It's the Chicken The

Backyard April/May 2013 Poultry Dedicated to more and better small-flock poultry

Raise Healthy Chicks

Naturally Pg. 46

Legal Considerations Before Starting a Poultry Business Pg.72

Confessions of a Chickenaholic Pg.14

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Publisher: Bart Smith From the Editor: About Geese: A 3-part series Editor: Ryan Slabaugh It’s spring, I’m new and I’m not Part 2: Medium Geese...... 66 Editorial Assistants: Elaine Belanger quite fully feathered ...... 6 & Samantha Ingersoll Financial Opportunities: Circulation and Fulfillment: Laura Readers’ Letters ...... 8 Legal Considerations Before Starting a Small-Scale Poultry Farm...... 72 Ching, Ellen Soper, Kelly Weiler, Confessions of a Chickenaholic.....14 Christine Barkley 4-H Poultry Project Evolves Into Bookstore: Ann Tom Backyard Poultry Family Money-Making Venture...... 78 Album:...... 16 Advertising Representatives (Rates on request) SPPA News: Recipes: Alicia Komanec Associations Offer Guidance in Spring Chicken with Fresh Herbs... 80 800-551-5691 Rare Breed Poultry Raising...... 18 Tarragon-Chive Roast Chicken ..... 81 [email protected] ...... 20 Gary Christopherson Coming Events Lemon-Spiked Chicken with Sage...82 800-551-5691 Helpful Hints: [email protected] Buyer Beware: No Antidote for Modern A Love of the Hobby: A Family Affair: When Show Time Backyard Poultry Rat Poisonss...... 22 (ISSN 1559-2251, USPS 023-374) Comes Around, Every Stoltman is published bi-monthly by Build a Better Mouse Trap with a Child Pitches In...... 84 Countryside Publications, Ltd. at 145 Five-Gallon Bucket...... 23 Book Review: Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451. Build a $3 Nest Box ...... 24 Periodicals postage paid at Medford, The Chicken Chronicles...... 88 WI and additional mailing offices. Homesteading Made Easy: Fencing ©2013 Countryside Publications, Ltd. by Remote Control...... 26 Just for Fun: The views presented here do not Farm Days ...... 90 necessarily represent those of the editor Housing: or publisher. All contents of this issue Dad’s Chicken Coop: A Labor of Youth: of Backyard Poultry are copyrighted by Love...... 30 Gertrude McCluck: Chicken in Countryside Publications, Ltd., 2013. All Charge ...... 92 rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or MadCity Chickens’ Coop Tour...... 34 in part is prohibited except by permission Backyard Poultry Breeders of the publisher. Health: Directory...... 94 The Answer Man...... 38 Editorial and Advertising Office: Healthy Guts…Healthy Birds… Backyard Poultry Classifieds..97 Backyard Poultry Healthy Families!...... 42 145 Industrial Dr. On the cOver: Medford, WI 54451 Raising Healthy Chicks Naturally.... 46 [email protected] The April/May 2013 cover photo is by Feed: Vivian Struve-Hauk, Virginia. See Subscriptions (U.S. funds): It’s the Chicken AND the Egg™..... 52 page 16 for more information on the $21 per year; 2 years $35. photo contest. Backyard Poultry Subscriptions Bird Senses: They’re sharper than you 145 Industrial Dr. think ...... 54 Medford, WI 54451 800-551-5691 Your Flock: Live Entertainment...... 56 POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. (See DMM Breed Focus: 707.4.12.5); NON-POSTAL AND Choosing Bantam Versus Standard MILITARY FACILITIES: send Breeds...... 58 address corrections to Backyard The Buttercup Chicken: “The Poultry Subscriptions 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 Crown of the Fancy” ...... 60 Printed in the U.S.A. Rare Breeds of Normandy...... 62 4 Backyard Poultry April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 5 Fr o m Th e Ed i t o r : It’s spring, I’m new and I’m not quite fully feathered

