Within the group of birds are hens, poultry that have undergone a process of domestication. This process has resulted in a great diversity of breeds, so much so that there are more than 1,600 breeds of hens in the world, among which we find the Padua hen or padovana, as it is called in Italian.
In this PlanetAnimal sheet, we present all the characteristics of the Padua hen so that you can learn more about this curious breed.
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Origin
- Europe
- Italy
Origin of the Padua hen
The origin of the Padua hen is the subject of some controversy, as it is attributed a relationship with breeds originating in Poland and Holland. It was the famous doctor, astronomer, alchemist and engineer Giovanni Dondi dell'Orologio, a native of Padua, who, around 1300, introduced this breed to the region, bringing it from Poland to beautify the orchards. However, some people say that there is no record of this fact. Thus, although it cannot be absolutely excluded, the documents of the time do not mention any contact of the aforementioned person with the Polish region. The breed is therefore considered to originate from Italy.
Features of the Hen of Padua
The Padua hen is a breed of the subspecies Gallus gallus domesticus.This breed is medium in size, females weigh between 1.5 and 2 kg and males between 1.8 and 2.3 kg. She has a medium-sized head, without a crest, but with a rather voluminous plume, very characteristic of the breed. Its eyes are usually large, round and striking, most often brownish in color, but in some specimens, especially white ones, they take on an orange hue. Its respiratory orifices are also large. In addition, it has a strong and somewhat curved beak.
In contrast, the Padua or Padovana hen has no barbels or these are barely visible due to the dense beard. Their body is wide towards the shoulders, but tapers towards the back, at the hips. The posture of this hen is upright, with the trunk somewhat elongated and with a certain inclination.
She has sexual dimorphism. The body of the females is more compressed and lower and it has a more horizontal shape than that of the males.Roosters have a dense globular tuft, and the feathers of the head are drooping, narrow and pointed. In hens, the spherical plume, although also dense, is firm and the feathers do not hang down. In both cases, the neck is well trimmed.
Their wings are attached to the body, medium in size and arranged horizontally. The tail, on the other hand, is dense, wider in males, and the angle it forms in males is greater than in females. The plumage is well developed and the individual tips are rounded.
There is a dwarf variety of the Padua hen, which has the same characteristics, but differs in weight, in fact, the male weighs between 0.8 to 1 kg and the female from 0.7 to 0.9kg.
The colors of the Padua hen
Although the black Padua hen is the most famous, other colors exist:
- Black
- White
- Tricolor
- Sparrowhawk
- Pearl Grey
- Blue with Gold Trim
- Gold with black border
- Silver with black border
- White-edged suede
Habitat of the Padua hen
The Gallus gallus species is native to Asia, more precisely in the south of the region, but subsequently, with the process of domestication of the bird, it had a worldwide distribution and today, with the existence globalization, it is found in many countries.
As we mentioned, the Padua chicken breed originated in Italy and was considered an orchard animal, so its habitat is associated with these spaces. Like any bird, it needs sufficient space to be able to move freely. Another important aspect is that it should not be kept in damp places, as exposure to such conditions can affect it.Thus, it is better for it to live in dry spaces.
Padova Hen character
This bird is described as having an elegant demeanor, which can be seen in its gait. It is also said to have a sure character. He is not aggressive, he tends to have a rather docile demeanor and can develop trusting relationships with people, subject to the right treatment and care he must receive, like all animals.
On the other hand, this hen is a gregarious animal, so it must be raised in groups of several individuals where there is a hierarchy.
Care and Feeding of the Padua Hen
In nature, animals are able to fend for themselves because they have adapted to their environment. Domesticated animals, on the other hand, are totally dependent on humans, as domestication has limited their ability to be independent.In this regard, the Padua hen is no exception and requires certain care.
An example of Padova hen care is the need to cut off the abundant plume on the head, as it tends to grow so much that it limits its vision. On the other hand, it is important that the hen is not kept in damp places and that the availability of water is controlled in a container to prevent it from overflowing.
As for food, the species is originally omnivorous, feeding on various grains, cereals, insects, worms or larvae. However, as she usually lives with us as a pet, we can offer her kibble. Nevertheless, the padua hen, like all birds, has nutritional needs that include proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals, so any type of kibble must provide each of these components or offer a variety of nutritional options through which she can meet all of her nutritional needs.Of course, commercial foods must be of high quality. A medium-sized hen needs about 135 grams of kibble/day.
" In this other article, we talk more in depth about caring for these animals: How to care for chickens."
He alth of the Padua hen
Maintaining the he alth of the Hen of Padua has three main aspects. The first is the regular size of the plume, because if it grows too much, it limits the hen's vision, which can make her stress.
On the other hand, there is the problem of humidity. It is a bird that can get sick if it is in damp places, so it is vital that its habitat is dry.
Finally, there is the question of food. As mentioned, these animals are generally dependent on our care and feed almost exclusively on what is provided to them. In this sense, a Padua hen that is only offered corn, for example, will have he alth problems, because it will lack certain nutrients.It is therefore necessary to offer them varied and truly nutritious food, as well as allowing them to roam the garden or yard to consume certain insects or worms that are beneficial to them.
Paduan chicken: curiosities and general information
The Padova hen has a beautiful and attractive appearance, so it has been considered an ornamental animal, however, it is still important to take care of it, like any other pet , and under no circumstances should it be exploited.
Another of the curiosities of the hen of Padua is that sexual maturity is reached in the case of the female between 5 and 6 months, while the rooster will reach it between 6 and 7 months. Also, these hens lay a large number of eggs per year, which are white and weigh 50-60 g. However, females aren't very good at hatching them.
Although this is a breed that has spread to several countries, a decrease in the number of individuals has been reported for some time now.
Photos of Hen of Padua
