Description and characteristics of the 22 best breeds of decorative chickens

Today there are many breeds of ornamental chickens. They differ in size, color of plumage, productivity, character. This helps farmers choose the best option based on personal preference. To succeed in raising birds, you should familiarize yourself with the conditions for keeping them. Such birds need a properly equipped poultry house, balanced nutrition, and disease prevention.

Features and varieties

For decorative rocks, the following features are characteristic:

Color. Such birds are distinguished by colored feathers or an original monochromatic color.
Dimensions. Decorative chickens are very different from the rest in size. So, there are tiny breeds weighing less than 1 kilogram or huge birds, which are close in weight to broilers.
Feather shape. It can be unusual. So, Chinese crested chickens are distinguished by feathers that resemble down.
Additional details. Decorative birds often have a crest, crest, and cuffs. They are decorated with a long tail.

Popular breeds of decorative chickens

Today, many breeds of such chickens are known, each of which has its own characteristics..

Chinese silk

Lush plumage is characteristic of birds. It includes fine feathers with a silky texture. There are especially many feathers on the head, legs and tail.

Curly breed

The feathers of this Asian breed curl upward, making the birds look disheveled. The back of the chickens is quickly balding.

Pavlovsk chickens

In appearance, chickens are similar to pheasants. They are silver-black or golden. The unusual crests and plumage on the legs serve as decoration.

Faverol

These chickens are characterized by rapid maturation and high productivity. A distinctive feature of birds is a lush beard that forms a massive collar.

Dutch white-crested

These chickens are distinguished by the presence of a white tuft. In combination with feathers of a different color, an original pattern similar to a butterfly is formed on the forehead.

Araucans

This variety is characterized by a lot of down on the face, reminiscent of a mustache and beard. Chickens may not have a tail. However, they produce unusual blue eggs.

Phoenix

This is an unusual Chinese breed. Males have a beautiful, narrow tail that grows quickly. The colors of birds are different - golden, white, silver.

Take a look also

Description and maintenance of chickens of the Borkovskaya barvy breed, care and breeding

Ayam Tsemani

An unusual black color is considered a characteristic feature of the breed. Skin, face, eyes and even bones are painted in it.

Bentamka

This is one of the most popular categories of decorative species. Males do not weigh more than 1 kilogram, and chickens weigh only 650 grams.

The appearance varies greatly depending on the breed.

Sibright

This is a dwarf breed with original plumage. Moreover, the birds are energetic and unpretentious in care.

Shabo

The shades of chickens are different. But the most popular are white or yellow birds with dark tail feathers.

Spanish whites

As the name implies, an unusual white face is considered a feature of chickens. The birds are large. Roosters weigh 3.5 kilograms, while females weigh 3.

Black bearded

Such birds combine original appearance and high parameters of meat and egg productivity. Distinctive features of the breed are considered mobile earrings, a voluminous beard, a large head.

Ukrainian chubaty

A distinctive feature of the breed is the presence of a feather tuft on the head. At the same time, the color of the feathers is different - light Colombian or classic black. There are also fawn varieties.

Paduan

The characteristic features of birds are considered to be a lush crest and a thick beard. The color of feathers is different - there are yellow-orange, golden, black, silver and even blue chickens.

Cochinhin

This Chinese breed has become the basis for breeding many species of birds, which are distinguished by high productivity. These birds are characterized by thick feathers of different shades.

Wyandot

This breed was developed in America. It is distinguished by its variegated feather color and small size. However, the low weight is compensated by the excellent appearance and excellent taste.

La Fresh

Blue-black plumage is characteristic of these French chickens. A feature of the breed is considered to be a horned scallop resembling the letter "V".

Brama

These chickens were named after the Brahmaputra river. This Indian breed is characterized by a variety of plumage. They are available in white or silver.

Milfler

This breed is characterized by a variegated color. Depending on the subspecies, it is orange-black, light brown or gray-golden.

Russian crested chickens

These chickens are characterized by a standard exterior. The decoration of birds is considered to be a tuft of feathers, which completely or partially hides the comb.

Pavlovskaya

This is an exotic breed with beautiful feathers. They come in silver or gold.

Positive and negative sides of decorative chickens

For decorative bird breeds, many advantages are characteristic:

eat little, which helps to save on feed;
they are small in size, which makes it possible to keep them in small chicken coops;
are distinguished by a calm disposition.

At the same time, birds also have disadvantages:

there is no pronounced maternal instinct;
are characterized by poor frost tolerance.

Decorative chickens have fewer disadvantages than advantages. Such breeds are popular with farmers because of their good character, high productivity and unpretentiousness.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

To grow ornamental chickens, it is worth providing them with suitable conditions of detention:

Quality feed. These birds need a more varied diet than regular layers. It is important that they get plenty of vitamins. Birds should be given vegetables every day - carrots, cabbage, beets. The use of mineral supplements is definitely recommended. As a rule, it is worth grinding gravel, chalk, shells. Thanks to a balanced diet, birds will be able to maintain their decorative appearance.
Climatic conditions. Difficulties in breeding ornamental breeds lie in the fact that they can hardly tolerate frosts.When kept in a heated chicken coop, its size should be taken into account. In small rooms, birds lose their decorative properties.
Equipped perches. Most decorative birds cannot fly. Therefore, they need low perches.
Localization of the chicken coop. It is best to place the room in an elevated location. This will help avoid high humidity levels that can cause disease. Ventilation will help to improve the indoor climate.
Illumination. In summer, half of the walking area should be in the sun, half in the shade. Thanks to this, the birds will be able to hide from the scorching sun. This will protect them from overheating.
Conditions for keeping chickens. They should be isolated from adult chickens and roosters. The hen is an exception.

Take a look also

Description and characteristics of the sibright chicken breed, conditions of detention

Breeding rules

When breeding ornamental birds, you should focus on the characteristics of the breed. Some chickens tolerate cold well, others get sick in high humidity conditions. A suitable temperature for birds is + 22-25 degrees.

Chickens with chicken are recommended to be kept separately. At the same time, it is important to maintain ideal cleanliness in the room. It is best to make wooden flooring and place materials on top that can be easily swept away. It is worth protecting the chicken coop from animals - rats, cats, foxes.

In order for the offspring to be healthy, it is recommended to feed the hens properly. Their diet should contain a lot of foods high in vitamins - vegetables, cereals, yeast, sprouted grains.

Possible problems

When growing ornamental species, some difficulties are possible. Most of these birds do not tolerate cold well. Therefore, they should be provided with comfortable conditions. It is important to use natural foods for feeding.

In birds, the color and structure of the feathers often deteriorate. Adequate amount of free space will help to avoid this..

Ornamental chickens are very popular with farmers. To achieve success in growing them, it is worth creating comfortable conditions for the birds and proper nutrition.