By Ry a n Sl a b a u g h happy to keep tracking down the answers water. He said it added about $300 to his Ed i t o r to your questions. I walked away from a energy bill every month on average in the recent trip to Medford, Wisconsin, with winter, but the chickens stayed healthy. ’m not going to lie. I spent the last two heavy boxes full of books, which are When they did venture outside, they did month reading about chickens, tur- now scattered about my office, and an not for long, so he said it also helped keep keys, geese and all sorts of poultry, understanding that this will take years, if them close to home. peopleI and situations. If you wrote a not a lifetime, to truly understand it. * * * book about one of these subjects, I have I do understand how to work with Friendly reminder: Start thinking probably been through it and read a few our talented set of expert writers and help about goals for the summer season. If chapters, at least. I was on the road for a craft a great magazine. And to reiterate my you’re a deadline person like I am, make couple weeks, and met quite a few people earlier point, I do want to listen and better a note on your calendar when you want who raise chickens. Each time, I asked understand how we can grow as a publica- your coop to be de-winterized and ready them 100 questions, and they asked 100 tion, which means giving the readers more for hot temperatures. In some of our read- back. If you heard a frantic sound of tip- than they expect, in every edition. ership areas in the south, that is already tapping behind you all month, it was me So, let’s get started … happening in abundance. sprinting hard to catch up to the amount * * * of knowledge and understanding that * * * On a recent trip up north to the Upper We have a guy in our internet depart- our collective readership owns, and is Peninsula of Michigan, I met a local man inside every Backyard Poultry. ment who just coined the phrase, “Urban who farmed chickens. (I know it’s really Chickster.” In Chicago where I live, it Yet, I am still here, and do feel like I not the “Upper Peninsula,” but the “U- It’s How You Care for am starting to gain on you. This is my first kind of works. Folks here are proud of P,” so forgive me.) Anyway, the chicken their backyard coops, and are getting the edition as editor, and one in which I am farmer was talking about the challenges being trained by the former editor, Elaine kids and the neighbors involved. And it’s Your Chickens. Completely. he faced in conditions where he got 300 getting a lot of ink in the local papers. Belanger. I cannot tell you how much I inches of snow per year, where his farm They eat. They drink. They make compost. Improve their health with everything they take in, owe her for sticking around and showing Anyway, if you’re living in a city and and everything they put out. Manna Pro Chick Grit improves digestion, Water Protector ensures pond usually stopped freezing over by have a small flock, this is the time of year me the ropes. I’ve been a new editor a the Fourth of July. Yet, he did nothing safe, clean drinking water, and Coop ‘N Compost makes for a cleaner, healthier home. With couple times before, and each time it was where you probably have friends thinking Manna Pro, it’s easy to give your ﬂock the best possible care. Completely. too drastic. While he designed his coop about starting to join you. You tell them, without the former editor on site, leaving at small proportions for his 100 chickens, me out to handle tough questions without “It’s fun. It’s life-changing.” But you also he used large amounts of ventilation and know all the hard work, money and time the institutional knowledge to support a small heating system for the air and Chick Grit them. Elaine is making sure I succeed. you put into getting your flock going and keeping them healthy. · Small-sized grit While she is stepping away from her · Ideal for young birds and bantams As a guy who is learning a lot and former role, I doubt she will truly ever be · Aids in proper digestion of away from Backyard Poultry. As she’s told going through a similar process, here forage and coarse grains me many times, she’s only a phone call are my tips: Coop ‘N Compost away, and I know I will be taking her up • Subscribe to Backyard Poultry, of · Safe for all ages and classes of poultry on that in the future many, many times. course. · Neutralizes odors in brooders, coops and nesting boxes What Elaine also has done is chal- • Read Storey’s Guide to Raising Chick- Water Protector ens by Gail Demerow. It truly has every- · Helps improve the quality lenged me to keep improving the maga- · Keeps drinking water free of your compost zine and ensuring we are not just a viable thing in there. from scum or algae publication about poultry raising and cul- • And have on hand The Complete Idi- · All natural ture, but we are one of the best in the world ot’s Guide to Raising Chickens by Jerry · Safe for all ages and classes of poultry at it. To do that, we need your continued Belanger. It’s an easy-to-navigate book · Works in all types of waterers including galvanized and plastic input, story ideas, questions, pictures (yes, for quick questions and answers. lots of pictures!), constructive criticism • Talk to people who do it. Without a doubt, and belief that we will listen, and we will this is the best resource to truly understand continue to work hard, every day, to get what it takes, and why it’s worthwhile. it right — to entertain you, to inform you, * * * and to ensure you are growing in your Questions? Concerns? Ideas? Great knowledge of raising poultry. pictures? Let editor Ryan Slabaugh know My background is a little different OO with an email to backyardpoultry@swift- I than most editors who walk into this Ryan Slabaugh joined Countryside com.com, or write him a letter and send it $ type of job. 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Version 2a Le t t e r s : would chase my son and when he fell, Do you have something jump on him. (No, my son was not teasing or playing with him, he was just standing to crow about? there.) That rooster would go so far as to threaten my six-foot tall husband. We want to hear from you. Send questions, I have found, in the 20 years I have comments, opinions, advice, coming events, etc. had about 40 breeds and all kinds of to: Backyard Poultry Editor, 145 Industrial Dr., mutts, that chicken personality is unique. Medford, WI 54451 or email: [email protected] I have had wonderful and lovable, and dull and annoying chickens of the same breed. I have had mean chickens and Smarter Than a Rat I put my superior intellect to work and timid chickens. Some breeds are flightier I have been battling a very common finally proved to myself that I was smarter than others but I find that you really can’t but serious problem for years—rats! In than the average rat. say that a certain breed is “docile” or Florida we are plagued by the black rat For several weeks I have been mix- recommend across the board a breed that (roof/fruit rat). They are very wary and ing cayenne pepper with my feed. I know will not be aggressive. are true survivors, living in both under- from my small pet birds that birds like Ingrid Gottfried ground tunnels and house attics. They are hot pepper, but that it is a repellent to equally at home digging under a founda- mammals. No longer palatable, the rats Rooster Rivalry tion or running across telephone wires. abandoned my hoppers and ate the poison Recent articles about roosters in They will eat anything, except when it is instead. No more rats! And the squirrels Backyard Poultry reminded me of an something to control their numbers. are eating whatever they can find on the amusing incident that occurred in our While young ones will occasionally property, as nature intended. small flock, showing that, even for eat poison or get caught in live traps Dom Florio, Florida chickens, a little knowledge can be a because of their lack of experience, most dangerous thing. learn very quickly to avoid such things. I Get more information about potential Last summer, when we needed a keep my feed in metal garbage cans, but hazards of modern-day rat poisons, please new rooster (the former incumbent hav- they help themselves all night long, to see “WARNING: No Antidote for Modern ing had an unfortunate encounter with a whatever is left in the hoppers. Squirrels Rat Poisons,” on page 22. — Ed. hawk), we decided to hatch some chicks would find their way in during the day and select a new one. Several neighbors and also help themselves. I don’t mind Breed Not Always Determining were interested in adding a few hens to either animal living as part of nature, Factor for Rooster Temperament their flocks and we made a collection of but I was tired of the smell and damage I had to write after reading for about hopefully fertile eggs of every shape and from rats inside my storage shed, which the third or fourth time that Brahma color, including a few blues. In due course, is attached to my coops. roosters are gentle. I have been raising 17 chicks hatched and we ultimately nar- I’ve mixed poison with pellets, chickens for almost 20 years and have rowed the choice of which rooster to keep scratch, dog kibble, peanut butter, and/or had scores of roosters. Our first rooster to two – one was classic looking, the other bacon grease with very poor results. It’s was a light Brahma, and he was the mean- gorgeously colored and was initially kept only taken 20 years of keeping poultry, est rooster I ever had. He was large and in the hope it was a hen, but as hormones kicked in, his maleness became clear. Perhaps because they had been raised together, their rivalry was quite muted at first – neither being willing to get into mortal Chickens in combat. However, each was incensed New York City? when the other started to pay attention to a hen, and usually each succeeded in I bought my hat on Broadway thwarting the other’s intentions. and am now a trendsetter! I am read- Then rooster #1 (the classic one) ing our favorite “Gertrude McCluck: learned to fly over the six-foot fence, Chicken in Charge” on the train back whereupon he would run back and forth to Connecticut. inviting the hens to join him on the green Ingrid Karlson, 8 years old, grass – and they in turn ran back and forth Connecticut on their side of the fence trying to do so. He was unable to transmit the informa- Chickens are allowed in New tion needed to instruct the hens how York City, just one of the hundreds to join him and they soon lost interest. of cities with ordinances permitting Meanwhile, rooster #2, seeing his rival hens within city limits. — Ed. on the other side of the fence, took full advantage of the situation and attended diligently to the hens. Seeing this hanky 8 Backyard Poultry Backyard Poultry’s Back Issue List

