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 breed their birds towards the American Poultry Association Standard.
The following is a list of questions that you may want to consider asking an individual prior to purchasing poultry from them:
- What color varieties are you raising?
- Do you own a copy of the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection book?
- Are you breeding your birds towards the standard?
- How do you have your breeding pens set up?
- Can I see pictures of your breeding stock?
- Are you showing your birds and having them evaluated by a licensed poultry judge?
- How are your birds performing in poultry shows?
- How long have you been a breeder?
- What are some things you are working on in your pens
Serious breeders will be able to answer these questions, and have lots more information to share when you’re sourcing quality poultry.
Be leery about chicks/ducklings/goslings/poults that are listed as show quality. This probably means the young birds are offspring of exhibition quality birds, but does not ensure the quality of the birds you’re purchasing. The standard was written for sexually mature birds and poultry cannot be identified as show quality at one day of age.
By Lindsay Helton
