Chinese breeds of chickens that lay colored eggs. Unique Chinese breed of chickens Uheiliuy. The unique composition of green eggs

A Russian-speaking person with difficulty pronounces the name of an extraordinary breed of chickens uheiliui. Translated into Russian, this means "five blacks and one green." It was bred in China, but the exact information about the time of its origin and the details of its derivation have not reached the present day. The main difference between the bird is absolutely black plumage and green eggs.

There is evidence that the bird of this breed was almost forgotten by Chinese farmers and, in fact, was on the verge of extinction. However, the 80s of the last century practically revived the breed.

By a lucky chance, representatives of birds were found in southern China. These surviving specimens produced several generations of offspring in a decade. So the breed was saved.

The rebirth of an ancient breed excited the scientific community. The doubts of scientists about the belonging of the bred chickens to the Uheiliuy breed persisted for a long time, but the results of observation and genetic examination managed to dispel them. Subsequently, the efforts of scientists were directed to the conservation and breeding of rare birds.

Description

Representatives of the breed are characterized by a peaceful character. They are not able to enter into interspecies clashes, they easily get along even in a small room. Females sometimes show fearfulness, only then do the roosters express some aggression towards the irritant, protecting their female team.

Peculiarities:

  1. The main distinguishing feature of birds, which attracts general interest in the breed, is the black color of the skin.
  2. The eyes are also coal-colored and large.
  3. The ridge is larger than in ordinary rocks, leaf-shaped, formed from 5-6 ledges.
  4. The earrings are strongly pronounced, covered with a characteristic black pigment with a dark purple tint.
  5. The chicken carcass has a compact shape, and the tail is elongated.
  6. The excellent development of the breast and wings allows it to fly short distances, and if there is a threat of attack, it will easily fly over a fence 2 meters high.
  7. The body is densely feathered. The feathers are black, but in bright light a greenish tint appears. Feathers hide a rather thick downy cover.
  8. The bird is securely held by medium-sized paws with a specific black and gray color.

An adult rooster weighs about two kilograms, the weight of a female is about 1.5 kg. But the meat of such chickens is very much appreciated by gourmets, as it is distinguished by tenderness and an abundance of useful substances.

The breed is characterized by average egg production, one hen brings 160-180 eggs per year. Their shell is green. The eggs themselves are small, weighing 48-53 g, but they contain a disproportionately large yolk (8% more than in chickens of other breeds).

What is unique about green eggs

The value of eggs is their exceptional healing composition. Eating such a product in food is very useful, they are easily digested.

Green eggs are rich in:

  • Lecithin;
  • Amino acids;
  • Vitamins A, E and group B;
  • selenium;
  • Iodine;
  • Zinc.

This is an incomplete list of healing elements. Substances with the highest content are listed. Studies have proven the usefulness of emerald eggs in a medical sense. They have a positive effect in the treatment of anorexia, cicero, have a beneficial effect on increasing immunity, and help the development of the child's body.

Besides:

  • Help in the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system;
  • Support the body in diseases of the thyroid gland;
  • Have the ability to slow down aging;
  • Help with hormonal problems;
  • Improve digestion;
  • Helps lower cholesterol.

Many connoisseurs call green eggs uheilyuy a product for the mind, beauty, health, and life. The Chinese claim that eating one such egg every day promotes health.

Breeding Features

Chinese chickens uheilyuy are excellent hens. They responsibly carry out their main business - incubation of eggs, which they are able to carry only from the eighth month of life. Sometimes they are used to help incubate other hens.

Consequently, the breed is bred without much difficulty, but it must be borne in mind that the bird family must have several males for the purpose of fertilization. Monogamy can lead to the loss of the valuable qualities of the breed, and birds can get sick.

A newborn chick is born with:

  • Black eyes;
  • A calf covered with ash-colored down.

They take a long time to gain weight and feather. At the age of two months, females weigh about 600 g, and males - 800 g.

