CHILDREN’S WORLD – PYGMY ANIMALS, Jurek and katica chickens – Croatian dwarf chicken

Jurek and katica chickens – Croatian dwarf chicken (Gallus gallus) Dwarf chickens are bred in our region for centuries, as can be confirmed by their names that vary according to region: they are called kredlinka in Slavonia, cverglini in Zagorje, čučurićki in Medjimurje and Podravina, and turčinci in Posavina and Moslavina. That very name, turčinci (i.e. the Turks), reveals their origin, leading us to believe they have been brought by the Turks during their invasion. Males of dwarf chicken weigh some 700 to 900 grams, they have beautiful, colourful plumage and a proud stance. Their tails are high and well-feathered. They are very brave and watchful guardians of their flock, who do not tolerate other roosters and even dare to attack and chase away much bigger roosters that come across their way. The hen features less prominent colouring and weighs some 600 to 800 grams. It also has a nice stance and is a caring mother. Over the course of a year, it lays 100 to 120 eggs weighing 25 to 30 grams. It gladly sits on the eggs and successfully hatches chickens, which is often used by the breeders to use its to lay on up to ten eggs of larger breeds, as they are sure that it would successfully hatch the chickens. The hen often suddenly disappears, showing up after several weeks with ten or so chickens it hatched at a secluded place where it had laid the eggs. Dwarf chickens are very resistant to weather conditions and diseases, so they often spend nights outside on trees. The diet of these animals is simple – they eat grains, occasionally soaked dry bread and enjoy different vegetables. Considering they like wandering about the yard and the neighbourhood, they tend for their feeding needs on their own, eating earthworms, snails and various insects. It contributes to the excellent quality of their eggs, with yolks being significantly larger and thicker than in the eggs of other chickens. If we tame jurek and katica since young age by feeding and petting them, they become loving pets who respond when they are called, cuddle and strut, gladly jumping onto the hand or a shoulder of their human friend.