Contents
The Dutch white-crested breed of chickens has a very interesting and incomprehensible origin. In the -speaking space, it is called Dutch, in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe it is often called Polish. Chickens similar to the Dutch white-crested are depicted in the paintings of the XNUMXth century, but the exact origin of this breed is unknown.
There is a version that the Dutch originally bred very productive chickens for meat and eggs. At that time, the breed from the Netherlands did not resemble the modern one. But she carried a colossal number of eggs for those times and gave good meat.
Later, crested chicken was brought from Poland and crossed with productive Dutch ones. The end result of crossing was the modern Dutch white-crested chicken, which became possible to use not only as a productive, but also as a decorative bird.
Description
After the Dutch white-crested was no longer required to have a large number of eggs and the emphasis was placed on beauty, egg production most likely decreased. Or has not risen since the Middle Ages. Today’s productive characteristics of the Dutch white-crested chickens are at the average level for meat breeds, while the white-crested chicken itself is considered meat-egg.
Over the past centuries, the tuft has undergone some changes towards greater elegance. But initially the breeders overdid it a little. The chickens had no particular problem with the tuft. He became lush and spherical. The comb of the roosters began to fall to the side. In general, due to too much splendor of the tuft, the chickens began to suffer from vision. In the end, the Dutch Poultry Union tightened the standard, prescribing the proportionality of the crest and crest in relation to the size of the bird. For breeding work, it was recommended to choose roosters with a powerful standing comb of medium size.
Standard
The Dutch white-crested rooster weighs about 2,5 kg. Chicken from 1,5 to 2 kg. In the dwarf version, the rooster weighs 850 g, the chicken 740 g. The productive egg characteristic of the Dutch white-crested breed of chickens is low by today’s standards: 140 eggs per year and the weight of one egg does not exceed 50 g. The shell is white.
Today, the main attention is paid to the appearance of these chickens, which have already firmly passed into the category of decorative ones. The body of the White-crested is compact. The comb in roosters is often not visible under the feathers and gives the impression that it is missing. In fact, a thoroughbred rooster has a red comb, although it is hidden. The shape of the comb is V-shaped. Earrings are red, earlobes are white. The eyes are red or brown. The color of the beak depends on the plumage of the bird. The color of the beak and metatarsus matches the color of the bird.
The frame is light. The body is compact, located almost horizontally relative to the ground. The wings are small, tightly pressed to the body. The abdomen is tucked up, well developed. The back is straight. The tail is located almost vertically, of medium density, narrow. Roosters are decorated with long braids running along the inside of the tail. Legs of medium length. Metatarsus unfeathered.
Features of the breed
In the description of the Dutch white-crested chickens, there are signs by which one can determine the purity of the bird:
- there is a swelling on the skull, on which the famous crest grows;
- long feathers grow at the base of the beak, matching in color with the main plumage; these feathers form a “butterfly” or “moustache” pattern.
Today, chickens with other color options are bred. -language sources in the description of the Dutch white-crested breed of chickens insist on a maximum of two varieties of colors: black and lavender – derived from black. In fact, a black body with a white crest is simply the most common color variant in the Dutch White-crested. Foreign sources provide photos of the Dutch white-crested with rather large color options. And sometimes even without a white tuft.
Lavender color
Motley
Salmon
Chocolate
In the photo in the background.
Black
And the most paradoxically sounding color of the Dutch white-crested is black.
White
On sale in a Dutch pet shop.
One should not be surprised at the presence of white and black colors, since these genes responsible for these colors are definitely present in the original Dutch white-crested breed with a black body and a white crest. Although, given the pictures with white and red crested chickens, you still need to think about what color is the original here.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros: very nice looking.
And now for the disadvantages. The main drawback is the crest. As you can see in the photo of the Dutch white-crested chickens, the tuft feathers are very long and close the eyes of the chickens. When wet, the feathers become heavy and hang down. In winter, they often freeze. In order for the tuft to be beautiful and white, it must be washed. Feed sticks to the feathers of the crest, which leads not only to pollution of the feather, but also to problems with the eyes.
Chickens are very nervous and shy. They do not handle stressful situations very well. They cannot be approached suddenly. These chickens must see the approach of a person in advance.
These chickens often have intraspecific conflicts, during which they can easily pluck feathers from the crest. Also, in the crest, pereeds often start and chickens should be periodically checked for the presence of parasites.
Fussy and unable to get along with other breeds. They are very susceptible to disease due to their weak immune system. Demanding to the conditions of detention.
Chick Features
If the shortcomings identified by the description and photo of the Dutch white-crested chickens did not scare away the desire to acquire a breed, you will have to figure out how to distinguish Dutch white-crested chickens from representatives of other breeds.
Actually, it’s easy. Due to the characteristic features of the breed: the bulge of the skull, even one-day-old chickens already have a crest. True, from fluff.
This chick will most likely be lavender with a white topknot.
Even if the chickens were hatched by another chicken, for example, a Chinese silk one, then it will still not be difficult to notice the right chicks.
Chinese silk chicks do not have such a tuft at birth. Their crest on the head begins to grow simultaneously with the general plumage of the body.
With older chickens, it’s even easier.
Content
Chickens of the Dutch white-crested require special treatment. Unlike other chickens, Dutch white-crested chickens cannot be kept even on sawdust. If shavings are used as bedding, they should be large. And cleaned of small particles that will stick to the feathers on the head and tangle them. When kept on straw, it is also necessary to check the tufts of chickens daily to see if a blade of grass is tangled there.
The bedding must always be dry. In the wet, pathogenic bacteria multiply rapidly, and the Dutch white-crested have weak immunity.
Mandatory separate content in a fairly spacious room. Dutch white-crested do not get along with other breeds and fight among themselves. Chickens should be able to disperse in peace.
You can’t go to the Dutch white-crested ones “without warning”. Chickens must see the owner in advance.
When feeding wet food, the mash should always be freshly prepared. The Dutch white-crested has a weak intestine, and wet food quickly turns sour. Water in the drinker should also not stagnate.
Reviews
Conclusion
Dutch white-crested chickens are good for those lovers who breed birds to participate in exhibitions. Even for decorating the yard in the climate, they are not suitable. As a productive breed, they have almost completely lost their significance.