Chickens Barnovelder is a popular but very rare breed of meat and egg origin in Russia. The birds are very beautiful, unpretentious and versatile.
History of breed origin
Homeland - Holland. In the 19th century, eggs with dark brown shells were in great demand on the market. It is for this reason that breeding work has begun to create such a breed of chickens that can bring eggs of an unusual shade. Unfortunately, scientists could not create a chicken that matches all their desires.
To this day, Barnovelder chickens bring eggs of red color, not brown. Despite this, the birds received amazing feathers with double edging, which caused their prevalence and fame.
Various species were crossed to create the breed: Brahma, Rhode Island, Kokhinkhiny and Indian fighting. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Barneveld breed was finally recognized by the association. In the same time period, she received the main standard.
Description and distinctive features of hens Barnovelder
Representatives of this breed of chickens are significantly different from other birds. They are unique in appearance, disposition, color of feathers, are characterized by high egg production and have a maternal instinct.
Exterior
Based on the Barneveldder standards, the following characteristics are characteristic of a rooster:
- the body is massive, strong;
- one third longer than depth;
- Medium neck with plenty of feathers
- the chest is set low, with a special bend;
- the back is medium sized, wide, slightly raised near the tail;
- wings are adjacent to the body;
- tail with a large number of feathers, not long;
- tummy voluminous;
- the head is not high;
- there are no feathers on the face;
- the crest is small with sparse plumage;
- the beard is round, ears are small elongated;
- yellow beak, large but not long;
- eyes of an orange shade;
- the hips are large;
- paws of medium length;
- weight 3-3.5 kg.
Characteristics of the chicken:
- low landing, large body;
- the chest is wide;
- the back is medium sized, slightly raised near the tail;
- the tail is large;
- weight - 2.5-2.7 kg.
Barneveld red black-edged
Thanks to breeding work, dwarf species of this breed were born, their weight often does not exceed 1 kg.
Color
Chickens can be colorful. The reddish brown hue often has a black trim. On the neck of Barneveldder there are black dots in the form of dots, and the tail of a black color with tints. The wings are brown, black inside. Feathered red shades on feathers have a black border.
Lavender-gray edging on brown feathers is a sign of a mutation.
America considers only birds of red-brown color to be pure Barneveldre. In England, preference is given to red feathers with a fringing. In many countries, the color of the cuckoo type is considered non-standard, and individuals are not considered purebred.
Barnwealers can only be silver if they are dwarf. Young growth is born light or dark brown, black or yellow with a brown back.
Character
The chicken breed Barneveldder gets along well with other birds, animals and people. They do not start to fight, do not lift each other up, do not rush at people. Feathered remember their offenders, and all those who are friendly to them. The owner will be recognized from a distance of 10 meters.
For the hens to begin to lay eggs, they do not need a male. But offspring will not hatch from eggs.
Egg production
Representatives of the Barnovelder breed are very productive, they begin to bear at the age of 7 months, they can give about 180 eggs per year, the mass of one is 65 g. Birds do not cease to bring eggs even with the onset of winter. Reddish shell. The dwarf variety produces eggs weighing approximately 40 g. The exception when birds do not rush is the molting season (about 60 days). Egg production decreases at the age of three.
Instinct of incubation
This indicator is developed in the breed, they not only look after their young, but can also plant eggs of other birds. Approximately 95% of the eggs survive and young hens are born.
Invalid vices
Barneveld’s chickens are highly sensitive, as poultry farmers try to maintain a purebred appearance and the nature of birds.
Invalid symptoms:
- a narrow, very tall or very low body;
- small back;
- pointed chest;
- small belly
- short tail.
Conditions of detention
Comfortable conditions for any breed of birds - the creation of a quality warm room and a cozy yard for walking.
Barneveloder red blue-fringed in farms
Chicken coop requirements
The cell breeding method is contraindicated in these poultry. They move a lot and really need a huge site for walking. If you limit the birds from fresh air, then they begin to develop diseases associated with pain in the joints of the legs.
The coop is being built large, to 1 square. m there were about 5 females, and preferably even 3. The presence of winds and drafts also negatively affects the health of birds, the room for Barneveldder is fenced from the north side with an additional building.
We recommend reading an article on how to make a chicken coop yourself.
The presence of small ventilation holes should be left so that the air in the chicken coop does not stagnate. The free passage of air will help to maintain normal temperature and humidity. This condition will not only enhance the health of Barneveldder chickens, but also increase their productivity, which is extremely important when breeding chickens.
In addition to open air access, the room should have windows. In order for the hens to lay eggs, the obligatory duration of daylight hours is 17 hours. In summer, there is enough open door and windows, but in winter it will be necessary to put special artificial lamps.
Floods in the chicken coop are not permissible, so a columnar foundation should be built. In this case, heavy rains and melted snow will not get into the room, and the floor will always be dry. It is better to cover the flooring with clay, and then pour sawdust or sand on top. Thus, the heat will remain longer.
The chicken coop should always be clean, so it is important to change the embankment from time to time. About 15 kg of hay per year is spent on 1 bird. The walls in the room can be made of cinder block, brick or wood. It is better to opt for a tree, this material does not need additional insulation.
Chickens of the Barneveldder breed feel great at temperatures from +18 to +25 degrees Celsius. As for the perches, they need to be located 1 m from the floor surface, the distance between them is 0.3 m, the diameter is 50 mm. Nests are laid with straw, sawdust, fluff, etc. Layers bring eggs well on them.
You can protect birds from fleas with the help of baths with river sand and ash. The mixture is placed in containers of approximately 0.5 m. In the "house" for birds should be located feeders and drinking bowls. They need to be equipped in such a way that the birds could not scatter food and did not climb into them. Separately put containers with chalk and shells. How to make a feeder with your own hands is written here.
