You are here because you are interested in learning about the Pita Pinta Asturiana chicken breed or you plan to add them to your backyard flock; you have come to the right place.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about the Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens, including their appearance, egg-laying, and maintenance needs. Keep reading to learn more.
The Pita Pinta Asturiana chicken may not be among the most popular chicken breeds in the poultry world, but it can make a wonderful addition to any backyard flock.
They are the only chicken breed native to the Asturian region of Northern Spain, where they trace their origins to the same chickens that were the foundational stock for the hardy Basque Hens.
These birds are known for their adorable appearance. These adorable chickens are known for their docile and friendly and docile nature.
They can do well in any backyard flock comprising other chicken breeds. They come in four varieties according to the plumage colors.
The varieties include Pinta Roxa (mottled red-brown), Abedul (black in all sections or with a mantle), Blanca (white in all sections), and Pinta Negra (mottled black with long white feathers).
The Pita Pinta Asturiana Breed
The Pita Pinta Asturiana chicken originated in the region of Asturias, in the northwest of Spain. It is the only chicken breed originating in this Spanish region, and its name comes from the Asturian language.
‘Pita’ means ‘hen,’ and ‘pinta’ means ‘painted.’ The name refers to the mottled or spotted pattern.
Many historians and chicken breeders believe this adorable chicken breed has Asian ancestors and was brought to Europe in the colonial time through the Central-European Route.
They are a rare, almost extinct chicken breed. Their numbers dropped dramatically to the point there were almost no true breeds left after the upcoming of the egg industry in Asturias in the 1950s and 1960s.
It took about thirty years for their recovery to begin. Many Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens were found in the 1980s in the Spanish province of Léon, neighboring the region of Asturias.
They were used to save the breed. In 2003, an Asturian breeders association was founded and is responsible for the breed’s preservation, promotion, and improvement.
The Pita Pinta Asturiana Appearance
As mentioned, the Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens are known for their adorable appearance. They are medium to large-sized chickens, but not as big as the Orpington and the Brahma.
They can weigh anywhere between 6 and 10 pounds when fully mature. As with most other chicken breeds, Pita Pinta Asturiana roosters are slightly larger than their female counterparts.
You can expect a rooster to weigh up to 10 pounds, while hens can weigh around 7 pounds when fully grown.
These adorable chickens come in different colors. While they look exchequer or mottled, every chicken has its own feather pattern.
There are four main Pinta Pinta Asturiana color varieties: Abedul (black), Blanca (white), Pinta Negra (mottled black), and Pinta Roxa (mottled red-brown).
Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens have yellow unfeathered legs with black spots. Their skins are also yellow. They have orange eyes, red wattles, red earlobes, and a single red comb.
Personality and Temperament
The Pita Pinta Asturiana chicken is known for being a sweet and docile chicken. They are a favorite for many chicken keepers because of their friendly nature and gentle disposition.
If you are looking for a friendly chicken breed, this is one of the breeds to consider. Because of their friendly nature, they get along well with other chicken breeds.
However, they do not tolerate harassment by aggressive birds in the flock. These birds are mostly at the top of the pecking order because they are large.
If you plan to raise Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens, you will want to raise them in a backyard flock comprising other “gentle giants” such as Orpingtons, Jersey Giants, and Australorps.
However, whatever chicken breed you choose, the Pita Pinta Asturiana chicken will probably get along with everybody in the flock.
Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens are hardy birds that can do well in nearly any climate. These adorable birds will thrive whether you come from a hot or cold region.
However, most chicken breeds have colder temperatures than hot ones. You will want to take precautions when extreme weather, like heat waves, is coming.
Egg Production
The Pita Pinta Asturiana is a dual-purpose chicken, which is great for meat and egg production.
If you are looking for a chicken that will ensure you have plenty of fresh eggs throughout the year, this is one of the best chicken breeds to consider. These birds are great egg layers!
Under good care and proper nutrition, a Pita Pinta Asturiana hen can lay 4 to 5 eggs per week. This translates to around 250 eggs per year.
They usually lay medium to large-sized, cream-colored eggs. The eggs weigh around 2 oz.
Because it is a cold hardy breed, so they mostly keep on laying during winter, although egg production may slow down.
These chickens are earlier layers and tend to lay eggs earlier than most other chicken breeds. As with most other chicken breeds, their productivity decreases as they age.
Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens rarely go broody when they lay eggs. Therefore, if you are looking for a broody hen, the Pita Pinta Asturiana chicken is not for you.
However, those that go broody make great mothers to their baby chicks. If you want to raise Pita Pinta Asturiana chicks, you will want to place the eggs under a broody hen or in an incubator to hatch.
Health Issues
The Pita Pinta Asturiana is a healthy, robust chicken without many health issues. However, as with other chicken breeds, these birds can be prone to parasites like mites and lice.
Therefore, you will want to check them regularly for external parasites. They can also be prone to common poultry diseases with chickens of all breeds.
Other than the common poultry diseases and parasites, these chickens have other health issues.
However, like most other chicken breeds, your Pita Pinta Asturiana chicken will need good care and proper nutrition to live a longer, more productive life.
Feeding
One thing about the Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens is that they enjoy their food.
Therefore, you must ensure they have plenty of food in their coop. These birds do well both in confinement and when allowed to free range.
Chickens allowed to free range tend to explore and find tasty treats in the yard, while those confined to a run may be more inclined to graze at the feeder more often.
Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens do not have any specific dietary needs. Your chicks will need a 21% starter feed.
They can be fed on the starter feed from the day they are hatched until they are about eight weeks old.
Once they are about 8 to 10 weeks old, you want to switch them to an 18% grower feed. Your birds will need a 16% layer when they start laying eggs.
They will also need calcium in their diet to aid in the formation of strong egg shells.
Coop Setup
The standard rule for all chicken breeds when constructing your backyard chicken coop is 4 square feet of coop space per bird.
While this is acceptable for your Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens, giving them a bit more space would be great.
They are medium to large-sized chickens that need plenty of space to live happily. Keeping so many chickens in a smaller space can lead to unwanted behaviors like cannibalism.
While your Pita Pinta Asturiana chickens will not mind crowding together during the cold winter, they will want some personal space during summer.
As for perch space, each bird will need a minimum of 8 inches. You must place the perches no higher than 18 to 25 inches above the ground to avoid leg injuries.
Nesting boxes can be standard size (12×12 inches). Too much room encourages them to share nesting boxes, leading to squabbles between hens and broken eggs.
One box for every two or three hens will be okay. While there will be a favorite nesting box that everyone wants to use, having plenty of boxes available will help to keep grumbling to a minimum.
Run and Roaming
As mentioned, these birds are good foragers and will love you even more if you allow them to free-range.
Free-ranging allows them to access snacks like bugs, grubs, and ticks. Besides, it provides a lot of exercise that keeps them healthy.
If you keep them in a pen, you must give them at least 8 square feet of space. To avoid bad behavior and boredom while in the pen, give them plenty of space and things to fill their time.
Conclusion
The Pita Pinta Asturiana is considered a rare chicken breed. This Spanish breed is friendly, docile, and has an excellent egg layer.
The hens lay up to 250 cream-colored eggs per year. It is a hardy chicken that can do well in hot and cold climates. The breed can be a great addition to any backyard flock.
