The hybrid breed of Tetra chickens can boast not only high egg production, but also delicious lean meat. Many poultry breeders love this breed of chickens, not only for high productivity rates, but also for their unpretentious maintenance and care.
History of the origin of the breed
The breed does not have a long history, since the breeders bred chickens relatively recently. The exact year of creation is not determined, but it is known that it was about 40 years ago, although many other chicken breeds were bred over 100 years ago. Homeland - Hungary. Breeders sought to breed a variety of chickens to produce a productive hybrid with high egg production and excellent meat.
Scientists managed to achieve their goal, the breed of Tetra chickens is unique. Laying hens very quickly gained well-deserved popularity and today they can be found in almost any country. Due to their unpretentiousness, they are bred even in miniature farms.
Appearance characteristics
There is nothing special in the appearance of birds, but the main features of the breed can be distinguished:
- rooster weight - 3 kg, layers by 0.5 kg less;
- the structure of the skeleton is identical with other chickens, but the body is slightly longer;
- the head is small, the beak is strong, yellow, the crest is even, erect;
- laying hens have a small belly, in roosters it is not visible at all;
- wings of medium size, tight to the body;
- the color of the rooster is most often red-red, in the laying hen the same, but much paler.
Description of Tetra chickens
Despite their compact physique, laying hens amaze many poultry houses with productive indicators, sometimes even the largest purebred hens cannot boast of such.
Meat characteristics
In addition to high productivity, individuals of the Tetra chicken breed tend to have tasty and dietary meat. This feature makes the product a participant in many culinary masterpieces. Since the poultry reaches the required weight very quickly, poultry breeders receive profits literally instantly. Layers are muscular, the meat is fine-fiber structure.
All components in the product are perfectly absorbed by the body, some elements speed up the process of digestion. The amount of fat in meat is about 10%, and the protein is much higher than that of other chickens. Therefore, this product is considered an excellent source of useful elements that are especially needed by children.
In addition, meat contains vitamin B6, popularly called a natural antidepressant, its amount in Tetra is greater than in peanuts, beans, broccoli, etc. Chicken meat helps to improve metabolism, strengthens the immune system, helps to avoid strokes and heart attacks.
Productivity and weight gain
Young Tetra breed grows very quickly, of course, it is significantly inferior to broilers, but at the age of 3 months the weight is about 1.6 kg. By the age of 4.5 months - more than 2 kg. Weight naturally increases over time.
Character
The birds' disposition is peaceful, friendly, does not cause discontent on the part of poultry farmers. Not very active, a little clumsy, peaceful. Males do not get into fights, they behave calmly. However, if one rooster begins to attack another, then the male will not stand aside. He will always protect himself and his hens.
There are also too active pugnacious roosters, such individuals are immediately sent to the slaughter or simply transplanted into another separate cage. The birds love fresh air, they love to explore territories unknown to them, they are always looking for new adventures. Kind and sympathetic, they do not fight with people, they easily make contact with them.
Despite the fact that birds love to learn new places, they will not fly over the fence on their own.
Sexual maturity and egg production
Poultry breeders love to have birds that start laying early and reach sexual maturity quickly. Chickens of the Tetra breed are just such birds. They make their first clutch at the age of 4-5 months, although they fully mature later. At first, the mass of eggs is about 50 g, over time it becomes larger.
The hybrid breed is sometimes delayed in sexual development, but this happens very rarely. The reason is improper and inadequate nutrition of birds. It is worth paying attention to the fact that birds are prone to obesity, respectively, excess weight provokes delayed laying and late puberty.
As for the egg production, its indicators really surprise poultry farmers. This small feathered hen is ready to bring about 300 eggs per year to the owners. The shell is light brown. Naturally, this is not the most record figure, but such a number of eggs brought is high, especially considering the meat and egg direction of chickens.
Incubation instinct
Almost all purebred chicken breeds have a maternal instinct; hybrids and crosses are not endowed with it. Unfortunately, the Tetra chicken breed was no exception. Hungarian laying hens cannot be good brood hens, with the exception of special exceptional hens.
