Unfortunately, farms of Russia today breed mainly foreign breeds of chickens and hybrids. Such a bird is often often characterized by high productivity indicators. But many homeowner farmers have recently begun to give preference to domestic old breeds, which are not inferior to “imported” chickens in terms of egg production and weight gain. One of these varieties is Lebanese.
Breed history
For the first time, Lebanese chickens became famous at the beginning of the 20th century. The first to appreciate this breed, oddly enough, the British. What attracted the inhabitants of foggy Albion in this bird is that it laid eggs with painted shells, and this was rare for that time. The British themselves did not breed Liven chickens at that time. But eggs from the Oryol province were delivered to this country in huge quantities - millions of pieces per year.
Of course, a similar interest of the British attracted the attention of domestic poultry farmers to the Liven chicken. In St. Petersburg, a special commission was even created, which was sent to the Oryol province to study local chickens. However, targeted work on the selection of this bird at that time was not carried out. After the revolution, in the 60s of the last century, the breeding of this chicken was found to be inappropriate and it was destroyed everywhere. The breed was revived only in the 90s of the last century. Fortunately, its representatives survived in some private courtyards.
Interesting fact
Until now, Liven chicken is considered a rare breed. Many farmers have a rather vague idea of it. For example, in this article, we will not be able to show the breed of chickens, lively vignettes in the photo. That is exactly what mistaken owners of household plots sometimes call it. Voiceless Lebanese chickens do not exist. The mistake in this case is due to the fact that this bird looks very similar to another ancient domestic breed - Yurlovskaya. This variety is vocal. The Yurlov cockerels sing loudly and continuously. Some breeders, due to the similarity of the exterior, even believe that these birds are the parent breed for the Liven chickens. However, the voice of chintz males, in contrast to Yurlov’s, is quite ordinary, unremarkable.
Liven red hens: general description
Targeted selection of this bird, thus, was practically not carried out. This breed arose to a large extent spontaneously - thanks to the zeal of peasants of the early XX century who wanted to increase the productivity of bred chickens by crossing their yard varieties.
Distinctive features of the Liven breed of chickens are, first of all:
massive massive physique with horizontal setting;
medium sized head;
a small crest (can be either leafy or pinkish);
yellow beak of medium size;
bright red oval-shaped earrings;
thick neck;
well-developed mane;
massive chest and back.
The color of the plumage of these chickens are chintz. This color is typical for laying hens. Males of this breed are usually distinguished by a dark red color.
Appearance of the Liven chickens , therefore, are really quite spectacular. Culling of representatives of this breed is usually carried out according to such features as a humpbacked back and rare plumage. Also not a good indicator with respect to blood purity is the different color of the metatarsus and beak. Of course, small chickens of this breed, as well as those carrying too few eggs, are rejected during selection.
Productivity indicators
Owners of household plots hold Yurlovsky chickens mainly because of their beautiful voice. Liven bird is bred for meat and for eggs. Productivity indices for this bird are higher than for Yurlovskaya. In a year, one Liven layer can lay up to 2 10 eggs (Yurlovskaya - 160). The hens of this breed weigh 4-5 kg, males 6 kg (Yulovskys 4 and 5 kg, respectively). The eggs of these hens are simply huge - they can reach a weight of 100 grams.
At the compound, this bird can live up to 6 years. Moreover, each year, laying layers reduce egg production by about 30 pcs. No particular tendency to any chicken diseases was detected in this breed. Mortality in a herd of these hens is extremely rare.
Thus, judging by the productivity indicators, Poultry bird can be attributed to the meat and egg group of breeds. Basically, this is what determines the features of caring for her.
What you should know about
Liven chicken is appreciated by farmers not only for its large egg size . This breed has some more interesting features. Layers of this variety, for example, often lay two-yolk eggs. The latter are valuable in that they surpass the usual ones in nutritional value. The color of the shell of the chickens of this breed is cream. The advantages of this bird include the fact that its eggs contain a lot of dense protein. This indicator in Liven chickens is greater than in any other breed. That is why the eggs of this bird are considered the best in Russia today.
The rock features also include a high index of individual variability of shell porosity. The quality of the eggs themselves in Liven chickens can vary significantly depending on the diet and season.
