Hercules chickens are considered one of the best poultry of universal purpose. They belong to the meat and egg group, respectively, the farmer will be pleased not only with high egg production, but also with juicy meat. Due to their undemanding care, birds began to breed in almost every yard.
Origin history
Year of foundation - 2000. Homeland - Ukraine, the city of Kharkov. Hercules breed - crosses. The breeding work was carried out by scientists led by Professor Bondarenko Yu.A. at the Institute of Poultry. Work on the creation of these birds lasted about ten years. Hercules combined the gene pool of Ukrainian and foreign birds.
The birds got their name due to their considerable size and high productivity. Although the breed is not even two decades old, it is already famous among poultry farmers.
Description of the breed Hercules
These poultry have a massive, strong constitution, have a kind character. Consider the main characteristics of the breed, which are unique to her.
External data
Ukrainian chickens are admirable. There is nothing exotic or unusual in them, however it is the simplicity in appearance that makes the birds interesting and unique. Hercules look like calm village hens, a large physique makes the birds awkward and very cute.
The main characteristics of the breed:
- Weight and dimensions... Since chickens belong to the meat and egg group, the mass of birds is impressive. Females weigh approximately 3.5 kg, while males can reach 4.5 kg. These indicators characterize birds on average; with proper high-quality care, the mass of birds can reach large indicators. Hercules roosters with a mass of 9 kg were captured in nature, and such cases are more and more common.
- Ukrainian beauty can be in several colors: cuckoo, golden, pockmarked, silver, white. According to the poultry breeders, the golden eggs are the highest egg production, but the whites are the largest.
- Body type trapezoidal, well expressed, with a broad back, a large chest and rather big tummy. That the females, that the males are identical in physique, differ only in size.
- Head small. Although in fact it is rather big, just against the background of the whole body it seems miniature. Feathers do not grow on the skin of the face. The crest is developed, in some roosters it hangs slightly to one side. The ears are small.
- Plumage represents closely located thick feathers. There is a huge amount of fluff under them. They are striking in the size of the braids on the tail, especially in roosters.
Character
In appearance, Ukrainian hens scare a person, they seem threatening and lively to him, but in fact this is a fallacy. The hens are very calm, peaceful and kind. They know how to negotiate with other birds, they do not offend their family members, they always give in.
Representatives of the breed lead a calm lifestyle, they are indifferent to all adversity and problems in the yard, without interest. Birds are not afraid of people, they do not experience stress, they are not shy.
Productivity
The name Hercules speaks for itself. The birds are famous for their high productivity (about 200 eggs per year) and a large amount of meat from one chicken.
Puberty and egg production
Hercules bird eggs are popular not only with industrial farmers, but also with their owners. Kvochek is bred not only in their own yard, but also on an industrial scale - in poultry farms.
The first eggs can be obtained at about 5 months of age. In some cases, puberty occurs at 6 months. The main task of the poultry breeder is to provide the hens with good and high-quality nutrition, then the laying will begin faster and there will be no problems with eggs or birds.
Egg production from 1 laying egg per year reaches 200 pieces, all eggs are large - from 60 to 70 g.
The peculiarity of Hercules laying eggs is the large yolk, which occupies almost 40% of the total product. The shell is light.
Maternal instinct
The incubation instinct is completely absent, and this is not surprising, because almost all hybrids and crosses have lost this characteristic. The Hercules breed of chickens was no exception. Layers behave calmly and passively throughout the year, but as soon as they sit on their offspring, the behavior immediately changes: the hens become aggressive and active. As a result, the laying hen does everything possible, except for incubating babies.
This negligent attitude towards young animals forces poultry farmers to use an incubator or other breeds for hatching eggs with this instinct.
Care and maintenance
Feathered Hercules do not need special care conditions, they easily endure natural changes and quickly adapt to them.