The bird will not sit in the nest and wait for the birth of its offspring, it simply will not sit in it. Some poultry breeders try to force the hens to sit on the eggs, but it all ends with the bird's nervousness and further aggressive behavior. In this case, you should not despair, because an incubator always comes to the rescue. He will solve all the problems of the poultry farmer. Well, the features of incubating chicken eggs are described in this article.
In the incubator, the main thing is to correctly set the temperature and humidity, then healthy and strong chickens will appear from the eggs in about 22 days.
If the breeder does not plan to breed birds on an industrial scale, then you can use a hen of another breed of chickens, she will happily sit with her eggs and with others. In addition, you can simply buy young animals and not waste time breeding them.
Features of keeping and growing
All poultry breeders unanimously say that special conditions for keeping chickens are not needed. It is enough for birds to build a comfortable chicken coop or place them in a barn, provide normal living conditions and feed them correctly.
House requirements
The first thing you need to pay attention to is the location of the chicken coop and the walking yard. They are built on a hill, at least a small one, so that sewage and rainwater does not flood the site.
If you are interested in how to make a chicken coop yourself, then this article is located here.
The coop should be large so that all birds feel comfortable in it. For 4 layers of 1 sq. m. One family consists of 1 rooster and 8-10 females. The male lives with chickens if he behaves calmly and does not fight.
The room must be insulated by closing cracks and holes. Draft hurts birds, they get sick and then recover for a long time. It is important to maintain optimal indoor humidity and temperature. The breeder should know that the lower the temperature, the worse the birds fly.
Feeders and drinkers are placed in the room, the containers are cleaned and washed constantly. After the birds have eaten them, they must be taken out of the chicken coop so that the birds do not carry food throughout the room.
If you need advice on how to make a chicken feeder yourself, then this article is here. And about making drinking bowls with your own hands is written here.
Birds love to walk in the fresh air, respectively, they will not do without a walking yard. It is equipped next to the chicken coop, fenced off with a net on all sides. It is better to make a special canopy on top, which will not only protect the chickens from bright sunlight, rain, but also protect them from wild birds.
On the street, containers with ash are installed so that the birds can take bath procedures that help clean the feathers from insects and pests. The yard should be located on open soil so that the birds can eat in summer not only food brought by humans, but also food growing on the ground. You can plant a clover or knotweed in advance.
Feeding
Food is prepared strictly according to the requirements for hybrid breeds. Chickens need high-protein food, feed for rapid growth and assimilation of food, adult chickens prefer foods with calcium, without which the egg production rate will obviously drop.
Without a well-chosen diet, there will be difficulties with egg-laying and healthy replacement of the livestock. There are no other requirements, the diet is about the same as that of other chicken breeds. The optimal feeding regimen is 3 times a day.
Foods that should be present in the diet of Tetra chickens:
- A mash. It includes grains and vegetables. Any root vegetables can be added from vegetables. Also, a special place is occupied by greens, shells, meat and bone and bone meal, special vitamins and mineral supplements.
- Cereals. These include rye, barley, wheat and corn. You can use a special compound feed sold in any market.
- Fermented milk products and meat waste. They are added to dishes or given separately. There should be greenery and healthy grass growing on the outdoor yard, but the poultry farmer should still check the quality of the greenery and the absence of poisonous or harmful plants in the yard.
During the winter season, the amount of food intake must be increased, and the diet can also be improved so that the layers do not go hungry. Since there is no fresh greens in winter, birds can be given dry grass or specially prepared hay.
Molting and break of egg production
Molting is a common and natural occurrence and does not harm birds. Layers change their old feathers for new ones in the fall. This is how birds respond to shorter daylengths.
Chickens of the Tetra breed are one of the few birds that retain their egg production even during molting. Thanks to this amazing quality, the poultry farmer will receive tasty and large eggs all year round.
There are times when birds could not begin to molt themselves. If this happens, you should contact your veterinarian, he will be able to help you and your bird. It is impossible to pull out the feathers of the chicken on your own, you can cause irreparable harm to it.
The only thing you need to pay attention to is that during the moulting period, birds need to get more vitamins and minerals with food, especially those that contain calcium. Breeders add fish oil and various useful supplements to the diet.
