Creepers, or short-legged chickens, have long been known to many bird breeders. They are found everywhere - in Europe and in the USA. Usually, this breed is contained only by breeders-collectors as an ornamental bird, therefore Russian farmers are not engaged in its mass breeding.
Kriperov short leg is explained by the dominant mutation of the Cp. This mutation is well manifested in the phenotype of chickens, so they have short legs. Unfortunately, modern breeders really can not say how to get this breed.
It is assumed that the mutation occurred by chance during the crossing of different breeds of chickens. Theoretically, it can now manifest itself in any domestic birds.
general description
Creeper tibia is much shorter than tarsus, therefore birds became short-legged. Sometimes this breed of chickens can give the impression of jumping or crawling birds, for which he received the second name of hen-crawlers or jumpers.
Because of too short legs, this breed of chickens has an unusual gait. It is somewhat reminiscent of shuffling on the ground, and not a smooth rearrangement of the legs, like in other birds. Because of this, the walk of Korotkonozhek is often called a badger. Usually the bird's walk is so called in Holland and Germany.
Kriper's torso is characterized by a horizontal setting. It has an oblong shape, which visually makes the birds larger. On the body of this small breed is placed the average length of the neck with a small head. On the head are expressive eyes of bright red or orange.
The earlobes are white and egg-shaped. The crest of a rooster is straight, the number of teeth can vary from 4 to 6. The earrings in scarlet are lush, round-shaped. The beak of a dark coloring is characterized by the small sizes, it is slightly bent on the end.
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Chest at Korotkonozhek full, rounded. Because of its large size, it protrudes well in both chickens and roosters. However, chickens have a more massive and voluminous belly. As for the roosters, their belly is more flat.
The tail of the crimers roosters high, very lush. Feathers on this part of the body are very long, the braids are slightly curved, painted black or dark gray. In chickens, the tail is more modest, but it is also planted high. The wings of this breed of hens fit well to the body, but because of the lush plumage, they stand out well against its background.
Hips Korotkonozhek practically not visible, metatarsus short, but fingers well splayed. As a rule, scales have a light gray color. The breed has bright plumage. Chickens and roosters have a brownish-red color, as well as black wings and a tail with a slight green tint.
Features
Creepers have an unusual appearance. Because of their short-leggedness, they cannot move normally, so their walk becomes fun.
Many bird collectors get the Creepers for this reason alone. However, such birds may not like fans of more proportional breeds.
Unfortunately, short-legged chickens are very difficult to breed. Due to the genetic characteristics of the fertility of the breed is significantly reduced. Almost all eggs are fertilized, but in the first few days of incubation, 25% of all embryos die.
Of the whole clutch, only 25% of chicks with normal legs and 50% of short-legged individuals are usually derived. Due to an unusual mutation, some chickens may not survive to puberty, which further complicates breeding.
Despite problems with the survival of embryos and chickens, Creeper hens are caring mothers. They will monitor all the surviving chickens until they grow up.
Content and cultivation
The short-leggedness of this breed of chickens does not allow keeping them in poultry houses with other poultry. The fact is that short legs prevent normal jumping on the roost, so the Creepers will always sit on the litter.
To avoid this, it is necessary to equip comfortable perches for chickens. They should not be too high, but if the house is ready, you can make the stairs, on which the birds will climb on their own roost.
Some breeders advise keeping Creepers in small cages or aviaries. They need to equip a comfortable feeders and drinkers. In their height they should not exceed the level of the Creeper breasts. Otherwise, they will experience discomfort during feeding.
Also pay attention to the litter in the aviary for short-legged chickens. Do not add too much hay and dried peat.
Birds should move normally in their aviary or have a comfortable yard for walking. To Creepers feel good in the yard, the grass needs to be cut well. It is also advisable to remove all large stones and any other obstacles.
These birds should receive a balanced feed every day that will help them maintain a normal balance of all vitamins and trace elements all year round. In winter, short-legged chickens can be given additional mineral and vitamin supplements so that their body can compensate for the lack of green fodder.
Specifications
The live weight of Creeper roosters can vary from 2.5 to 3 kg, and chickens from 2 to 2.5. At the same time, short-legged hens can produce about 150 eggs in the first year of their productivity.
Eggshell in this breed has a light cream shade, and the weight of eggs can reach 50-55g. For incubation, you should select eggs that have a mass of at least 50 g.
Analogs
In modern poultry farming it is difficult to find a breed that would be something similar to the Creeper. However, relatively short legs are found in the Cornish meat breed. It has a massive body, due to which the legs are significantly shortened. These chickens are actively used in industrial poultry farming because of their rapid growth and unpretentiousness.
As a decorative breed, you can use short-legged hens Shabo. They were bred in Japan to decorate the imperial palace. Shabo have a characteristic fluffy plumage, a large tail and very small legs.
Conclusion
Creepers, or short-cut hens, have very small legs. Because of the irregular skeleton structure, these birds have a funny shuffling gait, which many lovers of unusual chickens like. Unfortunately, Kriperov difficult to breed because of poor survival in embryos.
