The Redbro chicken breed is a hybrid that belongs to the meat-and-meat direction. Suitable for breeding both in small private farms and on industrial farms. It is characterized by good egg productivity, large body size and average growth rates. The meat of chickens and roosters is tasty, slightly fibrous and completely non-greasy. If you look at any farming forum, you can find numerous positive reviews about this cross.
Redbro chicken breed
Description of the breed
Redbrough chickens were bred in England. Got a cross by crossing the Cornish breed with the Malay fighting. The result was birds with well-developed muscles, good egg productivity, excellent adaptability to any climate and high resistance to disease. Further improvement of the breed involved in the United States and France. Now two lines are known: M and S, which are distinguished by their productivity.
In Russia, Redbrough chickens have been known for several decades. Due to the fact that the birds are unpretentious and adapt perfectly to the cold climate, they are very popular in household and farm households, as well as in large poultry farms. Characteristics and description of appearance is as follows:
- The head is large and round.
- The scallop is leaf-shaped or pea-shaped, large.
- The beak is strong, straight, slightly shortened.
- The body is large, with well-developed muscles.
- The plumage is plump, red in color.
If you look at the appearance of chickens and roosters in the photo, you can see how beautiful they are, so this breed is loved not only for food, but also for decorative qualities. Her character is calm, roosters rarely show aggression. You can keep cross in the yard with other birds. This is another positive feature of this variety.
Breed productivity
To date, many real breeds, crosses and hybrids have been bred in the world. Many surpass Redbrough in their food quality. However, these red chickens do not lose their relevance. Many farmers are still looking for universal breeds for breeding, from which both eggs and meat can be obtained at the same time. In addition, Redbro cross is resistant to many diseases, which significantly reduces herd mortality and the cost of expensive preventive measures.
A description of the productivity of Redbro hens and cockerels is as follows:
- The mass of males is about 4.5 kg, some specimens reach 6 kg.
- The weight of the chickens is about 3 kg.
- The mass of chickens per month is 1.2 kg, in 2 months - 2.5 kg.
- The average number of eggs per year is 160; individual layers can produce up to 250-300 eggs.
- The mass of one egg is 60-70 g.
- The hue of the shell is brown, it is plump and strong.
- Start of laying - 5.6-6 months
It is important to note that the S cross grows slightly faster than the M cross, and its final weights are higher. The meat of Redbro chickens contains almost no fat, it is more fibrous than that of regular broilers, which is why it is not always popular with us. But in the United States, this particular cross occupies a leading position in the supply of products for healthy nutrition. The Master Gray or Gris breeds, as well as the Foxy Chick, have similar characteristics. They are similar in their qualities and compete for leadership in the market.
Productivity increases with good housing conditions. It is known that at temperatures of 18-20 ° C, chickens can lay all year round. If a bath is allowed, overheating will occur and the birds will begin to lose weight. Adequate ventilation in the chicken coop is also important.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
As you can see from the description, the Redbro chicken breed can boast of its positive characteristics and in many ways surpass other varieties. The main advantages of the cross include:
- high productivity in both meat and egg directions
- excellent adaptability to any climate
- rapid growth and weight gain
- disease resistance
The cross also has disadvantages. Since it is obtained as a result of hybrid crossing, it is difficult to get chickens on your own at home. It is best to buy a hatching egg or small chicks. The second drawback is the not very high popularity of the specific meat that Redbro chickens give. Businessmen often face problems in its implementation.
Chickens
This cross is not too capricious, its content is within the power of even beginners. the chicken coop is the most common. Perches with an area of about 40 cm² and at the same height from the floor should be equipped in it. The litter is made from peat, straw, shavings or sawdust. Its thickness should be about 10 cm. It is necessary to change the litter in the room itself and in the dressing room as it gets dirty, make sure that its humidity does not exceed 25-30%. The room is completely cleaned out every six months or before the launch of a new batch of chickens.
Redbro's chickens feel much better on free-walking; cages are completely unsuitable for them. On poultry farms, they are grown with limited range. Sometimes birds on large farms are allowed to walk in the dressing room. Calculate the area for the chicken coop, it should be taken into account that you should not keep more than 3 individuals on one square meter, and 1-2 square meters should be calculated on the walking area for 1 chicken. On the walking platform and in the house you can put containers with wood ash. Chickens will arrange dry baths there, which will protect them from parasites.
