
- availability of clean drinking water;
- keeping the herd healthy.
Chicken coop requirements
Keeping Barbesier chickens requires arranging the poultry house in such a way as to ensure the comfort and safety of the bird:
- The building should be spacious, each bird needs at least a third of a square meter of floor.
- The floor is concreted and covered with a bedding made of a mixture of straw, sawdust, hydrated lime and ash powder.
- The roosts are located 45 cm above the floor, if necessary, gatherings are equipped.
- Nests are placed in the shaded part of the coop at the rate of 0.4 m² per hen.
- The room must be constantly ventilated and naturally lit.
Walking yard
Barbeziers are chickens prone to walking, so for them it is necessary to arrange a spacious place for walking. The breed cannot fly high, so it is enough to install a fence up to 2 m. The area for walking must be sown with grass, any lawn mixture will do. In winter, birds can go outside only at temperatures above -7 ° C.
Installation of drinkers and feeders
Poultry need properly shaped feeders, such as wooden or metal narrow containers, to feed properly. The containers are placed at a low height above the floor surface so that the chickens do not climb inside the trough and can simultaneously receive food. Drinking bowls are installed so that the drink remains clean.
The volume of containers should be small, about 5 liters, but the water should be changed as often as possible.
Diet of Barbesier chickens
It is recommended to feed poultry three times a day, in winter the number of meals can be increased to 4. Feeding should be carried out at equal time intervals. The Barbesier breed is convenient because it grows well when fed with compound feed. A hand-prepared formula should contain:
- grain crops;
- raw and boiled vegetables;
- fresh grass;
- legumes;
- boiled fish or fish oil;
- crushed shells or bone meal;
- dairy products.
Yeast, salt and sulfur are added to chicken food in small quantities.
Breeding chickens on a private farm
To obtain offspring, high-quality fertilized eggs are sent to an incubator.The dilution material is selected of equal size and checked for viability with an ovoscope. Fertilization of eggs of Barbesier chickens is high and does not fall below 95%, the same percentage of chickens are born and survive. The disadvantage of the breed is a slow plumage rate, so the young need to be kept warm. To maintain the herd, it is recommended to avoid closely related breeding and replenish the herd from the outside.
Possible disease and prevention
Throughout life, chickens can pick up various diseases of a viral and infectious nature:
- Poor odor sensitivity leads to indiscriminate nutrition. Because of this, young chickens can get poisoned, diarrhea, or stomach blockages. As a preventive measure, chickens should receive activated charcoal and chalk, and flax or chamomile broth will help digestion.
- If the temperature inside the house is not high enough, birds can develop coccidiosis, aspergillosis or pullorosis. Young animals should be kept in a warm room for up to 5 weeks.
To prevent the appearance of worms, you need to constantly change the bedding and water in the drinking bowls, and for treatment, "Hygromycin" is suitable.
A balanced diet and water-salt balance will save chickens from arthritis, ascites and vitamin deficiency.
