| A Carrie Wood Graphic, blended with love and with gratitude to the artists/photographers at Pixabay.com |
It's that month of tantalizing chocolates, wine and long-stemmed red roses, sparkling baubles, and a certain question being 'popped' (sometimes wished for - sometimes not).
But for some of us, (also known as the chicken 'afflicted'-or 'addicted'), it's also time to think about brooders, fluffy baby chicks like the one above and . . . a future filled with your very own 'farm fresh home-grown eggs' for breakfast! "YES"!
To ensure harmony in the home, we should never forget those highly anticipated symbols of romance. (That $25 or above purchase could save a bundle) 😉.
However, February is also a great month to take some time studying chicken breeds, and think about our purpose in getting baby chicks (eggs, meat, dual purpose, exhibition?).
There is a lot to learn in recognizing breeds and varieties of chickens . . . commit it to memory, though and it won't leave you. Once a breed is accepted by the American Poultry Association (or another country's equivalent) and published in the American Standard of Perfection you can consider it to be rather permanent.
It's a rewarding mental exercise; at least that's the opinion of this book-worm.
Every breed is required to have:
- A specific type of comb (and wattles). Single, Rose, Strawberry, Pea, Cushion, V-comb, Buttercup, Silkie (Walnut)
- Skin color
- Earlobe color
- Number of toes (4 or 5)
- Leg color
- Body shape - "Shape makes the breed; color the variety"
- Color/plumage pattern
- Beak color
- Eye color
- Angle of tail
- and, yes, even more . . .
Congratulations if you've already learned about the breeds and other chicken facts - you're well prepared to answer questions coming from new chicken hobbyists who naturally approach someone like you who is already a chicken keeper.
If the number of stores selling chickens, the growing number of new hatcheries, and the chicken coops we see popping up all over the place are any indication - there are no doubt many people who will soon look to you as a possible helpful resource on raising chickens.
It's a great feeling to be ready with accurate answers!
If you aren't feeling up-to-speed yet, why not study just one 'Class' of chickens at a time. Then, varieties of that class.
It is a lot to learn, but time goes fast when you're studying something you love!
Where to start? Depending on where you live - the British standard, Australian, American Standard of Perfection.
If you'd like to learn more about how to tame chickens, basics of exhibition, how to do a health check on your chickens, handling, etc. and get more enjoyment from the next chicken show you attend - you might like this newly updated book:
If you bought this e-book after it was published in 2012, you should be getting an email from Amazon letting you know that you can now download this update, at no charge.
This was the first book I'd ever written and in retrospect I realized it needed to be improved! Big time! Now, according to Amazon, this update is considered a "MAJOR quality improvement" . . . doesn't say much for the original, but I do hope you'll take the time to download this update.
Would love to hear your thoughts about it; just email scott@fortheloveofchickens.com. Or, leave a review, it will be much appreciated!
The paperback version, which should be published soon is 78 pages - and the original e-book was only 30-something. I believe you'll enjoy the content of this update - and you deserve it!
Because I don't appreciate chicken images in gray-scale, I chose white paper and full color for the paperback version - a bit more expensive to produce.
If you love chickens as much as I do, though, you'll probably appreciate the added quality.
If you didn't purchase the e-book, here's a link where you can check it out if you'd like:
amazon.com/Art-Taming-Chickens-Backyard-Flock-ebook/dp/B008OR9EEY/
