Dwarf chickens: breeds, their description and photos

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

Amateur poultry farmers are increasingly paying attention to ornamental birds, which include dwarf chickens. Interesting appearance, high egg production and tasty dietary meat make them more and more popular.

Famous Breeds

All decorative chickens are divided not only into meat and egg breeds. There are special species that are bred exclusively for decorative purposes. Chickens of dwarf breeds usually weigh no more than 1 kg. Their egg production usually does not exceed 130 eggs per year.

The most common are such dwarf chickens:

- bantam;

- Padua;

- pygmy cochinchin;

- dwarf Wyandotte;

- black (silk);

- la flush dwarf;

- dwarf New England;

- Dutch white-crested;

- dwarf gate;

- bantam java;

- Orlov calico dwarf;

- millefler;

- shabot.

But these are not all known dwarf chickens. Breeds (a photo of representatives allows you to understand how attractive they are), bred for decorative purposes, attract even professionalpoultry farmers.

Wyandot dwarf

The first representatives of this species appeared in the 19th century. His ancestors were Seabright Bantams, Cochinchins, Dark Brahmas and Hamburg breeds.

These decorative dwarf chickens look quite attractive. The body of the bird is dense and wide, the legs of cockerels are powerful with yellow plumage. Young hens can start laying eggs at 5 to 7 months of age. Up to 120 eggs can be obtained from them per year, the weight of which is about 50 grams. Dwarf Wyandots differ in that they are prone to incubation. In a year they can produce up to 3 broods of young chickens.

But in Russia, these dwarf chickens are not very common, although their population in the world is quite large. Experts say that silver-banded chickens are considered the most popular, but there are about 15 color options in total.

Dutch white-crested

This ornamental dwarf chicken has been known for a long time. Its first images were dated to the 15th century. The Dutch white-crested breed is distinguished by a huge lush feather crest on its head. In all representatives of this species, it is white. Also, belonging to the breed is established by a black spot located at the base of the beak. It is shaped like a moth.

The body of most birds is covered with black feathers with a greenish tint, sometimes with red patches. The comb habitual for chickens in the Dutch white-crested is practically absent. But they have big bright red earrings. They stand out especially inroosters.

Black plumage, although the most common, is not the only one. There are also blue and brown Dutch white-crested dwarf chickens. Breeds, the photo of which makes it possible to appreciate all their advantages, require special care. For example, Dutch white-cresteds need to trim their feather comb, otherwise it grows to the shoulders of the bird.

Paduans

The first recorded dwarf chickens were more than 100 years ago. Paduans are representatives of decorative crested breeds. But, unlike other species, their feather comb is sparse, long and falls back. The beak of the Paduans is curved, it is bluish-gray in color. Lobes and earrings are small, often they are not even visible from under the feathers. The body of the Paduans is elongated, it tapers towards the back. Their tail is broad and well feathered. The wings are long, they are tightly pressed to the body.

Despite the fact that paduans are considered ornamental chickens, they are also bred in subsidiary farms. They can lay up to 120 eggs a year, and gourmets appreciate their meat.

Dwarf Cochinchins

Most poultry breeders who are fond of breeding ornamental breeds emphasize those species that resemble a ball in shape. This is what dwarf cochinchin chickens look like.

Chickens are completely covered with feathers from head to toe. Their beak is yellow, it is slightly curved, the crest is leaf-shaped. Ordinary and decorative birds of this breed practically do not differ, standard cochinchins look almost the same anddwarf chickens. A layman can even confuse photos of representatives of both breeds. Although the dwarf species looks like a ball due to its compact size, and ordinary cochinchins are quite large.

Their neck is of medium length, the back is slightly curved and rises in the lumbar region. The chest of dwarf cochinchins is well developed. Their legs are set wide. What distinguishes them is that they are covered with feathers to the very fingers. The wings and tail of chickens are rounded, they are quite short. It is almost impossible to list all the color variations of dwarf cochinchins.

Bantams

Distinguishes this breed of chickens unpretentiousness, cheerful disposition, cockiness. They do not tolerate low temperatures well, their comb, earrings and even legs can freeze, but they are resistant to various diseases. If the bantams are cold, they will eat poorly, lose weight and even die. Therefore, it is important to keep them in insulated poultry houses in winter.

Bantams, like many other dwarf breeds of chickens, are excellent hens. They can lay eggs of various birds. They can hatch the offspring of valuable breeds of geese, ducks, chickens and other birds. To do this, you just need to provide them with enough food and water.

Young birds begin to rush at the age of 7 months. Chickens are very mobile, they quickly gain weight and are distinguished by increased survivability. Birds of this breed fledge early.

Black breeds

Silk, or, as they are also called, blacks,dwarf chickens have been known for over 2 millennia. But their standard was set only in the 19th century in America. Black chickens differ in that, regardless of their color, their earlobes, beak and leaf-shaped comb are painted blue. They have 5 fingers on their paws, the last one being distant from the other four.

Interestingly, the feel of bird feathers is very similar to wool. That is why they are called silk. The chest and back of these birds are wide, the body is cubic, the shape of the body is, as it were, rounded on all sides. The legs of black chickens are short with dense plumage. The color of these breeds of birds can be anything, there are both bright piebald, and light blue and even white representatives.

Annually, such a dwarf chicken can lay about 120 eggs. She can hatch not only her offspring. Birds of this breed are able to breed young of any birds.

Japanese bantams

Shabo birds have been known for centuries. Japan is considered their homeland. In the countries of Southeast Asia, Japanese bantams were bred as pet birds in the homes of we althy people.

Despite the fact that many dwarf breeds of chickens are demanding on conditions of detention and prone to disease, Japanese bantams are quite tenacious. They are considered among the hardiest of all ornamental birds.

Shabo chickens differ in short legs and relatively massive body. They have a short back, long wings that touch the ground, and a convex chest. The head of Japanese bantams is large, the crest is from 4-5leaf-shaped teeth, the color of the beak matches the color of the plumage, it is strong and short. Tail feathers, located on the tail, are raised high. They have feathers on their necks. Japanese bantams can be black and silver, gold, porcelain, wheat color.

Features of keeping ornamental breeds

If you are attracted to little chickens, and you can create the right conditions for them, then you need to know a few nuances of caring for them. Decorative breeds are thermophilic. It is important for them to make a warm house, otherwise there is a risk of losing all the chickens. At any time, it must contain at least 15 oS.

Dwarf breeds need to be fed in much the same way as normal breeds. They need a varied diet that includes grains, greens, cottage cheese, food waste and vitamin supplements.

The house should have a bathing tub filled with sand or dried ground clay. Bathing in it helps the birds get rid of parasites. Near the chicken coop there should be an area for their walking. It is desirable to sow it with grass.

Most ornamental hens start laying after six months. At the same time, their weight at this moment is about 0.6-0.7 kg.

In order for dwarf hens to incubate eggs, nests must be prepared for them. These can be shallow boxes, the bottom of which must be lined with straw. The best hens are hens at 2-4 years of age. During the hatching period, they must be provided with water and food and organized daily walking at any time.season. It is impossible to disturb the hens only on the first and last day of incubation.