The principles of rearing the young generation do not differ much from keeping chickens of other species:

  • No drafts or temperature fluctuations;
  • Before reaching the age of one week, babies cannot be transported, moved, the risk of their death is up to 50%;
  • Babies are fed with a green egg of the mother, it is the yolk that is more useful;
  • The content of the feed mixture: boiled yolk, semolina, corn, wheat groats;
  • Mandatory vaccination;
  • Adding finely chopped green leaves and cottage cheese to the menu;
  • Starting from a month, you can diversify the diet with ready-made feeds and fortified mixtures;
  • Constant availability of fresh water.

Important! Do not add fresh eggs to the feed, otherwise the need to peck masonry may develop. They must be boiled, chopped and ground with cereals.

If your plans include breeding Chinese black chickens on your farm, then it is best to purchase young stock in China, the cost of chickens at home is much less than here.

Conditions of detention

There are no specific features of the content, with the exception of the need to follow a couple of principles in order to save livestock:

  • Protection of these unusual chickens from the cold, because they are not able to get used to it. Decreasing to -2 ° C is detrimental to them. In the chicken coop, a temperature of + 16 ° C should be constantly maintained;
  • Mandatory presence of a yard for walking, since it is unacceptable to keep a bird of this breed in cages.

There is nothing special in providing the living conditions of this breed of birds. The main rule is to give her space and regular meals.

The owner should organize a small walking yard with a fence in the form of a net or a high fence to protect them from predatory animals and birds. The aviary must be equipped with a roof.

Everything must be thought out to the smallest detail in order to avoid encountering unexpected complications at the most inopportune moment.

Feeding rules

Bird feeding should be organized taking into account the main feature, which is that the feed should preferably be soft, soaked, in the form of different mashes.

They consume food in small quantities:

  1. In the cold season, it is recommended to give heated food, as hens spend more energy on raising eggs.
  2. Laying hens benefit from a daily intake of calcium so that the shells are not soft, therefore, the mash should contain eggshells.
  3. It is recommended to feed the birds with greens daily. Vegetable tops and vegetable mixture are diluted with compound feed and warm broth.

Important! The nutrition of birds must be balanced, otherwise the unique qualities of the Uheiliuy chicken breed may be lost.

Content Advantages and Disadvantages

Farmers call the following advantages of breeding birds of the Chinese breed:

  • Peacefulness of character allows you not to be afraid of pecking and conflicts with other poultry;
  • Outlandish beauty at the same time with unpretentious care;
  • A relatively high level of egg production, which makes it possible to obtain, along with this, a product with healing qualities.

Poultry farmers do not name negative aspects in breeding, since chickens are able to take root under normal conditions, excluding closed cages and frosts.

The only difficulty in intensive breeding of livestock can be the high cost of chicken, hatching eggs and their rarity.

For lovers of the exotic, breeding this breed of chickens will help to organically combine their aesthetic preferences with useful properties meat and green eggs of chickens.

Chickens of different breeds have a completely different appearance. Various colors, sizes and character allow you to choose a bird for any purpose. Among all this variety there are very unusual uheilyuy chickens. This is an ancient black breed, whose representatives carry green eggs. When she was noticed, she was on the verge of extinction. Only the urgent work of breeders and livestock specialists made it possible to preserve the uheiliuy and start breeding a unique bird. You can now buy black chickens in different countries and you need to know what kind of care they need. In order for the bird to remain healthy and strong, it is necessary to provide it with quality living conditions and proper feeding.

The origin of the Chinese black chicken breed Wuheyilü

The name of chickens uheilyuy is translated from Chinese as "four black and one green." The bird comes from China, and according to one of the theories of origin, it was bred by crossing chickens and pheasants. There is no scientific confirmation of this version. Other assumptions about how unique chickens with black feathers and skin appeared have also not been scientifically confirmed. The breed was first mentioned during the Ming Dynasty and it was written Uheyilyuy.

Today in China, the breed is recognized as especially valuable, and a state program has been developed to maintain it, in accordance with which genetically valuable individuals are preserved.

Until the 80s of the 20th century, the uheilui was forgotten, and the chickens that were kept by Chinese peasants gradually died out, being replaced by more productive birds. In the 80s, a group of scientists discovered a family of chickens in one of the villages in the southern province of China, which were already considered completely extinct. Genetic examinations confirmed the purebredness of the discovered birds. Difficulties in the revival of the breed were due to the fact that only 2 hens and 1 rooster were preserved at the time of discovery. Only complex work allowed to keep uheilyuy.

