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If you often go to specialized agricultural forums, you get the impression that the inhabitants of Ukraine and Belarus are engaged in agriculture much more actively than the Russians. Perhaps this is not the case, but in the overwhelming majority, animal breeds that are still little known in Russia are already quite widespread in other countries. More recently, by the standards of livestock breeders in Ukraine, a new breed of chickens, Hercules, was bred.
These birds were taken out according to the principle "doctor, I have pills for greed, but more, more." According to the description, the breed of chickens Hercules should be distinguished by high weight, good egg production and excellent health. True, the chickens who bought this breed have not yet decided themselves whether it is a breed or a cross. As a result, experiments are carried out on the second and third generations, bred in a private courtyard.
In addition, reviews of Hercules chickens were not all positive. It makes sense to try to figure out whether it is a breed or a cross. And also where is the advertisement, and where are the real results of the "experimenters" who raised these birds in their yard. It should be borne in mind that the "experimenters" under the guise of Hercules could have sold someone else.
Who are they and where did they come from
Chickens Hercules were bred in Kharkov at the Ukrainian Institute of Poultry in 2000. Bred chickens from broiler crosses, crossing them with other gene pool breeds. Broilers are crosses in themselves, so it is really premature to say about Hercules that this is a breed.
Advertising
Advertising descriptions and photos of the Hercules chicken breed claim that this is a very large, fast-growing bird. They grow at the same rate as broilers. Puberty occurs in them, like in an egg-bearing breed.
The productive characteristics of Hercules chickens are very high. Pullets begin to rush from 4 months. At first, eggs with 2 and 3 yolks are often laid. Then the situation stabilizes. Similarly, at first, the weight of the product can vary from 55 to 90 g. Then everything stabilizes, and the Hercules begin to lay eggs with an average weight of 65 g. The production of Hercules laying hens is 210 eggs per year.
Hercules and meat characteristics are high in chickens, but private photos do not confirm this.
On the site of the farm "Borki" it is indicated that the weight of one-year-old males reaches 4.5 kg, pullets - 3.5 kg. Hercules have a high growth rate comparable to broiler crosses and do not require a lot of feed. At 2 months, chickens grow to 2.2 kg of weight. Chickens and young animals have a very high survival rate: about 95%.
Description
The general view of the Hercules chickens in the photo does not give the impression of a very powerful bird. The head of these chickens is of medium size. The eyes are orange. The comb is single, leaf-shaped, red. The teeth on the crest are from 4 to 6. Earrings are red, round in shape. The lobes can be light or red. The bill is yellow, slightly curved.
The body is powerful, with a wide back and lower back. The chest is well filled with well developed muscles. In roosters, the belly should be voluminous and tucked; in chickens, it should be rounded and well developed.
The shoulders are well developed. The wings are lowered, but close to the body. The tail is short. The rooster has long, curved braids.
Legs set wide apart. Upper and lower thighs strong, well feathered. Metatarsus without feather, long, yellow in color. The metatarsal bone is large in diameter. The fingers are wide apart.Chickens Hercules have a calm, good-natured character.
The number and types of colors vary from source to source. If you focus on the data of the Kharkov Institute, then there are 6 colors: silver, black-striped (aka cuckoo), white, pockmarked, golden, blue. According to private individuals, the Hercules have already accumulated 8. Colombian and red-and-white colors were added.
The "official" colors of Hercules chickens are shown in the photo below.
Blue.
The blue chicken is in the foreground on the right.
Silver.
Cuckoo.
Cuckoo monthly Hercules along with 2 month old raspberries.
Golden.
White.
Pockmarked.
The advantages of the breed include the rather rapid growth of young animals, high egg production, and excellent health. The disadvantages include the loss of parental qualities in the offspring. However, the latter is typical for crosses.
Owners' opinions
Reviews of chickens of the Hercules breed from private owners are often diametrically opposed. From "the eggs did not fit in the egg trays" to "until 55 g." By taste, the meat is also rated from "very tasty" to "ordinary meat, worse than a broiler." It has been experimentally established that broiler crosses reach the same slaughter weight in 1.5 months, and Hercules chickens in 2.
Disagreements about the quality of meat also come from different ages of slaughter. If the Hercules are sent for slaughter at 2 months, then the chicken meat is still soft and tender. At an older age, Herculean meat is already suitable for broth, and not for frying.
What advertising and private traders unambiguously agree on: good survival rate of chickens and their ability to independently provide themselves with food while walking. (Stealing from a dog is a sacred thing.)
The video shows chickens of the Hercules breed in a private courtyard a year after the purchase of chickens.
Raising chickens
Given the impossibility of breeding chickens of the Hercules breed "in itself" there is no question of the correct selection of producers in this case. But due to the long distances, many buyers prefer to take the egg and breed Hercules chickens in their own home incubators. Therefore, the issue of raising chickens is very relevant.
With proper transportation, 80-90% of the chicks are hatched from purchased eggs. In the early days, the brooder should be 30 ° C. Gradually, the temperature is reduced to the usual outdoor temperature. Because of the rapid growth, chicks need a lot of high protein feed. If it is not possible to use specialized starter feeds, chickens should be given a finely chopped boiled egg. Chopped greens must be included in the feed. Some people prefer to give green onions, believing that they disinfect the intestines. But there is still nothing to disinfect the gastrointestinal tract of freshly hatched chickens. Therefore, with the same success, you can give chopped parsley. If you are not lazy, you can cut the grass plucked on the street.
Grains provide a lot of carbohydrates, but they are very low in protein. If you feed chickens with crushed cereals, including corn, then meat and bone meal must be added to the diet.
Legumes are also suitable for providing protein. You can buy alfalfa flour at pet stores. Alfalfa contains significant amounts of protein and can replace peas or soybeans.
Content
Hercules are fairly frost-hardy chickens. Thanks to its dense plumage, this breed is able to withstand Russian frosts. In the chicken coop, it is enough to ensure that there are no drafts and a deep bedding.
The main diet of adult chickens of the Hercules breed consists of cereals and legumes. Chickens are also given beet pulp, sunflower cake, bran. Be sure to include animal proteins. Since chickens have a fairly high egg production, they need a high protein content in their diet. In winter, the diet includes chopped beets, carrots, apples, boiled potatoes.
To compensate for the calcium deficiency, feed chalk, limestone or shells are placed separately. So that digestion in chickens is not disturbed, they must receive fine gravel or coarse quartz sand, which will play the role of gastroliths in the stomach.
To get rid of parasites, baths with ash and sand are placed. The contents of the trays must be changed frequently.
Testimonials
Conclusion
Judging by the reviews about the Hercules chicken breed, this is a cross that cannot be bred in a private courtyard. Those who annually buy chickens from an official producer are happy with Hercules chickens. When buying from hands, the quality is usually lower. Perhaps this is the second or third generation of Hercules chickens.
