The main objective of modern animal breeding is the breeding of new and improvement of existing species. The main requirements for modern breeds of chickens are high egg production rates, the presence of tasty and tender meat, beautiful color plumage. Chickens breed Legbar fully meet all these requirements.
History of origin
Breed Legbar was bred in 1927. Two British scientists-breeders were interested in breeding new chickens, which would be different egg-laying. The first attempts to cross breeds striped Plymouth and Leggorn not successful. But scientists have not abandoned the attempts, and soon reached the set result. When the first hybrid was obtained, it was crossed with one of the parents. As a result, legbars were bred that had a beautiful color and excellent egg production. 
Description and Features
Legbar breed chickens are essentially universal. They are kept as a meat and egg breed. Meat is highly valued, as it has a wonderful taste and delicate texture. Eggs of the female carry a lot and quite often. By combining these two important traits in the same breed, legbars have become popular among poultry farmers.
Check out the breeds of chicken breeds for meat and egg productivity, as well as meat and egg breeds and crosses of chickens: Australorp, Welsumer, Redbro, Phocic Chick, Master Gray.
Exterior
On the nape of the hens of this breed is formed noticeable feather tuft. Because of this, the breed in the people nicknamed crested.
Crested chickens are fairly well built physically. They have a beautiful rounded at the end of the beak and a convex chest, which is tightly covered with feathers. The long, elegant neck and back betray the legbarma special elegance. The paws are colored yellow, differ by widely spread fingers and elongated feet. The large wings harmonize beautifully with the tail, which is located approximately 45 ° to the body. The earlobes are fully developed and rounded. 
Color
Legbar hens are distinguished by their interesting color. It may vary from light gray to creamy golden. All bird plumage is covered with specks, which make it unusual and attractive. 
Roosters are often brighter than females and endowed with more fluffy plumage and pronounced stripes on the body. The crests of the legbar are bright red, and white “earrings” flaunt beneath them. Males have a much larger tuft than females.
The fluffy tufted on top of the head is different and Russian crested chicken.
Temperament
Crested chickens are calm and friendly towards the person. With frequent visits to the hen house by the host, the legbars stop being afraid of it at all. They are rather curious and active during the day. Females and males are balanced and do not differ in particular vociferousness. Due to this, the breed is very much appreciated by the poultry farmers, as it does not bring hassle and does not irritate with constant shouts. 
Puberty and egg production
Legbars begin to lay eggs from 4-6 months. In the year one chicken brings up to 270 eggs, which is quite a high figure. But chickens of this breed are distinguished by their inability to incubate their offspring. They are too active and simply can not sit still. Fertilization of eggs of crested hens reaches 90%. 
Legbar eggs have a very unusual color. It ranges from light turquoise to olive.
Eggs of hens of Maran breed are very similar to Easter eggs; their shells have a dark brown color.
Hatching instinct
In the process of selection, crested chickens have practically lost their maternal instinct. They are not adapted for chickens. Therefore, experienced poultry farmers recommend using incubators to ensure the hatching of offspring. Sometimes you can use the already prepared chicken-quota, which is able to accept and sit out other people's children.
Important! A little quail chicken should be laid with a small amount of legbar eggs, otherwise it will not hatch them.
Conditions of detention
Legbar are not picky in content. The main difference of the breed is in good health. But be sure to consider the fact that crested chickens very sensitive to cold. To ensure constant egg production, it is necessary to maintain heat in the aviary during the winter period.
You need to understand that the chickens need a spacious aviary with a courtyard. To make pets feel as comfortable as possible, they need enough space for an active pastime.
Important! An egg of this breed that weighs less than forty grams is the first sign of abnormal conditions.
Coop Requirements
In the summer, it is recommended to keep chickens outdoors, providing the enclosure with a canopy and a sufficient number of perches. The breed loves to spend time on the perch. Nests should be located in the hen house. It is necessary that there was not too light, and each female had a separate nest. 
In winter, it is recommended to keep pets only in a room that can be well warmed. For the most comfortable conditions, the chicken coop should be spacious, equipped with perches.
The temperature in the hen house should always be above + 18 ° Сotherwise laying hens may stop producing eggs. One legbar should count at least 70 square centimeters. In the aviary must be dry and clean, otherwise the birds can get sick.
