I’m regularly asked about tools to evaluate birds for breeding programs. Here’s what I tell people: if you can’t do a good job evaluating your birds it will be far more difficult to make improvements each year. There are two tools that you have at your disposal that are invaluable. They are your eyes and […]
Evaluate Your Birds: Two Important Tools Read More »
We are excited to share that chicken keepers can now purchase chicks from flocks certified as meeting American Poultry Association Standards from Murray McMurray Hatchery. “This certification validates our breeder flock practices,” said McMurray Hatchery Vice President Tom Watkins. “We are trying to highlight conservation and support the APA.” Five of Murray McMurray Hatchery’s breeds
New McMurray Hatchery APA Certified Breeds & Giveaway Read More »
Many times a year, I see posts and questions about the shank color of wheaten, blue wheaten, and splash wheaten Ameraucanas. Posts like: “Why do my day old wheaten and blue wheaten chicks not have slate shanks?” “Why am I seeing variations in the amount of pigmentation on my wheaten and blue wheaten Ameraucana shanks?”
Shank Color of Wheaten Ameraucana Varieties Read More »
Many individuals are curious about the difference between birds with self-blue plumage color and blue plumage color. Crossing blue birds with self-blue birds is typically discouraged as the offspring produced do not adhere to the standard for those breeds that have the two color varieties approved. Let’s explore the differences in the blue gene (Bl)
The Blue Gene and Breeding Poultry Read More »
The ABC (Ameraucana Breeders Club) is currently completing a color variety approval process with the American Poultry Association on the large fowl splash ameraucana. The first pre-qualifying meet was held in Norman, Oklahoma on November 6, 2020, which was a success. The second pre-qualifying meet for the large fowl splash variety will be held at
Splash Ameraucana Large Fowl Approval Process Read More »
Sourcing quality poultry can be a really complicated task! People raise poultry for various reasons: some people enjoy collecting eggs from the nest box, some are really serious about exhibition breeding, and other people enjoy having them as pets. This post is directed specifically towards individuals that are sourcing quality poultry with the intent to
Sourcing Quality Poultry Read More »
Submitted by Rip Stalvey, respected breeder and licensed APA poultry judge. Thank you Rip for your words of wisdom! I was thinking some about what I would tell someone who asked me what they should do to become a good poultry breeder. So here’s my list. Study the APA Standard of Perfection. Not just about
15 Things to do to Become a Good Poultry Breeder Read More »
