Orlovskaya chicken: description, specificity of breeding and features of the species

There are many good domestic breeds of chickens . One of the best, but, unfortunately, quite rare, is Orlovskaya. Breeded this bird was still in tsarist Russia. Further in the article we will find out, the Oryol chicken - what kind of breed and how to properly care for it.

History of breeding

There are several versions of the origin of this breed. It is not known exactly how this name came into being, Orel. Some researchers believe that it went from the city of the same name. Others are sure that the name Orel this bird was named after the first breeder. Presumably, it was Orlov-Chesmensky - favorite of Catherine II. With a high degree of probability, it can be assumed that the Malay and Ukrainian eared are the parents of this breed. The first, most likely, was once brought to the Carpathian region of Gilan. The fact is that even at exhibitions the Oryol chicken in tsarist Russia was often called Gilyanskaya.

The standard for this breed was established in 1914. In large quantities, it was bred in the vicinity of Tula, Moscow and the Eagle. Unfortunately, after the Great Patriotic War, the Orel breed practically completely disappeared. Partly to restore the livestock was only German breeders. They carried out numerous crossings of the Oryol and Malay chickens. In 1949, 127 specimens were brought to one of the exhibitions.

In the 70 years attempts were made to restore the breed in Russia. At this time the domestic poultryman MN Vinokurov brought several orlov chicken from the GDR. These individuals played a huge role in the restoration of the breed in our country. However, even now in large numbers these chickens are bred only in the village of Pavlovskoe in the Moscow region. However, the breeders of the birds of this breed say that many farmers show great interest in the youngsters they are implementing.

Description of the breed

Diluted orlovskie chickens, mostly as meat-egg. However, the decorative characteristics of this breed are very high. Earlier, Orlovski cockerels were used, including as fighters. The main distinguishing features of this breed are:

• High torso. At bettas it is delivered almost vertically, which looks very impressive.
• Strong legs.
• Very well developed superciliary arches.
• Strongly curved (larger than any other breed) short beak.
• Raspberry small crest with feathers.
• Brilliant plumage.
• Huge growth and weight.

Color Orel chicken is very beautiful. The most common varieties are scarlet, black, white, mahogany and calico. The latter type of color is most appreciated by modern poultry farmers. The legs of these chickens must necessarily be yellow and thick. Serves as a sign of the breed and the lemon shade of the beak, as well as the amber eyes.

Poultry productivity

Meat from chicken Orel breed can get a lot. The adult cockerel weighs about 3.5-4 kg. Chickens slightly smaller - 2.5-3 kg. Very good indicators of the representative of this breed are different in terms of egg production. For a year, one chicken can bring up to 140-150 pcs. Eggs differ in white shell color and quite large sizes - 60 g.

What should be the house

How to properly keep a bird like the Oryol chicken? The breed of chickens is very unpretentious. However, it is of course necessary to create good conditions for her. The bird house for Oryol chickens should be quite spacious and light at the same time. Otherwise, chickens will reduce productivity in terms of egg production.

This breed is cold-resistant, so it is not necessary to equip the shed heating system in winter. But in the cold weather, in the coldest weather, it is necessary to install a heater in the henhouse or at least hang some incandescent lamps near which the bird can warm up.

The floor in the barn to winter should be covered with a thick layer of sawdust. This litter will subsequently play the role of a kind of biological heater, since it will start the processes of fermentation and rotting with the release of heat. In spring, the chicken coop should be thoroughly cleaned. Litter along with other debris is carried to the compost pile.

Features of feeding

The development of a well-balanced diet is also what the Oryol chicken requires. The breed of these chickens in relation to the "menu" is not too demanding. Feed Orlov bird as well as any other meat-egg direction of productivity. That is, the ration of chickens can be dry wet or combined. The last way for this bird will do the best. The dry technique assumes the big expenses for feeding. After all, in this case, the owners of the home farm will have to buy a lot of grain, mixed fodder and bran. It is worth such food is quite expensive.

Wet technique allows you to save on the content of chickens and achieve fairly high performance. Not too good for the Orel breed, it is suitable primarily because of the physiological characteristics of this bird. The fact is that these bettas and chickens have a very well developed beard. At the same time, representatives of the Orel breed adore spitting out from her neighbors in the shed the remains of mash-ups. With prolonged feeding with moist mixtures, most chickens lose their spectacular appearance. Agree, a plucked beard does not look too aesthetically pleasing.

Therefore, mashanka, which should include such ingredients as grated carrots, potatoes and beets, carved cabbage and herbs (nettles, root crops, quinoa, etc.), it is necessary to combine with dry food. Simultaneously with wet compounds, chickens should be given wheat and bran. Mashanka can be filled with a reverse or meat broth (from waste). Chalk and vitamin supplements will also be useful.

Features of the content

Orel chicken (photos clearly demonstrate its powerful constitution) - the breed, as already mentioned, fighting. Although this bird has not been used for more than a century at competitions, it has even quite retained its aggressive character. Therefore, it is necessary to keep such chickens and males 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. Orel often contain the usual floor method. Since this bird is quite active and large, it will feel extremely uncomfortable in the cage. Paddocking is also what the Oryol chicken needs. The content of this breed in the presence of a fenced plot next to the barn will be much more successful. Walks, including in winter, contribute to the development of young animals and partially solve the problem of vitamin D deficiency.

Orlovskaya chickens

Of course, buying young animals or eggs of this bird to update the livestock every time will be very expensive. In fact, the Orel breed is still quite rare in our country. And consequently, such a bird is expensive. Therefore, many owners of household plots prefer to breed it on their own.

Incubation of eggs of Oryol chickens is carried out as usual. But care for the young is somewhat different from the methods of keeping chicks of other breeds. The fact is that the Oryol chickens are developing quite slowly. The disadvantage of the Orel breed is precisely late ripeness. Nestlings do not feather for a long time and like to eat very much. But they hatch strong and healthy. The attack among the Oryol chicks is usually very small.

Selection work

Many owners of farms, in addition to the actual maintenance of Orel chickens for meat and eggs, also pay great attention to the conservation and improvement of this breed. Those who are really interested in this domestic variety, when it is bred, it is worth observing certain rules. Manufacturers should be:

• Massive;
• Long-legged;
• With a well-developed crest;
• With as much as possible hooked beak;
• Yellow-legged.

Another sign that should be paid attention to when breeding such a bird as the Oryol chicken is a suit. For variegated varieties, a uniform color is recommended. Of course, you can not use a fully-developed bird for breeding.

Orlovskaya chicken: responses of farmers

Because this breed is very productive, the opinion of farmers is very good. Contain this bird is mainly fans of varieties of domestic selection. At us in the country the club of fans of this ancient breed is even created. Its members care about its preservation and about the increase in its popularity among Russian farmers.

Orel chicken is one of the best ancient domestic breeds. And although this bird has certain drawbacks, such as late ripeness and aggressiveness, it certainly deserves the attention of Russian farmers. Breeding this bird can be either directly general economic, or simply as decorative.