List of APA Standards and Relevant Material The following list of APA standards was started by Mark Fields, Tony Perryman, John Norris & Doc Patterson (Bill’s dad) but many others have helped us complete the list. Several reference materials were used as well as simply going through Standards in our individual collections. The American Standard […]
List of APA Standards Read More »
Reprinting from the 1875 The Lancaster Farmer on the process of identifying qualified judges: At a recent meeting of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, some of the members suggested the policy of organizing a local Poultry Association, for the dissemination of correct information in regard to breeds and culture. We have no doubt that such
Identifying Qualified Judges Read More »
During the 2021 APA Annual meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas the 150th Anniversary Show committee held a breeders auction fundraiser. The proceeds of the auction go to a stand alone fund for the Celebration of the APA’s 150th anniversary, the longest “living” livestock organization in North America. The next breeders auction will be at the APA
Breeders Auction Results: 150th Anniversary Fundraiser Read More »
We all know silver laced and golden laced. I remember when blue laced red became the “it” variety of Wyandotte to own as well! But have you seen Columbian Wyandottes? Columbian Wyandottes are a gorgeous variety that are not as common as other varieties. These birds are striking with their mostly white bodies. In this
Columbian Wyandottes: The Lesser Known Variety Read More »
Small and mighty, poultry bring integral services to the farm as well as simply the pure joy of having poultry. They lay eggs, provide meat, consume food waste, aid decomposition, and control insect infestations. As the youngest child on my family’s Iowan farm, I was the main chicken caretaker. I liked to work with the
The Joy of Poultry Read More »
Part 2 of 2 in a series of articles about identifying healthy chicks by Clayton Botkin. Rump, Vent and Cushion Ensure the birds are clean from buildup of droppings or dirt accumulations around the vent. This tells you a lot about the conditions the babies were kept and reared in. Any indication of blood could
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Part one of two in a series about identifying healthy chicks by Clayton Botkin. This article is meant to address a common problem I see more and more among people purchasing birds at sales and auctions. Sales and auctions, while providing a great service to the small–scale poultry producers, also facilitate the sale of perhaps
Identifying Healthy Chicks: Part 1 Read More »
The Black Minorca originated on the island of Minorca in the Mediterranean region where they were kept for production of large, chalk white eggs as well as for their meat. Weighing in at nine pounds for cocks and seven and a half for hens, Minorcas are the largest and heaviest of the Mediterranean breeds. Combine
Pasty Butt, also known as pasting, paste up, or sticky bottom, is a common condition in newly hatched chicks/poults/ducklings. It occurs when soft droppings stick to a chick’s vent, then harden and seal the vent shut. If the condition is not corrected, the affected chick may die. What I find alarming is the downright frightening
Pasting: What it is and What to do Read More »
Often production characteristics are overlooked in exhibition birds, which is to the detriment of the flock. Productivity, livability and fertility are all tightly coupled and when you lose one, you tend to lose them all. One measure of a good, productive bird is abdominal body capacity. Birds with good body capacity have the abdominal capacity
Body Capacity: A Trait to Remember Read More »
The APA works to support the community breeding and raising Standard Bred Poultry in all its phases with a goal on breeding to the Standard of Perfection.