Zagorsk salmon chicken breed: description, characteristics, reviews, photos

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Keeping chickens in a suburban area is profitable and not too troublesome. There are many breeds of this bird suitable for the harsh Russian climatic conditions. Among them is the Zagorsk salmon. Chickens are very productive and unpretentious.

History of Breeding

The Zagorskaya salmon chicken breed was obtained by crossing New Hampshires, Rhode Islands, as well as Yurlov and Russian whites. The result is a bird with a light beige "salmon" feather color. The work was carried out by breeders of the Zagorsk Institute. Hence the name of the breed. The exterior of males is very different from the appearance of hens. Their plumage is not salmon, but white with black and red. The breed was finally formed by 1959. Now she is one of the most popular.

Zagorskaya salmon breed of chickens: description

The main distinguishing features of this bird include the following:

• long, wide curved body;
• tight, well-developed belly;
• leafymedium straight comb;
• yellow skin, legs and beak.

Zagorsk chickens have a salmon feather on their chest, and a dark brown mane. Males have a black chest, belly, and tail, a silver mane, and a reddish-brown back.

Economic value

Roosters of this breed can grow up to a weight of 2.9-3.2 kg, slightly smaller hens - 2.5-2.7 kg. Zagorsk salmon chicken is also quite productive in terms of egg production. The hens of this breed lay all year round. For 12 months, one individual can lay up to 200 eggs. Their shell is distinguished by a pleasant light brown color. The mass of one testicle is 58-62 gr. In general, this bird is actually very good from an economic point of view - the Zagorsk salmon breed of chickens. You can see photos of its representatives on this page.

Reproduction

Zagorsk salmon chickens reach puberty quite early. Hens begin laying at the age of 5-5.5 months. The fertility of eggs in the breed is simply excellent - almost 96%. At the same time, the yield of young animals is about 88% percent.

Zagorsk salmon is one of the few modern breeds that has retained the instinct of incubation. Therefore, eggs can be left under the hens. But more often chickens are hatched in incubators.

The breed of chickens Zagorsk salmon is often used as a parent to obtain hybrids. In this case, crosses are usually made with Plymouth Rocks and New Hamshires. Chickens are brought together with Cornish and Kuchinsky jubilee. In both cases, it turns outvery viable, rapidly gaining weight offspring (up to 1.5 kg by 2.5 months). The safety of young Zagorsk salmon is 94%.

Zagorskaya salmon breed of chickens: reviews

Homesteaders consider these chickens to be a very good purchase and in most cases advise them to beginner poultry farmers. The productivity of Zagorsk chickens, judging by the reviews, is really very good. Some of the shortcomings of the owners of poultry houses include only their too active nature and some "naughtiness". Disease resistance is rated "excellent". Poultry farmers and the omnivorousness of this chicken are very praised, and they also note the rapid weight gain of the young.

How to hatch in an incubator

If none of the hens sat on the eggs, the chicks can be hatched artificially if necessary. Incubators are now inexpensive, and therefore there will certainly not be any problems with their acquisition. Eggs for hatching chicks can be collected within two weeks. They should be stored at a temperature of 8-15 degrees with a blunt end up.

Bookmarking is best done with all the eggs at once. Until the 11th day, the temperature inside the incubator should be maintained at 37.7-37.8 degrees. Up to 18 - 37.1-37.2, up to 21 - 36.9. That is, in the process of incubation, it must be gradually reduced little by little. If this is not done, some chicks may die at the last stage of development or hatch weakened.

Eggs should be turned twice a day during incubation. It would be better to sign them on both sides, for example,letters "U" (morning) and "B" (evening), so that there is no confusion. When turning over, spraying with a weak solution of potassium permanganate is also carried out at the same time.

Chickens

Chicks are born active, viable and large. The Zagorsk salmon breed of chickens is one of the few whose representatives can be distinguished by sex immediately after hatching. Chickens have cream stripes or spots on their backs. Males of the Zagorsk breed are born pure yellow. After a few days, their wings begin to grow black feathers. The hens have pinkish-cream down. Chickens gain weight very quickly. By three months, he is already about 2 kilograms.

Feeding Features

The Zagorsk salmon breed of chickens is quite large in size. Therefore, these birds can be given not only grain, but also corn. Chickens are truly omnivores. In addition to grains, they can be given root vegetables, vegetables, fruits, and even leftovers from the table (for example, soup or cereal). It is desirable to feed three to four times a day, alternating cereals with mash. If the grass does not grow in the paddock, between feedings you need to throw cabbage leaves, quinoa, carrot tops, nettles, etc.

Despite the fact that the Zagorsk salmon chicken is very hardy and viable, it needs to be fed only with fresh, high-quality products. Do not give moldy bread or rotten carrots. Potatoes can be boiled or raw. In the latter case, shoots are removed from it (they are poisonous for chickens, as well as for people) and rubbed on a largegrater.

In the mash, be sure to add a little s alt (it is important not to overdo it, otherwise it can lead to poisoning) and chalk. To increase egg production, special mixtures are produced today. You can add them little by little. It is useful to give chickens and grated egg shells. In a poultry house or on a paddock, you should definitely put a container with coarse sand and small pebbles.

Content Features

Of course, like any other, the Zagorsk salmon chicken breed needs a well-equipped barn. In the poultry house, you need to fill perches (at a height of 80 cm from the floor), hang nests and put a feeder with a drinker. Salmon chickens are usually kept on the run. This bird is very lively and active. Therefore, cells are contraindicated for her. The walk is made spacious, preferably on the south side of the barn. If you decide to release chickens directly into the yard, you will have to keep an eye on them. The bird is quite cunning and will definitely find a way to get into the owner's or neighbor's garden and eat vegetables from the beds.

Zagorskaya salmon breed of chickens, whose performance characteristics were given above, in addition to everything else, it also tolerates cold well. Therefore, it is not necessary to heat the barn. But you need to lay straw, hay or sawdust on the floor with a very thick (at least 40 cm) layer. This pillow will become a real heater on cold days. It will begin to undergo various biological processes with the release of heat.

Can containZagorsk chickens in winter and without such bedding. However, in this case, their egg production will significantly decrease and will be restored only by the summer.

As you can see, the care of the Zagorsk salmon breed of chickens is very simple. These birds eat almost everything, get sick extremely rarely and have a very temperamental character. If you follow some rules, which are not so many, you can diversify your table with organic eggs and delicious chicken meat.