If you are also interested in how to make a drinker for chickens yourself, then you can read this article.
Walking yard
The yard should be twice the size of the chicken coop. It is fenced with a grid of at least 2 m in height. The courtyard should be located far from the garden, otherwise the chickens will dig it up and eat your future crop.
Particular attention should be paid to canopies from the sun and rain, it is better to cover the courtyard with them. So the representatives of the chicken breed will not suffer from bright sunlight and will not get wet in the pouring rain, and accordingly their health will not deteriorate.
Barneveld silver black-edged on the paddock
Molting
Shedding in chickens is an annual phenomenon. Most often occurs in the fall, during cold snap. Shedding is a common process, when old feathers fall off, and new ones replace them, you should not be afraid of this phenomenon. Particularly easily, representatives of hens of the Barneveldder breed tolerate molting in early autumn.
There are times when the process is delayed, and the first feathers of the bird lose at the beginning of winter. At this moment, hens need to be closely monitored - such a sharp hypothermia can affect their health. The molting period lasts approximately 60-80 days. During this process, the females do not bring eggs.
How to tolerate cold
The birds are not particularly afraid of frost, they can even be let out in the fresh air in winter, when the outside temperature is not too low. The chicken room should not be less than +5 degrees Celsius.
How to feed adult Barneveld chickens?
Another advantage of the breed is that birds are not fastidious in nutrition. In many countries, birds are fed with mixed feed, but on the territory of our country they can enjoy grain, cottage cheese and corn flour.
In the diet, at least 60% should be occupied by crops, such as oats, millet, corn, rye, wheat and buckwheat.
Feed the chickens twice: in the morning (7: 00-8: 00) and in the evening (17: 00-18: 00). The volume of food per day should be from 80 to 150 g. 30 minutes after feeding, the remaining food is removed so that the birds do not begin to recover.
The quality of eggs is affected due to a lack of calcium; in the diet of birds add chalk, small shells and slaked lime. The source of protein is nettle, tops, flour and legumes. Daily yeast is added to the diet in diluted form (15 g).
Fats are considered an obligatory component, the source is fish, bone and meat and bone meal. Fish is added in small quantities so that the taste of the eggs does not deteriorate.
It is not enough to buy a quality breed of birds, it is necessary to provide a complete diet, which includes a large amount of vitamin and minerals. Sources of carbohydrates are considered vegetables, such as potatoes, zucchini and beets. If you give the birds germinated grain, then it will contain a large amount of vitamin B and E. Without fail, birds need free access to water.
Breeding chicks
Chickens Barnovelder provide scouts with the opportunity to breed chicks, you just need to provide them with quality care.
Hatching eggs
The instinct of motherhood in this breed is well developed, so they can calmly sit their offspring. You can also use a special incubator.
Chick Care
In the first days of life, babies need regular lighting 24 hours a day and a temperature of about +35 degrees Celsius. After two days, the need for such lighting disappears, a week after birth, you can occasionally reduce the air temperature. To increase immunity in young animals, babies are vaccinated.
Chicken Diet
After the birth of the babies, they are fed every 2 hours, a week later they transfer food 5 times a day. The first dish of chickens is a boiled egg, boned in cereal, otherwise it will stick to the fluff. On the second day, you can add cottage cheese, vegetables, nettles. After 5 days, gravel and sand are introduced into the food. You can supplement the diet with special compound feed. After 30 days give the grain.
Milk should be discarded, but access to fresh water is required.
Herd replacement planned
Layers can lay eggs for 10 years, but after 3 years, productivity is significantly reduced. And the meat becomes not so soft and juicy, at this time it is possible to carry out a planned replacement of the herd.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
Pros of the breed of chicken Barneveldder:
- calm, good-natured disposition;
- high egg production;
- big eggs;
- tender and juicy meat;
- attractive shell of eggs;
- the breed brings not only eggs, but also meat;
- natural instinct of incubation;
- 95% of the offspring survive;
- disease resistance;
- average resistance to frost;
- some representatives of this breed take part in exhibitions.
Cons of the breed of chicken Barneveldder:
- joint diseases develop;
- need a large chicken coop and patio for walking;
- breed eggs or chickens are expensive.
Breed diseases
Diseases can only be avoided by vaccination. The birds of the Barneveldder breed love to move, if they limit the necessary living space, the birds begin to atrophy in the muscles, which leads to joint diseases.
Incorrect unsanitary conditions lead to the occurrence of parasitic diseases, a lack of vitamins in food leads to hypovitaminosis. A complete lack of vitamins is manifested in rare cases.
Avoidance of the disease in chickens is possible only when performing preventive actions:
- regular vaccination;
- keeping the chicken house clean;
- a large amount of fresh and clean water;
- Large enough patio for walks.
Poultry reviews
Oksana, 43 years old, psychiatrist, Moscow.We decided with my husband in the country to get these wonderful hens. Never regretted their act. The chicken brings about 170 eggs a year. For us, this is an excellent indicator. And even more so, the meat is very tasty and juicy.
Dmitry, 56 years old, poultry breeder, Krasnodar.I really like the breed of chicken Barneveldder, and the eggs are good, and the meat is excellent. The only drawback is that they often get sick. The muscles of the legs atrophy, and then it is difficult to do something with them. The main thing is that he created good conditions for them, and the courtyard is large, but all the same, the diseases attack.
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The breed of chickens Barneveldder is one of the most beautiful and productive. Birds attract breeders not only with their beautiful appearance, but also with the abundance of products that can be obtained from one layer. You don’t have to work hard on keeping the birds, you just need to build a large yard for them to walk and a cozy chicken coop.