The program has state funding, thanks to which uheiliuy chickens are not only multiplied, but also began to be exported to many countries in small quantities.

Description of the breed

It is not difficult to distinguish this bird from other breeds due to the special black skin, including on the face, crest and earrings, which, due to the proximity of the vessels to the surface, have a slight purple tint. It is impossible to confuse chickens with others because of this. The beak and paws also have a black color.

The main characteristics of the Uheilyuy breed are:

  • black skin has an even color without light spots;
  • plumage of increased density, characterized by an abundance of down - feathers are shiny, black with a green tint when exposed to light. Fluff matte, without reflux;
  • leaf-shaped comb with 6 teeth;
  • elongated earrings;
  • the color of the comb, earrings, earlobes and face is black with a purple tint;
  • paws are medium, strong, dark gray in color;
  • black eyes;
  • the figure is rounded, wide.

Character

There is no aggressiveness in the character of chickens, and they easily get along with neighbors in the poultry house. At the same time, females are somewhat shy. Roosters actively guard their harem, but at the same time they do not show causeless pugnacity. They only attack if there is a threat to the chickens.

The behavior of black chickens is very interesting, which is why you can watch them for hours.

The bird is inquisitive and active. She needs walks in a spacious range. Breeders claim that this breed stands out among others for its high intelligence and quick memorization of a large number of words. They get used to the owner quickly and do not show aggression.

Productivity: green eggs and meat

Read about why you need a rooster in a chicken coop.

Despite the fact that poultry meat is considered a delicacy, due to its rarity, it is sent for slaughter only in isolated cases.

Sexual maturity occurs in the period from 6 to 8 months. Then the hens start laying eggs. They give up to 180 eggs per year weighing 50 g. The color of the shell is green. The composition of the eggs of these chickens is unique. In them, all substances are in the most convenient form for absorption by the body, and their concentration significantly exceeds that present in the product obtained from laying hens of other breeds. The yolk in uheilui eggs is 8% more than in the eggs of other chickens.

They also help prevent the development of diseases. of cardio-vascular system and greatly enhance immunity.

Doctors from Shanghai University have confirmed the unique anti-cancer properties of green-shell eggs.

The well-being of a bird is impossible without its proper maintenance. Being a natural species that was formed in antiquity, the breed is highly immune, but this does not mean that birds can not be taken care of. For them, it is required to prepare a quality poultry house and paddock.

The chicken coop, in which black chickens will settle, requires heating, as they do not tolerate cold at all. Already at a temperature of -2 o C, they cannot be let out for walking. In the poultry house, it is required to maintain the temperature from +15 o C to +18 o C. To do this, it is most convenient to use electric heaters or several.

There should be no drafts in the room where the chickens are kept. To prevent them, all cracks are sealed, and the walls are insulated. arrange in such a way that it provides a high-quality influx of fresh air, but does not cause a draft. Dampness in the chicken coop is also not acceptable. Ventilation and heating protect against it.

Walking for uheilyuy is a must. The bird is not adapted to life in cages or a long stay in a small limited area. Because of this, the house is built so that in winter the pets can move freely in it and not suffer from crowding. To increase the area for movement in the poultry house, it is useful to make wooden walkways with ladders that chickens can climb. However, they do not replace perches.

If walkways with ladders are made in the aviary for walking, raised above the ground and leading to, the risk of pecking eggs is reduced by 95%.

Diseases of laying hens can be found at.

Creating a safe walking yard, because the bird will not be able to sit in cages. Otherwise, the content requirements are the same as for other chickens by the state.")

In the poultry house, the bedding on the wooden floor is made from sawdust. It should be 12-15 cm thick. It should be sprinkled regularly so that the layer does not become thinner due to trampling and pollution. For the winter in the barn, you need to arrange a bath similar to a street one. Illumination in the winter period is obligatory, since the daylight hours of 12-14 hours are required to maintain the health of the bird. Read about chicken coop bedding with bacteria.

Feeding Uheilyuy and Lakendadzti (Lakedanzti)

Feeding has great importance. The health of chickens also depends on how well it is organized.

Black chickens especially love soft food.

