There are more poultry breeds than most individuals realize, and for anyone who wants to raise and breed poultry, it is vital to understand as much as possible about as many of them as you can. With more than 500 breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association, there are different feed necessities, housing requirements, incubation times, egg information, and costs of raising for each of these various breeds.
This book provides the details that every potential poultry breed needs to create detailed plans for purchasing, raising, and breeding their new farm animals. You will learn about each of the more than 500 different breeds of poultry, from chickens to turkeys and ducks. Each breed will be laid out with complete details about everything you need to know to raise them ef- fectively. From breeding a particular animal to raising the newborns, you will learn the basics of animal husbandry, gathering eggs, and using the meat from the ducks and turkeys you select. You will learn exactly which breeds are best for egg production by volume and which ones are best for meat by taste. You will learn the dietary needs of each breed and what they require from you to thrive in all four seasons.
Poultry and small farming experts were interviewed for this book to provide detailed insight into how poultry is selected and raised. Throughout the book, you will find bits of information about how each breed is different, suggestions for raising a par- ticular breed, and tips on which breeds to completely steer clear of. You will learn which poultry breeds have been used for hundreds of years on small farms everywhere and which ones are rarely used and for what reasons. Whether you are starting a farm and need a half dozen good poultry breeds for your coups or are just adding a small area on your property to raise some chickens, this guide will provide everything you need to understand and select the proper breed for your needs.
