Pavlovsk chickens are one of the best decorative breeds of domestic selection. They are popular among poultry farmers due to their exterior characteristics. Birds are more like pheasants than chickens.
Pavlovsky chickens
the almost extinct breed of chickens "Pavlovskaya" is gaining popularity among poultry farmers again
in the century before last, Pavlovsk chickens were repeatedly recognized as "royal" at exhibitions and received the status of the best breed
The history of the emergence of the breed
Pavlovsk birds are one of the oldest breeds created on the territory of the Russian Federation. Due to the fact that the birds were bred a long time ago, the true history of origin has not survived to this day, and scientists who worked on the breed and ancestors of the Pavlovsk chickens are also not known.
The main reason for such an irresponsible attitude towards history lies in the fact that earlier scientists and chickens were treated without respect. Poultry farmers also gave preference to know to chickens of foreign origin, and they learned about Pavlovsk birds at the end of the 19th century, when the birds were at the stage of death.
The name Pavlovskie received in honor of the settlement in one of the provinces - Pavlovo. It was famous for its blacksmith artisans, who were extremely popular in Russia. In addition to blacksmithing, the inhabitants of Pavlov were engaged in breeding domestic birds, giving preference to foreign breeders, so many representatives of birds were brought from other countries. One can guess that such representatives were the parents of the Pavlovskys.
In the 19th century, the breed began to travel around the world, first they came to Turkey, then to Great Britain. In Turkey, they were given the name - Sultan. But according to all the characteristics, it was clear that it was about the Pavlovsk birds.
Ordinary people in the village of Pavlovo were able to create an amazing decorative breed, which over time became the standard of all decorative domestic birds. Some breeders are sure that it was these birds that became the founders of crested chickens in Europe. Today's poultry farmers were able to achieve the creation of an ancient breed that existed in the 19th century.
Description of the exterior of Pavlovsk chickens
The chicken breed has an extravagant appearance and a wayward character.
Appearance standard
The current standard for chickens is described as follows:
- the head is small;
- the crest is pressed, looks like a curl;
- long thick collar on the neck;
- feathers frame the eyes and cheeks;
- lobes and crest are small;
- the beak is straight, the nostrils are raised;
- the eyes are small;
- resemble pheasants;
- the body is massive;
- the back is small;
- feathers are spotted, in the middle are white, gold, silvery;
- the tail is beautiful;
- the wings are firmly attached to the body, developed;
- legs are feathered on both sides;
- fingers are feathered with small feathers;
- paws of a blue-black shade.
Unacceptable deviations in the exterior
Scientists have been bred purebred Pavlovsky for a long period of time, so the standard of chickens is of great importance.
Inadmissible signs of thoroughbred birds:
- a huge number of feathers;
- lack of feathers on the paws;
- extra color that does not correspond to the standard color;
- the presence of the fifth toe on the paw;
- too large birds;
- huge crest, not adjacent to the head;
- different color of the legs.
Breed subspecies
Breeders distinguish between two main subspecies: silver and golden.
Silver
This subspecies is the most common. The birds are dominated by white feathers, along which are located black spots of almost the same size.
Golden
At the tip of the feathers, the brown color merges with black, creating a border that passes from the crest and neck to the shoulders. This unusual color forms the letter V.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like other birds, this breed has pros and cons; before breeding them, they must be taken into account.
Breed advantages:
- unusual appearance;
- unpretentiousness;
- eat small amounts of food;
- a large percentage of chickens survive;
- excellent quality meat and eggs.
Cons of the breed:
- average productivity;
- the risk of buying unclean young animals.
Manufacturing characteristics
The breed is among the decorative and today its representatives can be seen at exhibitions.
Purpose of the breed
Although the breed of domestic birds is decorative, all its indicators must be taken into account. The main ones are: average egg production, rapid weight gain, excellent hatchability and preservation of young animals. Thanks to these indicators, this breed can be conditionally attributed to the meat and egg group.
Birds are bred on farm plots, in villages and private houses.
Weight
Representatives of this breed are not classified as giant birds. Small males reach a weight of 1.8 kg, adults up to 3 kg. The weight of females does not exceed 2 kg. The poultry meat is very tasty and juicy.
Egg production
Egg production is low. For 12 months from one chicken you can get from 160 to 260 pieces. The shell can be beige or white. Egg mass is about 60 g.
Chickens have an instinct for hatching, bird love helps hatch about 92% of chicks. Breeders often use Pavlovsky chickens to incubate the offspring of other birds.
Layers may not sit in the nest and lay offspring in another place, so that this does not happen - put white blende pebbles in the nests.
Temperament
The birds are very fast and restless, they love to run. The main distinguishing characteristic is fussiness, maneuverability, the ability to fly over high obstacles. During the flight, they can instantly change direction.