April/May, 2006 Vol. 1/2 Backyard • Chick Success: Start Those Birds Right! Dedicated to more and better small-flock poultry • Working With the Cock(s) in the Flock PoultryDedicated to more and better small-flock poultry • Serama: World’s Smallest Chicken Summer

Pg. 34 Aug/Sept, 2006 Vol. 1/4 Pg.6 • Make Your Own Feed Are Chickens in Your Future? Pg. 34 • How to Bathe That Bird Brooding Chicks is Easy! More Pg.56 A New Kind of Chicken Coop Pg. 40 • Chickens Help Build a Community Why Does a Hen

Cackle? Pg. 24 Breed Focus: • Decorating and Dyeing chocolate brown eggs Oct/Nov, 2006 Vol. 1/5 • Kids Build an Egg Cleaner • Portable Chicken Runs ...and much more inside! • Turkey History & Varieties • Integrating Chicken Flocks • Opportunities to Profit with Poultry Dec, 2006/Jan, 2007 Vol. 1/6 • Manage Pests Naturally • Winter Care for Your Poultry October/November 2011 Vol. 6/5 • Make a Poultry Saddle • Want Healthy Birds? Give Them Fresh Air! After much rivalry between his two • The Neglected Goose • Prepare Your Flock for Winter roosters, Chris Woodcock’s rooster, August/September, 2007 Vol. 2/4 December 2011/January 2012 Vol. 6/6 Rooster #1, was chosen over Rooster #2 • The Java Chicken Breed • Tricks for Winter Egg Production because of his looks and demeanor, and • Designing Your Pasture Shelter • One Dozen Tips to Legalize Chickens • Poultry Predator Identification has shared his genes with 28 offspring. April/May 2012 Vol. 7/2 June/July, 2008 Vol. 3/3 • Brooding Chicks is Easy! • Gardening with Guineas • A New Kind of Chicken Coop panky in the pen incensed rooster #1 who • Integrating Poultry Flocks • Build an Affordable Poultry Plucker June/July 2012 Vol. 7/3 charged repeatedly at the fence to try to • Plant a Poultry Garden put a stop to this, but he never figured October/November, 2008 Vol. 3/5 • Feather Your Nest, Poultry Business Ideas out how to fly back at will. (He did fly • One Dozen Poultry Keeping Tricks • Feed for Nutritious Delicious Eggs • Turkeys: History, Culture & Varieties back from time to time but this seemed • Plymouth Rocks: The Heirloom Breed August/September 2012 Vol. 7/4 to occur at random and not associated • Build an “Old West” Style Chicken Coop April/May, 2009 Vol. 4/2 • The Mystique of Swans with a desire to be back in the pen.) Al- • Heritage Breed Options • Tools to Legalize Urban Poultry Keeping though clever enough to escape, he did • Alternatives to the Cornish Cross • Understand and Prevent Pecking & Picking December 2012/January 2013 Vol. 7/6 not have the smarts to learn that these • Build a Beautiful & Practical Brooder outings were doomed to frustration and February/March 2011 Vol. 6/1 • Beginner’s Guide to Raising Ducks • Essential Housing Tips • Chantecler Chickens: A Canadian Icon ultimately counterproductive. But in the • Chicken Anatomy February/March 2013 Vol. 8/1 end, he was chosen on the basis of looks • Silkies: Furry, Five-Toed Bantams and demeanor to be the surviving rooster, • Think Like a Chicken: Understanding Bird Talk June/July 2011 Vol. 6/3 • From Russia with Love: The Russian Orloff and 28 of his offspring, of all colors and • Chick Know-How • Sex-link Chickens: Clarifying Crossbreeds shapes, are carrying some of his genes. He continues to fly over the fence and Only $4 each... while supplies last exhort his ladies to join him. Circle the issues of your choice. (Note: Past issues not listed are sold out.) Chris Woodcock, Massachusetts 1/2 1/4 1/5 1/6 2/4 3/3 3/5 4/2 6/1 Disposing of Peels After Use as 6/3 6/5 6/6 7/2 7/3 7/4 7/6 8/1 Disinfectant In one of your last issues it was Name ______mentioned to soak orange peels in white Address ______vinegar for disinfectant purposes. I use City ______State______Zip______it not only in the coop but around the kitchen. My question: Can the peels go Phone number ______into a compost bin after use or will the Credit Card # ______Exp ____ CVV #_____ vinegar be too much for the decomposi- E-mail ______tion matter? Can you please find out? We chicken lovers are waiting for an answer. Mail this form along with $4 per issue Thank you. Love your magazine! plus $3 shipping/handling per complete order to: Sarah Murphy, Connecticut Backyard Poultry Back Issues, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 1-800-551-5691 Susan Burek replies: The marc (peels) may actually benefit We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. your compost pile by repelling pests. I For more information on back issues, visit our website: don’t think there would be enough vinegar www.backyardpoultrymag.com in the marc to actually harm the beneficial April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 9 bacteria in your pile once it is mixed in. showmanship last year and won my age But, if you are worried about it (or have a division. The barn was found, Sunday really small compost pile), you could put morning, with the back door unlocked, it to good use as a topical application in and two birds missing. This was no ac- your flowerbeds or gardens to use as an cident. I was told, “There is nothing I, or insect repellent until it breaks down. the fair board, can do. After all, they are just chickens.” They are just chickens, but See Susan’s article, “Raising Healthy they were also my pets, my show animals, Chicks Naturally” on page 46 of this and champions. issue. —Ed. I understand that this may not seem like much, but what if your dog was Fish Tank Makes Good Brooder mysteriously stolen? You have no idea We really enjoy the Backyard Poultry where he is, or if he is even alive. What magazine and wanted to share our story if your dog was an extremely rare breed with other readers. During a winter storm Bethany Green found this chick during a in America, and is used for fighting and we were out doing our chores and found a winter storm. Worried about it surviving consumption? baby chicken trying to follow its mother. the freezing temperatures, she brought I want people to realize how unsafe With all the wind and snow it didn't have “Blizzard” into the house and temporarily things are becoming, and how being a a chance of survival. So we brought it in housed him in a fish tank. little over-protective can be beneficial. and used a fish tank to make it a “tempo- I remember when I first started showing rary” home until it is bigger. We named 11. Attending multiple shows outside of at the fair, I thought that my animals him Blizzard. fairs, including the State Poultry Palooza were completely safe, and nothing could Bethany Green, Indiana and the Van Barren Small Animal Show, I ever harm them. My birds were prob- take great pride in my birds and myself. ably worth a large amount of money. Readers Warn of Bird Thefts Last year, at a fair, I had a pair of It’s amazing what people would do for I live in Michigan and am a student Cubalaya chickens stolen the night before quick cash… in high school. My 4-H career has so far project checkout day. These birds won “Despite everything, I believe that included five years as a Cloverbud, and Reserve Champion Rooster-Hen Pair people really are good at heart.” –Anne this is my sixth year as a 4-H’er. I have three times at various shows and Cham- Frank shown chickens for eight years; rabbits for pion Pair once. I also used the rooster for Elizabeth Stockwell, Michigan