Character Features
The plus of this breed is considered, among other things, and its rather calm disposition. The shower males usually do not fight each other. However, they can often be aggressive towards other breeds. Perhaps, in this case, the blood of Yurlov’s parents is affected. After all, this breed is not only a clear voice. Yurlov chickens are bred as fighters.
Liven chickens are kept , usually in separate houses. This helps prevent fights.
Bird shed
Industrial methods do not raise Liven chicken. It is believed that it is just perfect for keeping it in the courtyards. This bird is very unpretentious, independent and not gluttonous. Unlike the same Yurlovsky chickens, the Livonian chickens quite well tolerate the cold. The plumage of this bird is quite thick. Thus, it is possible to breed it both in the Urals and in Siberia.
Although the Lebanese chintz breed is quite unpretentious, some rules for its maintenance should be observed. The barn for this bird should be spacious enough and dry. The presence of drafts in the room where the livestock hens will be bred is unacceptable. Of course, as with any other breed, the shed for this bird should be insulated. On the floor you need to lay a thick layer of straw or sawdust. But it is not necessary to insulate the house too much for this breed. Even in the winter season, showers of egg laying practically do not reduce egg production rates.
Perches for these hens are better to have lower. Weight Lebanese chintz have significant. And climbing too high will be difficult for them. The same goes for nests. Perches are usually located at a height of 70-80 cm. Nests can be filled next to them. The latter, among other things, should also be quite spacious.
Aviary
Near the barn for livestock chickens should arrange a walk. This bird really loves space . And therefore, walks in the fresh air will only benefit her. Many farmers have noticed that laying hens of this breed improve egg production if they eat a lot of green grass. Too high a fence around the enclosure is optional. Fortunately, these hens do not differ in hyperactivity .
Liven chickens: care, feeding
The diet for poultry of this breed is usually developed the same as for any other meat and egg. Liven chickens can be fed 2-3 times a day. In this case, concentrates (grain, bran) and vegetable mixers should be used. The latter usually offer chickens once a day. It is possible to include special compound feeds into the ration of Liven bird. When keeping on the usual home "menu", premixes should additionally be used.
It is impossible to overfeed the Liven chicken. Otherwise, it may reduce egg production.
Farmers Opinion
Reviews about this breed on the Web are mostly good. Most farmers praise this breed as highly productive in terms of egg production and weight gain. Some homeowner owners, for example, note the fact that with proper care, laying hens of this breed can lay not 200, but up to 300 eggs per year.
Some of the disadvantages of Liven bird include only its rarity. Finding a hatching egg breed is quite difficult.
Breeding
The photos and reviews about the breed of chickens of the Lebanese chintz presented in the article make it possible to judge it, as a matter of fact, of a rather spectacular appearance and at the same time productive. There are good reviews about this bird in terms of the possibility of increasing the number of livestock.
Unlike the same Yurlovsky chickens, Liven are excellent hens. They breed chickens on their own. These hens reach puberty much later than many other breeds - at one year old. This, of course, can be attributed to some of the shortcomings of the shower bird. As was noted, the best chickens of this breed hatched eggs in the spring.
Of course, if desired, the chicks of this bird can be incubated. The breeding of Liven chickens in this case is made according to standard technology. Feeding t hatched chickens with chopped egg, millet and cottage cheese. You can also use the "Start" feed for meat breeds.
Minuses
Liven chickens grow quite slowly. This also, of course, can be attributed to some of the shortcomings of the breed.
Sometimes Liven chicks and poorly fledged. On their body bald spots may be noticeable. At the same time, other individuals usually quickly notice such a defect and begin to peck the body of the "comrade". For this farmer, breeding livestock chickens, should be closely monitored. A high bite rate is also some of the breed's drawbacks.
The females of this species of females never beat. But the Lebanese hens of the “gentleman”, if he is not able to fend for himself, oddly enough, can peck to death. In case of aggressive behavior of laying hens, the cockerel in the herd, of course, should be replaced.
Instead of a conclusion
So, we hope that the review of Lebanese chintz chickens presented above in the article allowed the reader to know better and appreciate this wonderful old domestic breed. This bird is really unpretentious and productive. Her eggs, with proper care, have completely unique qualities.