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"Breed" and "Strain" are almost synonymous but "strain" just refers to a specific lineage with the same or similar physiological characteristics. Therefore you can have many strains under the same breed. So you're saying that all of your birds fit the exact definition of the APA's SOP, because...

Tomayto, Tomotto scenario from two different people from different chicken backgrounds. Serious breeder vs. backyard hobbyist. From my perspective hatchery birds are poor representatives of their breeds but I don't believe that makes them "not real" because really, who decides what is "real?" I...

I understand what you all are saying about strain but I also believe that you can make general assumptions about a breed based on the strains that are common. I believe that the common lot, the ones that are most accessible to the general public which are usually hatchery birds, of RIRs...

They might be a problem at some point but you'll just have to use your best judgment on that one. I spend a lot of time just watching my flock. A few pecks here and there aren't anything to be concerned about. I have a few bully hens in my flock but they are so outnumbered by easy going hens...

My, my, you have some beautiful RIRs; what a beautiful mahogany they are! I admit my experience has been with hatchery stock RIR which I no longer keep. I've often wondered how true RIR personalities compare with what you more commonly see. I like well rounded birds over the egg laying machine...

My hens are tri-purpose. Friendly entertaining Pets/Eggs/Eye Candy(just luv those big fluffy butts!). All the efficiency I need. But if you goal is just eggs or just meat by all means go with something uni-purpose. Leghorns, errr skinny butt mixed with over-sized frostbite susceptible comb mixed...

I do not like RIR at all so my answer may be somewhat biased. I've found them to be "cut-throat" chickens in the chicken world. They are hard on new chickens, weaker chickens and the roosters are nasty, mean, creatures. Now for the positives: they are extremely good layers, good foragers and are...

When I was a kid our beloved boxer stopped messing with the chickens when he had to wear one that he had killed around his neck till it was falling off from decomposition. He was tied(not usually tied) up next to his dog house with food and water but we weren't allowed to interact with him at...

Very interesting; I'll have to add diaper cream to my list of chicken remedies. Thanks!

I keep them filled. The longer the pipe, the more food it holds, the less often you have to fill it up. In my case I can go roughly 4 days before I have to fill it again.

I don't have a rat problem so I don't have any kind of cap on the top of mine. Just my large mouth funnel hanging on a hook directly above the top so it's easy to fill. A cap on top or hardwire would prevent them from crawling inside the PVC pipe but you would have to remove it every time you...

I've got a PVC feeder; https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/simple-pvc-hopper-type-feeder and I love it! I've listed reasons in the comments section. No offense, just my opinion, but the gutter/hard-wire thing sounds like a terrible idea but I might be picturing it wrong. I think I need a visual...

Raising them to be chicken killers does not mean they won't still turn out to be big softies. When I was 7 or 8 years old I was expected to help pull feathers out of recently butchered chickens. I remember distinctly watching roosters run around with no heads after my dad had decapitated them...

Medicated chick feed only protects against Coccidiosis. It DOES NOT protect against Marek's or any other disease. Medicated chick feed contains Amprolium.