Decorative breeds of chickens, description. Overview of ornamental chicken breeds

Even a mongrel rooster will attract the eye of a passerby if it has a luxurious tail or unusual colors combined with a proud posture. Decorative breeds possess all these qualities to perfection.

Chinese silk

Representatives of the breed have lush, continuous plumage, which consists of a large number of feathers. The head, limbs and tail are covered with feathers that form peculiar balls. A distinctive feature of the breed is that the skin, beak, bones and claws are black in color; various shades.

You can get a hundred eggs from a laying hen in 365 days, average weight rooster - about one and a half kilograms, and chickens - 1.1 kg.

Curly breed

The homeland of birds is in Asia, and representatives of the breed can decorate any homestead. Chickens are interesting because they have a gene that curls their feathers upward. Therefore, from the outside it may seem that the birds are disheveled all the time. A special feature is the inability of chickens to fly. Birds can walk around with bald backs because roosters break their feathers during mating.

About 120 eggs are produced from one hen in 365 days. The weight of an adult rooster is 3.0 kg, and that of a hen is 2.0 kg.

Pavlovsk chickens

They are native breeds with a long history. Their exterior is similar to that of a pheasant. Pavlovsk chickens come in golden and silver. But at the same time you can meet gray, black, white and black birds. The characteristic differences are a beautiful crest on the head and an underdeveloped crest located transversely.

Birds are distinguished by the shape of their crest: it can be helmet-shaped or veil-shaped. Pavlovian chickens have feathers on their legs; they can also be distinguished by the presence of sideburns and a small beard.

Chickens are good layers; in 365 days, one bird produces about 170 eggs with an average weight of 50 grams. Pavlovtsians cannot be called large, the average weight of roosters is 2.3 kg, hens - 1.5 kg.

Faveroli

The bird belongs to the decorative category, is characterized by early maturity and good productivity indicators.

In the first year of life, about 130 eggs can be obtained from laying hens, then this figure decreases. The live weight of cockerels reaches 4 kg, and hens - 3.2 kg.

Among distinctive features The following can be mentioned: the presence of a lush beard, a massive collar reaching to the chest. The feather cover is loose, affecting the limbs. The breed standard is a small leaf-shaped comb.

Dutch white-crested

The popularity of this breed goes back centuries. They can be distinguished by the white tuft on the top of their head. On average, you can get up to 139 eggs from a laying hen per year. An adult rooster weighs 2.6 kg, a chicken - 2.1 kg.

Russian Crested

Refers to the meat and egg direction. The weight of an adult laying hen is 2.8 kg, and that of a rooster is 3.5 kg. In 365 days, one chicken can produce up to 200 eggs with an average weight of 60 grams.

TO distinctive features include the presence of a crest and lush plumage that makes up the mane. The breed has a variety of colors; there are no feathers on its limbs.

Araucanas

The Araucanas have several sub-breeds. They are similar in origin and basic characteristics, but each country has its own breed standard, which concerns minor nuances.

Basic distinctive feature is the presence of feathers on the face, similar to mustaches and beards. Chickens can be without a tail, and this is not a deviation from the standard. From one hen you can get about 160 eggs per year; the shell has a deep blue color. The weight of an adult chicken is 1.8 kg, a rooster is 2 kg.

Phoenixes

It is an exotic breed whose homeland is in China. Japanese breeders, having worked with birds, were able to achieve a simply fabulous exterior. Males have a luxurious tail that can grow throughout its life. By the age of 12 months it reaches almost a meter in length.

On average, roosters weigh 2.5 kg, hens - 2.1 kg. Laying hens are inferior in appearance, but at the same time show good egg production. From one bird you can get more than 150 eggs in 365 days.

There are chickens with golden, silver, wild, white and orange plumage.

The birds can be identified by their jet-black plumage. The coloring of their limbs, crest, face, eyes, and bones is also black. The homeland of birds is in Indonesia. The weight of an adult rooster is 2.0 kg, and that of a chicken is 1.5 kg. Laying hens can't brag large quantity They lay about a hundred eggs in 365 days.

