The dream of any poultry farmer is such a breed of hens that could carry eggs equally well and was distinguished by good meat productivity. But often this is rare, and if the bird exhibits a high ability to lay, then all its energy is spent on this, and the growth of muscle tissue is bad and slow.
However, thanks to the efforts of breeders who, in the process of crossing different breeds, tried to supplement them with higher productive qualities, one of the best breeds of meat-meat smokers was obtained, which today enjoys incredible popularity. This breed is called Faverol, and we will describe its features in detail below.
We get acquainted in detail with the breed and its distinctive features.
For the first time appeared on the breed of smokers Fireball in France, where by crossing several breeds local farmers managed to get completely new universal chickens with a large number of positive characteristics.
At first, representatives of such breeds as Goudan and Mantinsky chickens, which are very common in France, were crossed among themselves.
The result was a fairly good hybrid in its qualities, whose productive and exterior qualities were improved by crossing with Cochin and Dorking silver. Thus, a completely new breed was born that quickly gained trust among the French and spread throughout the world.
But at the beginning of the curia, Faverol could be found exclusively in small households, where they were bred as a rather exclusive breed. Because of such a low prevalence, their meat was valued very highly, and private farmers earned a lot of money selling such chicken to expensive restaurants.
Step by step, enterprising poultry farmers began to increase their incomes and breed this breed on a large industrial scale, which is still being done. It is not so easy to find representatives of the Faverol breed here, but it’s worth it.
Consider the advantages and advantages of chicken Fireol: why do they attract poultry farmers so much?
The most important feature, because of which poultry farmers love Fireworks so much, is that they give meat of extraordinarily high quality. Although in general they are the same birds as many other breeds, but their chicken has its own special taste, which was appreciated by many gourmets.
However, this is not the only advantage that pushes to start breeding the described breed in its own farm. After all chickens Fireol differ:
- the unusual and even slightly extravagant appearance and beautiful color of feathers make it possible to classify these chickens as a group of decorative birds; Thus, in one fell swoop it turns out to achieve three goals at once - to get plenty of meat, eggs and admire the special beauty of domestic birds;
- simplicity and ease of breeding in households. These chickens very quickly and easily adapt and get used to their master, are very attached to him and are treated with the highest degree of trust. They can easily be accustomed to the regime of feeding and letting out for a walk. Also, due to the very calm and docile nature, the hens of the breed Fireball very quickly establish relationships with both chickens of other breeds and with other pets;
- very easy adaptability to frosty temperatures. Due to this quality, it is possible to breed representatives of the breed in the most different climatic zones, and also not to bother about the special warming of the house, where they live, for the winter period of time. Very often, these chickens even bathe in the snow and use it to clean their feathers.
Do Firewalls have flaws and how to prevent such troubles?
No matter how beautiful this breed is, it has its drawbacks. The most important of these is the tendency of these chickens to excessive obesity, which sometimes can even lead to a complete cessation of egg-laying. The breed is Fireball meat, which allows its representatives, even with insufficient good nutrition, to gain weight very quickly.
Therefore, if the birds are strongly fed, giving at the same time unbalanced feed, they begin to rapidly accumulate fatty tissues, and not muscular.
Therefore, the first and most important rule of breeding chickens of the breed described is the mandatory preparation of the correct diet with various supplements and vitamin complexes.
Another disadvantage is slow chickens. Although precociousness is usually observed in meat-yachting breeds, it is impossible to get meat very quickly. However, given its taste, you can wait a little longer.
Description of the appearance and breed characteristics of the smoke Fireol
In general, representatives of the breed Fireball can be described as quite large in their physique birds, which have a rather strong character, but a docile, character and are accustomed to lead an active lifestyle. Poultry farmers are also attracted by the beautiful plumage, which allows you to harvest down and feathers for the production of pillows and featherbeds.
It should be noted that in the appearance of curia Fireball there are a lot of specific features that not only distinguish them from other breeds, but also are the hallmark of these curia. First of all, this is the presence of a magnificent beard in the representatives of both sexes, as well as the special shape of the comb, which we will describe a little below. But the most important thing to look at when choosing a pedigree chickens is the obligatory presence of five fingers on their paws.
Many may argue that they actually have four fingers, and the fifth is only a small process. But in fact, the fourth and fifth fingers are very well separated from each other, and on the fifth there is a claw, which is directed slightly upwards.
The rest of the cocks and hens of the described breed are quite different from each other, which becomes noticeable from an early age of the birds. So, the following features are characteristic of roosters:
- the head is very small in size and differs in an almost unique flat shape, which is rounded only due to the luxuriant plumage and crest;
- the crest of the Firelles is upright, simple in shape and small in size with uniform small teeth;
- the beak is also small, practically does not come forward, as is typical of representatives of other breeds of curia; the rooster's beak is colored white or pink;
- the face of male birds is colored red, it is covered with a small amount of fluff;
- eyes also attract a lot of attention because they have a unique very bright red-orange color, which is quite rare in birds;
- earlobes in these roosters are very difficult to notice, because they are almost completely covered with cans, the color of which can be represented in any color spectrum;
- all birds have a rather lush beard, which also covers the lobes and earrings, which are quite poorly developed among the representatives of the described breed; at the same time, such a magnificent plumage on the head does not prevent the roosters from seeing well how it may seem at first glance;
- the legs of the roosters are copiously covered with feathers and down, very short, but they do not at all resemble a "hawk heel";
- tarsus small in size are distinguished by a white color; on the outer side they are also covered with feathers, and on the inner side a unique fifth finger is located and is located, as if hanging over the back finger;
- the length of the neck is rather short and thin, although due to the unusually lush mane it seems to be even shorter and much thicker than it actually is; the mane gradually moves to the back, where there is also abundant plumage;
- the back is quite wide, especially if you compare these birds with other breeds, and elongated, gradually turning into a flat loin;
- the tail of these roosters is actually small, but because of the high fit, it seems rather long; tail consists of short tail feathers that cover long and
- beautiful braids, gently hanging down;
- these cocks are also distinguished by a rather wide chest and belly;
- the wings are very small, located in the middle of the torso of birds and tight to it.