The basic rules for feeding birds are given below.

  • In winter, despite the warm barn, it is necessary to provide the bird with more high-calorie food.
  • In cold weather, the mash should be given warm, so it is poured with heated broth or milk.
  • High egg production takes away a lot of calcium from the bird, and premixes with minerals should be added to the diet daily.
  • You can not choose complexes and premixes, the action of which is aimed at increasing egg production. Their use does not give a noticeable result, but they seriously undermine the health of chickens.
  • The maximum variety of feed - monotony in nutrition harms chickens. To maintain the health of a bird in good condition, it is necessary to diversify its menu. the maximum number cereal feeds and various additives of animal origin.
  • Vegetarian food is needed by the bird daily. In winter, chickens are given vegetables, and in summer various greens.

In the warm season, food is given in the morning and evening. On the first feeding, the bird receives grain, and on the second - a wet mash with premixes. Food must be eaten within 30 minutes. The rest should be removed. Greens chickens give a lot - for the whole day. You can find out about food for laying hens at.

You can't keep the mix. All leftovers should be thrown away.

Drinkers should always have fresh clean water. These chickens love to drink. Wash the drinker should be daily, as well as replace the water in it.

WITH different types drinking bowls for chickens can be found in.

In winter, chickens are fed 3 times a day. In the morning and evening, pets are given grain, and in the afternoon - a warm, moist mash.

Care

Grooming is essential to prevent diseases in chickens. If the bird is not taken care of properly, then immunity gradually decreases from the constant overload of the body. As a result, chickens weaken, lose productivity, start to get sick and die. To prevent problems, you must follow all the rules of care.

  • Major cleaning of the poultry house once a year in the spring. At the same time, all litter must be removed from the barn and disinfected. To do this, the walls, ceiling and floor are whitewashed with lime. You can also use a sulfur checker for disinfection. This treatment is carried out in the absence of birds in the chicken coop. After the room must be very well ventilated.
  • Regular cleaning of the top layer of bedding. This is necessary so that litter does not accumulate. After removing the contaminated layer of sawdust, a new one is added. The thickness of the litter should always remain sufficient.
  • Cleaning and drinkers. Held daily. Stagnant water and food residues are a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. To prevent chickens from suffering from intestinal infections, it is necessary not only to wash the equipment hot water, but also wash it with a weak solution of manganese.
  • Nest cleaning. A chicken will not lay in a dirty nest. The bedding in the box or basket should be checked daily and replaced as needed. If an egg was broken in the nest, the entire litter must be completely replaced and the nest itself must be washed. It is impossible for chickens to taste the taste of a raw egg, as this can provoke pecking.
  • Bath filler change. Replace the sand-ash mixture completely once a month. Partial replacement due to contamination is needed as needed.

Breeding chicken in Russia

If you want to get an unusual inhabitant of the house, representatives of the breed can also be found in Russia. Available for purchase: hatching eggs (the price per piece is about 500 rubles), chickens (the cost, depending on age, from 800 rubles to 3,000 rubles per head) and pullets (their cost is around 10,000 rubles per bird).

A well-developed incubation instinct and a high percentage of egg fertility allow, having small family chickens, quickly increase their number in your backyard, and also breed them for sale. The process of raising chickens and incubating eggs is no different from that required for other breeds.

Video

This video tells about an unusual breed of chickens, about keeping and caring for them.

conclusions

  1. Uheilyuy, as well as Lakendadzti (Lakedanzti) - according to the description is an ancient breed, which is not numerous today.
  2. Green eggs are of particular value for human health.
  3. For chickens of this breed, a heated chicken coop is required.
  4. Laying hens have a well-developed incubation instinct.
  5. The bird has a high immunity.
  6. Representatives of the breed have an unusual character.

Read how to make perches for chickens with your own hands.

Hello dear readers! Uheilyuy breed of chickens in our material. We all know that nature is diverse and amazing. Today's article will introduce you to another unique facet of nature. The unique chickens that we will talk about in today's article are truly worthy of attention. So, consider the unusual breed of chickens Uheilyuy. Break your tongue!

They are also called Lakedanzi, but it’s also not easy to pronounce.

History of origin.