Bantamka

They are the most numerous decorative breed. They include not only native representatives, but also normal-sized dwarf chickens.

You can distinguish a bantam by its size. The weight of adult roosters is no more than 1000 grams, hens - 650. All representatives can be classified as egg-laying, up to 120 eggs are produced in 365 days. Bantams are endowed good instinct hatching, eggs of other breeds can be placed under them. Exterior features depend on belonging to a particular breed, the same can be said about the colors.

Seabrights

It is a dwarf decorative breed. They have interesting appearance, which is combined with a sociable character. There are two main colors - gold and silver, and there is another very rare one - lemon.

From one chicken you can get about 80 eggs per year with an average weight of 40 grams. The weight of an adult rooster is 600 grams, and that of a chicken is 500.

Shabot

The most common color is yellow-white, but striped, speckled, and silver birds can be found. They have an original appearance and look like small balls from the outside.

From one laying hen you can get about 8 dozen eggs with an average weight of 30 grams in 365 days. An adult rooster weighs 0.6 kg, and a chicken - 0.5.

Spanish whitefaces

They are a decorative breed. They can be distinguished from the rest by their peculiar snow-white face coloring. Chickens can be called productive. On average, one laying hen produces almost 200 eggs in 365 days. An adult rooster gains weight of 3.5 kg, a chicken - about 3.

Black bearded

These birds can be called the most peculiar in their class. The breed is a meat and egg breed. One hen produces 200 eggs in 365 days. Chickens have a well-developed brooding instinct. Adult roosters gain weight up to 4 kg, hens - up to 3.

Ukrainian forelocks

This breed is also decorative. The average weight of adult roosters is 3.2 kg, chickens weigh 2.5 kg. From one laying hen, up to 180 eggs with beige shells and weighing 55 grams or more are obtained in 365 days. Birds reach sexual maturity by six months of age.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

Decorative chickens have interesting external characteristics, and at the same time they need special maintenance. For bantams, a certain temperature regime will be required, but for curly and silky ones, natural precipitation poses a danger. This is due to the specifics of the plumage. High humidity and low temperatures will cause birds' immune systems to collapse, which can be fatal.

Chicken coops must be kept clean, otherwise the bird will lose all its attractiveness. The floor in the room is made of dense, warm materials, on top of which a sufficient amount of bedding is laid. It needs to be changed regularly and fresh added.

The construction of perches also has its own characteristics. They are made short for dwarfs and poorly flying birds. For large breeds that have long tails, poles are installed at a sufficient height.

The diet is compiled taking into account individual characteristics, which contains nutritional elements, vitamin and mineral supplements, thanks to which the decorative appearance of the bird is maintained.

Among poultry farmers, not only highly productive meat and egg chickens are popular, but also decorative ones. Breeders spent many years on improvement of exterior features chickens Many representatives of the productive type of birds gradually turned into decorative ones, and some individuals became exclusively athletic.

Decorative breeds of chickens

Ornamental chickens are mostly of eastern origin. China, India and Japan were among the first to create breeds for non-food purposes. Later, unique breeds of chickens settled in Russia and Europe.

Despite the fact that ornamental chickens are not bred for productive purposes, they are useful on the farm. Ornamental chickens begin laying eggs at about nine months. During the year you can get approximately 100 eggs from her. But, of course, the main advantage of these birds is different. Some of them have an unusual picturesque color, others have an original beak shape, others are a miniature copy of their “large-sized” relatives, and others have a particularly long tail.

Decorative breeds of chickens common in Russia:

The article presents some of them

Bantamka

The bantam is one of the largest representatives of decorative breeds. This dwarf bird is characterized by relatively high productivity and effective appearance. There are several varieties. The breed has good health, is unpretentious in maintenance and is excellent for breeding in a private backyard.

The first description of bantams dates back to 1645. According to the main version, Japan is considered their homeland.

There is no reliable information about the details of the breeding of these birds, but there is a version that they formed by artificial selection. Wild chickens are considered the ancestors of bantams. It was from them that the breed inherited a strong immunity to various infections and a wonderful instinct of motherhood.