10 Backyard Poultry April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 11 Theft by Bait and Switch any other animal. As an example, one animals. You may realize that knowing I am an avid patron of good hus- red chicken looks like any other red your animals through the handling may bandry. For 16 years I have been keeping chicken to some. One would not realize not suffice. It is a further dilemma that small stock pets as a hobby. I would like such differences of each animal until reporting to the authorities, or others, to report I have been experiencing the one becomes familiar to such differences yields no action because of the lack of most peculiar events in regards to my with the handling of them. Pictured is an documentation or eyewitness of the tres- animal holdings. older duck hen that was dumped and my pass. As a result after putting energy and The keeping of animals can be chal- remaining young Pekin duck hen, after real costs to my holdings, I am having a lenging at times and it is not unusual for the sister from the same hatching went lower yield of eggs, and lower quality someone to have a small animal stolen missing that same morning. to my flock. or to have animals illegally dumped on I have normally written off a few loss- I have learned not to rely solely on their property. es of birds in the past years for reasons the feathering of a bird as an ID, because To anyone but the owner of the caused by wild predators or by marauding a bird will change in appearance during animal, that animal is no different than dogs. My llamas and goats typically do a growth and molting. The details to the good job of deterring such losses. comb of a chicken in its mature state is This past year I have had nicer ani- unique to each bird, much like a finger mals go missing but then I was left at the print. On mature pied colored ducks, the same time with an animal with similar coloration on the bill or feet are unique to traits that have lesser value and/or health each bird, such as in Muscovy ducks. issues. So much for bio-security. I was I now have tattooed the web on the told that this was an action of a “thief under wing to mark my birds because with a conscious.” Though this trespass bands can be removed and then put on has occurred enough times I would call another bird. Altering or tipping to ID it petty terrorism. an animal is considered maiming and is If you have a dilemma and are unable illegal in some states. to keep adequate surveillance on your I am reaching out to other animal property, to discourage the factor of hu- owners, to consider how to keep a better man trespass, you learn that it does not record of your animals. And hopefully we hurt to photo log your pets for reference can be spared such further frustrations. of such an unexpected change to your Sharon Taylor, California

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Visit us online to find a dealer near you! happyhentreats.com Zoning Board, or your spouse. Just ac- Confessions of a knowledge it! 3. Stop paying your feed bills in cash to hide the real total and confess how much you actually spent toward your habit. 4. Make an inventory of all the reasons i, my name is Cindy, and I’m • Taking days off work to “bathe chick- you became addicted to poultry: their a chickenaholic. I don’t drink, ens.” cuddly feathers, their colorful eggs, the Hdo drugs, gamble,Chickenaholic or buy things • Taking more days off to “show chick- joy of seeing your bird on Champion on the Shopping Network. I have no ens.” Row, the cute sounds the broody hens tattoos or piercings, and no idea who • Asking to leave an hour early or come make, etc. Figure out what is lacking in Honey Boo Boo is or who is on Dancing in an hour late because, “The Call ducks your personal life that makes you want with the Stars this week. But I have a are hatching and I have to help them.” to fill it with so many things that go psychological problem. I am addicted to • Hatching earlier and earlier each year, cluck, quack, and honk. poultry. Sadly, there may be all too many usually alone, and trying to hide the evi- 5. Post on Facebook a confession of of us. Some of them may be people you dence. your poultry sins: the number of times know. Think of friends or acquaintances • Claiming they’re only “social” hatch- you didn’t clean the house because you who display the following symptoms: ers. were cleaning the barn, the meals your • Binge candling with occasional black- family missed because you were fixing • Showing up late for work with wood outs. up a special treat of oats, meal worms, shavings in their hair, a suspicious stain • More and more unsightly and flimsy garlic and stale cat food for the birds in on their shirt, and some story about a looking structures cluttering up what your life; all the times the church pew bird that was in the wrong pen. used to be a professionally landscaped sat empty because you were driving • Gazing off into space for no discern- backyard with mud, chicken poop, and home from a show. Just don’t go over- ible reason muttering about wattle size ugly plastic pools (for the ducks) replac- board and admit how many birds you and tailsets. ing flowers and shrubbery. actually own; you don’t want to be on • Putting themselves in dangerous situ- that show about hoarders, do you? ations such as driving 200 miles with Once poultry addiction is identified 6. Admit that it really isn’t helping when 17 roosters and eight female call ducks and acknowledged as a psychological you ship two boxes of chickens out to crated directly behind the driver’s seat, condition, we can stop talking around the Ohio, but ship three boxes of chickens rendering them effectively deaf. problem and work toward “intervention.” in from Missouri. • Taking a chicken, with or without a dia- Medical experts can set up chickenaholic 7. Buy a sweater that is a solid color and per, into a public place such as Home De- recovery meetings, perhaps at their local has no chickens on it. They make those. pot, Petco, or a first grade classroom, and KFC. All we need now is an appropriate 8. Make a list of everyone you have acting as though this is normal behavior. 12-step program: harmed by hooking them onto your ad- • Claiming they only have chickens for diction by giving them birds. You can the “fresh eggs.” 1. Admit that, despite having enough start by paying their feed bill. • Spending excessive amounts of time chickens, ducks, and geese to feed the 9. Actually vacuum the shavings out of on poultry-related Internet sites with entire neighborhood during the zom- the back of your car. You can’t keep put- names such as “Backyard Chickens,” bie apocalypse, you are powerless over ting it off until after the next show. You and “Polish Breeders Club,” belong- your need to hear newly hatched chicks know that day will never come. ing to all sorts of bird-related Facebook going peep, peep, peep. 10. Find someone who has recovered chat groups, and still whining about the 2. Acknowledge a power greater than from Poultry Addiction. Call her every demise of something called “Eggbid.” the APA, ABA, or NPIP, call it God, the week. Call twice daily when it’s the weekend of a major show. 11. Admit that it really isn’t normal to NOw Available... fly from Seattle to Indianapolis for a chicken show, even if it is the APA/ABA “Have You Hugged Your combined national. Explain to your psy- CHICKEN Today?” chiatrist that all the Rorschach inkblots look like little duckies. Backyard Poultry 12. Find a new hobby. I understand that they have shows for canaries, Baseball Caps goldfish, and even little plastic Brey- er horses. Maybe you could take up Only $14 each! drinking.

