Oryol chicken: description, breeding specifics and species features

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

There are many good domestic breeds of chickens. One of the best, but, unfortunately, at the same time quite rare, is Oryol. This bird was bred back in Tsarist Russia. Further in the article, we will find out, Oryol chicken - what kind of breed and how to properly care for it.

History of selection

There are several versions about the origin of this breed. It is not known exactly where such a name came from - Oryol. Some researchers believe that it came from the city of the same name. Others are sure that this bird received the name Oryol by the name of the first breeder. Presumably, he was Orlov-Chesmensky - a favorite of Catherine II. With a high degree of probability, it can be assumed that the Malay and Ukrainian eared became the parent for this breed of chickens. The first, most likely, was once brought to the Carpathian region of Gilan. The fact is that even at exhibitions Oryol chicken in Tsarist Russia was often called Gilyan.

The standard for this breed was established in 1914. In largequantities of it were bred in the vicinity of Tula, Moscow and Orel. Unfortunately, after the Second World War, the Oryol breed almost completely disappeared. Only German breeders managed to partially restore the livestock. They carried out numerous crossings of Oryol and Malay chickens. In 1949, 127 individuals were already brought to one of the exhibitions.

In the 70s, attempts were made to restore the breed in Russia. At this time, the domestic poultry farmer M. N. Vinokurov brought several Oryol chickens from the GDR. These individuals played a huge role in the restoration of the breed in our country. However, at present, in large quantities, these chickens are bred only in the village of Pavlovskoye in the Moscow region. However, breeders of this breed say that many farmers are showing great interest in the young they sell.

Description of the breed

Oryol chickens are bred mainly as meat and egg. However, the decorative characteristics of this breed are also very high. Previously, Oryol cockerels were also used as fighting ones. The main distinguishing features of this breed are:

• High torso. In males, it is set almost vertically, which looks very impressive.
• Strong legs.
• Very well developed brow ridges.
• Highly curved (more than any other breed) short beak.
• Crimson-shaped small comb with feathers.
• Shiny dense plumage.
• Great height and weight.

The color of the Oryol chicken is very beautiful. The most common varieties are scarlet, black, white, mahogany and chintz. The latter type of color is most valued by modern poultry farmers. The legs of these chickens must be yellow and thick. A sign of the breed and a lemon-colored beak, as well as amber eyes.

Poultry productivity

You can get a lot of meat from chickens of the Oryol breed. An adult cockerel weighs about 3.5-4 kg. Chickens are a little smaller - 2.5-3 kg. Representatives of this breed also differ in very good indicators in terms of egg production. For a year, one chicken can bring up to 140-150 pieces. Eggs are distinguished by their white shell color and rather large size - 60 g.

What should be the house

How is it right to keep a bird like the Oryol chicken? This breed of chickens is very unpretentious. However, it is, of course, necessary to create good conditions for her. The poultry house for Oryol chickens should be spacious enough and at the same time light. Otherwise, the hens will reduce their egg production.

This breed is cold-resistant, so it is not necessary to equip a barn heating system in winter. But in cold weather, in the very frosts, it is worth installing a heater in the chicken coop, or at least hang a few incandescent lamps, near which the bird can warm up.

The floor in the barn for the winter should be covered with a thick layer of sawdust. Such a litter will subsequently play the role of a kind of biological heater, since fermentation and decay processes will begin to occur in it with the release of heat. In the spring, the chicken coop should be carefullyclean out. Bedding, along with other garbage, is taken out to the compost heap.

Feeding Features

Developing a well-balanced diet is also what the Orlov hen requires. The breed of these chickens in relation to the "menu" is not too demanding. They feed the Oryol bird in the same way as any other meat and egg direction of productivity. That is, the diet of chickens can be dry, wet or combined. The latter method is best suited for this bird. The dry method involves high feeding costs. Indeed, in this case, the owners of a home farm will have to buy a lot of grain, feed and bran. These foods are quite expensive.

Wet method allows you to save on the maintenance of chickens and achieve quite high productivity rates. Not too good for the Oryol breed, it is suitable primarily because of the physiological characteristics of this bird. The fact is that these cockerels and hens have a very well developed beard. At the same time, representatives of the Oryol breed love to peck off the remains of the mash from her neighbors in the barn. With prolonged feeding with wet mixtures, most chickens lose their spectacular appearance. Agree, a plucked beard does not look very aesthetically pleasing.

Therefore, mash, which should include ingredients such as grated carrots, potatoes and beets, carved cabbage and herbs (nettles, tops of root crops, quinoa, etc.), must be combined with dry food. Along with wetchickens should be given wheat and bran. Mixers can be filled with skimmed meat or meat broth (from waste). Chalk and vitamin supplements are also helpful.

Content Features

Oryol chicken (photos clearly demonstrate its powerful constitution) - the breed, as already mentioned, is fighting. And although this bird has not been used in competitions for more than a century, it even retained its aggressive character. Therefore, it is worth keeping such chickens and cockerels separately from representatives of other breeds.

Otherwise, the technology of caring for this bird is similar to the method of breeding any other domestic chickens. Most often, Oryol contain the usual floor method. Since this bird is quite active and large, it will feel extremely uncomfortable in a cage. Walking is also what the Oryol chicken needs. The content of this breed in the presence of a fenced area next to the barn will be much more successful. Walking, including in winter, contributes to the better development of young animals and partially solves the problem of vitamin D deficiency.

Chickens of the Oryol breed

Of course, it will be very expensive to buy young animals or eggs of this bird to update the livestock every time. Indeed, until now, the Oryol breed in our country is considered quite rare. And therefore, such a bird is expensive. Therefore, many homeowners prefer to breed it themselves.

Incubation of eggs of Oryol chickens is carried out as usual. But caring for the young is somewhatdiffers from the methods of keeping chicks of other breeds. The fact is that Oryol chickens develop rather slowly. The disadvantage of the Oryol breed is precisely its late maturity. Chicks do not fledge for a long time and love to eat a lot. But they hatch strong and he althy. Loss among Oryol chickens is usually very small.

Breeding work

Many farm owners, in addition to keeping Oryol chickens for meat and eggs, also pay great attention to the preservation and improvement of this breed. Those who really care about this domestic variety should follow certain rules when breeding it. Producers must be:

• massive;
• long-legged;
• with a well-developed crest;
• with as hooked beak as possible;
• yellowfoot.

Another sign that you should pay attention to when breeding a bird like the Oryol chicken is the suit. For variegated varieties, as uniform a color as possible is recommended. Of course, you can not use for breeding not yet fully formed bird.

Orlovskaya chicken: reviews of farmers

Since this breed is very productive, farmers have a very good opinion about it. This bird is kept mainly by lovers of varieties of domestic selection. In our country, even a club of lovers of this particular ancient breed has been created. Its members care about its preservation and increasing its popularity among Russian farmers.

Orlovskaya chicken is one of the best ancient domestic breeds. And although this bird has certain drawbacks, such as late ripening and aggressiveness, it certainly deserves the attention of Russian farmers. This bird can be bred as a general household one, or simply as a decorative one.