Do I want to get into breeding?

[KSH1]

As many do, I got myself a wide array of birds to start my flock. (Had a flock in the past but gave them away when we moved.) I didn't have good internet access with the first flock, and I'm enjoying learning so much more now. I ended up with several cockerels who are going into a bachelor flock as I confirm who they are, but I think I may have lucked into some relatively nice birds and now I'm debating doing some breeding next year. At this point I have no interest in showing, but I'd be interested in trying to create better representatives of the breed(s). Where do you all suggest I start my research? Are there chicken conformation tutorials like I've seen in horse magazines? As a novice, I don't know if I trust my eye to compare a written SOP to a live bird. Thank you!

 

[BantyChooks]

As many do, I got myself a wide array of birds to start my flock. (Had a flock in the past but gave them away when we moved.) I didn't have good internet access with the first flock, and I'm enjoying learning so much more now. I ended up with several cockerels who are going into a bachelor flock as I confirm who they are, but I think I may have lucked into some relatively nice birds and now I'm debating doing some breeding next year. At this point I have no interest in showing, but I'd be interested in trying to create better representatives of the breed(s). Where do you all suggest I start my research? Are there chicken conformation tutorials like I've seen in horse magazines? As a novice, I don't know if I trust my eye to compare a written SOP to a live bird. Thank you!

First thing—get a copy of the American Standard of Perfection, as is sold by the American Poultry association. It has paintings of ideal birds as well as drawings and terms in the beginning that illustrate flaws, perfection, and measuring traits. It's an invaluable resource. A lot is learned simply by experience. Compare your birds constantly. How wide are their backs in relation to each other? How do they stand? What is their feather quality like? Find the breed club for your chosen breed, join it, and drink in every scrap of information you can find. Sometimes they have newsletters. If you can find a local show, go to it and just wander around the aisles, looking at the birds. Note ones you find attractive, and then go back later after the judging and look at the cage cards to see how they placed. I know you said you don't want to show, but it's the best place to find top specimens. Also realize that if you do breed, you're going to need to cull hard, which means chicken sandwiches, unless you have a really great bird market.
There are some YouTube videos out there giving instruction on type for various breeds. Depends on which one you choose.