Call Not quite recovered…. 1-800-551-5691 Cynthia Smith, DVM , Washington or visit or see bookstore on page 45. www.backyardpoultrymag.com www.swpoultry.com 14 Backyard Poultry AMERICAS LARGEST PHEASANT FARM

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April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 15 The April/May 2013 cover photo winner is Vivian Struve-Hauk, Virginia. She tells us, “I have great ad- miration for the mothering qualities of Backyard Poultry our Buff Orpington hens. They are four years old and every year there is one who decides to brood. Because we did not have April/May 2013 • Family Album a rooster, we got eggs from our neighbor and we where delighted to watch one raise seven chicks. We have a honeybee sanc- tuary (Spikenard Farm) and all children and visitors where amazed watching her perform as a mother and teacher.”

My four-year-old Brown leghorn rooster I am raising chicks and I love your named Jelly Bean is a real looker! Spring is magazine.—esther Cantlin, Washington here!—Tamara Diederichs, California

“Chicken love”—Phyllis Alexander, Arkansas New corn pickers for sale!— Brandi Tait, Alabama Could Your Photo Be On The Next Cover? Tips to Make Your Photo a Winner • Beauty: Photos should be just plain pretty enough to be placed on the cover. Think vertical with some space on top for a masthead. Many otherwise perfect photos are taken in a way that makes it impossible to display them in the position of honor on the front cover of the magazine. If we won’t be able to do it justice, then the judges will avoid awarding it first place. • Clarity: The judges will be scrutinizing this aspect thoroughly and will only award first place to clear photos that can be enlarged to cover size without loss of clarity. • Conciseness: Photos are better if there isn’t too much clutter or aren’t too many things going on. • Good photos tell a story.

16 CoCo hatched out six eggs from bigger hens. She was a great Buffy jumps up and down until someone moves and lets her in mom!—S. Asch, Ohio the dirt.—Deborah Manassee, Connecticut

Our dog Sadie, a nine-month-old Brittany, just loves to help me A pet California Quail that we hatched.—Zaryn Fleischhacker, tend to our baby chick brooders. She smells the chicks but never Minnesota attempts to harm them.—Robert Rugaber, Pennsylvania Photo Contest Guidelines Send Your Photos Today! each issue’s winner will be displayed in the position of honor— on the front cover of the magazine!

Photos must relate in some way to domesticated poultry or their products. No limit on number of entries. Attach your name, address, phone number or e-mail and photo caption or description to each photo (not on the front of the photo, please). Backyard Poultry retains the right to publish and/or repro- duce any and all photos submitted, in future issues or publicity, with or without mention of source. To have your photos returned, please include a self- addressed stamped envelope. Each issue’s winning entry will be placed in a gallery of finalists, to be announced annually in the February/March issue. First prize—$50; 2nd prize—$30; 3rd prize—$20.

Send your entry to: Backyard Poultry Photo Contest, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, Hatching day at our house.—Tammie Howell, Arkansas WI 54451; or e-mail photos in jpg format to [email protected]. SPPA Ne w s : Associations Offer Guidance in Rare Breed Poultry Raising

place without a thorough understanding By Dr. Ch a r l e s R.H. Ev e r e t t of the breed. Knowing the history of the SPPA Se c r e t a r y /Tr e a s u r e r breed does help, but I am specifically speaking here of the type and utility of he Society for the Preservation of the breed. The guidelines for the preferred TPoultry Antiquities (SPPA) is the type are found in the Standard of Perfec- oldest preservation organization dedi- tion printed by the American Poultry As- cated exclusively to poultry in the Unit- sociation (APA) and the Bantam Standard ed States and Canada, having begun in printed by the American Bantam Asso- 1967. The need for our work is even ciation (ABA). A person cannot possibly greater today than it was 46 years ago. hope to breed the correct type without The rapid rise of backyard poultry does the use of these two Standards. I am con- not seem to have affected the status of stantly amazed at people who don’t own a very many old and rare breeds. There are Standard, know what it is, or even seem to three exceptions. Both SPPA and ALBC care. The APA is the oldest breed organiza- have done much to help Java, Buckeye, tion of any kind in the United States and and Nankin chickens. Canada. I highly recommend that you join Neither has the Internet with the pro- today and purchase a Standard. If you are liferation of poultry sites seem to have raising bantams then I would also suggest truly benefited any old and rare breeds you join the ABA. either; at least none that can be seen at The SPPA is not in this alone. These local shows. other organizations (APA and ABA) are Adequate preservation cannot take vital to our overall goal. The ALBC also works to preserve specifically American breeds of poultry. We are all in this together. We support one another though we have somewhat different venues. I would certainly love to see you take up a rare breed and join the SPPA, but don’t forget about these other organizations as well. Together we are all working toward the common goal of improving the poultry breeds we have and ensuring their survival for the next generation.

Join the SPPA by sending $15 for a one-year membership to Dr. Charles Everett, 1057 Nick Watts Rd., Lugoff, SC 29078. With your membership fee you will receive our new Breeders Directory and four quarterly Bulletins filled with practical information concerning rare breeds and how to raise them. See the SPPA ad on page 64. For Purina Nutritionist Dr. Mikelle Roeder, a healthy chicken is just as important as a delicious egg. That’s why she makes sure Purina feed gives your chicks what they need to grow into Learn more about the APA at www. healthy birds. And as they start laying eggs, Purina provides all the nutrients needed for amerpoultryassn.com or see their ad on strong shells and rich golden yolks. So when it comes to choosing between the chicken and page 61, the ABA at www.bantamclub. the egg, choose both with Purina. com/site or see their ad on this page, and the ALBC at www.albc-usa.org or see their ad on page 32. The above- Start your flock off right at MyPurinaFlock.com. mentioned Standards can be purchased from the APA and ABA. —Ed. 18 Backyard Poultry For Purina Nutritionist Dr. Mikelle Roeder, a healthy chicken is just as important as a delicious egg. That’s why she makes sure Purina feed gives your chicks what they need to grow into healthy birds. And as they start laying eggs, Purina provides all the nutrients needed for strong shells and rich golden yolks. So when it comes to choosing between the chicken and the egg, choose both with Purina.