The name of this extraordinary chicken is difficult to pronounce for a Russian-speaking person. uheilyuy - Chinese chicken, whose name in translation means "four black and one green." A unique klusha comes from China, and it is impossible to say exactly when it appeared. The first mentions date back to the Ming Dynasty.

It is known that she was on the verge of extinction, and the local farmers almost forgot about her until her representatives were found in the southern Chinese village. This event took place in the 80s of the last century.

The new discovery of an ancient breed made a lot of noise in scientific circles, because scientists doubted for a long time whether these were really uheiliuy chickens. After genetic examinations, no one had any doubts that these were surviving representatives of the species, and then scientists took measures to preserve them.

The conservation problem was that scientists had only 3 individuals for breeding - 2 hens and 1 cockerel. But, despite this, they managed to preserve a rare species. There is a theory that they originated from local quails and wild pheasants, but it has not yet found scientific confirmation and remains only a hypothesis.

To date, a state program has been created in China to preserve genetically valuable chickens, and annually money is allocated from the budget for this noble cause. Of course, by now the number of beauties has increased, and they can be found outside their historical homeland, although extremely rarely.

Uheilyuy - external signs

Chickens with an unpronounceable name are very easy to distinguish from any others. They are completely black, as they say - from head to toe, even skin. Chinese women cannot boast of large carcasses - their weight is no more than 2 kg. Roosters on average gain 1.8-2 kg, and clumps up to one and a half.

The medium-sized body is covered with a dense feather coat, with a sufficient amount of down. Feathers cast a greenish tint, and the comb, earrings and earlobes give off purple. Paws of medium size with a grayish tint.

Especially impressive are the huge black eyes. Scallop leaf-shaped - very well developed. Each has 5-6 teeth.

Character

Uheilyuy breed of chickens with a calm and peaceful disposition. They easily get along with each other and have little conflict. Farmers who are faced with breeding these clovers claim that they are shy, although roosters always come out to protect the fair half of the herd.

They are active and curious, so they need to go for walks. Get used to the owner relatively quickly, contact. The behavior of klush is quite interesting - you can watch them for hours.

  • Interesting fact

In Yichang, a beauty contest was once held among feathered ladies. So it was there that the magnificent representative of Uheyilyuy, who “danced” to the Chinese folk song, became the winner. After that, "Miss Clush" was sold at a charity auction for $800.

Sexual maturity and egg production

The layers in question do not ripen quickly and not slowly - from 6 to 8 months maximum. representatives ancient look very valuable laying hens, and not in quantitative terms. And not because they delight their owners with unusual green-shelled eggs.

All the value lies in their unique healing composition, the use of which brings a large number of beneficial consequences.

The unique composition of green eggs

The weight of exotic testicles is small - up to 50 grams. The composition is truly amazing. Here is a list of valuable substances that are contained in them.

  • Lecithin.
  • A and E.
  • B group vitamins.
  • Selenium.
  • Zinc.
  • Amino acids.

This is not the whole list of useful substances. Only those elements with the highest concentration are presented.

Due to such a unique composition, scientists of the Second Shanghai Medical University began to show interest in them. After research, they confirmed the therapeutic and prophylactic qualities of this product.

After such statements by the luminaries of science, the product began to be actively used in traditional medicine directly in China and far beyond its borders. Today, an extract from them is used as the basis for dietary supplements and other drugs.

Among the diseases that poultry products can heal are the following.

  1. Anorexia.
  2. growth retardation.
  3. Hormonal problems.
  4. Diseases of the thyroid gland.
  5. immunodeficiency syndrome.
  6. Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
  7. Gynecological disorders.
  8. digestive problems.

Hatching ability

The ancient black mother hen is very good as a mother. The incubation instinct in question is very well developed, so they can be bred without problems even in the absence of an incubator.

In addition, they can be involved in the performance of maternal duty to replace those kluchs who refuse this business due to the loss of the incubation instinct.

Chickens

Day old chicks are the cutest creatures in the world. They are born black fluffies, with a bit of ashy fuzz on their tummies and black eyes. They grow at an average pace, and do not fledge very quickly.

By 2 months, girls weigh 500-600 grams, and boys up to 800 grams. When it comes to caring for babies, it is practically the same. Here are the basic rules for growing healthy offspring.