Chickens Firewall - these are real ladies, because on their head there is a real "hairstyle", which makes them easily recognizable among all other breeds. This "hairstyle" consists of feathers that grow under the ears and on the back of the head.
They are located horizontally, and the back of the head also rises slightly to the top. Chickens differ from roosters in that they have a denser body structure, with a large, deep belly jutting forward. The broad back of females of the described breed to the lower back is slightly raised. Their tail is quite small, it has a roof-like shape and lack of braids. In all other respects
What signs are considered unacceptable for purebred Fireballs?
The young of this breed must be very carefully inspected and left for further breeding only those individuals that have all the above characteristics. Defined as a marriage such individuals in which the following were noted features:
- too short and narrow body;
- slender neck;
- lack of characteristic "hairstyle" in chickens;
- lowered physique with underdeveloped muscle tissue;
- elongated tail;
- large comb;
- lack of magnificent plumage of a beard and tanks;
- too much feathered metatarsus.
Meat and Egg Productivity of Fireworks: What Indicators Can You Expect?
Although in general, the young of the breed described does not grow very quickly, but the muscular mass of these chickens increases very quickly. Often, already at the age of 6-7 months, roosters are allowed to meat, getting very tender and tasty carcasses. The weight of cocks and hens naturally differs greatly, although compared to other breeds, this difference is not very large:
roosters on reaching a mature age can gain even 4 kilograms, and with improper feeding and constant postponing of fatty tissues, their weight can be more; chickens weigh an average of about 3.3 kilograms, however, they can periodically lose weight (during incubation of eggs) and gain it.
In terms of egg production, hens of the breed Fireawal are slightly inferior to the purest representatives of egg productivity, but also have a high value. The young hen in the first year on average brings at least 160 eggs. With age, this indicator tends to decline and usually decreases to 130 eggs per year. Eggs are yellow or brown in color. In size, they are quite large, weighing about 55 grams.
We breed chicken Fireball in our own home: what should we start with and what are the peculiarities of breeding the breed?
Breeding breeds usually start from the purchase of purebred chicks and their rearing. Although you can go in other ways: purchase eggs of chickens of this breed or adults. Whichever option you choose, you will need to familiarize yourself with how to plant a hen on eggs, how to look after small chickens, than to feed them in adult individuals.
All this and tell below.
Choose a hen and plant it on eggs
Fireballs are pretty good chicks, although they look fat. They have a phlegmatic temperament, so they are quite plodding and very rarely leave the nest before the appointed time. They determine chicks by their nervous behavior and "quacking", which they usually begin to manifest in mid-spring. It is best to plant on their eggs in May, so that chickens will be born in a warmer time. Keep in mind that the period of incubation at chickens lasts 20-21 days.
Under one chicken you need to put no more than 15 eggs. It is desirable that the nest was not in the common house, but in some other secluded place. If you doubt that the chicken will sit quietly and can spoil the eggs - it can be covered for several days or covered with a large basket from which it cannot fly by itself. When the chickens begin to appear, they may not even be taken away from the chicken, although if they do not appear at the same time, it is better to put them in the box so that the chicken does not trample them.
If there are no chicks among your chickens, because this instinct is a little dulled in this breed, the best option is to use an incubator. Chickens born into the world can be raised in a pen and without a hen, or they can be planted under another bird.
What foods should be included in the diet of chicken Fireol?
We have already mentioned that these chickens are prone to obesity. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, the feed for them must be balanced and include a large amount of protein. The basis of the diet can be made of cereals, while including wheat, barley, corn. Also, it is important to give these poultry cooked and raw root vegetables. Do not forget about vitamin supplements, as well as calcium.
But the most important cause of obesity is not food, but lack of movement. Fireworks can not be kept in cramped cages, where they will constantly sit in one place. It is ideal to keep them practically on the 24-hour run, or to let them out for the whole day. If it is unacceptable for you to walk around the yard, arrange special pens for them.
Proper chicken care - good productivity
In addition to feeding, chicken require other care. First of all, they need to provide comfortable "accommodation", that is, to organize a good house. It should not be very large in area, but do not allow cramped.
Each bird should have almost one square meter of space. This is especially important in summer, when even at night the heat makes chickens sweat. Do not forget about the roost.
The house should also be cleaned regularly, throwing out wet outsole and chicken feces. Instead, fresh straw or sawdust creeps to the floor. In the house or near it, be sure to install drinkers in which you need to regularly pour clean and fresh water.
To keep the birds' feathers from becoming polluted, install a sand or ash bath for them, in which they will conduct their “bath” procedures. It also helps birds get rid of various parasites.
