The Quack Shack

[Trimurtisan]

Well, I am not an APA member and have never been on their webpage, but the people that have been the biggest wealth of knowledge in mentoring me are all APA members and I have purchased the 2010 APA Standards Book. One of my mentors was on the APA board of directors and he said that APA spends more money on new members than the cost of their initial membership and everyone should join. That was about 5 years ago. I will join APA I just haven't got around to it yet.

As far as the standards go, no, the APA standards are not available online. If you want the standards you have to purchase the book. I have done a fair bit of study of the standards book to learn what defines a breed and who differentiates similar breeds from each other. For me it is just a reference book though. I learn more from the Livestock conservancy site, the archives of the Kansas Circular from the 1920-1940's, and other 1910-1940 era breeder's commentaries and breeder's guides. I do not go to a lot of poultry shows and don't exhibit birds in half of the shows I attend. I like genetics and I live breeding poultry, and I love...love...love going to poultry shows and seeing all the breeds and varieties, but show my birds is a lot of stress on me and my birds so it is not really my thing. I have a goes to exhibit at one show a year just to keep learning from the APA judges and getting feedback on how my breeding doing. If I were exhibiting a ton of birds and a ton of shows, then yes being an APA member would be a must. I believe that you get access to the poultry press (I could be wrong), APA materials (again I could be wrong), etc. This would probably be better answered by an APA member, but I don't know of any members that regret signing up and believe that the organization. I am looking for some of the same feedback as you are on the value of APA membership. The members are outstanding so I would think that it would be a good group to be associated with.

Wow man, that is awesome. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me your thoughts on that.

The current plan is to get my membership to the livestock conservancy, and the APA standards book. Between what you and a few other people have said in regards to the books, I think it would be a good idea to go ahead and invest in them.

I currently don't have much interest in showing birds, but I've never actually been to a poultry show so for all I know I might just love it. I would however love to attend a few, even if it's just for my own entertainment and to expand my education. There doesn't seem to be many around here though.

Again, I really appreciate you leaving your thoughts on the subject.

 

[Trimurtisan]

 

[Miss Lydia]

Another awesome avatar

 

[Trimurtisan]

Another awesome avatar

Thank you! It's one I found in the back yard a few years ago. I've only seen 3 in the ~22 years I've lived in this area.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I use to have a lot here even bought eggs and then I got ducks and chickens and all my preying mantis disappeared.

 

[rjohns39]

Morning folks

 

[Trimurtisan]

Morning folks

Mornin!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Howdy!!

 

[rjohns39]

How are you this morning Patti? Are you getting this nice weather too?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh my gosh isn't it wonderful were at 55 this morning 52 yesterday!