  1. The breed does not tolerate drafts, cold and sudden changes in temperature. It is especially important to maintain a normal microclimate for chickens. An unacceptable mistake is the transportation of babies under the age of 1 week - this almost always leads to the death of half of the cubs. Consider this nuance when buying chicks.
  2. It is imperative to feed the crumbs with green eggs from their relatives. So more likely to get healthy offspring. Especially useful for growing organisms is the yolk, which in this case exceeds standard sizes. Mix them with cereals - wheat, semolina, corn. Scientists claim that nutrients, which are contained in the egg, are better absorbed if it is boiled well.
  3. Strictly observe the regimen.
  4. Let the diet of kids be rich in greens, cottage cheese.
  5. Already at the age of one month, you can give specialized ready-made feeds, but do not forget about mineral-vitamin mixtures, which are more relevant than ever during the growth period.
  6. Fresh and clean water should always be in children's drinkers.

By the way, regarding the purchase of birds, hatching eggs or chickens. It is better to do it directly in China. But, only not in megacities - rural and provincial breeders sell eggs and adult birds several times cheaper.

The diet of adult birds

Another area of ​​​​care for Chinese quons that will not bring you problems is food. In fact, a traditional chicken diet is suitable for them, although they prefer to consume soft foods. Another advantage is that they eat very little.

Let's take a look at some feeding tips.

  • The nutritional value of the diet in winter should be higher because more energy is expended to maintain a stable body temperature.
  • Keep warm in cold weather. Just fill the ingredients with warmed broth or some other liquid.
  • Add mineral mixtures to your meals daily because clovers have a high laying rate and need calcium.
  • It is not recommended to use premixes to improve performance. Firstly, laying hens almost do not respond to them, and secondly, they are harmful to health.
  • Diversify the menu - use all available types of cereals or ready-made combined feeds.
  • Greens, tops, vegetables - these products should be in the feeders every day. In winter, they will be replaced by root crops, dry grass, and vitamin supplements.

Conditions of detention

The most important rule of keeping is to protect birds from frost. No walking if it's less than -2 degrees outside. Optimum temperature in the chicken coop - 15-16 degrees. They are not adapted to frost, although they survive the heat tolerably.

Another rule is to create a safe walking yard, because the bird will not be able to sit in cages. The rest of the requirements for keeping are the same as for other chickens.

Shedding and laying break

Chinese Quotes, just like everyone else, experience a seasonal molt whenever the days get shorter in autumn. It is not recommended to extend daylight hours on your own during this period - this can slow down the natural process.

Hens of the Uheilyuy breed molt - nothing bad will happen to them. This only strengthens their health and improves egg laying. This is the period when they are most prone to disease, so try to increase nutrition and monitor their condition.

A little lethargy, a break in laying and problems with appetite are all within the normal range.

The highest performance indicators among Chinese women are observed in the first 3 years of life, and then gradually decrease. Therefore, prepare a young change of layers.

Frequent illnesses

The healing laying hen not only cures human diseases, but she herself is more extremely rare if she lives in good conditions- eats hearty, sleeps dry and warm, and also does not get nervous. Therefore, she needs only standard preventive measures.

Advantages

  • Beauty.
  • Healing qualities of eggs.
  • Good performance.
  • Amazing character.

Flaws

  • Rarity.
  • High cost.
  • Uheilyuy breed of chickens is unstable to frost.

So we examined the healing Chinese chicken. Good luck and success! Share content on in social networks with your friends!


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They are really green, araucana chicken eggs. The gentle turquoise of these eggs allows you not to paint them for Easter.

Turquoise Araucan Chicken Eggs

“These are tailless Araucan chickens,” says Elsa Fischer proudly as she shows off her exotic poultry. The red-brown rooster looks skeptical, and his hens maintain a discreet distance despite the food.

Else Fischer lives with her family and her chickens on the outskirts of Winsen, southeast of Hamburg. Her smart semi-detached house is surrounded by a well-kept garden, which has several large enclosures. The pensioner has about 20 original chickens with "pompoms" - feather whiskers. They just don't have tails.