Characteristic feature These birds are their sizes: hens do not exceed 650 g, cockerels - 1 kg. Breed standards:

• small head with rose-shaped or leaf-shaped crest;
• graceful, elevated body;
• wide, long wings that almost reach the ground;
• short legs.

A type of bantam breed

Depending on the color, these chickens are divided into several varieties. The main types include:

Breed: Araucana

A distinctive feature of the breed is the unique color of the eggs, from rich blue to greenish. For this reason, chickens are called “Easter chickens”.

These amazing birds have unique appearance. The German type Araucanas lack a tail. To breed the breed, individuals of a strictly regulated standard are selected:

Cockerels of this breed larger than females.

Based on the color of the plumage, Arraucans come in 13 varieties: silver, golden, white, blue, black. An adult female weighs between 1.5-1.7 kg, a male can reach 2 kg. But there are also dwarf individuals.

The breed was first mentioned in 1526, but it has been proven that these birds were bred much earlier. According to one hypothesis, the unusual color of the eggs is the result of crossing with a wild pheasant. But this opinion has no scientific confirmation. Eggs of an original color are obtained due to the presence of the pigment bidiverdin in the laying hen's oviduct.

Chinese silk

Representatives of this uniquely beautiful breed of chickens with their short legs and lush silky plumage resemble rabbits. There are feather “balls” on the birds’ head, legs and tail.

The skin, comb, beak and even bones of the bird are black with varying tints from brown to blue. The weight of an ornamental cockerel does not exceed 1.1 kg. The productivity of birds is 100 eggs per year.

Birds of this breed have the following characteristics:

Several colors are allowed:

• white with slight yellowness;
• black;
• uniform blue;
• yellow (in the bearded variety of this breed);
• The wild coloration of hens and roosters is different. The chicken is dark brown in color with a chestnut tinge on the head and chest. The rooster has a black chest, a dark golden loin and mane, and a black-brown head.

The Chinese Silk breed has two subtypes: bearded and standard.

A distinctive feature of the bearded silken chicken is lush beard, passing into the tanks covering the earlobes.

Seabright

Seabright decorative chickens got their name from the first breeder of this species, John Seabright. It was he who became the trendsetter for unusual laying hens among English aristocrats.

The breed was developed around 1800. The main characteristics of the bird, which he tried to enhance, were its unusual, as if edged, plumage and miniature size. Seabright received new birds after 15 years. The genus of this species included Polish laying hens, representatives of the Hamburg breed, and bantams.

Cockerels and hens come in two colors: silver and golden.

In order not to purchase a defective chicken, you need to know the main features of this breed:

Ayam Tsemani

Chickens of the Ayam Tsemani breed are of particular interest to poultry lovers. These are the blackest of all breeds. Plumage with a green tint. Black beard and comb, skin, paws, bones and meat. The bird has a small head with a short black beak and a leaf-shaped crest. Eyes black, neck middle length. The birds' chest is quite rounded, the body is compact, narrow, trapezoidal. Ornamental cockerels of this breed have a lush and high tail with long, well-developed braids.

Chickens are very shy. They do not trust the person, trying to keep contact to a minimum.

Dutch white-crested chickens

These birds have an amazing crest. Its feathers on both sides of the head neatly fall, reminiscent of “professional styling.” However, it does not prevent the bird from seeing. The plumage of the crest is slightly darker in front. The base of the beak has an unusual pattern; something similar to a butterfly emerges. This is the main indicator of the purity of the breed:

Despite the long feathers, this extravagant chicken has a dense and fairly large crest. This breed does not have a comb. The beak is small, tinted with the plumage. The beautifully curved tail with flattened feathers is set at an angle of 45 degrees. Acceptable colors: brown, black, gray-blue.

Phoenix breed

Phoenix chickens are unique. They differ very long tail. This bird comes from China, where it was considered a symbol of empire. Phoenixes were brought to Japan, from where they spread throughout the world.

A rooster's tail can reach 10 meters. It increases by 90 cm every day and interferes with the ability to move freely.

When raising ornamental chickens, you should Special attention pay attention to the microclimate indoors and outdoors. Some breeds need warmth, while others need to be protected from excessive humidity.