Start your flock off right at MyPurinaFlock.com.

April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 19 Co m i n g Ev e n t s : The Coming Events listing is gathered and provided by www.poultryshow central.com. Add your show listing on their website or send to: Coming Events, Backyard Poultry, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 or email [email protected]. To be included in the Backyard Poultry magazine listing, event details must be sent 60 days in advance. If you do not have access to website show listings, please contact us for show specifics at 800-551-5691.

April 6, 2013—El Dorado, Arkansas: South Central April 14, 2013—Fort Payne, Alabama: Alabama April 21, 2013—Dunbar, Pennsylvania: Union- Regional Classic - South Arkansas Poultry Club: Showbird Association: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ town Poultry and Farm Products Association: www. www.poultryshowcentral.com/South_Central_Re- Alabama_Showbird_Association.html poultryshowcentral.com/Uniontown_Poultry_As- gional_Classic.html sociation.html April 14, 2013—Knox, Indiana: Golden Horseshoe April 6, 2013—Frankfort, Kentucky: Bluegrass Saddle Club Swap Meet: www.poultryshowcentral. April 27, 2013—Danville, Kentucky: Boyle County Poultry Association Spring Show: www.poultryshow- com/Golden_Horseshoe_Saddle_Club_Swap.html 4-H Poultry & Small Animals Auction: www.poultry- central.com/Bluegrass_Poultry.html showcentral.com/Boyle_County_4-H_Poultry_Small_ April 14, 2013—Waverly, Iowa: Waverly Iowa Exotic Animal_Auction.html April 6, 2013, Cookeville, Tennessee: Upper Cum- Bird and Animal Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ berland Fancy Feathers Club Spring Show: www. Waverly_Iowa_Exotic_Bird_Animal_Swap.html April 27, 2013—Imlay City, Michigan: Michigan Bird poultryshowcentral.com/Upper_Cumberland_Fan- & Game Breeders Association: www.poultryshowcen- cy_Feathers.html April 14, 2013—Belmont, New Hampshire: Belmont tral.com/Michigan_Game_Breeders_Swap_Char- Osbornes Agway Swap: www.poultryshowcentral. lotte.html April 6, 2013—Chichester, New Hampshire: Chich- com/Belmont_Osbornes_Agway_Swap.html ester Tractor Supply Swap: www.poultryshowcentral. April 27, 2013—Plymouth, New Hampshire: Plym- com/Chichester_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html April 14, 2013—Manheim, Pennsylvania: Graystone outh Tractor Supply Swap:www.poultryshowcentral. Small Animal Sale (Special Consignment Auction): com/Plymouth_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html April 7, 2013—Kankakee, Illinois: Tri-K Pigeon & www.poultryshowcentral.com/Graystone_Small_Ani- Bantam Club Pigeon Fair: www.poultryshowcentral. mal_Sale.html April 27, 2013—Eaton, Ohio: Dayton Fancy Feather com/TriK_Pigeon_Bantam_Fair.html Club Swap Days: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Day- April 14, 2013—Rutland, Vermont: Vermont Bird ton_Fancy_Feather_Club_Swap_Days.html April 7, 2013—Concord, New Hampshire: Concord Fancier’s Club Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ Osbornes Agway Swap: www.poultryshowcentral. Vermont_Fanciers_Rutland.html April 27, 2013—Dickson, Tennessee: Volunteer com/Concord_Osbornes_Agway_Swap.html State Poultry Club Show: www.poultryshowcentral. April 18-21, 2013—Payallup, Washington: Payallup com/Volunteer_State_Poultry.html April 12-13, 2013—Vacherie, Louisiana: Cajun Spring Fair: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Payal- Serama Classic: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Ca- lup_Fair.html April 27, 2013—Danville, Kentucky: Boyle County jun_Serama_Classic.html 4-H Poultry & Small Animals Auction: www.poultry- April 19-20, 2013—Clanton, Alabama: Alabama showcentral.com/Boyle_County_4-H_Poultry_Small_ April 12-14, 2013—Moulton, Alabama: Alabama Bantam Club Spring Show: www.poultryshowcentral. Animal_Auction.html Chicken & Egg Festival: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ com/Alabama_Bantam_Club.html Alabama_Chicken_and_Egg_Festival.html April 27, 2013—Stevenson,Washington: Rockin’ April 20, 2013—Brownsville, Kentucky: Green Roosters Youth Poultry Show: www.poultryshow- April 13, 2013—Ventura, California: Seaside Feather River Poultry Club, Inc. Spring Show: www.poultry- central.com/Rockin_Roosters_Youth_Poultry_Show. Fanciers Spring Fling: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ showcentral.com/Green_River.html html Seaside_Feather_Fanciers.html April 20, 2013—Jennings, Louisiana: Central Loui- April 27, 2013—Genesee Depot, Wisconsin: Nutrina April 13, 2013—Jefferson, Georgia: Peach State siana Poultry Club Show: www.poultryshowcentral. Backyard Poultry Seminar: www.poultryshowcentral. Classic; www.poultryshowcentral.com/Peach_State_ com/Central_Louisiana_Poultry_Club.html com/BP_Seminar_Genesee_Depot.html Classic.html April 20, 2013—Sedalia, Missouri: Missouri State April 27-28, 2013—Greenville, Ohio: Dayton April 13, 2013—Silex, Missouri: River Hills Poultry Poultry Association Swap and Show: www.poultryshow- Fancy Feather Club: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ Raisers Alliance of E. Missouri Spring Poultry Expo: central.com/Missouri_State_Poultry_Association.html Dayton_Fancy_Feather_Club.html www.poultryshowcentral.com/River_Hill_Poul- try_Raisers_Expo.html April 20, 2013—Maquoketa, Iowa: Eastern Iowa Bird April 27-28, 2013—Troy, Ohio: Troy Swap Meet: and Small Animal Swap: www.poultryshowcentral. www.poultryshowcentral.com/Troy_Swap_Meet. April 13, 2013—Greensboro, North Carolina: com/Eastern_Iowa_Bird_Small_Animal_Swap.html html Carolina Feather Fanciers Assoc. Spring Southern Hospitality Show: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ April 20, 2013—Overbrook, Kansas: Heart of April 28, 2013—Waterloo, Illinois: Midwest Bird & Carolina_Feather_Fanciers.html America Game Breeders’ Association Overbrook Animal Breeders Association: www.poultryshowcen- Sale: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Heart_of_Amer- tral.com/Midwest_Bird_Animal_Breeders.html April 13, 2013—York, Pennsylvania: York County ica_Game_Breeders_Overbrook.html Poultry Fanciers Association Annual Spring Show: April 28, 2013—Walpole, New Hampshire: Walpole www.poultryshowcentral.com/York_County_Poul- April 20, 2013—Sedalia, Missouri: Missouri State Tractor Supply Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ try_Fanciers.html Poultry Association Swap and Show: www.poul- Walpole_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html tryshowcentral.com/Minnesota_State_Poultry_As- April 13, 2013—Knoxville, Tennessee: Dixie Classic sociation.html April 28, 2013—Shelburne, Vermont: Vermont Bird - Tennessee Valley Poultry Club: www.poultryshow- Fancier’s Club Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ central.com/Dixie_Classic.html April 20, 2013—Brentwood, New Hampshire: Brent- Vermont_Fanciers_Swap_Shelburne.html wood Tractor Supply Swap: www.poultryshowcentral. April 13, 2013—New Braunfels, Texas: Fancy com/Brentwood_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html May 1, 2013—Cherry Valley, Illinois: Nutrina Back- Feathers Open Show: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ yard Poultry Seminar: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ Fancy_Feathers_Open_Show.html April 20, 2013— Giddings, Texas: Brazos Valley BP_Seminar_Cherry_Valley.html Poultry Club Trade Day: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ April 13, 2013—Tilton, New Hampshire: Tilton Brazos_Valley_Poultry_Club_Trade_Day.html May 2, 2013—Kewaskum, Wisconsin: Nutrina Tractor Supply Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ Backyard Poultry Seminar: www.poultryshowcentral. Tilton_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html April 21, 2013—West Point, Nebraska: West Point com/BP_Seminar_Kewaskum.html Exotic Bird and Animal Auction: www.poultryshowcen- April 13, 2013—Elkhorn, Wisconsin: Walworth Coun- tral.com/West_Point_Exotic_Bird_and_Animal_Auc- May 2-4, 2013—Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas ty Fur and Feather Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ tion.html State Fair Spring Poultry Show: www.poultryshow- Walworth_County_Fur_Feather_Swap.html central.com/Arkansas_State_Fair.html April 21, 2013—Haddam Neck,Connecticut: Con- April 13-14, 2013—Bloomington, Indiana: Gateway necticut Poultry Breeder’s Society Spring Show: www. May 4, 2013—Idaho Falls, Idaho: Rocky Moun- Poultry Association: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ poultryshowcentral.com/Connecticut_Poultry_Breed- tain Chickenstock: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ Gateway_Poultry.html ers.html Rocky_Mountain_Chickenstock.html 20 Backyard Poultry May 4, 2013—Peoria, Illinois: Central Illinois Poultry ciers Spring Double Show: www.poultryshowcentral. Club: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Central_Illi- com/United_Poultry_Fanciers.html nois_Poultry_Club.html May 12, 2013—Knox, Indiana: Golden Horseshoe May 4, 2013—Columbus, Indiana: Feathered Saddle Club Swap Meet: www.poultryshowcentral. Friends Poultry Club: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ com/Golden_Horseshoe_Saddle_Club_Swap.html Feathered_Friends.html May 18, 2013—Derry, New Hampshire: Derry May 4, 2013—Glen Allen, Virginia: Gilmanor Swap Tractor Supply Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ & Sale: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Gilmanor_ Derry_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html Swap_Sale.html May 18, 2013—Shelbyville, Kentucky: Kentuckiana May 4, 2013—Hutchinson, Kansas: Heart of Poultry Show - 67th Annual: www.poultryshowcentral. America: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Heart_of_ com/Kentuckiana.html America.html May 18, 2013—Prince Edward Island, Canada: Prince May 4, 2013—Hardinsburg, Kentucky: Hardinsburg Edward Island Spring Show: www,poultryshowcentral. Poultry Club Open Poultry Show: www.poultryshow- com/Prince_Edward_Island_Spring_Show.html central.com/Hardinsburg_Poultry.html May 18, 2013—Fountain, Colorado: Colorado May 4, 2013—Alma, Michigan: Michigan Poultry Poultry Clinic: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Colo- Fanciers Fowl Fest: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ rado_Poultry_Clinic.html Fowl_Fest_Spring.html May 18, 2013—Augusta, New Jersey: Sussex Co. May 4, 2013—Hamilton, Montana: Rocky Mountain Poultry Fanciers: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Sus- Poultry Association Spring Fling: www.poultryshow- sex_County_Poultry_Fanciers.html central.com/Rocky_Mountain_Poultry.html May 19, 2013—Richmond, Rhode Island: Little May 4, 2013—Bellefontaine, Ohio: Top of Ohio Rhody Poultry Fanciers Annual Spring Show: www. Poultry Show: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ poultryshowcentral.com/Little_Rhody_Poultry_Fanci- Top_of_Ohio.html ers.html

