An experienced farmer knows that the main qualities for poultry are egg production, endurance and resistance to various diseases. Today there are a huge number of breeds of chickens with such characteristics. However, below we will discuss one of the well-known breeds - Pervomaiskaya, its advantages, features and reasons for its popularity among poultry farmers.
Origin
May Day chickens were first bred in Ukraine, in the Kherson region, but large-scale breeding was carried out in the Kharkiv region, at the Pervomaisky State Farm, which gave the name to the breed. To obtain this species was carried out crossing the hens of Rhode Island, White Viandot and Yurlovskaya vociferous. 
The selection was carried out in several stages, as a result of which the birds of the resulting breed inherited the most demanded qualities from their descendants: good endurance, the ability to quickly get used to almost any living conditions and high productivity. In addition, this bird has a phenomenal survival rate, which explains the wide distribution of this breed in most farms.
Did you know? The number of chickens on Earth is three times the number of people.
External characteristics
May Day chicken is quite recognizable among its fellows, it is distinguished not only by its dimensions, but also by the particular color of the feathers.
Color
Color is the most famous distinguishing feature of this breed. Adult individuals have white feathers with a slight silvery sheen, this color is called Colombian. At the same time, the wings, tail and neck have a border of black feathers, which gives the bird a very elegant look.
Read also about such meat and egg breeds of chickens as: Rhode Island, Oryol, Moscow, Kuchinsky Jubilee and Yurlovskaya vociferous.
Plumage
An important characteristic of this bird is the plumage, feathers are rigid, very close to each other and tightly pressed to the skin, due to which the chicken is reliably protected from cold, wind and moisture.
Torso
May Day chickens and roosters are very large, have a strong build and muscles. The chest is rounded, protruding forward, the back is wide, the wings are small, pressed against the body, the legs of the bird are short, relative to the length of the body. The tail is not too large, slightly fluffed.
Neck and head
Perhaps the most recognizable signs of the breed: a small bird head with red scallops, cheeks and earlobes, beak slightly bent down, neck short, wide, slightly sloping, covered with a kind of black feathers collar.
Important! The presence of black feathers on the back of a chicken indicates a discrepancy between the breed and culling.
Character
The undoubted advantage of adult May Day chickens is a balanced temper, and the following features are characteristic of both females and roosters:
- appeasability;
- phlegm;
- stress resistance;
- calm response to external stimuli;
- subordination to the leader.
Nevertheless, the young individuals, due to their irrepressible energy, can exhibit a brisk and persistent character during the growth period.Productivity
The popularity of this breed is undoubtedly related to the good productivity of its representatives. May Day chickens begin to rush somewhat later than some modern breeds, but this delay is completely offset by a high degree of egg production. On average, with the right content, one individual is able to lay about 200 eggs per year. Small eggs, weight does not exceed 60 grams. It is curious that, unlike other breeds, May Day chickens rush even in the winter period due to their ability to adapt to the external environment.
Did you know? The color of the shell depends on the breed of bird. There are chickens that carry green and bluish eggs, these are individuals of the Araucan breed, having a specific gene in the DNA structure.In terms of live weight, birds are also not inferior to their brethren. The average chicken weighs about 2.5 kg, sometimes the weight can reach 3 kg, the roosters are usually larger, their weight approaches 3.8-4 kg. In this case, weight gain in such chickens occurs very quickly.
What to feed
In order for chickens to grow, develop, well and regularly rush, it is important to carefully monitor the diet of the livestock. The basis of nutrition is whole grain (wheat, barley, oats) at the rate of 50 grams per day per individual. Also in the morning, the birds are given porridge, about 40-50 grams per individual, mixing crushed grain into them.
Mineral Supplements
It is necessary to supplement the livestock ration with minerals on a daily basis, it is especially important during the laying of eggs. The main mineral additives include chalk, crushed shells, meat and bone meal. Usually the amount of such additives is up to 3 grams per day, 0.5-1 grams of salt is also added. To fill the need for calcium, increasing during laying, an increase in the proportion of chalk in the diet is allowed. 
Chalk feed
Vegetables and root vegetables
Birds are extremely necessary to obtain a large amount of vitamins, the best source of which are vegetables and greens. In the summer, it is best to release a livestock for walking, so that they can replenish their diet with fresh herbs and greens. In the autumn-winter period, it is necessary to add raw chopped vegetables and root crops to the daily food in the amount of 40-50 grams per individual per day. Usually preference is given to fresh carrots, beets and potatoes.
Supplements
In addition to the above, in the diet of chickens include additives such as yeast, which are a source of vitamins of group B, fish oil. It is worth remembering that an oversupply of vitamins is no less harmful than their deficiency; therefore, such supplements should be applied: yeast gives no more than 10 grams per day, and fish oil as needed, a few drops from the main meal. If birds get enough carrots, their need for fish oil is significantly reduced. 
Important! If chickens are not free-range, some farmers advise adding small pebbles to food, which, when they enter the digestive tract, help to process food in a natural way.
Maintenance and care
The May Day breed is attractive because its representatives adapt perfectly to even the harsh living conditions, however, if your plans include maintaining the number of livestock, increasing its productivity, you should carefully consider organizing a comfortable dwelling for the birds.
- the chicken coop must be treated with disinfectant and antifungal agents to prevent bacteria and mold from growing;
- the walls of the room need to be insulated and insulated gap;
- the floor of the house is covered with a thick layer of hay or sawdust;
- Chickens of this breed are unpretentious and can live on the floor, but for a comfortable existence during the laying period or during the cold season it is better to equip roost and nests. Perches are usually located at a height of 80 cm from the floor.
- for the livestock must be organized a place for walking, despite their sedentary lifestyle. The corral can be combined with the house, and can be installed separately;
- To combat parasites and prevent their appearance, chickens should be allowed to “bathe” in dust, fine sand mixed with ash is best suited for this;
- in the room where the birds are kept, regular cleaning and cleaning should be carried out;
- feeders and drinkers are organized in one part of the chicken coop, so that the whole flock can eat at the same time without interfering with each other.
Advantages and disadvantages
May Day chickens are an excellent option for breeding on a farm, thanks to its qualities:
- strong immunity and high resistance to disease;
- low sensitivity to cold, due to dense plumage;
- calm temper and non-conflict behavior of adults;
- developed maternal instinct in females, respectively, high survival rate of chickens;
- the ability to quickly gain weight with a standard diet;
- high performance.
Chickens of the Dominant breed, Rhodonite, Master Gray, Australorp, Russian Crested and Jersey giant also have high resistance to diseases.
The disadvantages of this breed nature cheated, although there is information about some of the nuances:
- young animals have a less stable nervous system and behave in the period of growth restlessly, smartly;
- with a poor diet, productivity decreases.
Reviews