In addition to maintaining the necessary temperature regime(15-20 degrees) it is important for birds to provide good lighting. Daylight hours should not be 15 hours.

Drafts are not allowed in the poultry house. It must be well ventilated.

Perches are made depending on the breed Large birds, as well as long-tailed and richly feathered chickens need high perches. And for dwarf species and birds with poorly developed plumage perches should be low.

It is important to maintain hygiene in a chicken’s home so that the luxurious tufts and tails do not lose their attractiveness. For these purposes, the floors in the chicken coop are covered with thick, warm material, and bedding is placed on top, which is periodically changed as it gets dirty. For individuals that are distinguished by abundant feathering on their legs, the substrate must be loosened frequently. It should be taken into account that in cold weather, thicker bedding than usual is required.

The chicken coop should be protected from ferrets and rats.

Nutrition

Since most chickens are decorative breeds have an active disposition and love free walks, it is necessary to organize a walking area for them, on which to place bathing containers.

In obtaining viable healthy livestock, proper feeding of chickens plays an equally important role. The following foods and vitamins must be included in the diet:

In spring, the diet of chickens should be more varied so that the birds do not lose their beauty. It should include plenty of minerals and vitamins, as well as sprouted grains.

Important aspect full development birds - opportunity to produce independently pasture

When breeding ornamental birds, you may encounter certain problems:

• decorative chickens love warmth, and not all breeds can survive the harsh winter cold;
• birds constantly need natural food;
• ornamental birds need a spacious room and comfortable perches;
• these chickens are very sickly, so keeping young animals is quite a troublesome task;
• due to weak immunity, the survival rate of chickens is not very high;
• chickens of decorative breeds cannot get along with other species.

Of all types of poultry, chicken ranks first in popularity not only in Russia, but also in most foreign countries. During the process of domestication, many different breeds were developed. This bird is very useful and productive, and its breeding is considered profitable and not too difficult. In addition to meat and egg-laying breeds, there are ornamental chickens. In Russia, the history of ornamental poultry farming goes back more than 200 years. Ornamental chickens are not large in size or have high egg production and are bred more for aesthetic purposes. Beautiful decorative chickens decorate the local area, participate in exhibitions and breeding work is carried out with them.

Peculiarities

Breeding ornamental chicken breeds is quite a difficult task, especially for novice poultry farmers. Such chickens are very capricious regarding their diet and environment, so poultry farmers try to create especially comfortable conditions for their pets.

Decorative chickens need balanced diet, rich in vitamins and microelements. The food should always be fresh, and for better absorption, yeast is added to it. Fresh vegetables are a mandatory component of the food:

• cabbage;
• beet;
• carrot;
• sprouted wheat.

Decorative chickens are a true decoration of any home collection.

Some beautiful breeds of ornamental chickens do not tolerate low temperatures well, so many of them cannot be bred in Russia.

Varieties

Ornamental chickens are not suitable for industrial breeding. Groups of enthusiasts all over the world are engaged in the cultivation of such individuals. These birds differ from ordinary domestic chickens in some original external characteristics. It can be a beautiful color, very long tail feathers or a crest on the head. In some breeds of cockerels, instead of the classic comb, it grows on its head, very similar to a real crown.

Now we have the opportunity to choose from a variety of decorative varieties of poultry.

Among the large number of original breeds, many poultry farmers pay special attention to two areas in ornamental poultry farming. This is the breeding of dwarf and sport breeds.

Dwarf

Video

This video shows a farm engaged in breeding ornamental chickens.

conclusions

1. The laying hen breeding business is considered very profitable with profitability up to 200%.
2. It’s better for novice poultry farmers Just start with unpretentious breeds - and, for example.
3. Individuals for breeding should only be purchased from reliable manufacturers.

For a person far from the sphere of poultry farming, chickens are associated only with an irreplaceable source of eggs and dietary meat. However, modern farmers are increasingly giving preference to breeds of ornamental chickens, which become a real decoration of the farmstead. Their exotic appearance gives true aesthetic pleasure, and some species are also famous for their high productivity rates.

