American SOP book is worth buying

[CelticOaksFarm]

I have noticed many people think the SOP is priced at over $120 a copy. I have no idea where everyone is looking for the current copy to find that price. To me it makes since to buy right from the American Poultry Association. If you visit the web site and then goto the store page you will find the most current copy available listed at $59.00 ( http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/APA_ShoppingMall3.htm )


When buying birds, or hatching eggs in hopes of showing and or creating a breeding flock it is best to have a copy of this book in your hands. You can read, ear mark and learn alot about faults in general and then breed spacific. You can refer back to it again and again on your own anytime day or night. Which is much better than posting a few photos asking if bird X is show quality. It is impossible to judge a three dimensional bird from a flat photo often only showing one side/angle.

 

[Oregon Blues]

At $60, the SOP is a bargain. It is a solid book with a stitched binding. It is stuffed full of gorgeous color plates. It is so worth the price charged for it.

There is a lot of general information about showing that is necessary to know in addition to the individual breed standards.

The only down side is that looking at all the beautiful color pictures makes you want to add many more breeds to your collection. Maybe not so good for people with a serious chicken math problem.

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

If you're serious about breeding and trying to better the breed you're working with, it is not a bad price at all. It's actually a really cheap investment considering how well it's made, how long it will last, and the information you get from it. And you can always sell it when it's outdated and you want to buy a new edition (if you want).

 

[duckyfromoz]

Just out of interest... I notice it says on the cover 2010 edition- but can someone tell me how many editions there have been. Here in Australia we have just had our 2nd edition printed- - yes very new when it comes to an actual book being printed - so i was wondering when the first was in America- and how many times it may have been revised since the original.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I have a copy from 1920/1921 hard bound book, it mentions a 1910 edition and a 1915 edition

 

[poultry09]

Is the 2010 edition the most recent copy? Cause I think I am going to have to get one if I am going to be breeding welsh harlequins, cinnamon runners and dewlap Toulouse geese.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Yes, andis why you should always buy straight from the APA so you know you are buying the newest copy.

 

[zooweemama]

I know this is a 2010 copy- I am going to be breeding BC Marans eventually and they are a new addition to the APA. I am hoping they are in it...can anyone tell me?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Zoowee, it was an add on, visit the club site for more info on standard.
http://maransofamericaclub.com/

All I can say about them is, good luck finding stock. It has taken us 2 years of hatching and culling before we finally have a handful of BCM that don't have faults all over them. Unfortunately they are a bird riddled with faults from poor egg color, feather color, comb issues, white feathers, leg feathering issues. Oh and don't fall for the sales pitch of wade and Davis lines as everyone claims to have them and it's a ploy to get more $ in reality.

 

[larkflying]

This book is on my Christmas List . . .