Chickens of the Sumatra breed belong to the fighting varieties, they are distinguished by their arbitrary character and crazy temperament. Representatives of this breed are valued for their special behavior during a fight. The appearance makes these chickens a favorite among bird lovers. Let’s consider what makes the Sumatra chicken breed stand out among its relatives.
History of the breed
Sumatran chickens are one of the first breeds to appear. For the first time, representatives of the breed appeared in Indonesia, and its ancestor is considered to be the jungle green chicken, which lives in Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. The breed was formed over centuries due to strict natural selection.
Representatives of the breed were brought to the USA in 1847. Here they immediately gained popularity among poultry farmers. After some time, the Dutch created a smaller copy of the Sumatran chicken. After that, the breed spread all over the world. They are especially popular in Asian countries, because it is here that bird fights have always been a popular way of spending time.
Description and distinctive features
Chickens of the Sumatra breed are distinguished not only by their fighting nature, but also by their extraordinary appearance. It is difficult to confuse them with representatives of other species.
Exterior
The appearance of Sumatran chickens distinguishes them from other types of birds:
- The stomach is inflamed, and the chest is bulging.
- The tail feathers are long and developed. At the same time, the tail is lowered and located almost parallel to the back.
- The head is small in relation to the body. It is covered with purple plumage.
- The lobes are small, red in color.
- The earrings are poorly developed.
- A pea-shaped comb of a red shade with a hint of purple.
- Roosters develop triple or double spurs.
- The legs are not covered with feathers and are distinguished by their strength.
- The plumage is average in density.
Color of plumage
The color of plumage is the same in both females and males. It is usually black with highlights of blue. But the color can be with a pearly or green tint. However, as a result of selection changes, there are representatives of the breed with plumage that combines completely different shades: copper, white, wild, splash, blue.
Nature
Sumatran chickens are distinguished by their fearsome character, which is characterized by aggressive, wild and fearless habits. It is difficult to call such laying hens ordinary and domestic. Breeders should take into account the wayward nature of individuals and arrange pens and structures with due regard for precautionary measures, because at any hint of aggression, a person may be attacked by roosters.
It is not recommended to keep Sumatra in a chicken coop with hens of other breeds, as they will start fights.
Chickens of this breed are excessively active and curious. They easily come into contact with people and are open. Sumatran roosters will constantly arrange battles for supremacy in the chicken coop. Males usually have the character of a leader, aggressive, brave.
Chickens inflamed by a fight are able to fly to the branches of tall trees and buildings, so the flock is completely closed with a net.
Weight indicators
A male Sumatran can weigh up to 3.5 kg. The female reaches a maximum of 2.5 kg. However, there are also dwarf representatives of the breed: the weight of roosters is no more than 1.5 kilograms, and hens – 800 grams.
When does it start bearing and what is the bearing capacity
Sexual maturity in laying hens of the Sumatra breed comes late – at 6.5-7.5 months. At this age, they begin to lay eggs, the weight of which ranges from 53 to 60 grams. The sexual system is fully formed by the age of two.
The laying rate of laying hens of the Sumatran breed ranges from 90 to 150 eggs per year. The extraordinary coloring of the plumage does not affect the shade of the shell. It is cream or white.
The duration of productivity of Sumatran chickens is from 3 to 5 years. Then you need to change the livestock.
Maintenance features
Sumatran chickens were bred in the warm climate of Indonesia. Therefore, they are sensitive to changes in the temperature in the chicken coop, the quality of the litter in the nests. Laying hens of this breed cannot do without a walk, so it is possible to keep such hens in cages. In addition, in cramped quarters, chickens will peck feathers from relatives.
Rooms where Sumatra chickens are kept must be regularly cleaned and disinfected. During the egg-laying period, additional lighting is required to obtain eggs suitable for hatching.
Henhouse
During the period of preparation of the chicken coop, the peculiarities of the breed are taken into account. High perches and nests are installed inside the room. The latter are covered exclusively with straw. It is in the nests that egg laying will take place. Drinking bowls and feeders are installed. The latter are made narrow and long from wood or metal that is not subject to oxidation.
The laying hen of the Sumatra breed is afraid of the cold. In severe frosts, chickens suffer from frostbite, become very ill and may die. To avoid such problems, chicken coops are equipped with a heating system equipped with special temperature and air humidity sensors. In winter, the temperature should not fall below 15 ˚С, and the humidity should be from 40 to 60%.
Birds need spacious pens, because representatives of this breed like to walk in the fresh air. However, it should not be forgotten that Sumatrans are prone to escape.
Ration
The diet of Sumatran adults does not differ from the diet of ordinary laying hens:
- Dry grain should be present in the diet of chickens every day.
- With the onset of summer, pre-chopped greens are introduced into the diet. In winter, fresh herbs are replaced by dried ones.
- So that the roosters do not lose muscle mass, the protein content in the diet is increased by introducing legumes and meat waste.