The desire to breed ornamental chickens justifies itself, because the owner of a private farm will never go hungry and can adequately distinguish himself from competitors. Today, every poultry farmer has the opportunity to choose from a huge number decorative species poultry suitable for breeding on a private farm.

Decorative breeds of chickens are the result painstaking work breeders who, over the course of decades, have modified key characteristics productive birds. Their body features and unique colors have made these birds very popular among farmers.

Chinese silk

At first glance, representatives of this breed, distinguished by lush plumage and short legs, resemble rabbits. Their feather cover consists of thin silky feathers, which form a kind of balls on the head, legs and tail. Due to the special structure of feathers, they are often clipped and used as filler. The skin, beak, comb and even bones of birds are painted black with different tints: from blue to brownish.

The breed belongs to dwarf chickens, since the weight of the rooster rarely exceeds 1.5 kg, and the hen reaches only 1.1 kg. The productivity of Chinese birds is about 100 eggs per year.

The birds' faces are decorated with lush plumage, forming a semblance of a beard and mustache. For some individuals, the absence of a tail is acceptable, which is stipulated in German standards. These birds have a very temperamental disposition, and roosters are not averse to starting another fight. Araucanas are small in size: the male reaches 2.5 kg, and the female 2 kg. Annual productivity is about 160-170 eggs, and depends on.

Bantamka

One of the largest groups of small ornamental breeds, including several varieties. In addition to the original bantams, which have their roots in the wild nature of China and Japan, there are mini-copies of some productive breed.

Attention! The exterior characteristics and color palette of these birds vary depending on the original breed. There are yellow bantams, walnut, calico, black and white, silver, gold, etc.

Another work of art that delights the owner with its meat and egg qualities. In live weight, a rooster reaches 3.5 kg, and a chicken - 2.7 kg. Every year, the Russian Crested hen lays about 180-200 eggs, each of which weighs up to 60 g.

A sign of the decorative nature of these birds is their lush crest, slightly combed back. It is large in size, spherical in shape and consists of narrow feathers. In gentlemen, the crest gradually turns into a lush, wide mane at the back of the head.

The breed is different high level Fertility. The black-cloud has a well-developed maternal instinct, which has a beneficial effect on the hatchability of chicks - in 91% of cases, the young survive.

Pavlovskaya

By their nature, birds are very active, can withstand frost and are famous for their strong immunity. The egg production of chickens does not exceed 170 eggs per year, each weighing no more than 50 g.

Representatives of the breed have a well-developed maternal instinct, so eggs of other species are often laid under them. Like most ornamental chickens, the productivity of Seabrights is low - from 50 to 85 eggs annually. The live weight of roosters is only 500-550 g, hens - 400-450 g.

After reading the description of decorative breeds, it becomes clear that most of them are small in size. Among the existing species, they are considered real giants, because their weight can range from 3 to 5 kg.

They are distinguished by their noble appearance and majestic posture, they are quite intelligent and unpretentious. A characteristic feature of the breed is full feathering on the legs, since the birds were originally bred to be kept in cold microclimates.

Every year Brahma hens produce no more than 120 eggs, and their meat is particularly tough. Given these facts, many poultry farmers breed them solely for decorative purposes.

Brahma chickens also have their own species, such as.

The breed characteristics of these decorative chickens are a lush beard, which develops into a rich neck collar that falls to the chest. The feather cover is quite loose, the legs also have feathering.

In combination with a pronounced decorative orientation, the birds are characterized by rapid maturation and good productivity. In the first year, the feathered worker can lay about 130 eggs, then productivity declines. Faverole roosters are large in size - up to 4 kg, hens - up to 3.2 kg. Detailed description about the breed.

A rare breed of chickens whose history originates on the island of Sumatra. Today they are worth their weight in gold, and all thanks to their unique color - they are completely black. Not only do they have black feathers, crest, legs, face and eyes, but their bones are also black. Otherwise, these chickens are not much different from other species - a leaf-shaped comb, a narrow compact body and long legs.

