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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 s. Perhaps this is not so, but the vast majority of animal breeds still little known in Our Country are already quite widespread in other countries. More recently, by the standards of livestock breeders in Ukraine, a new breed of Hercules chickens was bred.
These birds were bred according to the principle “doctor, I need pills for greed, but more, more.” According to the description, the Hercules chicken breed should be distinguished by its large weight, good egg production and excellent health. True, the chicken breeders who bought this breed have not yet decided themselves whether it is a breed or a cross. Based on the results, experiments are carried out on the second and third generation, bred in a private courtyard.
In addition, not all reviews of Hercules chickens were 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 grew these birds in their yard. At the same time, it will be necessary to take into account that the “experimenters” under the guise of Hercules could have been sold to someone else.
Who are they and where did they come from
Hercules chickens were bred in Kharkov at the Ukrainian Poultry Institute in 2000. Chickens were bred from broiler crosses, crossing them with other gene pool breeds. Broilers are crosses themselves, so it’s still premature to really 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, as in the 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 carried. Then the situation stabilizes. Similarly, at first, the weight of products can vary from 55 to 90 g. Then everything stabilizes, and Hercules begin to lay eggs with an average weight of 65 g. The productivity of Hercules laying hens is 210 eggs per year.
Hercules chickens are also high in meat characteristics, but private photos do not confirm this.
On the website of the Borki farm it is indicated that the weight of one-year-old roosters reaches 4,5 kg, pullets 3,5 kg. Hercules have a high growth rate, comparable to broiler breeds, and do not require a large amount of feed. At 2 months, chickens grow up to 2,2 kg of weight. Chicks and young animals have a very high survival rate: about 95%.
Description
The general view of Hercules chickens in the photo does not give the impression of a very powerful bird. The head of these chickens is medium in 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 may be light or red. The beak is yellow, slightly curved.
The body is powerful, with a wide back and loin. The chest is well filled, with developed muscles. In roosters, the belly should be voluminous and taut, in chickens, rounded, 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 plaits.
Legs set wide apart. Thighs and lower legs powerful, well feathered. Metatarsus without feather, long, yellow. Metatarsal bone of large diameter. The fingers are wide apart. Hercules chickens have a calm, good-natured character.
The number and types of colors vary according to different sources. 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 individuals, the Hercules have already acquired 8 colors. Colombian and red-and-white have been added.
The “official” colors of Hercules chickens are shown in the photo below.
Blue.
The blue hen 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 a fairly rapid growth of young animals, high egg production, excellent health. The disadvantages include the loss of parental qualities in offspring. However, the latter is typical for crosses.
Owners opinions
Reviews of Hercules chickens from private owners are often diametrically opposed. From “eggs didn’t fit in egg trays” to “so far 55g”. According to the taste characteristics, the meat is also rated from “very tasty” to “ordinary meat, worse than that of 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 on the quality of meat also come from different ages of slaughter. If Hercules is sent for slaughter at 2 months, then chicken meat is still soft and tender. At an older age, Hercules meat is already suitable for broth, and not for frying.
What advertising and private traders unequivocally agree on: the good survival rate of chickens and their ability to independently provide themselves with food on the run. (To steal from a dog is a sacred thing.)
In the video, Hercules chickens in a private courtyard a year after buying chickens.
raising chickens
Given the impossibility of breeding Hercules chickens “in itself”, there is no question of the correct selection of producers in this case. But due to long distances, many buyers prefer to take eggs and hatch Hercules chicks in their own home incubators. Therefore, the issue of raising chickens is very relevant.
With proper transportation, 80-90% of chickens are hatched from purchased eggs. In the early days, the brooder should be 30°C. Gradually, the temperature is reduced to normal outdoor temperature. Because of their 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 prefer to give green onions, believing that they disinfect the intestines. But there is still nothing to disinfect the gastrointestinal tract in freshly hatched chickens. Therefore, with the same success, you can give chopped parsley. If not laziness, you can cut the grass plucked on the street.
Grains provide a large amount 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 meal at pet stores. Alfalfa contains a significant amount of protein and can replace peas or soy.
Content
Hercules are quite frost-resistant chickens. Due to dense plumage, this breed is able to withstand frosts. In the chicken coop, it is enough to ensure the absence of drafts and deep bedding.
The main diet of adult Hercules chickens consists of cereals and legumes. Also chickens are given beet pulp, sunflower cake, bran. Be sure to include animal proteins. Since chickens have a rather high egg production, they need a high protein content in the diet. In winter, the diet includes chopped beets, carrots, apples, boiled potatoes.
To compensate for calcium deficiency, fodder chalk, limestone or shells are placed separately. So that the digestion of chickens is not disturbed, they must receive fine gravel or coarse quartz sand, which will act as gastroliths in the stomach.
To get rid of parasites, baths with ash and sand are placed. The contents of the baths must be changed frequently.
Reviews
Conclusion
Judging by the reviews about the breed of Hercules chickens, this is a cross that cannot be bred in oneself in a private courtyard. Those who annually buy chickens from an official manufacturer are satisfied with Hercules chickens. When buying from hand, the quality is usually lower. Perhaps this is the second or third generation of Hercules chickens.