Description and characteristics of Master Gray hens, care and feeding
Chickens of the Master Gray cross belong to the egg-meat types. They produce a large number of eggs, an individual weighs 4-6 kg on average. The bird takes root well in society with humans and other breeds. And they are also unpretentious in care. The only drawback is the heterozygosity of the cross.
Origin story
The breed of chickens Master Gray or Master Grizzly was developed by French scientists under the guidance of Hubbard. The company has several branches in different countries and has been raising birds for over 100 years. They are suitable for growing in small areas and farms. Chickens have both high egg production and meaty body type.
Description and characteristics of the breed Master Gray
The description of the breed includes the appearance of the bird, the nature of the chickens, productivity, molt and break in egg production.
Appearance
These are large birds, the plumage is white with black spots. Wide yellow paws, large toes, a bright red comb and chin are noted. Small yellow beak. The body is wide, long, large back. Gray color predominates at the tip of the wings and tail.
Important! Males and females are almost the same, but they are always larger.
Indicators and productivity
Master Gray belongs to meat and egg breeds. One female weighs 4 kg and a male 6 kg. 200 eggs in one year. The average weight of one egg is 65 g. The shell of the eggs is brown or light beige. The survival rate of young chickens is 98%.
The nature of the birds
Chickens Master Gray are calm, friendly, do not show aggression towards the surrounding animals and other birds. They easily go into the hands of the owner, which simplifies the process of examination and elimination of signs of the disease.
Birds take root well in open houses and cages.
Molting and a break in egg production
The hen begins to molt 7-8 months after birth. During this period, their egg production decreases, and may even stop completely. To help the birds survive this period, they are fed with special nutritional supplements.
The specifics of keeping chickens
Master Gray hens are suitable for keeping in a home chicken coop and in a cage.However, it is worth considering their large size when placing them.
In a home chicken coop
Birds easily tolerate air temperatures from 5 to 28 ° C. In winter, they do not lay eggs, so it is recommended to warm the chicken coop. Every day they take walks so that the chickens can walk through the greenery and nibble on insects and worms.
In cages
In the cages, the size of the chickens must be taken into account when placing. 1 m2 accommodate no more than 2 individuals. They take root well in cages, but when kept in a hen house they give more eggs, and when kept in cages more meat.
Feeding rules
For adult chicks and chicks, the feeding method is different. For each of them, they make up a separate menu and enrich the diet with certain microelements.
Chicks
From the first days, feeding of young chicks begins with cottage cheese, eggs, vegetables, herbs, finely ground grain. Food should be served consistently and regularly. Chicks shouldn't be hungry. From 1.5 months they are transferred to adult nutrition.
Feeding an adult herd
Cross is picky about leaving. Feeding is carried out according to the feeding table of egg-meat breeds. However, do not overfeed them, individuals are prone to gaining excess weight. In the warm season, they are kept on two meals a day. In winter, they switch to a denser diet:
- High-protein feeds are used, which contribute to weight gain.
- Corn and seeds are reduced, since they are high in fat, and for poultry this serves as an increased calorie content.
- For chickens with incipient obesity, diets are carried out.
Breeding the breed
Master Gray obtained by crossing two homozygous breeds. Chicks are heterozygous, so the next generation may not have the same set of traits as the parents.
How to get offspring
Male and female individuals from different parents are chosen for mating in order to avoid abnormal development in future chicks. Selected individuals are walked together so that crossing with other birds does not happen. After leaving the clutch of eggs, the rooster is sent to a common pen.
Hatching egg
Females of this breed have no maternal instinct. They refuse to hatch eggs. The chicken lays eggs every day or every other day. Therefore, you have to use an incubator. The size of one egg is about 65 g.
Important! Descendants of the Master Gray cross will not always produce chickens with the same characteristics..
