Dwarf bentams (chickens): care and maintenance

Chicken bentamki - a group of breeds of dwarf birds. Despite the small size, these chickens are highly productive. High viability and adaptability to different conditions made them popular with poultry farmers.

The Origin of the Btacom

There are several opinions about the origin of this breed of chickens. Some poultry farmers claim that dwarf chickens of bentamki are withdrawn by gradual selection. If from each offspring we always choose the smallest individuals, then in the end we can get dwarf rocks. According to this system, mini-chickens are derived from the Wyandot breed, which are similar in color to large birds, but differ in mass.

Other poultry breeders are of the opinion that bentamaks are chickens of a separate independent breed, which is still from ancient times, and not from large breeds. This version is very believable and has confirmation. After all, it is more expedient to feed the bird intensely and cross small species with large ones, without risking getting a breed with a weak constitution.

The history of the btacom

According to some reports, bentamki are like from ancient India. There, these chickens were bred for battles, as well as for decorative purposes. From India, the bentamki landed in Japan and China. In these countries they were used as a complement to the nobility's courts. After a while, decorative hens of bentamki got to Europe. The main merit in this belongs to travelers. Gradually, birds began to breed around the world.

There are other historical documents that prove another way of spreading the breed. Thus, during the excavations of ancient settlements on the territory of Greece (VII-V centuries BC), scientists discovered vases with images of chickens, from which decorative bentamks went. Also information about this breed can be found in the writings of the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder. In Russia, bentamaks were first described in 1774 in the management of the "Birdyard". Given all these facts, it can be argued that bentamki are the chickens of the old breed.

Characteristics of the breed

Bentamki - chickens of decorative rocks. These include not only decorative individuals of pure breed, but also dwarf copies of known in our time large breeds. For example, fighters, Hamburgers, Cochins and others. All of them are divided into groups, each of which has its own subgroups.

Bentamka is a breed of chickens with unpretentious character. These birds easily get accustomed and get on well with other species of birds. Bentamki are characterized by increased resistance to various diseases. Strong health and fitness for life are qualities that are artificially derived.

These birds are able to exist with other breeds, but they can always rebuff, protecting themselves and their offspring. In general, the hens are very friendly and never attack their relatives. Bentamka can even incubate the eggs of other chickens and take care of other people's chickens, as if they were their own.

Description of the breed

In the scientific classification chicken bentamki refer to a dwarf ornamental breed. The weight of a mature chicken is 0.5 kg, and the cock usually weighs up to 1 kg. Legs and skin of the bentamok has a yellow color, and the crest is pink. Coloring of feathers in different species may differ.

The main features of the breed are small sizes and colorful plumage.

Bentamki - chickens are very prolific. Sexual maturity in mini-hens occurs earlier than in large birds. They carry an average of 100 eggs per year.

Productivity of the btacom

Although bentamks are a decorative breed, they are great for home breeding. And also suitable for growing on an industrial scale.

Yaytsenoskoost at the bentamok comes on the 5th-7th month of life. Chickens usually carry more than 100 eggs per year. Under good conditions bentamka can give a year to 130 eggs weighing 45 grams. Unique taste and dietary properties are the main qualities of eggs, which are given by bentam chicken. Reviews of poultry farmers concern only the positive qualities of this breed. Therefore, these birds are very popular both in the household and in industrial production.

As for the meat of these chickens, it is much tastier and more tender than a normal chicken.

Features of cultivation and maintenance

Bentamka is a breed of chickens, which is profitable for growing both for the production of eggs and meat, and as a decorative breed. Feathers are not whimsical at all and do not require much food. Compared with the usual hen, the dwarf chicken eats two-thirds less feed. Bentamaks eat even small larvae, which are found in the garden. Chickens of other breeds do not even perceive such food.

Bentam chickens are very tenacious and bring healthy offspring. Over the summer, one chicken can raise 25 chickens. This is considered a very high rate. Usually the brood consists equally of females and males. Due to its small size bentamka can incubate no more than 7 eggs. If the eggs are large, it is advisable to leave 5 eggs for hatching, as with large masonry, there is a risk of getting a weak and painful offspring.

Eggs puck on the 21st day. The first three days of chickens fed cottage cheese, crushed egg and soft wheat. The next ten days give millet. At the end of two weeks, the hen will teach the offspring to look for food on their own. Sometimes it happens that bentamka lays eggs in a secluded place. In this case, it is better not to look. Since the benamok has a highly developed instinct for self-preservation, she will continue to hide carefully. It is recommended to wait a little. The hen in a few days will want to eat and she will go out in search of food. At this point, you can guard her to find a brood. If the masonry is large, it is necessary to leave 7 eggs, since more bentamka will not sit out.

Cold and low temperatures are the only factors that benat chickens do not tolerate. The maintenance of these birds during the winter season requires the creation of certain conditions. So, in the cold season, the hens should be kept in warmed rooms.

Species of the breed

Many types of ornamental rocks are called bentamaks. In Russia, the most common are bentamki cotton and nut. We will consider the most popular varieties of dwarf chickens.

Shabo

This is Japanese bentamki. Shabo is considered the most miniature breed of chickens. Very small growth is their characteristic feature. Other distinctive external qualities are long and wide wings, and lack of feathering on the legs. Japanese bentamaks are bred exclusively for decorative purposes.

Bentamki Sibrayt

The feathering of these chickens has a golden or silver color. Other external differences of the breed are a rosy-shaped comb and white ear lobes. An underdeveloped tail, a small back and a large fore-protruding chest - these are the bentam chickens, which are shown below.

Unfortunately, Sybraith's chickens are characterized by low viability and are prone to degeneration. Therefore, this breed is not very popular with poultry farmers.

Beijing bentamki

Poultry breeders often call this breed Kohin bentamaks. The fact is that outwardly these chickens look like a small copy of the Cochins. Therefore, this name was assigned to them.

A characteristic external feature is the feathered legs.

Fighting hens

This breed is like England, where its breeding continued. Boytsovskie bentamki are considered to be the strongest and most viable chickens. Colorful bright plumage, large wings and a large fan-shaped tail are the main features that externally differ bentham hens. The photo illustrates their ideal design and expressive coloring.

Dutch View

Chickens of this breed have black plumage, and the crest on their head is white. Characteristic features are black, unstrained legs, a large head and a black beak.

Nanking Chickens

Nanjing breed is considered the oldest among all kinds of Bentham chickens. The feathering of these birds can have a different color, but the most common are chickens of orange-yellow color. The scallop of these birds is pinkish, but sometimes occurs leafy. Cocks have a large black chest, a colorful mane and a lush black tail. Legs in birds are unperiodic, silvery-gray in color.

Black and white bentamki

This breed has a feathering of black and white color, a bright red comb and unrefined feet of gray color. Sometimes black and white representatives of this species are called Hamburg.

Nut breed

Birds are very popular with Russian poultry farmers. Characteristic features of the breed are a small head, a small beak of yellow color. Feathering of birds has a brownish-gray color. Feet unperiodic, blue.

Chintz chickens

The calico breed was brought to Russia from Japan. Outwardly, these birds look like nut butterflies. The main difference between birds and birds is the bright calico plumage.