Chinese silk chicken - nature's smile
The world is full of wonders! Even in the prosaic chicken family, there are representatives such as the Chinese silk chicken. The fur of these creatures is soft, similar to that of a cat. Weightless hats and down, an unusual color of plumage - everything gives the chickens a proud posture and appearance, matching the Chinese mandarins. Ancient Chinese letters mention this breed of chickenscalling it a "snare". In Europe, they learned about amazing chickens in the 13th century, in Russia, exotics appeared in the 18th century.
Description of the breed
In China, traditional medicine recommends eating black chicken meat for disease of the appendages. For painful periods and for beauty, women buy balls from the insides of black chicken at the pharmacy. They relieve pain instantly. It is believed that the systematic use of black meat prolongs the female age.
The internal organs of this type of "chickens with raven bones", according to Chinese characteristics:
- black bones;
- black and brown leather;
- grayish black meat.
Chicken carcasses are a delicacy product. They are small. The chicken weighs 1.5 kg, the rooster is larger. This is approximately the weight of conventional chickens, pubescence makes them visually larger. The structure adds exoticism - the body is almost round with a short, wide back and protruding shoulders, resting on short fluffy legs. Turquoise earlobes, blue comb and beak complete the picture. This chicken can only be recognized by its description.
Photos and videos about the Chinese silk hen and these amazing birds are perceived with great interest.
A thoroughbred individual does not have coarse feathers, it may have red-blue catkins and a pink comb, but there are always five toes with the same development on its feet.
The color of the feathers can be gray, blue, white, but the main color of the breed is black. Centuries have passed, and exotic Chinese silk hens have remained a curiosity in Europe. Their eggs are expensive to buy for breeding, you can see the game in private farms and special farms.
Characteristics of silk chickens
The exotic look of chickens is not valued for egg production. However, 100 eggs a year weighing about 35 g can be obtained. The chicken becomes a good mother and incubates not only her own, but also quail and pheasant eggs. Birds are not shy, willingly go to the hands of the owner, allowing themselves to be stroked.
The fluff of Chinese chickens is prized. A haircut is arranged once a month, collecting up to 70 grams from the head, fluff is used for knitting. Birds can easily endure winter in unheated chicken coops... They do not need roosts, exotics cannot fly. The diet is the same as for regular chicken. But if you need the chicken to rush, it is better to provide a warm content and a long light period.
It is necessary to provide for drip drinking, the bird does not tolerate wetting of feathers, dampness in the room.
The Chinese silk chicken is the fluffiest chicken in the world. However, they are susceptible to all chicken ailments. Pooferoids, ticks and fleas, if kept incorrectly, will destroy decorativeness. With an unbalanced diet, blockage or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is possible.
Diarrhea will create an unpleasant ball of matted wool from the decorative bird. A clean room, good nutrition and care will keep a strong, healthy flock.Walking for chickens is a prerequisite for healthy living.
Features of breeding birds
Breeding a Chinese chicken is costly. One chicken costs 50 cu. e. To get offspring you need to buy a rooster and several chickens. The egg remains viable for a week. One chicken can incubate no more than 15 eggs. Taking into account the low egg production, to organize the hatching, you need to acquire a herd of 5 hens and a rooster. The hen is a good mother and there is a guarantee that healthy offspring will grow up.
You can buy eggs for about $ 5 one, or a ready-made brood of chicks, paying more than $ 7 for each. There is such an opportunity if you are a resident of a large city. They sell exotics in special stores or large markets.
Chickens of Chinese hens are raised as ordinary chickens with a gradual decrease in the temperature of the content, ranging from 30 degrees in the first week to 18 after 1 month. Feeding is organized starting with boiled yolk and crushed cereals with a gradual expansion of the menu. In this case, crushed mixtures should make up at least 55% of the diet, vitamin feeds, boiled vegetables are required.
There should always be water in the drinking bowl for chickens, but the fluff on the breast should not get wet when drinking.
Food value of black chicken
At home, Chinese silk chicken is valued not only for its decorative appearance, but also for the special composition of its meat. The unusually dark meat and chicken entrails are healing. Compared to white meat, meat is more nutritious, rich in vitamins and amino acids. Black chicken dishes are softer and less fat. They are better absorbed and are considered medicinal.
In 1578, a Chinese herbal healer lists black chicken meat as a medicine that suppresses nausea, restores the power of blood, and stops bleeding.
100 g of black chicken meat contains:
- vitamin B1 - 0.02 mg;
- vitamin B2 - 0.1 mg;
- nicotinic acid - 7.1 mg;
- vitamin E - 1.77 mg.
The product in question contains more globulin, it is useful for women suffering from anemia. Eating Chinese silk chicken meat is good for everyone, especially people who are weakened by a long and severe illness. It is recommended to eat 150 g of meat product for medicinal and preventive purposes.
Chinese black chicken meat is considered a delicacy in other Asian countries - Korea, Vietnam, Japan. The dish is prepared with ginger and local herbs. Eastern medicine recommends introducing into the menu and systematically consuming black chicken products for patients:
- anemia;
- with problems with the liver, spleen and kidneys;
- gastrointestinal ailments.
It is not recommended to eat meat for colds, diarrhea and cough with phlegm.
Cooking black chicken meat should not be accompanied by roasting. Curries, soups, broths, stewing are the best ways to prepare a healthy meal.