Black Castellana is a Spanish breed of hen egg production. These are hardy and unpretentious birds that carry large eggs.
From time immemorial, this breed was grown in Spain, bringing income to farmers, but now this breed has begun to die out due to the emergence of more productive competitors.
Scientists suggest that the black Castellana was bred in the city of Al-Andalus by the Moorish invaders. Because of this, in some regions of Spain this breed is called not only the "Moorish".
From the small town of Castellana quickly spread to southern and central Spain, but did not get to the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
This bird in different regions of Spain has different names. In the province of Zamora, they are called Zamorany, in Leon - Leoness, in Andalusia - Black Andalusian hens.
Unfortunately, it is not known for certain what breeds took part in the crossing. It is assumed that the Moorish invaders brought with them their chickens, which began to cross with the local Spanish individuals.
Description of Castellana Black
This breed has a medium sized cock. Due to the not very large size, it does not seem massive. The neck is small.
It grows short plumage, which does not fall on the shoulders of a rooster. It smoothly passes into the back, located at a small angle relative to the tail and neck.
Castellana's shoulders are moderately wide, wings tightly pressed. At their ends falls thick lumbar plumage of a rooster.
The tail is held high, but it is weakly operatic. Even roosters do not have long rounded braids that visually increase the overall body size. The chest is set deep, the belly is wide, but in cocks it seems to be more slender than in chickens.
The head of the cock is small but wide. On the face of the bird there are small dark feathers. The comb is medium in size and erect. It can have from 5 to 6 distinct teeth and cuts.
Earrings are small, rounded. Ear lobes are painted white. The beak is strong, but not very long. It is painted in dark colors, but there is always a bright spot on the tip.
The lower legs are clearly visible, as the bird does not have abundant plumage on the belly. As a rule, they are painted in light gray color. Hocks fine, long. Fingers at roosters are placed correctly, have white claws.
Silver Brekel is a breed of chickens that can please the owner not only with its external attractiveness.Surely, you do not know the breed of chickens Breda. Here you can get acquainted with this rare breed.
Chickens have a black horizontal back, full belly and a small erect tail. The comb is small, but the teeth and notches are clearly visible on it. Ear lobes in hens are round, white.
As is clear from the name of the breed, Castellans have completely black plumage. All individuals with a different color of feathers were rejected successfully, therefore this breed of chickens is found exclusively in black.
Features
Black Castellana is the rarest breed of domestic chickens. She survived only in Spain.
According to experts, in the genetic reserves now live only 150 heads. If all necessary measures to restore the breed are not taken, then the Castellans will disappear forever.
Previously, these chickens lived in almost every compound. They were valued for good egg production and tasty meat. Laying hens of this breed are characterized by well-developed maternal instinct. They can independently, without human intervention, breed chickens at any time of the year.
These birds grow quite quickly and reach puberty just as quickly. Black Castellans start laying eggs at the age of 4-5 months. This allows farmers to quickly restore parent stock.
As for the endurance of the bird, it is difficult to find a breed that would have the same good health. Previously, people did not have any medicines for the treatment of birds, so the weakest individuals died, and only the strongest birds survived. In this way selection took place, owing to which many Castellans gained excellent health.
Unfortunately, due to the extreme rarity of the breed, Russian breeders have no opportunity to breed it. You can buy these chickens only in Spain, in specialized genetic reserves. However, the cost of such a bird will be really high.
Content and cultivation
Chickens of Castellana black breed feel great in any conditions of detention, but the content of the free-range better affects the overall egg production.
Experts have long proven that fresh air and walking in the sun have a positive effect on the egg and meat productivity of poultry. After a long walk, the hens are more eager to carry eggs than during closed keeping in aviaries.
Feeding the Castellana black is also not complicated by anything. They can eat simple homemade mash, consisting of grain and green components, and also the special combined forages.
By the way, factory feed makes the birds grow faster and lay more eggs, but in general, these chickens feel great even on homemade food.
Special attention should be paid to young stock while keeping chickens.. In the early periods of Castellana’s life, blacks are very vulnerable, so they should be fed with vitamins and mineral supplements. Vitamins help to strengthen the immune system, and mineral supplements will prevent the occurrence of blockage and inflammation of goiter.
The total weight of roosters can vary from 2.8 to 3 kg. Laying hens can gain a mass of up to 2.3 kg. They lay on average up to 200-225 eggs per year.
On average, each egg with a white shell can reach a mass of 60 g, but only the largest specimens should be selected for incubation, since they contain the maximum possible amount of nutrients for the future development of the embryo.
Breed analogues
Instead of black Castellana, you can start a French breed La Flush. It belongs to the breeds of meat and egg-type productivity, so it will bring a sufficiently large amount of meat and eggs.
These chickens are bred in the territory of some private Russian farms, so their acquisition will not be as complicated as in the case of Castellans. La Fleshes have an unusual appearance, so they can be wound up for decorative purposes.
Fans of other old breeds of chickens of egg productivity can appreciate Brekeley. These chickens were bred a few centuries ago by the Belgian breeders, but even now they have not lost their relevance. In addition to good egg production, the broccoli can “offer” high-quality tender meat to their owners.
Conclusion
Black Castellana is one of the rarest breeds of domestic chickens. According to preliminary estimates of scientists, their livestock is only 150-200 individuals. It continues to decline rapidly, so the Castellans require urgent intervention by specialists to save their breed.