Age affects layers, their productivity decreases by the 3rd year. They begin to produce much fewer eggs, and the meat becomes less tender and juicy. At this time, it is better not to leave the birds, but to get rid of them. It is not so difficult to change the livestock, but the productive indicators in your yard will always be at a high level.
Raising chickens
The Tetra hybrid has a rather tenacious young growth. With proper breeding, more than 95% of the chicks can be preserved. Interestingly, the survival rate of adult chickens is no less. This quality is considered a sufficient dignity, because many losses occur only among babies.
Young animals of Tetra hydrides at birth are already different from each other, even a novice poultry farmer will be able to distinguish a boy from a girl. Males are white and females are fawn.
Babies are gaining weight very quickly, by the 5th month their weight is about 2 kg. During the period of growth and development of young animals, it is necessary to pay great attention to the diet, it is compiled strictly according to the age of the birds. In general, chicks do not need special conditions of detention, however, some rules must be adhered to.
The main recommendations for care and feeding:
- The regime is the basis for good survival of babies. Many poultry farmers are sure that for the first 10 days, young animals need to be fed every 2 hours, then every 3 hours, 4 hours, and so on up to 3 meals a day.
- At first, babies are kept in a warm box, then they are released into a chicken coop specially created for them (this can be a small separate pen). The smallest ones are kept in cardboard boxes, including additional light and heating.
The behavior of the chicks must be monitored if the temperature in the room is too high - they constantly drink water, eat little and lie more. If the indicator is low, the young will begin to bask in each other. In this case, strong individuals can cripple or even crush the weak. - Fermented milk products and yeast are added to the menu. Such foods will strengthen the immune system and add protein and calcium to the body.
- Necessarily a huge amount of fresh herbs.
Analogs
Tetra chicken hybrids are unique, but even they have an analogue. Breeders are sure that this is the Master Gray breed, it was also created in Hungary. In terms of productivity, they are almost identical, only Master Gray does not bring about 300 eggs per year, but more, that is, they can boast of maximum productivity.
Special attention should be paid to their meat, it is tender and tasty, and is truly considered a great achievement in poultry farming. Laying hens weigh at least 4 kg, and males can gain weight over 6 kg.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tetra chicken hybrids have both pros and cons; when breeding them, these nuances must be taken into account.
Benefits of Tetra hybrids:
- high egg production;
- unpretentious care;
- undemanding in a special feed;
- cheap chickens;
- relatively calm nature;
- meat is tender, dietary and juicy.
Disadvantages of Tetra hybrids:
- lost maternal instinct;
- some cocks are too pugnacious.
Frequent illnesses
Purebred birds often have strong immunity, and hybrids and crosses fall ill and die. But Tetra chickens are an exception. Excellent immunity is the advantage of birds. Layers very rarely get sick, the main thing is to adhere to the basic rules for keeping and caring for birds, and to carry out preventive measures.
The livestock suffers most often from harmful insects. The birds are saved from them by constant treatment, preventive use of drugs from parasites in food, and regular examinations are also required.
The main signs of sick birds are: poor appetite or complete refusal to eat, loss of feathers, constant drowsiness or excessive activity, discoloration of droppings, decreased egg production.
Reviews of farmers about the Tetra breed
Alevtina, 44 years old, beautician, Sochi.Tetra hens appeared in my yard two years ago. Chickens are calm, friendly. Find contact with my 10-year-old daughter, let themselves be stroked. The first eggs were delivered at the age of 5 months, one layer even a month earlier than the others. At first they did not differ in size, but then they became much larger. By the 5th month, the birds have reached 2 kg. The cockerels are 1 kg more, we did not keep them for a long time, after gaining the maximum mass, they were sent for slaughter.
Oleg, 54 years old, tractor driver, Samara.I liked the breed precisely because of its egg production, I always wanted to keep such chickens. In appearance, they remind me of decorative birds. Many cockerels are born, we keep them for up to 5 months, and then we send them to slaughter. There was one aggressive, so straight into the soup, drove all the layers, and fought with the rest of the roosters. The meat is tender, juicy and lean.
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Tetra chicken hybrids are versatile poultry, a laying hen can bring 300 eggs a year, and the meat product is tasty and dietary. The birds do not need special care; both a beginner and an experienced poultry breeder can breed them.