Incubation
It takes 3 weeks for incubation. The eggs are placed in an incubator. On certain days, the temperature of the content is increased or decreased, turned over on different sides. For artificial incubation, a scheme is followed, which is divided into 7 periods.
| Periods | Temperature, ° С | Humidity | Cooling | Turning, once a day |
| The first | 38,5-39 | 75-85 | Do not cool | Do not turn |
| Second | 37,8-38 | 75-85 | Do not cool | 6-10 |
| Third | 37,8 | 70-75 | 2 times for 5 minutes. | 6-10 |
| Fourth | 37,8 | 65 | 2 times for 5 minutes. | 6-10 |
| Fifth | 37,8 | 50-55 | 2 times for 10 minutes. | 6 – 10 |
| Sixth | 37,7 | 50 – 55 | 3 times 10 minutes | 6-10 |
| Seventh | 37,4 | 70 | 2 times for 5 minutes. | Do not turn |
Young growth care
The descendants of the colored broiler tolerate transportation well, take root easily, and have a high survival rate. Chicken care is carried out as follows:
- Ensure a constant supply of feed and water.
- The feed is enriched with protein and minerals.
- After a month and a half, the chicks are transferred to adult food.
Culling weak individuals
After hatching from eggs, chicks are weak. To determine their strength, it is necessary to observe for several weeks. Then culling is carried out:
- The strongest individuals are left for further cultivation.
- If possible, weak chickens are transferred to a separate aviary.
- If there is no separate cell, they are marked with paint, a chip or other method.
- Strong chickens are left for breeding, meat or eggs.
Diseases and prevention from them
If kept in the wrong conditions, there is a chance of disease.With the penetration of infection, the number of laid eggs decreases, and proper weight gain does not occur.
The first signs appear gradually, it is necessary to timely treat.
Red chicken mite
The attack on birds occurs at night, ticks feed on the blood of hens. Insects have a reddish-brown body with white spots on the back. In Russia, they are common in poultry houses and wild birds. In chickens, egg production decreases, anemia appears, and weight decreases.
Important! The tick attacks humans and is a carrier of encephalitis and Lyme disease.
Feather Chicken Mites
They live in chicken coops, attack mainly at night. They feed on the blood of birds, settle in the hole of feathers located under the wings, on the neck. In advanced stages, they appear in the eye area, in the nostrils. The chicken loses its feathers, and its weight decreases intensively.
Acariform parasites
Small parasites of gray color, feed on chicken blood. They penetrate under the feathery area of the body, create discomfort for the bird, its appetite and weight decrease, the number of laid eggs decreases.
Fighting disease
For treatment, they resort to certain measures:
- Affected chickens are isolated.
- The poultry house is disinfected, the chickens are temporarily transferred to another place.
- Ignite all inventory with which the chickens were in contact.
- The tools are calcined.
- Chickens are treated with a chemical agent: "Ekoflis", "Iretrium", "Ivermerk", "Iretrium".
- They are treated with folk remedies: vegetable oil, birch tar, wormwood, mint, parsley, garlic, wood ash.
Prevention
For prevention, quartz lamps or ultraviolet recirculators are installed. They purify the air and destroy parasites. Turn on the equipment when the birds are out for a walk. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a day.
Main advantages and disadvantages
The Master Gray breed has its own advantages and disadvantages. The benefits include:
- High egg production, up to 200 pieces per year.
- Used as a meat breed, the female reaches 4 kg of weight, and the male 6 kg.
- Unpretentious care.
- Good contact with people and other birds.
- The survival rate of chicks is 98%.
Of the shortcomings, it is noted that it is impossible to get one hundred percent of such offspring as the parent.
The cost
One egg of this breed costs 50 Russian rubles. A one week old chick costs 100-150 rubles, a two week old chick costs 150-200 rubles. When buying eggs, you must have your own incubator. During transportation, the shell can be damaged or broken, so buying chicks is more profitable.
Two week old chicks are stronger than one week old. The survival rate of chickens is 98%. Therefore, young individuals produce up to 200 eggs per year.
Important! The cost of chicks is low, it is recommended to buy at least 5 pieces in case some of them die.
Analogs of meat and egg crosses
The Master Gray breed has several analogues.
Pharma color
Similar in size to Master Gray. The color of the feathers is brown. Layers produce up to 250-280 eggs per year. From 4 months of age, they begin to lay eggs. The female weighs 3-4 kg, and the male 4-6 kg.
Tetra - H
The birds are of medium size and belong to meat and egg crosses. About 280 eggs are laid in one year. The average weight of one chicken is 3.5 kg.
Redbro
Large chickens with an average egg production of up to 160 eggs per year. Laying hens lay eggs from 5-6 months. The female weighs about 3 kg and the male 4 kg. Birds gain weight quickly.