Bird house
Due to the fact that the birds are very massive, they need to build a large poultry house. Birds should feel comfortable in it, do not place many individuals in one area: stop at a small number of birds or build another chicken coop.
Read the article on how to make your own chicken coop.
A large mass of Hercules forces the farmer to make changes in the arrangement of the chicken coop - they do not establish perches in it. Birds simply cannot climb into them. Therefore, great attention must be paid to the floor covering, because it is on it that the chickens will spend most of their time. It is better to lay a layer of straw, hay or peat on the floor. He is constantly monitored and changed from time to time.
Temperature, humidity and lighting
For a long time, residents of the northern regions could not get enough of these crosses. Finally, breeders have created laying hens suitable for living in cold areas. Kluchs of the Hercules breed can easily be kept in the chicken coop in winter without special heating devices, and birds can walk outside in cold weather.
The birds are happy to be active in the snow, such an activity makes their immunity even stronger. And the moment when the clucks go out into the street is considered successful for airing the room.
Exception: air temperature is below -20 degrees Celsius - you cannot bring chickens to the street.
As for the lighting, its indicator changes depending on the age of the birds. For example, babies need 40 lux, over time, the brightness is reduced, and adult chickens live with a light of 7 lux. If a rooster lives with hens in the same room, then the lighting indicator is slightly increased.
Watch for optimal humidity in the chicken coop (about 50%). It increases due to wet bedding, water and mash. Ventilate the area regularly and remove any unnecessary moisture.
Walking yard
The Hercules breed of chickens is not able to live only in the chicken coop, it needs fresh air and frequent walks. You can’t do without a walking patio. It should be spacious so that the birds do not push each other, can go about their business and not be nervous because of discomfort.
In the summer and spring seasons of the year, birds love to feast on various green herbs; for this, poultry farmers plant nettles or clover on the walking yard. The birds eat them with joy. You can also plant cereals.
A chicken coop and a courtyard should be built on a small hill, otherwise the runoff water will begin to flood the site.
Feeding
In order for the birds to grow up not only healthy and large, they need to be fed efficiently and correctly. The key to good appetite in chickens is fresh air, clean water and disease prevention. Any breed needs containers with pebbles, chalk and shells.
At various times of the year, depending on the age of the chickens, the menu changes and is supplemented. The main thing is that the dishes are complete and balanced. The growing period for Hercules lasts about 12 months, so protein grain feeds form the basis in the 1st year. Roots, fruits and vegetables are used as an additional component. A special place is occupied by green herbs, they can be given both fresh and dried.
The following products serve as additional minerals:
- worms and insects;
- salt;
- flaxseed (approximately 0.01 kg per 1 seedling);
- meat and bone and bone meal.
Shedding and egg laying break
Chickens that lose their old feathers seem very miserable and unhappy, but in fact this phenomenon does not give them much inconvenience. Hercules steadfastly cope with this process, and quickly recover. Birds have a huge amount of feathers, but literally in 60-70 days they reappear. During this period, the main thing in food is to add animal fats, for example, fish oil and broths.
Some birds do not want to molt, in these cases it is necessary to use non-standard molting techniques, but often poultry farmers do without them.
The danger is the risk of cannibalism. In these cases, individuals eat birds of their own breed. To avoid this, you need to feed the birds correctly and often.
Herd replacement planned
Hercules breed poultry are kept in the yard for about 2 years, then the stock is updated. Older birds no longer differ in high egg production and the presence of tender and juicy meat.
Breeding
Hens of this breed were obtained by crossing 4 species of birds, so breeding Hercules at home will not lead to anything good. When crosses or hybrids are crossed, the offspring loses their genetic characteristics.
Main features can only be saved in the 1st generation; further, all genetic characters are not saved. After that, purebred chickens completely degenerate.
When breeding birds from eggs, the breed characteristics remain only 25%. To get purebred babies, experienced farmers buy hatching eggs at special poultry farms.