Tips on home equipment for chickens: choosing and buying a chicken coop; self-production and arrangement of the chicken coop, the provision of ventilation.
Courtyard for walking
The yard for walking legbar should be spacious. Breed loves to walk in the fresh air on warm days. For maximum comfort, pets should be kept clean on the ground, preferably covered with dry grass. It is recommended to place the feeders and drinkers in red. Researchers suggest that he calms down chickens.
In the courtyard there should be shelters that will create shade and perches. It is advisable to build a rather high fence so that the crested hens will not fly away. You can pull the network, creating a kind of ceiling that minimizes the chances of a successful escape. 
What should take care in winter
Winter is the most difficult period for legbar breed chickens. They are not resistant to cold and frost. At this time should especially cares about pets. It is necessary to keep them only indoors, which must first be warmed. It is advisable to lay a layer of peat, hay and leaves on the floor to ensure maximum isolation of pets from the cold.
In winter, it is important to add vitamins and minerals to the diet of crested hens in order to avoid possible diseases.
Learn more about measures for keeping chickens in winter: winter care, construction of a winter chicken coop, heating.
What to feed adult chickens
There is an opinion that the most suitable food for them is the so-called "blue", which is supposedly sold in specialized stores and is designed specifically for this breed. However, it should be classified as fiction.
Legbar can be fed feed for meat and egg chickens, sprouted wheat, whole grain.
It is recommended in the morning to give a wet porridge with the addition of vitamins. To monitor the health of the stomachs of chickens, it is necessary to periodically add sour-milk products to their diet. 
Breeding chickens
Crested chouches absolutely do not know how to be mothers and incubate chickens. Therefore, farmers have to use incubators to ensure the hatching of offspring.
Egg Incubation
For incubation, eggs are carefully selected. They should be of medium size, fresh without any damage. Next, suitable samples are placed in the apparatus. All the time until chicks hatch, eggs should be turned over regularly, and temperature and humidity should be continuously monitored.
Read also about the criteria for choosing an incubator and the characteristics of the best devices; advantages of using incubators "Layer", "Ideal hen", "Cinderella", "Blitz".
Nursing care
Legbar chicks hatch strong, persistent. On the second day of life, the female and the male can be distinguished. The second one has a pronounced dark speck in the middle of light fluff. Chickens in the first days of life need warmth, proper feeding and minimization of all disturbing factors. They should be touched, scared and disturbed as little as possible. Otherwise, stress will affect the psyche of an adult individual, which will lead to aggression or excessive fearfulness. 
Feeding
Feeding chicks is the basis of their continued health. Properly begin to feed the kids finely ground corn porridge. As cubs grow, feed should be added. fine grass, bone meal, boiled vegetables, vitamins and minerals. Sometimes you can give semolina with a grated egg.
Learn how to feed the chickens in the first days of life.
Herd replacement
A planned herd replacement is carried out when the laying hens begin to age and produce fewer eggs. The Legbar procedure should be carried out when the individual reaches 3-4 years. Old chickens should be replaced with young healthy birds. 
Propensity to disease
Crested chickens are different from other breeds. good health. They are hardy and resistant to disease. But there is a problem that often occurs in legbar. They consist in the propensity to improper, deformed development of limbs and bones. The problem can be congenital and acquired.
Congenital deformity occurs in chicks and cannot be corrected.
Purchased is solely the fault of the owner. It is formed due to unbalanced nutrition, the inability of the chicken to assimilate important elements, improper conditions of detention. 
Advantages and disadvantages
The legbar breed is very much appreciated by the poultry farmers due to the number advantages:
- Unpretentious care.
- Good health.
- Beautiful and unusual color, the presence of a tuft.
- High egg production.
- Quiet and friendly character.
But even such a popular and universal breed has its own limitations:
- High sensitivity to cold.
- Frequent chickens with limb deformities.
- Lack of maternal instinct in females.
Video: Legbar breed review
Legbar breed chickens are an excellent choice for both beginner poultry farmers and experienced farmers. Thanks to their versatility, good health and relatively simple care, crested birds deserve incredible popularity. They carry many eggs and have beautiful meat. For the successful breeding of breed enough to follow the basic rules of care and maintenance.
