Today we will tell about the amazing breed of chickens, which combines beauty, unpretentiousness in care and high egg production, - "Italian spat." We will consider all the advantages and disadvantages of this breed, as well as recommendations regarding the maintenance and feeding of these birds at home.
Breed history
These layers are considered among the most ancient in the world. They appeared about 2 thousand years ago in Italy and gained crazy popularity throughout Europe in the XIX-XX centuries. Klush is also called "brown Leggorn" or "brown Leggorn." 
This breed of egg direction appeared due to the crossing of Italian domestic hens.
Did you know? It is completely wrong to regard chickens as foolish birds; on the contrary, these birds are very smart. They can remember the faces of more than 100 people, recognize their owner from a distance of 10 meters, are well oriented in time and even lend themselves to learning.
Description
As for the exterior, their appearance can be described as follows:
- The body of these birds is elongated, somewhat similar to a triangle, which stretches to the tail;
- the birds have a small head, the beak is colored yellow;
- the comb of the cocks is erect, and in the hens it hangs to the side, painted in a saturated red color;
- earlobes are white;
- neck length is average;
- the back is straight, with a clear line of transition to the tail at an angle;
- chest convex;
- wings fit tightly to the body;
- legs are long, saturated yellow.
Color
The most common birds are those in which the main color is gray, the mane is golden yellow, the tips of the wings and tail feathers are painted black, and the breast is brown. The head, back and loins of cockerels are painted in a reddish-brown color.
The tail consists of black feathers, which are cast emerald green. Newborn chickens are covered with a light brown down, and the breed is distinguished by one or two dark stripes on the back.
Important! The safety of chickens of this breed reaches 93%, and adults - about 90%. The lifespan of Italian chickens is 4-5 years, but it should be borne in mind that after 2 years the egg production of the hens decreases.
Breed features
One of the distinguishing features of Italian chickens is that the sex of chickens can be determined already at the age of one day. 
In females there is a clear dark brown strip that runs from the corner of the eye to the back of the head.
In males, such a line either does not exist, or it is very pale. The wide strip that runs from the head to the back of the bird, without interruption, indicates that the individual is female, and if the line is broken at the back of the head, then there is a cock in front of you.
Productivity
"Italian partridge" begin to rush already in 5 months, during the first year of life they lay up to 180 eggs, and adult layers bring up to 200 eggs a year. Eggs weigh 57-60 g each, covered with a white shell. On average, the weight of an adult chicken is 2 kg, and a rooster - 2.5-3 kg.
Find out what breeds of chickens belong to the egg. And also, learn more about such egg breeds as Grunleger and Minorca.
Varieties
In addition to the most common brown color, which we described above, there are also other colors and shades of "Italian grouse". 
They may have:
- golden mane;
- plumage with a bluish tinge;
- golden-blue playings on plumage;
- silver color;
- pearl play on feathers.
Such stains are much less common than the classic gray-brown, and look incredibly decorative.
Did you know? It takes about 25 hours to form an egg in the hen's body. After the egg enters the fallopian tubes, a yolk is formed, around which a protein is gradually formed, and then a shell of calcium, that is, the shell.
Feathered and in the form of a ridge, it can be rose-shaped or leaf-shaped. It is believed that chickens with a pink scallop tolerate low temperatures a little better. 
Not so long ago, the dwarf "Italian partridge goose" was bred in Germany, such birds are bred mainly for decorative purposes, although even miniature layers can lay 130 small (35 g) eggs annually. Weight dwarf klich - less than 1 kg
The advantages and disadvantages of growing
In addition to high decorative qualities, the advantages of this breed include:
- unpretentiousness;
- calm, friendly and docile nature;
- high egg production;
Such breeds of chickens as brahma, Pushkin, high-line, master gray, plymouthrock differ in high egg production.
- good immunity;
- good egg fertility.
There are Italian chickens and a few drawbacks:
- they absolutely do not tolerate cold, low temperatures are destructive for them;
- these layers have no maternal instinct, therefore, in order to get chickens, it is necessary to use an incubator;
- after 2 years the productivity of the hens decreases.
Cultivation and care
Even an inexperienced poultry farmer can grow chickens of this breed, the main thing that needs to be learned before starting Italian Kuropatchatyh is that the birds need a warm, dry house, because they are completely unsuitable for the cold.
For the rest, bird care is no different from caring for other species of birds. The house must always be clean, it must be regularly disinfected and ventilated.
Important! Due to the slow growth of down in young animals, the temperature regime must be controlled longer than for other breeds in order to prevent them from freezing.
Feeding the young
The menu of newborn chicks should consist of boiled eggs with greens, corn grits, yogurt and cottage cheese. Seven days after the birth, boiled vegetables and root vegetables are introduced into babies. 
And in 3 weeks the young can already be transferred to the feed.
Learn how to prepare feed for poultry, what are the types of feed for chickens.
Feeding adult chickens
"Italian kuropatchatye" completely unpretentious in food and adapt to any feed, which is very convenient for breeders. At the same time, in order to achieve high egg production, the food for the hens must be balanced and contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
The menu of birds should regularly include chalk, bone meal and vitamin supplements. Experts recommend combining dry food with wet mash, this option is considered to be optimal for achieving maximum productivity.
Disease and Prevention
Italian chickens have good health and with proper care they don’t get sick at all. But in case of violation of the conditions of the birds, avitaminosis or arthritis can develop, and parasites can also start. 
The main preventive measures are to maintain cleanliness and order in the hen house, as well as a balanced diet with the addition of vitamin and mineral complexes. If you follow these simple rules, birds will not have any health problems.
Now you know that "Italian Kupatchatye" - these are beautiful, unpretentious chickens with a calm disposition and high rates of productivity. To keep them is a pleasure, of course, if you provide them with a warm shelter and carry out all the necessary care activities.