May 4, 2013—Newport, Tennessee: Something to May 19, 2013—Dunbar, Pennsylvania: Uniontown Crow About Spring Poultry Show: www.poultryshow- Poultry and farm products association: www.poultry- central.com/Something_To_Crow_About.html showcentral.com/Uniontown_Poultry_Association. html May 4, 2013—Ottawa Illinois: Nutrina Backyard Poultry Seminar: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ May 19, 2013—Springfield, Vermont: Vermont Bird BP_Seminar_Ottawa.html Fancier’s Club Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ Vermont_Fanciers_Swap_Springfield.html May 4, 2013—Morris, Illinois: Nutrina Backyard Poultry Seminar: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ May 25, 2013—Overbrook, Kansas: Heart of America BP_Seminar_Morris.html Game Breeders’ Association Overbrook Sale: www. poultryshowcentral.com/Heart_of_America_Game_ May 4, 2013—Kimmell, Indiana: Wolf’s Swap meet: Breeders_Overbrook.html www.poultryshowcentral.com/Wolfs_Swap_Meet. html May 25, 2013—Plaistow, New Hampshire: Plaistow Tractor Supply Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ May 4, 2013—Milford, New Hampshire: Milford Plaistow_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html Tractor Supply Swap: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ Milford_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html May 25-26, 2013—Lucasville, Ohio: Southern Ohio Poultry Association Spring Show: www.poultryshow- $20 membership - Benefits include: May 4, 2013—Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada: central.com/Southern_Ohio.html Windsor Spring Fowl Fest Show & Windsor Buy- Sell-Trade Day: www.poultryshowcentral.com/Wind- May 26, 2013—Windsor, Maine: Central Maine Bird 2013 is the year to join! sor_Spring_Fowl_Fest_Show.html Fanciers Spring Show: www.poultryshowcentral.com/ • Welcome packet Central_Maine.html May 5, 2013—Kankakee, Illinois: Tri-K Pigeon & • Care and feeding brochure Bantam Club Pigeon Fair: www.poultryshowcentral. May 26, 2013—Waterloo, Illinois: Midwest Bird • Annual educational seminars com/TriK_Pigeon_Bantam_Fair.html & Animal Breeders Association: www.poultry- • Be in touch with other guinea fowl showcentral.com/Midwest_Bird_Animal_Breed- May 5, 2013—Brockton, Massachusetts: New Eng- ers.html owners and experts. land Bantam Club Spring Show: www.poultryshowcentral.com/New_England_Bantam_Club.html May 26, 2013—Merrimack, New Hampshire: Mer- www.guineafowlinternational.org rimack Tractor Supply Swap: www.poultryshowcentral. Guinea Fowl International May 11, 2013—North Sexton, Indiana: Rush Co 4-H com/Merrimack_Tractor_Supply_Swap.html Poultry Workshop & Swap: www.poultryshowcentral. 2812 FM 987 • Kaufman, TX 75142 com/Rush_4-H_Poultry_Workshop_Swap.html