Males are distinguished by cockiness, however, despite their not particularly flexible disposition, males get along with other domestic birds. Pavlovsk decorative people love people, trust them, they are attached to their place of residence, so they do not try to escape. So that the roosters do not fight, do not bully each other or females, it is necessary to build a fenced area for them.
Features of the content
One of the advantages of Pavlovsk chickens is ease of care, but standard conditions must be observed.
Coop or walk
Chickens are not whimsical. They have a rich and thick plumage, so they are not afraid of the cold. They live quietly in unheated rooms, the main thing is that they are protected from drafts and wind. A spacious and cozy chicken coop is considered a good option.
Read the article on how to make your own chicken coop.
You cannot breed birds in cages, they do not tolerate a small enclosed space poorly. Due to excessive activity, birds need constant walks. In the summer season, the content in the chicken coop is reduced to a minimum, the birds are outdoors all day.
Home improvement
The room should be considerable, up to 2 m in height, an area of at least 3 sq. m. In the chicken coop, a window is required, and preferably several. A manhole with an insulated door is built in the surface of the wall. The perches are built at a height of approximately 0.8 m.
The size of a standard nest: 0.35x0.35x0.3 cm. The nests are fixed, and insulating material is laid inside. The floor must be insulated, it is better to cover it with clay, and put straw or sawdust on top. Be sure to wash the feeders. It is better to put them on their legs, so the birds will scatter food on the floor less.
Diet and diet
Feathered Pavlovsky differ from other chickens in that they consume a small amount of feed, they are not demanding on the diet. In the summer season, greens and any pasture are consumed outside.
In winter, birds should be switched to standard food: grains, vitamins and minerals. With rational feeding, about 0.05 kg of feed per day is consumed per bird.
The diet should contain a mixture of vitamins: chopped nettle, fruits and vegetables.
In the winter season, a third of the food is solid food. Two-thirds are mixed mixes. Food consists of grains, herbal mixtures, animal foods and minerals. Chickens that will incubate eggs and raise babies need protein foods, a large amount of vitamin. Protein food for chickens is fish, meat flour, skim milk, low-fat cottage cheese. Legumes, nettles, yeast and meal are of particular importance.
Babies are fed boiled eggs and low-fat cottage cheese in the first days after birth. The egg is mixed with cereals, for example, semolina. On the 3rd day, the young are fed with alfalfa, clover, boiled potatoes or carrots. On the 5th day, chickens can eat a variety of mash, tops, yeast and grass meal. The speed of development and survival of the chicks directly depends on the variety of the diet.
If adult chickens cannot get pasture, then poultry farmers follow the standard scheme:
- You need to feed 4 times a day.
- In the morning, a third of the grain crops are given to the chickens, after 2 hours - a wet mash.
- In the evening, the rest of the grain is poured.
Chick care
Pavlovsky young growth is fluffy, feathers grow quickly. At birth, they acquire a color - dark or spotted. Over time, the plumage becomes golden or silvery. To create babies, eggs are selected weighing 60 g. Young animals can hatch a hen or use a special incubator.
Chickens of this breed are good mothers, they warm the offspring, hide it. The kids are taught to look for food, they make sure that the chickens are not lost.
A separate place is built for the chicks, heaters and lamps are installed. The first five days after the birth of the chickens, the room temperature should be kept at +30 degrees Celsius, from the 6th to the 10th day - about +26 degrees Celsius. Then the temperature is gradually reduced to +18 degrees.
The thermometer in the chicken coop is hung at a height of 0.5 m from the floor surface.
Observe the behavior of the young, if they do not push, eat well and behave calmly, then everything is normal with the temperature. Temperature too low: chickens do not eat, gather at heaters, crush weak birds. Too high temperature: open the beak, drink often, do not eat, lie down.
Diseases
A distinctive feature of Pavlovsk birds is a strong immunity. This is due to the fact that in summer birds eat a huge amount of green food, which helps them not to get sick throughout the year. Poultry farmers with a large population of chickens vaccinate them against Gumboro, Marek and Newcastle.
Reviews of poultry farmers about the Pavlovskaya chicken breed
Alexandra, 55 years old, teacher, Omsk.I love to have decorative chickens. I decided to opt for the Pavlovsk beauties. They are so unique and good-natured that I don't even think about other breeds. First I bought 10 chickens, the cost of one came out to about 400 rubles. Thanks to the excellent egg production, the birds quickly worked out the money spent on them.
Oleg, 43 years old, farmer, Adler.I always dreamed of breeding that breed of chickens, which in the 90s cost about $ 2 million at auction. Finally I got it and did not regret it at all. True, the cockerels are cocky, they very quickly find someone with whom they can "argue", then they calm down for a very long time.
Maria, 64 years old, accountant, Perm.Chickens are simply amazing, they are so cordial, when I go to them - they always talk to me, give me a stroke, very interesting. Not particularly whimsical to care for.
Hide
Add your review
Pavlovsk chickens have not been bred on an industrial scale for a long time. Now they can be found in private farms of lovers of domestic breeding of chicken breeds.