Chicken meat is considered truly delicious, reminiscent of game. A rooster can reach a weight of 2 kg, and a chicken – 1.5 kg. The annual egg production of laying hens is within the average range - about 100 cream-colored eggs weighing more than 50 g.

Another giant among ornamental breeds, the history of whose origin is still unclear. Today, this species is one of the most popular in Russia, as it has excellent appearance and good productivity.

Externally, Dutch birds are distinguished by their slender, elongated body and large crest on the head, which does not interfere with the gaze at all. Representatives of the breed are unpretentious in terms of housing and nutrition, but have difficulty withstanding cold and drafts.

Every year you can expect up to 140 eggs with a minimum weight of 50 g. The live weight of roosters is 2-2.6 kg, hens - 1.5-2 kg.

Subtleties of keeping and caring for ornamental chickens

It is quite difficult for beginners to breed such birds, because in this situation accumulated experience plays an important role, and ornamental chickens have special external characteristics and require a special approach to maintenance:

• When raising ornamental chickens, special attention should be paid to the microclimate indoors and outdoors. Some breeds need warmth, others are not able to survive precipitation, and others can get sick and die from excessive humidity or low temperature.
• In addition to the optimal temperature range of 15-25 degrees, birds must be provided with good lighting. Daylight should last up to 15 hours. In a self-built building, drafts are not allowed, and a ventilation system must be established.
• Perches are built depending on the breed: for example, dwarf species and birds with poorly developed wings need low perches, and large breeds with rich plumage or long tails - tall.
• If you do not maintain the hygiene of your chicken's home, luxurious tails, tufts and legs will sooner or later lose their attractiveness. For these purposes, the floors must be covered with warm, dense material, and equipped with a bedding on top, which changes as it gets dirty.
• A chicken coop is necessary and there are rats.

Most decorative breeds are characterized by an active disposition and love of free walks. Therefore, it is very important to organize a walking area for chickens and equip it with ash containers for bathing.

Important! In the cold season, the litter should be thicker than usual. For individuals with abundant feathering on their legs, the substrate must be loosened frequently.

Proper feeding of chickens plays an equally important role in obtaining healthy, viable livestock. The following foods and supplements must be present in the diet:

• oats and barley;
• vitamins, such as, and easily digestible proteins;
• yeast (introduced by yeasting food);
• succulent food - beets, cabbage and carrots;
• grass meal;
• eggshells, shells, chalk, gravel.

To prevent birds from losing their beauty, in the spring their diet should be more varied and include sprouted grains and an abundance of vitamins and minerals. An important aspect The full development of birds is the ability to independently obtain pasture.

When breeding ornamental chickens, you may encounter a number of specific problems:

• not all breeds can survive harsh winters; mostly decorative birds love warmth;
• birds will constantly need natural food;
• the appearance may lose its former beauty, so the birds are given a spacious room equipped with comfortable perches.

In the video you can see representatives of the most elegant Russian breed of chickens: Pavlovskaya.

Decorative chickens are popular in different countries. There are several species that are distinguished by their unusual appearance. They are bred at home not only to produce eggs and meat, but also for aesthetic pleasure. In addition, such birds are presented at exhibitions.

People who have exotic birds claim that breeding them is easy. The main rule is regular cleaning and it is best to do it twice a day. To prevent decorative dwarf chickens from being hungry, it is necessary to ensure that the feeders and drinkers are full. If you want to breed birds at home, then you can use special fragrances that spray products and remove the unpleasant aroma

To create for decorative chickens the necessary conditions For good content, consider several features:

1. It is best to locate the chicken coop on a hill on the leeward side.
2. A walking yard must be present. It is important to have a shadow; it can be a tree or a special mesh.
3. The height of the building should not be more than 1.8 m, and good ventilation is equally important.
4. Nests are also a must.
5. and drinking bowls should be located in the chicken coop and on the walking area. Choose oblong-shaped containers so that all birds can approach them.

Decorative dwarf chickens - feeding and care

Exotic birds are distinguished by their whimsical living conditions. It is important to consider that each breed has its own characteristics. TO general rules care includes:

1. Heat-loving individuals cannot tolerate frost. Be sure to avoid drafts.
2. During winter, it is recommended to place thick bedding in the chicken coop. Beautiful decorative chickens with feathered legs require frequent loosening of the substrate.
3. Insufficient light has a negative impact on the fertility of birds, so it is important to do everything to ensure that daylight hours last up to 15 hours.