“My mother asked me why I didn’t get Araucan Indian chickens from Chile. She met them in South America, where she lived as a child. Then I began to search and heard about the union for the conservation of Araucan chicken and dwarf chicken of this breed, which includes 170 owners from all over Germany.


The greenish color of the eggs comes from Biliverdin. This substance, which is formed in bile, is a product of the breakdown of red hemoglobin.

"Easter eggs without dyeing are practical," says Elsa Fischer cheerfully. But these chickens have other advantages: they are hardy birds that can be outdoors both in summer and winter, and can lay up to 160 eggs per year. Their meat is tastier than ordinary chickens."


About the Araucan chicken breed

IN last years the tailless hen is returning to amateur farms. This is araucana. Her homeland is South America. This very ancient breed got its name from the Araucan Indian tribe.

The Indians liked fighting roosters and hens that laid colorful eggs. Most of all, they valued roosters without a tail, as it interfered in battle.
For the first time, these chickens were described in 1854, but only in 1888 they were taken from South America by sailors. And in 1965, the Araucan was included in the German standard for chicken breeds.

A characteristic feature of this breed of chickens is that they lay eggs with a bluish-green shell. When araucanas are crossed with chickens that lay brown eggs, the hybrids will lay eggs with olive green shells.

Pullets from araucana and white-laying hens usually lay eggs with a bluish shell. Araucanas do not have tail vertebrae, hence their taillessness. It is inherited (dominant trait). The araucana has a peculiar decoration on its head - feather processes in the form of a "whisker".

These are tufts of feathers on the sides of the head. The bird is medium in size - roosters weigh 1.8-2 kg, and chickens - 1.5-1.7 kg. Females lay up to 160 rather large (57 g) eggs per year. However, they do not seek to incubate them.


Araucanas are well acclimatized. Differs in good health, which is especially noticeable when growing young animals. Chickens are strong and hardy, very temperamental. Some roosters are pugnacious: the blood of their ancestors makes itself felt. According to the standard, a real Araucan should look like this.

The head is small, not wide, the beak is medium, slightly curved, the eye is full, orange-red, the crest is small, pea-shaped or pod-shaped, the sideburns are long, thick, in the form of a "moustache", earlobes and wattles are small, red, the neck is medium, the back straight, wide, short, the chest is also wide, moderately arched, the body is dense, short, the wings are medium, tightly fitting, there is no tail, the legs are medium, featherless, blue-green, the plumage is dense, the color is wild, golden, black and white.

In households, poultry farmers increasingly began to keep and grow birds of exotic origin. These include chickens that lay green eggs, as well as blue and turquoise. This is a breed of Araucan, which was bred by an Indian tribe in South America. Birds with blue eggs were bred by the Indians even before the time of Columbus, but they were taken from the American continent only in late XIX centuries. What are the features of this breed, its advantages and disadvantages?

Araucan chickens cannot be confused with others, since they have such a feature as eggs with colored shells. Impressive birds and their appearance. They differ:

  1. Lack of tail or very short tail.
  2. Wide chest and short body.
  3. Trendy hipster mustaches and puffy sideburns. Such feather vegetation grows from warty formations on the muzzle of laying hens.
  4. Small red ears and earrings.
  5. Stryuchkovy comb.
  6. Yellow-red, not very large eyes.
  7. Greenish-blue metatarsus.
  8. Small shins.
  9. Average weight of 1.7 kg.
  10. Strong low legs.
  11. Long neck.
  12. Small length wings that fit snugly to the body.

A small tassel on the head belongs to the standard of the rooster. Also, males are distinguished by powerful paws, a beak and an aggressive look of a predator. Their beak is more bent, and their weight is up to 2.5 kg.

The plumage of chickens that lay blue eggs can be of different shades:

Gallery: Araucan chicken breed (25 photos)















Feature of Araucan chickens

The main characteristic of the breed is taillessness And absence of tail vertebrae. This complicates mating, so only 60% of the eggs are fertilized.

The second feature is unusual plumage on the head, thanks to which, according to the European standard, the breed is divided into three types:

  1. Only with sideburns and a beard.
  2. With beams of equal size and symmetrical arrangement on different sides of the head.
  3. With a beard and the same bunches on the sides of the head.