Finish your coop, go to the National. There are at least 5200 birds entered! Pick a breed and buy a trio of winners. 1 male and 2 females. Or a quad, 2 males and 2 females. Ask the person you buy them from what to feed them because you want to keep them in the same excellent condition. Take notes, ratios and ingredients can be confusing to remember. Talk to the veterans in your chosen breed. Explain you are just starting out. Chicken people are really nice. If you are coming to poultry from the dog world, you have a very pleasant surprise in store for you. Stay in touch with your bird's breeder, they can be very helpful to you. Yes, the birds may cost more, but the quality you will get will save you years of breeding up in quality.
Best,
Karen in soggy western PA, USA
Oh, Go to the American Poultry Association website and buy a copy of the Standard of Perfection for 59.00 . (They should also have them available at the show .....or perhaps you could prepay and pick it up at the show?) Take it with you to the show and consult it when you check out the breeds. You'll be very surprised that the show folk will take you more seriously when they see you with SOP in hand. It is a valuable reference, containing not only the Standard for your chosen breed, but the 1st 38 pages are a wonderful reference for breeding birds properly.
Thanks for the info. and advice!