- From November to the end of March, the portion of each livestock individual is increased by 15%.
- The first feeding should consist of fresh mixture.
Vitamins in special preparations are added to the diet during the molting period to improve feather formation. You can buy them in specialized stores. Corn must be present in the diet during this period.
There should always be a clean container filled with water in the chicken coop. This is especially important on hot days.
Diseases
Sumatran chickens are prone to many diseases.
Most often, they are diagnosed with mycoplasmosis – a disease of infectious etiology, which is characterized by damage to the respiratory system. The disease is transmitted from adults to chicks. Among the characteristic symptoms are the deterioration of appetite, shortness of breath, wheezing in the trachea. Requires emergency treatment.
Individuals of this breed can also suffer from:
- pullorosis, which is popularly called typhus;
- salmonellosis or paratyphoma;
- streptococcus, which often affects young animals;
- tuberculosis;
- smallpox or diphtheria;
- omphalitis;
- ornithosis;
- neurolymphomatosis;
- colicepticemia;
- coccidiosis.
To maintain the health of livestock, standard preventive measures are carried out: they are vaccinated, regularly treated against parasites.
It is impossible to engage in diagnostics and treatment of poultry on your own. If there are any deviations from the norm, uncharacteristic features in the behavior of laying hens, it is necessary to call a veterinarian immediately.
Linka
The molting period of Sumatran chickens is the same as that of ordinary laying hens. Changing the plumage allows the bird to maintain its productivity and health. But often this process is painful. Do not be alarmed if the chickens have become less active, their appetite and appearance have deteriorated. These are signs of molting. Egg laying stops during this period.
During molting, Sumatran chickens need careful care, an improved diet containing vitamins and minerals, as well as increased attention from the breeder.
Breeding
Breeding Sumatran chickens is a time-consuming process. The breeder should take into account the features of laying hens and prepare in advance for many difficulties.
Hatching ability
Sumatra have a highly developed brooding instinct. They are careful and patient, treat chickens with tenderness. Chickens of this breed are able to incubate eggs and other representatives of birds, which is actively used by experienced farmers.
Despite the strong maternal instinct, Sumatran chickens come into this world with the help of modern technologies and equipment. An incubator is needed to replenish the population.
For hatching chickens using an incubator, it is recommended to use eggs weighing more than 40 grams. At the same time, they must be checked for the presence of an embryo, because not all of them are fertilized.
Care of chicks
Sumatran chicks are born small, covered with short black down. If the rules for the care of young animals are observed, their survival rates increase significantly.
Sumatran chicks are distinguished by strong immunity and good health, which is laid down at the genetic level. Survival of young is 87%. The process of plumage formation proceeds slowly, but muscle mass gains faster with proper nutrition.
To save the young, it is recommended:
- The first week of life keep the chicks on thick bedding. At the same time, the temperature in the room should be maintained at a constant level – not lower than 33 ˚C.
- Keep the places where chicks are kept clean and dry.
- Feed the young separately from the adult stock with appropriate feed and special additives for chicks.
- Add vitamin supplements to drinking water once every 7 days.
- For 3 weeks of life, feed the chicks with greens, but not in large quantities. Lettuce leaves, dandelions, stinging nettle, carrot leaves, and onion feathers are suitable.
After ringing, the young are transferred to grain feed.
Feeding chickens
In the first two weeks of life, chicks are fed with mashed eggs, previously hard-boiled, cereal porridge, chopped with a blender, and greens. Clean water is given as a drink. When raising Sumatra chicks, it is recommended:
- Do not restrict chickens in food, because activity and intensive growth require energy expenditure. With a lack of nutrition, chicks will spend more calories than they receive.
- Feed protein food. Chickens are fed potatoes, rye, oats, and dairy products. Protein is necessary for building muscle tissue.
- Saturate the diet with calcium. The trace element is necessary for strengthening bone tissues. It is contained in special additives, as well as in flour prepared from bones.
- Adhere to the feeding regime to preserve the young. In the first 10 days, feed the chicks every 2 hours. Starting from the 11th day, the intervals are increased by 1 hour. When the chicks are 1 month old, they are fed at least 5 times a day.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before starting a new breed of chickens, it is recommended to evaluate the features and shortcomings. The advantages of the Sumatra breed include:
- Decorative qualities. After all, it is impossible to find similar in color and appearance.
- A lively character combined with a fighting temperament.
- Sumatran chickens are distinguished by endurance.
- The maternal instinct and the brooding instinct are highly developed.
Despite the obvious advantages of the breed, there are also disadvantages, including:
- Sensitivity to low temperatures. To avoid problems, it is necessary to build insulated and heated chicken coops.
- Taste qualities of meat. The product is hard and contains many veins.
- Indicators of bearing.
Sumatran chickens are bred only as fighting birds. To obtain meat and eggs, it is recommended to breed less capricious breeds.