Currently, there are a huge number of different breeds of chickens. They can be classified into three groups: egg, meat and universal. In addition, a sufficiently large number of highly productive hybrids - crosses, have been bred. Hens of egg direction are distinguished by great endurance, unpretentiousness and excellent yield of young animals.
In this article, we will consider the two most interesting representatives of this group: the leggorn chicken breed, as well as the Russian white.
Leghorn
A similar interesting name for this breed comes from the Italian city of Livorno, which in English sounds like Leghorn. It was here that these hens first appeared, around the beginning of the 19th century. At that time, the Leggors were no different; there were not too many eggs. In the 40s of the same century, these hens came to the United States, where a large selection work was carried out with them. A variety of chicken breeds was used as the starting material. Modern Leggorn is a mixture of old Italian chickens and breeds such as white minor, phoenixes, Japanese yokohama. These chickens came to our country in the 20s of the last century. At the moment, the Leghorns are the most popular breed in the world.
This poultry is characterized by unusually high egg production. From one layer alone, about 300 eggs can be obtained per year. White
leggorn chicken with a leaf-like scallop rushes even better - up to 350 eggs per year. The weight of a cock can reach 3 kg. The chicken weighs a little less - up to two and a half kilograms. At present, more than 20 breeding plants are working on improving this breed and creating hybrids in Russia.
The two most common chicken breeds in our country are Leghorn and the Russian white descended from it. The latter was obtained by crossing with local varieties adapted to Russian conditions.
Russian white hens
Work on the creation of chickens of this breed was started back in 1929. Selection experiments lasted more than 20 years. In 1953, Russian White was officially approved as a breed. Her other name is Snow White. This is an unusually productive bird. One of its most interesting features can be considered that it is not susceptible to such a disease as leukemia. These hens are not at all afraid of low temperatures. Even chickens can be raised at 10 degrees below normal.
One layer can lay up to 230 eggs per year. The weight of both hens and males reaches two and a half kilograms. Although, of course, the former are usually a little less.
Breeds of chickens Russian white and leghorn can be considered one of the most productive at the moment. In Russia, of course, the first, as more adapted, for breeding is preferable. However, with proper care, an excellent result can be obtained by growing Leghorn as well.
Russian White and Leghorn are wonderful in many respects chicken breeds. Leghorn is a bird that is afraid of loud noise, which translates into reduced productivity. This must be taken into account. They do not like crowding too much. However, at the same time, it is quite easy to get used to changes in weather conditions, which is important.