If you want to start a decorative breed of chickens with good meat characteristics, Bantamki chickens will be an excellent option. Bentamki are not only a decoration of any yard, but also owners of high indicators of the taste of meat. Due to the fact that Bentamka chicken has a huge number of various breeds, each farmer will be able to choose a suitable option for the farm. Consider what characteristics decorative hens of the Bentamka breed have and features of keeping birds at home.
Chickens Bentamki
Bentamka chicken and its origin
Bentamki first appeared in Japan. In this area, a similar chicken lives in the wild. If we compare Bantamok with other varieties of chickens, then they are quite adapted to living in any conditions, have good health and high taste. This breed has an inherent feature: even the most serious diseases bypass the bentamok side.
Due to the fact that Bentamka in the wild is left to herself, she will be able to protect offspring and stand up for herself. By protecting the brood, chickens can fight back even predatory kites. Despite the fact that they are quite fighting, in the same yard these chickens are able to get along with other types of winged and not attack them. Moreover, sometimes it happens that chickens of other breeds perfectly hatch with the help of Bentamki.
On the territory of Russia, the Bentamka chicken breed appeared a long time ago, since the very first mentions of it date back to the 18th century. At that time, Bentamki acted as decorative specimens that adorned the garden. Such chickens in the yard indicated the prosperity and wealth of the family. Moreover, the colorful cockerel was called "king".
Appearance and description of Bentamki
The description of this chicken is useful and necessary information for the breeder. Considering a similar breed, it is worth noting that this is a dwarf version of the decorative direction. The chicken weighs about 500 g, and the cockerel is about 1 kg. In the event that the maintenance takes place in very good conditions, in 1 year it can bring about 150 eggs, 1 egg weighs about 45-50 g. At the same time, you should pay attention to the real figure of egg production, which is guaranteed by all farmers: this 80 eggs a year.
The legs and skin of the Bentamok are yellow, but the comb has a slightly pink tint. Any Bentamka has a fairly bright plumage, which distinguishes it from representatives of other species. Despite the wide variety of all kinds of colors, the tail of this bird can sometimes be black. But the main features of this bird rightfully belong to the miniature size and individual bright color, which even chickens have.
Bentamka and her breeds
Looking at the photos of Bentamok, it’s already in appearance that you can determine that there is a huge variety of species of this bird. Below we will consider what representatives of the breed are.
- Nanking. This breed is inherent in a yellowish-yellow color. The Bentamok rooster has a rather contrasting plumage of black on the neck, tail and chest with small inclusions. There is no feathering on the legs.
- Beijing Bentamka is the most popular of all types, prized for its diminutive size. Also, this breed has such a name as "Kokhinkhinsky bentams".
- Feathered differs from other species in dense plumage located on the legs.
- A benthic of the genus Seabright, the peculiarity of which is that this species is on the verge of extinction. All kinds of diseases actively kill young animals, while their egg production is at the lowest level. In adulthood, a small number of representatives of this breed can be found. At the same time, the rooster is distinguished by strong belligerence, and the hens are not fertile, which is not at all inherent in such a breed. At the same time, looking at the photo, you can see that their color is unique: gold or silver.
- Shabo, also called "Japanese". As for the color, this species does not have any uniform color. But in fact, these are dwarf Bantamki chickens, which have rather miniature shapes and body sizes. In fact, this is the smallest specimen of this species.
- Altai Bentamka comes from Barnaul, and it differs in that it is completely hairy. The Altai breed has a large number of colors and a magnificent hairstyle on its head.
- Printed Uentamka. A similar calico breed is now widespread in Russia. The rooster has black plumage on the tail with a greenish tint. The chintz variety on feathers has beautiful white spots. There is absolutely no plumage on the legs. At the same time, the bentamka chintz chicken is the ancestor of the nutty species.
- Walnut has a delicate plumage of chocolate color with legs bluish in color.
- Java is the black variety most commonly found. It can also be pure gold in color, but is rare. The rooster weighs about 900 g, and the chicken representative weighs 500 g.
If you decide to buy Bentham chicken species, you should definitely pay attention to the wide variety of species, which amazes with its original appearance.
Correct content of Bentamka
For the maintenance of Bentamok for sale does not require a large number of costs. The only thing that chickens need is the presence of a well-heated room, because they are too sensitive to cold weather. The floors must be insulated and lined with shavings or straw. In order for Bentamki to be able to systematically clean their own feather, it is necessary to put a box in the premises, in which sand and ash are in the same ratio.
Since these chickens are quite miniature, they do not fly well. A hen can hatch several eggs at a time, but no more than 7. Chicks appear on the 21st day. In this case, the chickens of such a Bentamka in the first 3 days should be fed with the softest food. Most often it is a crush made of cottage cheese and eggs, and later - millet. After several days, adult representatives begin to teach chickens to independently search for food.
In the summer, they can be kept in specially equipped enclosures, the dimensions of which are 3 x 2 meters. In this case, it is advisable to divide the space of the aviary into 2 zones: in one there should be dried sand, and in the other - cereals. A stick should be nailed as a perch.
As for nutrition, it will be quite simple. In the summer, it can be a mixture of compound feed with chopped herbs, and in other seasons the diet is much larger. This can be potatoes, grains, carrots, vitamin supplements with flour, food waste, cottage cheese, and even yeast. The Bentham rooster and the chicken should be fed about three times a day, and the nestlings should be fed every 2 hours.
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How to feed dwarf bantam chickens? Advice from the Berezino farm.
Distinctive features from other types of chickens
This breed has a number of features that distinguish it from other species. These include:
- varied and striking appearance;
- dwarfism, since the weight does not exceed 1 kg;
- high protective characteristics;
- good health;
- gorgeous taste characteristics: meat is not only tasty and nutritious, but also tender;
- perfectly developed brooding instincts, females are able to hatch chicks of other breeds.
If you decide to buy this breed, then do not hesitate in the perfect choice. The meat and eggs are quite tasty, and the price for them is more than affordable for purchasing a whole pen of this bird.