It is very important to maintain a normal temperature in the hen house, not to create a steam room or a bath there. Cold is not as bad for chickens as heat. They calmly rush even at 0 degrees. But overheating can significantly reduce their productivity. Therefore, every house must have adequate ventilation. This can be an ordinary window in the dressing room or the chicken coop itself, or industrial, supply and exhaust ventilation. In winter, all cracks should be carefully caulked; heating can be installed if the climate is too cold. Lighting should be 14-16 hours. Then, even in winter, you can ensure normal egg production.
Bird feeding
The feeding system for birds can be different. Abroad, on industrial farms, high-calorie protein feed is used to feed Redbro hens. They prefer to feed the bird with grain mixtures. If we compare the rate of weight gain, then there is not much difference between the two methods. When raising chickens at home on natural nutrition, the diet includes:
- Grain - wheat, barley, corn, oats.
- Legumes - peas, lentils, vetch.
- Meat and bone meal.
- Oilcake or meal from sunflower, soy.
- In winter - grass flour, green needles.
- In summer - fresh grass, tops of plants, fresh vegetables.
- Boiled potatoes, beets, carrot peeling.
- Reverse or protein supplements.
- Chalk, salt, shells and other mineral additives.
- Vitamins
There should always be fresh water in the poultry house; drinkers are also placed in the dressing room and on the walking area. In order to prevent the hens from climbing into the drinking bowls and not having a bath in them, you need to attach them at a certain elevation. If we calculate the feed consumption for the production of one egg, the following indicators will be obtained:
- grain - 50 g;
- wet mash - 30 g;
- boiled potatoes - 100 g;
- oilcake - 10 g;
- herbal flour - 10 g;
- return - 100 g.
In summer, the cost of feed is lower, since on free-range laying hens themselves find their food. This primarily concerns animal proteins, animals eat worms, snails, beetles and other insects. If proper ventilation is not installed in the house and dressing room, chickens can lose weight in the summer due to heat. This must also be monitored.
Bird breeding
As already mentioned, the Redbro broiler is a hybrid, therefore breeding it at home is difficult. Many farmers buy hatching eggs, put them under hens of other breeds or hatch them in an incubator. With artificial breeding, there are no special problems.
It is necessary to have a standard incubator in which the temperature is well regulated, there is ventilation and the ability to maintain normal humidity. The incubator is installed directly in the chicken coop, in the dressing room or at home on the veranda. Eggs should be kept at a temperature of 37.6-37.8 ° C. The humidity should be 55-60%, the effect of a bath must not be allowed. Redbro chickens leave their eggs after 21 days.
Chickens breed Redbro - Redbro
Review of chickens of the parody Master Gray, Redbrough, Golosheyka brolny.
Raising young stock is pretty simple. It is necessary to provide an adequate temperature (28-30 ° C) in the first days and round-the-clock lighting. Good ventilation of the room is also necessary so that the air does not stagnate. At the same time, drafts should be avoided. The easiest way is to place the chickens in a brooder, it is easy to do it yourself. Feeding in the early days should be six meals a day. Chickens are given a mash of boiled eggs, cottage cheese and herbs, then steamed grain is introduced into the diet. Feed consumption for growing chickens is as follows:
- 2 weeks - 100-150 g;
- 3 weeks - 180-200 g;
- month - 200-220 g;
- 5-6 weeks - 230-240 g;
- 7-8 weeks - 245-250 g;
- 6 months - 300-350 g.
How much does an hatching egg or one day old chicken cost? Eggs for incubation are sold for 30-40 rubles, the wholesale price may be lower. Daily chicks cost 80-100 rubles apiece, monthly ones - 200 rubles, layers 4-5 months old - 350-400 rubles. You need to buy chickens at proven poultry farms, which are purposefully engaged in breeding Redbro cross. Otherwise, under the guise of thoroughbred birds, you can buy the most ordinary ones. Before you buy, you need to carefully study the description, photos and videos of the breed.