Subject to all the requirements for the breeding of young stock, the hatching rate of chickens in the incubator is about 85%. Babies are born very small, but then they rapidly gain weight.
You can read about the features of incubating chicken eggs in this article.
Raising chickens
Aspiring farmers do not always manage to raise chickens, because they are tiny and sensitive. The smallest errors lead to irreparable consequences. To avoid the loss of young animals, you must immediately study all the useful information and unquestioningly follow the rules for raising chickens.
In young animals there is no crest, it appears with time. The shade of the gun is different, it all depends on the color of the parents. Chicks are born very small, then the mass increases, and the crumbs reach 1.8 kg in 2 months.
Caring for chickens is simple, you need to hold out for 3 weeks until they are very tiny and defenseless. At this time, babies need to maintain a constant temperature, frequent meals and disease prevention.
When breeding young animals, about 10% of the generation of the total number of eggs is not saved.
Recommendations for the care of babies of the Hercules breed:
- The first 3 days after birth, light the house with special lamps without interruption.
- Air temperature should be around +32 degrees Celsius. Reduce the indicator every week. When the babies reach 1 month they do not need additional heating, at this moment, transplant the chicks to adult birds.
- The food of the chicks should be of high quality and abundant. In order for birds to grow and develop quickly, the menu should be dominated by products with protein and calcium. Minerals and vitamins are especially important.
- Control the availability of fresh and clean water, without it the young will die.
Advantages and disadvantages
Every poultry farmer should think carefully before introducing a particular breed of chickens.
Benefits of Hercules chickens:
- the rapid growth of chicks;
- large weight of individuals;
- massive eggs with a large yolk;
- friendly disposition;
- strong immunity;
- excellent frost resistance.
Disadvantages of Hercules chickens:
- decreased genetic traits during home breeding;
- rather big cost of one chicken.
In the video below, the breeder provides an overview of Hercules chickens:
Possible growing problems
Individuals Hercules do not cause great difficulties to their owners. They have excellent immunity, and most importantly, birds instantly get used to the new habitat and climate.
Common diseases
Many diseases can be avoided by taking preventive measures. Such events will help not only to preserve individual birds, but also the entire livestock.
The main rules for preventive measures against diseases:
- Do not place babies and adult chickens in the 1st chicken coop. Young animals are not very healthy, therefore, even a mild virus transmitted from adult chickens can adversely affect babies.
- If you find a sick bird, immediately resettle it.
- Treat and ventilate the room where the infected individual lived.
- Control the balance of food, the better you give food, the less chicken gets sick.
- Avoid heavy contamination of the house. Unsanitary conditions are the source of many diseases.
Following these simple rules will greatly reduce the risk of disease in your birds.
Farmers reviews about Hercules chickens
Alexander, 67 years old, pensioner, Alchevsk.I bought these chickens, though at first I regretted it a bit, because they cost twice as much as ordinary chickens. Young animals aged 1 day - about 60 rubles, a little older - 100 rubles, etc. My regrets began to fade as soon as the birds grew up. They instantly gained weight, did not get sick and did not need special care.
At the age of 2 months, the laying hen weighed 2 kg, the roosters have grown and now one of them weighs about 6 kg. Puberty came at the age of 5 months, at first the eggs were small, but now the mass of one egg is about 70 g. All of my initial investments paid off with interest.
Oleg, 55 years old, engineer, Omsk.For a long time I dreamed of chickens that would get along without problems in our difficult climate. And finally I decided to start the Hercules breed. Chickens are really giants, they have a lot of feathers and down, so they are not afraid of winter. They are not demanding in care, the only thing is that you need to constantly make sure that everything in the chicken coop is clean and tidy. Birds are making a mess. It is a pity that it will not be possible to breed such chickens on my own, but I will still try.
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Chickens Hercules are a special unique breed, they bring about 200 eggs a year, reach a body weight of more than 4 kg. The birds are calm and friendly - a real treasure for a loving and responsible breeder.