We all have heard that the chicken is a close living relative of the tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur.  The giant monstrous beast that ran on its hind legs terrorizing smaller prey is a predecessor of the smaller chicken family member.  It only takes a few looks to see the resemblance. Researchers …

Choosing Backyard Chicks Do a little research before you buy chicks, especially if you are purchasing online. Not only do you want a variety that suits your needs, they should be able to handle the weather in your area. Here in the northeastern Pa., we look for hens that can …

I like the shape of his points, he has a slight curve to the back of his comb. There is good lobe shape, but I would like it a bit more smooth.  Small steps and it will all come together. – Danny Feathers  

As I look through other sites and see everyone that is going crazy over the next great new breed or variety I can’t help but wonder why can’t we find people interested in breeds that are already established? Is it because people have already seen them? Is it because they’re …

Breed Evolution and Varieties By Bjorn Maxwell Netland Breeders’ and sometimes judges’ preferences set trends in the poultry hobby.  Breeders and hobbyists likes and dislikes sometimes vary by region and time.  The standard deviations sometimes become accepted over time and generate the push for standard revisions. Leghorns can be used …

There are many poultry clubs around the country and around the world. There are clubs for Buckeyes, Orpingtons, and just about any other kind of domesticated poultry. The question is why would someone join a poultry breed club? There are many good reasons why you should join a poultry club. …

If you wondering why I go on about the chickens and turkeys being hybrid I will try and explain.   In todays world people worry about GMOs and their effect on what we eat and the farmers ability to save seed and reproduce their own crops.  Before GMOs we had hybrid seed which also …

The Lamona Chicken Breed In the 1920s a new breed of chicken was being developed by the United States Department of Agriculture. After the breed was fixed and established it was released to universities where it was dispensed to private owners. There still was a small amount of work to …

Chocolate Color Genes Explained in Poultry I just recently came home from the second Crossroads of America Poultry show which had 10,276 birds shown.  While I was there I noticed that there were Chocolate OEGB and Polish and I was lucky enough to be getting some Chocolate Orpingtons. I was …

The Barred Gene Use in Chickens The barred coloration is something most people that keep chickens have seen. Barred rocks, creles, and several other birds carry the barring in their feathers. The barring gene is an absence of coloration in the feather. The barring gene causes white pigment in bars …