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 are already certified, with five more anticipated in the 2022 season.
“This is a great opportunity for people to purchase Standard-breed birds to start their own home flocks for meat and eggs,” said Stephen Blash, DVM, chair of the APA’s Flock Inspection Committee
The hatchery catalog will include information on the APA and its role in breed conservation. At the height of the hatching season, McMurray hatches 150,000 chicks a week.
“We are in business to sell chicks, but we are always working behind the scenes to preserve the heritage qualities of those breeds,” said Marketing Director Ginger Stevenson.
As of today, the certified White Langshan, White Polish, Silver Pencilled Rock, Partridge Rock and Buff Rock will all be available via McMurray Hatchery.
Flock Inspection Program
The 5 breeds chosen were certified via the APA Flock Inspection program. The program allows flocks that meet APA Standards to sell products with the APA’s imprimatur.
The partnership with McMurray Hatchery is a natural next step for the APA. McMurray Hatchery’s customer base spans the entire U.S., Canada and other countries. It’s one of the oldest and best-known hatcheries. A partnership with them was an excellent way to educate a wide audience about the APA Standards and the Flock Inspection program.
“We jumped at the chance to show that we have really quality stock,” Watkins said.
The hatchery can use the APA logo, and the prestige it carries, to market its birds. McMurray Hatchery will feature the breeds that have been certified in their upcoming 2022 catalog and on their website.
Certification assures the purchaser that the product they are buying meets the APA Standard. That can increase the value of products, as knowledgeable consumers are willing to pay more for better quality.
“We believe breeds should meet both type and function when it comes to the Standard. This is important to us, that breeds meet the function and vigor that the breed was developed for, as well as type and conformation,” said Ms. Stevenson. “We are partnering with the APA to bring awareness to the Standards, to highlight some of our stand-out breeds, and to show the quality of poultry we produce.”
How to get certified
The APA sent experienced judges Bart Pals and Art Rieber to inspect the hatchery’s breeding flocks, and they concluded that the White Langshan, White Polish, Partridge Plymouth Rock, Buff Plymouth Rock, and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rock would be certified.
“They agreed that our stock is of breeder quality,” said Watkins. “Some poultry aficionados have snubbed us in the past.”
Hatchery stock is often considered inferior to that of APA breeders. Watkins welcomes the opportunity to assure customers that McMurray Hatchery birds meet the APA’s Standard.
“Our goal is to upend the term ‘hatchery quality’ and make it a positive,” said Ms. Stevenson.
“The APA is very excited to finally certify some of McMurray Hatchery’s flocks,” Dr. Blash said. “We look forward to working with them on other breeds and varieties so that they too may become a foundation stock for many of the Standard bred poultry varieties for years to come.”
In Partnership with McMurray Hatchery the APA is excited to host a giveaway. There will be one grand prize winner of a pack of 10 Certified McMurray Hatchery birds (2x each certified breed) and a 1 Year APA membership. 5 additional prizes of 50$ McMurray Hatchery gift cards will also be provided.
Entrants can be from the 50 United States, or Canadians willing to to adhere the Canadian shipping requirements.
Enter below, contest closes Nov 10, 2020, and Grand prize chicks will be shipped in Spring 2022.
