Hello, dear readers! Everyone knows about the existence of a variety of colors of hens, and many prefer to choose to keep not just toilers, but also those that have decorative qualities. Breeds of blue laying hens with a description, photos and video in our material. Blue hens – one of the most unusual and attractive.
Today we will consider those breeds that are the owners of such a shade of feathers.
Breeds of blue laying hens
It should be noted that such blue hens are not only decorative and exotic representatives of the bird world. The usual toilers, egg, meat and combined type, can also have such a color. Many breeds of blue laying hens were obtained thanks to the efforts of breeders, and are represented not only in this coloring.
From the first days of a chicken’s life, it is not always possible to determine the color, so the babies do not yet have such pronounced signs. But by about 1.5-2 months, when the chicks grow adult feathers, it becomes clear what color their coats are.
So, let’s consider the most popular representatives with a characteristic shade of feathers.
Blue hens of Andalusian breed
The hen belongs to the egg-breeding direction. For the first time was obtained feathered beauty in Spain, and in order to breed it, breeders used Minorock. Andalusian are not only good laying hens, but also incredible beauties – each feather with a characteristic color has a darker border, due to which they look unique.
To date, Andalusian beauties are spread mainly in their homeland. In our latitudes there are quite a few fans of the Spaniard, but, unfortunately, the local climate is not suitable for her. Let’s consider a few features of this laying hen.
- Well cope with the task of egg-laying, and can not stop laying even in the winter period, but provided that the optimal air temperature in the poultry house is maintained.
- Andalusian has poor survival rates and is susceptible to drafts, temperature fluctuations, increased air humidity – this complicates the process of keeping.
- In addition, Spanish beauties rarely become good moms – in the process of selection they have lost the instinct of incubation.
Blue Cochinchin hens
Large, lively birds with an interesting character – Cohinghin. They are considered an achievement of Chinese breeders, but today have managed to become popular all over the world. Cohinghins exist in a variety of color variations.
But, they all have extraordinary external characteristics, and are therefore recognized as more ornamental than the meat variety. What makes them special?
- Very large – about 5-7 kg of live weight. But, at the same time, they lay weakly, and the eggs do not turn out large.
- They are tall, large, with powerful musculature, which is emphasized by a luxuriant feathery coat. Even paws and fingertips are covered with feathers. The tail is short, bushy, even in roosters.
- A significant disadvantage of cochinchins is that chicks take a very long time to fledge, and young chicks mature closer to the 8th month of life.
- But representatives of both sexes gain weight at a rapid pace and grow to incredible size.
- Fluffy giants can incubate chicks on their own – this instinct is inherent in their nature. After the squeaky cubs are born, they become caring mothers for them.
The unusual coloration does not affect the other characteristics of the winged family. In all other respects, the hens are the same as all the others! They have similar parameters, care and feeding requirements.
