Description and characteristics of High Line chickens, maintenance rules
High Line chickens are very popular with poultry farmers. Such birds bring many eggs, quickly adapt to external conditions, and are unpretentious in care. A standard diet is perfect for such birds. To achieve success in raising chickens, it is worthwhile to vaccinate them in a timely manner and properly equip the poultry house. A high-quality and balanced diet is also important.
Content
Origin story
The history of this breed began at the Hy-Line International enterprise. Scientists have set themselves the task of getting a cross that combines many advantages. These include excellent egg production, strong immunity, unpretentiousness in the diet.
The result is a Heinlein hybrid. During the breeding period, several types of chickens were obtained, which differ in the color of the shell. It can be white or brown.
Characteristics and descriptions of High Line chickens
To achieve success in breeding chickens, it is worth familiarizing yourself with their main characteristics.
Appearance of the breed
These chickens are not gigantic in size. By 4 months, their weight reaches a little more than 1.5 kilograms. The birds are characterized by a proportional physique and a neat head, on which a large red comb is located.
Feathers are lush and beautifully fit a small body. The wings fit snugly to the body. Chickens are distinguished by excellent decorative properties and can become a decoration of the poultry house.
The nature of the birds
Such birds quickly adapt to conditions. They are characterized by resistance to stress, therefore they have a calm disposition. American crosses are moderately curious. However, they do not tend to conflict.
Productive qualities
Before you start raising such chickens, you should familiarize yourself with their productivity.
Weight
For chickens, a small weight is characteristic - 1.5-1.8 kilograms. Males weigh 200-300 grams more. Usually birds do not lag behind in development. If such a problem is observed, this may indicate a violation of the diet.
Eggs
Active egg production in hens is 1.5 years. A bird can produce 340-350 eggs per year. They weigh 60-65 grams and are covered with a strong shell. The shade of the eggs is determined by the color of the chicken's feathers.
Young stock survival and molting
Molting occurs once a year. At the same time, the egg production of birds does not decrease.After the end of molting, the eggs increase in size. Young growth is characterized by high parameters of survival. They reach 98%.
Pros and cons
Chickens of this breed have certain advantages and disadvantages. The key advantages of the breed include the following:
- high performance;
- unpretentious care;
- quick adaptation to new conditions;
- standard diet.
At the same time, chickens also have certain disadvantages:
- lack of incubation instinct;
- a short period of high egg production.
Varieties of crosses
American scientists have succeeded in breeding several types of Hy-Line hybrids. The key differences are feather color and shell shade. Brown birds are large in size. Their reproductive period begins 1 week later.
High Line Brown
This breed is characterized by a brown tint of feathers and the same eggs. The subtypes of birds include Sonya and Silver Brown. Birds are actively growing for 18 weeks. During this time, they eat 6-6.7 kilograms of feed.
With the onset of puberty, the weight of chickens reaches 1.5-1.6 kilograms. By 74 weeks, the bird grows to 2 kilograms. To increase egg production, chickens need to be given 115 grams of compound feed per day.
High Line White
These chickens are smaller. For the first time, they lay eggs a week earlier than brown eggs. By 4 months, birds reach a weight of 1.3 kilograms, at 74 weeks their weight reaches 1.65-1.75 kilograms. During the active development of birds, they eat 6 kilograms of compound feed. Subsequently, they should receive 100-105 grams of feed per day. The birds produce 330 eggs per year.
Features of the content
In order for chickens to develop normally and bring many eggs, they need to provide normal conditions.
Chicken coop requirements
It is recommended to grow American crosses in outdoor sheds. These birds easily fall on roosts, therefore there should be poles in the hen house. The floor should be treated with clay. It can also be made from densely spaced boards. There should be a litter on top.
Wicker baskets or wooden crates can be used as nests. 1 nest is enough for 4-5 chickens. There should be a 0.3 meter opening in the house door, through which birds can go for a walk.
Temperature readings should be at least +10 degrees. It is recommended to ensure that there are no drafts.
It is recommended to ventilate the chicken coop periodically.
Place for walking, drinking bowls and feeders
These birds can do without a walking yard. However, experienced farmers advise making a small aviary for chickens. In spring and summer, it is good for birds to walk outdoors and eat fresh grass. In winter, birds are allowed to be released outside for a short time. In this case, there should be no strong wind and severe frosts. Birds need constant access to drinkers and feeders.
How to feed the chickens?
Ready-made or self-prepared feed is suitable for feeding birds. When feeding the High Lines with the home method, they should be given the following products:
- Cereals. Birds need grains of wheat, barley, oats. You can also give them rye and corn. The grains are given whole or crushed. In winter, they need germinated crops.
- Soybeans and peas. They include many plant proteins, vitamins and minerals.
- Greenery. In winter, it can be replaced with grass flour or hay.
- Mushrooms. They may include vegetables, cereals, whey.
Chickens need minerals. To do this, it is worth adding meat and bone and fish meal, eggshells, chalk to the feed. You can also give the birds ready-made vitamins.
Raising chickens
There are a lot of things to consider to raise chickens.
How to breed and preserve offspring
It is impossible to breed birds of this breed at home.Chicks that were obtained by crossing representatives of this species do not adopt the characteristics of their parents. Hatching eggs are sold at poultry farms that specialize in breeding birds of this breed. An incubator is required to hatch chicks.
Content in a brooder
When chicks appear, their weight is 25-30 grams. Feathers can be pale yellow or light brown. Day-old chicks are recommended to be kept in a brooder. The floor should be covered with hay or straw. You can also use pieces of paper.
During the first 3 weeks of bird life, it is worth maintaining a temperature regime of + 30-35 degrees. Humidity parameters should be no more than 80%. Light sources are also needed. The chicks need to be illuminated for 21 hours.
The chicks grow vigorously for 17 weeks. By the end of this period, they reach 1.15 kilograms. Young individuals should be planted with adults at 14-16 weeks.
Settlement of young stock in the poultry house
Purchased chickens should be vaccinated, treated against worms and other parasites. If there are other chickens, new chicks should be quarantined for 30 days. Before settling in young birds, it is recommended to clean the chicken coop of debris and disinfect it.
Diseases of chickens and their prevention
Birds of this breed have strong immunity. To protect them from diseases, it is worthwhile to vaccinate. The vaccination schedule is selected taking into account the epizootic situation in the region.
To protect birds from viral and bacterial microorganisms that provoke salmonellosis, mycoplasmosis, coccidiosis, contact with pets and rodents should be excluded. Maintaining an optimal temperature is also important. It is recommended to control the cleanliness of bedding and equipment.
Where can you buy in Russia?
These hens are grown in different regions of Russia. People who breed birds note that they are quite popular. Therefore, it is recommended to register in advance.
High Line chickens are distinguished by high productivity, unpretentiousness and strong immunity. To achieve success in growing them, it is worth providing a normal temperature regime and proper nutrition.
