Some of the most interesting dark-skinned chicken breeds are the Xin Xin Dian hens and cockerels. Their distinctive features are notably that their skin is more of a dark gray than black.
History of appearance
It's worth noting that the Xin Xin Dian chicken breed originated in China. They were bred by accident. In reality, attempts were made to create yet another fighting breed, but the resulting bird was ultimately a meat-and-egg breed.
It was only after Shanghai breeders refined this chicken breed to its current state that it gained widespread breeding grounds. This breed arrived in Russia thanks to a chicken enthusiast.
You may be interested in:Main characteristics
When describing the distinctive features of the Xin-Xin-Dian chicken breed, the following main characteristics should be noted:
- They differ little from the most common breeds of chickens that are laying hens.
- Chickens with black feathers have special distinctive characteristics.
- It is worth noting the color of the eggshell - it is greenish.
- Representatives of this breed are small, their weight does not exceed the average.
- Roosters have a fairly large comb, which crowns a neat, small-sized head.
- Hens also have a clearly visible comb, although it is not as large or leaf-shaped as that of roosters.
- The beak is fairly short and has pale areas, which is especially noticeable in birds with red plumage. In black chickens, however, the beak spots are dark gray.
- The neck is quite short, and the body position is horizontal, making the chicken appear to lean slightly forward.
- The wings of the Xin-Xin-Dian breed of chickens are closely attached to the body.
You may be interested in:Feather color variations
There are 3 main color variations of feathers:
- rich red hue;
- pitch-black feathers;
- reddish tint.
Egg-laying productivity
It's important to note that Xin Xin Dian chickens are lightweight. A female hen weighs only 1.5 kg, while a rooster can reach 2 kg.
This is why it is worth noting that when breeding Xin-Xin-Dian chickens, it will not be possible to obtain the same number of eggs as from industrial breeds.
Up to one year of age, they lay approximately 250 eggs per year. For pullets, the weight of a single egg can reach only 55 g. However, later, it increases by 5 g.
Scientists still cannot determine what influences the change in egg color.
If you decide to breed Xin Xin Dian chickens, it's worth noting that peak productivity is achieved in the second year of life. However, by the third year, egg production significantly declines.
You may be interested in:Mixing this breed with other species
Since the Chinese were not particularly concerned about the purity of their chicken breeds, in order to increase productivity, they allowed themselves to mix Xin-Xin-Dian chickens with other species when breeding.
That is why, looking at numerous photographs of representatives of this species and reading their descriptions, one can note that there are no uniform standards for this species.
Crossbreeds combining the Xin Xin Dian chicken with other Chinese varieties are quite common. They can produce eggs of a wide variety of colors, from dark blue shells to those with a marsh-like hue.
Main advantages
The description states that the Xin Xin Dian chicken breed is quite calm. This can be seen in numerous photos from the chicken coop.
It's crucial for breeders that their stomach capacity is relatively small. This makes caring for Xin Xin Dian chickens quite comfortable, as they don't require a lot of feed.
The following positive characteristics of this species of chickens are also observed:
- These birds are relatively easy to care for. They are resilient to sudden temperature changes, which significantly reduces their incidence of illness.
- They are able to withstand intense frosts, which makes keeping them outside possible even in winter cold.
All this, from the point of view of caring for Xin-Xin-Dian chickens, makes them quite attractive for breeders and ordinary chicken breeders.
The photo and description show that the hens are quite compact, and the eggshells are perfect for decorating your table with boiled eggs, as their color is quite unusual.
You may be interested in:Breed characteristics
According to numerous reviews from owners, Xin-Xin-Dian chickens are not only peaceful and easy to care for.
The owners also note the following features:
- During winter, it's essential to provide hens with rest, as natural conditions become less favorable for them. This is why egg production during this season drops sharply. However, some believe this is due less to temperature factors than to the amount of light, which becomes significantly less noticeable in winter.
- To avoid this negative phenomenon, many breeders install special lighting fixtures in the coop that simulate natural sunlight. They also try to provide additional insulation to help the chickens warm up from the freezing temperatures outside.
- If you want to keep your chickens hassle-free, keep the temperature in the coop at least 10°C during the winter. This will make caring for, breeding, and keeping Xin Xin Dian chickens a breeze.
Breed content
Owners must provide them with appropriate housing. To do this, they must build an enclosed enclosure. This is an important aspect of caring for Xin Xin Dian chickens, as it allows them the opportunity to take long walks.
The owner also needs to prevent the chickens from becoming overly damp. In this case, it's essential to properly insulate the coop and prevent moisture from accumulating in the litter.
Otherwise, mold and mildew will develop, significantly complicating the care of Xin Xin Dian chickens. To prevent this, ensure adequate ventilation in the coop and regularly clean out the droppings to prevent the accumulation of putrefactive bacteria, excess moisture, and fungal infections.
If you do not follow these tips when keeping and caring for Xin Xin Dian chickens, the chicken can quickly become infected with aspergillosis.
In terms of feeding, this breed's diet is no different from that of standard laying hens. Like other layers, they will need occasional ground fish or meat to replenish their protein intake. However, keep in mind that hens are reluctant to peck at large pieces, so try to chop the feed as finely as possible.
Breeding Features
In the vast majority of cases, chicks are hatched in specially equipped incubators. Despite this, their survival rate is quite high, at least 95%.
Xin Xin Dian chickens are very easy to breed. They are low-maintenance. The extraordinary coloring of the hens and their eggs will delight any breeder.
Reviews
Elena Andreevna, 71 years old. Rozovka village, Stavropol Krai
I've been raising Xin Xin Dian chickens for quite some time. I can say one thing: they're relatively easy to care for, but if provided with the right conditions, they'll perform even better, especially when it comes to egg production.
Antonina Karpovna, 63 years old. Rostov region
The photo shows that these chickens are quite attractive, and if you describe them, you'll notice that they're quite compact. Mine are also small. They're very easy to care for and rarely get sick.
Andrey Danilovich, 70 years old. Smolensk region
I love this breed of chicken because they're non-aggressive, easy-to-care-for, and tolerate frost well. I also provide them with a warm coop, which I carefully maintain.
Raisa Petrovna, 56 years old. Volgograd region
When I first saw eggs of this breed, I immediately fell in love with Xin Xin Dian hens. Just a year later, I had some of this breed. I've been raising this breed for over five years now, and I'm very happy with it.
Stanislav Sergeevich, 65 years old. Belaya Kalitva, Rostov Region
I acquired the Xin Xin Dian chicken breed just one year ago. So far, I'm happy with them; we'll see how they do in the future. My children and grandchildren love the green eggs, so I can always get the little ones to eat the hard-boiled egg they so dislike.
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