Proper nutrition is of great importance for the health and attractive appearance of ornamental birds.

1. The chickens' diet should contain vitamins and easily digestible protein. Good source These substances are yeast, which must be added to regular food.
2. The daily menu should include succulent foods, such as chopped beets, carrots and cabbage.
3. Ornamental chickens should receive vitamin E, the source of which is oats and barley.
4. Grass meal can be used as the main source of protein. Mineral supplements include shells, gravel, shells or chalk.

Types of ornamental chickens

Many breeds of animals with original appearance have eastern origin, since in China, Japan and India they began to create breeds with non-food purposes. In most cases, the birds are miniature in size, but there are also large representatives. Decorative breeds of chickens mature at 9 months. and produce an average of about 100 eggs per year.

Decorative silk chickens

It is believed that such birds first appeared in southeast Asia. Beautiful little decorative chickens of this breed cannot go unnoticed. They have their own distinctive characteristics:

1. The male weighs approximately 3 kg, and the female reaches about 2 kg.
2. The comb of such ornamental chickens red-blue color, and the muzzle is dark blue.
3. Non-standard features include the presence of five fingers and dark blue skin.
4. The plumage is presented with beautifully curled feathers, which creates a curly appearance. Because of this, they cannot fly.

Decorative chickens Bantams

IN wildlife In Japan, there are dwarf chickens, and people also cross domestic chickens with them, obtaining unusual specimens. Small ornamental chickens have a number of features:

1. They tolerate the influence of various harmful factors well and are productive in egg production.
2. Birds are unpretentious to their living conditions and they eat little. It is important for them that the chicken coop has a dry microclimate and is clean.
3. Chickens are light in weight, approximately 1 kg. The plumage is thick and covers the paws.
4. There are several subspecies of Bantam.

Chinese ornamental chickens

It’s hard not to be surprised when you see birds of this breed for the first time. Such domestic decorative chickens have a number of features:

1. The body contains a lot of melatonin, which is why the skin, bones and meat are dark in color.
2. Their feet have five toes that are covered with feathers.
3. Externally, the coat is similar to fur or wool, and the head has a crest, sideburns and a beard.
4. Chinese ornamental chickens have a round, dense body with short legs. Their beak is blue-turquoise. Males are larger in size than females.

Crested ornamental chickens

This group includes several unusual species, which are common in different parts of the world.

Ornamental chickens Cochin

Among other breeds, such birds stand out for their large size, so adult females reach 4 kg, and roosters - up to 5 kg in weight. In Russia they are unpopular, and all because of low fertility. Decorative roosters and chickens have the following characteristics:

1. The birds have a small head and dense plumage on the body and legs. The “pants” are especially attractive.
2. The crest is small and bright red in color, and the beak is small and yellow. The wings are small and the eyes are orange-red.
3. Such decorative chickens have high meat productivity, a calm character and are unpretentious in care.
4. Disadvantages include a tendency to obesity, high cost and difficulty in maintaining breed characteristics.

Breeding ornamental chickens

If you want to start breeding beautiful poultry, then you should know some features.

1. First you need to prepare the chicken coop. Place straw on the floor, make perches and provide light. It is important to keep nesting and egg-laying areas clean and shaded.
2. To breed offspring, you need decorative laying hens or an incubator. When choosing the second option, keep in mind that the eggs should be turned once every 4 hours.
3. It is important to pay special attention to raising chickens, since day-old babies need warmth and the temperature during this period should be at least 30 degrees. If the eggs were hatched by a hen, then no additional measures are needed; otherwise, use a heating pad wrapped in a towel.
4. Ornamental chickens in childhood need food that is rich in protein, for example, it can be cottage cheese, boiled eggs, kefir and so on. Don’t forget about vitamins, for example, it can be chopped greens, and birds especially love nettles. Remember mineral fertilizers, for example, about bone meal.