It is often very difficult to choose the ideal breed of chickens for breeding. Most hybrids have weak immunity and low survival rates or are not able to reproduce their breed at all, but this does not apply in any way to the Mechelen cuckoos. It is the oldest European meat breed. Further we will talk in more detail about its performance, features of maintenance and care.
History of origin
Malin is considered a Belgian breed. The name is confined to the country (Belgium - Mechelen). It is because of the difference in the pronunciation of the name of her homeland the breed itself is also often referred to differently: Cucu de Malin, Malin, Mechelen cuckoo, etc.
In any case, this is the result of the efforts of breeders, obtained in the XIX century. Malin is the heir to the Flanders cuckoos, Bram, Shanghai hens and other native Belgian species. This is the national pride of the Belgians.
Did you know? There are up to 30 different sounds in the chick vocabulary (beginning of laying eggs, calling for dinner, signaling danger, etc.).
External parameters
The breed of chickens in this breed is powerful, stocky, chest and back are very developed. They are slow, inactive, do not fly. These birds have short wings that are very tight to the body parallel to the back. The tail is short. The legs are long. 
The head is of medium size. There is a small scallop (up to 6 teeth). The face of the bird is red. The earlobes and earrings are oblong, fiery in color. The bill is also small in size, almost white. Eye color - orange or red, often something average.
We recommend to learn about the ten most meat breeds of chickens.
The plumage of birds is thick, may be striped or speckled. White, silver, Colombian, blue or black specimens are very rare. In these chickens, the inside of the legs is bare in the presence of dense plumage on the outside. On average, females weigh up to 4 kg, males - up to 5 kg.
Nature of chickens
Breed absolutely not inherent aggression - very rarely cocks can lead battles. Females avoid conflicts at all, they have a high level of calm. These are friendly and discreet birds. They love to walk, but without much activity.
Puberty and performance
Malin ripens to 7-8 months old, but only one-year-old eggs are suitable for breeding. They are collected and placed in an incubator or enclosed to the hen of another breed. Reducibility - over 95%.
Important! If the withdrawal of chickens is made in the spring, then the survival rate is also high - 95-98%.
On average, the Mechelen cuckoo lays up to 160 eggs during the year, each weighing about 60 g. 
Of course, that meat breed is bred not for the sake of eggs, but for the sake of large carcasses. These chickens are actively growing and getting fat until 6 months of age, then the rates are significantly reduced, and cocks can be cut from 4 months of age. Their meat is notable for its tenderness, fine fiber structure and delicate taste.
Chickens Mehelenskoy cuckoo
When born, the chickens weigh no more than 50 g. They are “dressed” in a warm black and white or gray fringe.
Important! The females are darker than the males and have a white spot on their crown.At first, they are fed high-protein feed 6 times a day (every 2-3 hours). At the age of one month, chicks are transferred to 4 meals a day, and after puberty they are transferred 3 meals a day. Food should be balanced, be sure the presence in the diet of greens, vegetables and other vitamin-containing products (shells, etc.).
The first time chicks can be kept in the box. At the bottom it is better to put paper and a layer of flooring. There should be warm and clean.
Care and maintenance
Birds need a spacious chicken coop. The recommended height is 1.2 m. It should have low perches, ladders, high bedding of sawdust, straw or hay. It is necessary to regularly agitate and change as pollution. 
It is recommended to take care of creating a place for walking birds - this will positively affect the quality of meat.
Learn how to build a paddock for your chickens.
Diet
The birds of this breed have good health, but a good cultivation result can be obtained only with proper, balanced nutrition. In the diet must be vitamins, minerals, animal protein, bone meal, fish, etc.
Young generation
The diet of young stock is 60% protein feed, and 40% are vegetables and greens. The most useful products for chickens: potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, green onions, clover, nettle, dandelion, etc.
One chicken per day needs to consume at least 100 g of feed, it regulates a portion of greens independently. 
Adult generation
In summer, Malin independently seeks fodder for itself, but it cannot be avoided to get a large carcass of mixed feed (120-140 g per individual). In the spring, the cuckoo should eat an additional complex of multivitamins for chickens. You can also add bone meal or fish to your diet. They are given vegetables and greens all year round.
Find out what vitamins are necessary for chickens for good egg production.
Light and thermal conditions
Light day at the Mechelen cuckoo lasts 12 hours. This time for activity is enough for them. It is recommended to maintain the temperature in the room in which they are kept at the level of + 14-15 ° C. It is regulated not only by the heater and the ventilation frequency, but also by the level of the litter. In winter, do not let the air temperature fall below + 5 ° C.
Diseases and treatments
The breed is highly resistant to various colds, but no one is immune from infestation with parasites. Therefore, as a preventive measure, it is often advised to treat birds with special preparations. Also, ash baths are necessary for protection from pests.
A common problem is the presence of parasites in chickens. Therefore, poultry owners should know how to get rid of chicken worms, peroed, lice and ticks.
The first signals about the presence of animal parasites in the body:
- loose stools;
- swelling;
- vomiting;
- belching;
- lethargy;
- unpleasant smell.
In this case, you should contact the veterinarian and conduct a course of therapy for the animal. Do not forget that basically all the health problems of raspberries can occur due to vitamin deficiencies. Watch out for their food.
Check out the rating of the most unpretentious breeds of chickens.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Mechelen cuckoo breed are:
- large carcass;
- dietary meat with good taste properties;
- resistance to colds;
- stable egg production;
- unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention;
- attractive appearance.
The Belgian Raspberries are real giants among chickens. This is a meat breed, the result of breeding which are large carcasses up to 4-5 kg in weight. Cuckoos do not fly, do not sit on eggs, but love to walk around the yard. There are almost no problems with them if you carefully monitor the nutritional balance.
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