Content
The Dutch white-crested breed of chickens has a very interesting and incomprehensible origin. In the Russian-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 17th century, but the exact origin of this breed is unknown.
There is a version that the Dutch originally bred very productive chickens for the sake of meat and eggs. At that time, the breed from the Netherlands was in no way reminiscent of the modern one. But she carried a colossal amount of eggs for those times and gave good meat.
Later from Poland was brought crested chicken and crossed with productive Dutch. 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 an ornamental bird.
Description
After they stopped demanding a large number of eggs from the Dutch white-crested and focused on beauty, egg production most likely decreased. Or has not risen since the Middle Ages. Today's production characteristics of the Dutch white-crested chickens are at the average level for meat breeds, while the white-crested chicken itself is considered meat and egg.
Over the past centuries, the crest has undergone some changes in the direction of greater elegance. But initially the breeders overdid it a little. The chickens did not have a particular problem with the tuft. He became lush and spherical. In the roosters, the crest began to drop to one side. In general, due to the too great splendor of the crest, vision began to suffer in chickens. In the end, the Dutch Poultry Union tightened the standard by prescribing the proportion of the comb and tuft in relation to the size of the bird. For breeding work, it was recommended to choose males with a strong, standing comb of medium size.
Standard
A 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 Belokhokhly is compact. The comb in roosters is often not visible under the feathers and it seems that it is missing. In fact, the pedigree rooster has a red comb, although it is hidden. The ridge is V-shaped. The earrings are red, the lobes 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 hock coincides with the color of the bird.
The backbone is light. The body is compact, located almost horizontally relative to the surface of the earth. The wings are small, tightly attached to the body. The belly is tucked up and well developed. The back is straight. The tail is almost vertical, of medium density, narrow. In roosters, it is decorated with long plaits running along the inside of the tail. Legs are of medium length. Metatarsus unfeathered.
Features of the breed
In the description of the Dutch white-crested chickens, there are signs by which you can determine the purebredity of a 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 mustache pattern.
Today, chickens with other color options have been bred. Russian-speaking 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 tuft is simply the most common color variation in the Dutch white-crested. Foreign sources provide photos of 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.
The black
And the most paradoxical sounding color of the Dutch white-crested is black.
White
Available at a Dutch pet store.
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 tuft. 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
Pluses: very beautiful appearance.
And now about the disadvantages. The main disadvantage is the crest. As you can see in the photo of the Dutch white-crested chickens, the feathers of the crest are very long and cover the chickens' eyes. When wet, the feathers become heavy and hang down. In winter, they often freeze up. In order for the crest to be beautiful and white, it must be washed. Food adheres to the feathers of the crest, which leads not only to contamination of the feathers, but also to eye problems.
Chickens are very nervous and shy. They do not tolerate stressful situations very well. They cannot be approached suddenly. These chickens should 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, feather eaters often start in the crest, and chickens should be periodically checked for parasites.
They are fussy and not able to get along with other breeds. Very susceptible to disease due to weak immunity. Demanding conditions of detention.
Features of chickens
If the shortcomings identified in the description and in the photo of the Dutch white-crested chickens did not scare away the desire to acquire the breed, you will have to figure out how to distinguish the Dutch white-crested chickens from representatives of other breeds.
In fact, it is not difficult. Thanks to the characteristic feature of the breed: the bulging of the skull, even one-day-old chicks already have a tuft. True, out of the fluff.
This chicken is most likely to be lavender with a white tuft.
Even if the chicks were hatched by another hen, for example, a Chinese silk one, then it would not be difficult to spot the right chicks.
Chickens of the Chinese silk do not have such a tuft at birth. Their crest on their heads begins to grow simultaneously with the general plumage of the body.
It's even easier with older chickens.
Content
Dutch white-crested chickens require special treatment. Unlike other chickens, Dutch white-crested chickens cannot be kept even on sawdust. If shavings are to be used as bedding, they should be coarse. And cleaned of small particles that will stick to the feathers on the head and entangle them. When kept on straw, it is also necessary to check the tuft of chickens daily to see if a blade of grass is tangled there.
The litter should always be dry. In the wet, pathogenic bacteria multiply rapidly, and the Dutch white-crested have weak immunity.
Necessarily separate content in a fairly spacious room. Dutch white-crested dogs do not get along with other breeds and fight among themselves. Chickens should be able to disperse in peace.
It is impossible to go to the Dutch white-crested "without warning". Chickens must see the owner in advance.
When feeding with wet food, the mash should always be freshly cooked. The white-crested Dutch have a weak intestine, and wet food quickly sour. The water in the drinker should also not stagnate.
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Conclusion
Dutch white-crested chickens are good for those hobbyists who breed birds to participate in exhibitions. Even for decorating a yard in the Russian climate, they are poorly suited. As a productive breed, they have almost completely lost their meaning.