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April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 21 He l pf u l Hi n t s : you have any hydrogen peroxide in the house?” Yes, thank God. “Drench him : with it until he vomits, then bring him here right away.” Thankfully McGee had just eaten breakfast, and had a full stomach, and hadn’t been in the basement very long. We used a large bore syringe and Buyer BewareNo Antidote for drenched him until he vomited, then I sat on the floor of the kitchen picking through Modern Rat Poisons his puke looking for green bits that would show he’d eaten poison. Sure enough, not many, but enough to tell us he had. By La u r a Ha g g a r t y a couple of new ones and some new poi- Off to the vet we went, where they Ke n t u c k y son. Oddly, instead of being able to buy pumped him full of activated charcoal individual bait traps and just one bag of and kept him for the full day. That was ooner or later, if you have chick- poison, as I had done in the past, I had when I learned that there are two types ens, you’re going to have to deal to buy one bag of poison for every trap I of rat poison. One, the type made with Swith mice and/or rats. And for wanted to use. Since I wanted about five Warfarin, has an antidote, vitamin K, most of us, the easiest way to do that is traps, and each bag had a lot of poison, I which, when given to an animal, will act to use rat poison, which is commonly figured I’d wind up with enough poison as an antidote to the effects of the poison. available at most feed stores. However, to last me until the end of time if I did The other, a newer, second-generation ro- what many of us many not know is that that. So instead I only got three bags, and denticide, Bromathalin, has no antidote. there are several types of rat poison, and decided I’d just put the bait blocks by None. It’s sold under the brand names one type, the newer second-generation themselves down in the basement. Tomcat, d-Con, Hot Shot, Generation, rodenticide, has no antidote, and can The basement in our house is unfin- Talon, and Havoc. have devastating results if it is acciden- ished. That day I tossed about three chunks And here’s the kicker. If a mouse eats tally ingested by your pets, domestic of bait in the corners behind some boxes, this stuff, it doesn’t die right away. It can animals, or wildlife. figuring that would do the trick. We no go staggering around for some time. And We found this out, almost the hard longer have any house cats. And the dogs during this period, your barn cat could eat way, this past fall. Every couple of years never go in the basement. Never, never, it. Your dog could eat it. Even your chick- we find small mice coming into the never. Yeah right. Never say never. I had ens could eat it! The breed of chickens we house when it starts to get cold. And in told my husband I’d put the bait down raise, Buckeyes, are very good mousers, the past I had typically gone to the feed there, and to be sure to close the door and these mice have enough poison in store and gotten some poison bait and tightly behind him. And in his defense, them to kill even a large breed dog like put it in bait traps around the house. sometimes when the wind is blowing hard a Golden Retriever. So a chicken would For some reason this year I couldn’t and he goes outside through the basement, definitely die. And again, there is no an- find the old bait traps, so I went to buy that darned door blows open again. tidote. So unless you knew the signs, and So one morning not long after I put got your dog to the vet almost immedi- the bait down, my husband came upstairs ately, as we did, there would be no hope. and said “Hey, I caught McGee in the Happily for us, McGee recovered fully, basement, I hope he didn’t get into the rat and is gnawing on a Nylabone as I type. bait!” I went into high gear, and called my But it was a close call. And it compelled friend who is a vet tech at our veterinar- me to write this article to let everyone ian office. She told me what to do. “Do know that this stuff is evil. It even affects wildlife! I know most poultry breeders aren’t big fans of owls and hawks, but Modern second-generation rodenticide, it was interesting to read in the January/ Bromathalin, has no antidote—great for February issue of Audubon Magazine in mice and rats—bad for any animals that eat mice and rats. Bromathalin is sold under an article by Ted Williams that roden- the brand names Tomcat, d-Con, Hot Shot, ticides are being found in up to 80 to Generation, Talon, and Havoc. 90% of the dead raptors that are being autopsied by clinical assistant professor Maureen Murray of the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in central Massachusetts. So this begs the question, what to use if not rat poison? To quote the Audubon article: “Safe alternatives include single and multiple entrance snap traps, electro- cuting traps, glue traps (provided you use

22 Backyard Poultry cheap mousetrap using nothing more than a five-gallon bucket, a dowel, and a tin can. (See sidebar below.) If you own a dog, I encourage you to add a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a large bore syringe to your first aid kit, because you never know when you’re going to need to make your dog puke. I know it saved my dog’s life. Check with your vet, of course. (I am not a vet.) But Laura Haggarty’s dog, McGee, rests our dog is alive today because of it. peacefully after a brush with death from eating second-generation rat poisons that Laura Haggarty has been working have no antidote. Since Laura discovered with poultry since 2000. She and her fam- he had eaten the poison right away, she was able to drench him until he vomited. ily live on a farm in the Bluegrass region She then raced to the veterinarian’s office of NascoKentucky, Farm along & Ranchwith their Division horses, where he was treated with activated goats,Backyard and chickens. Poultry She is a Life Member charcoal. of theApril ABA 2013 and the APA. Laura blogs at farmwifesdiary.blogspot.com/.BP1304 Visit their website at www.pathfindersfarm.com. them only indoors and frequently dispatch stuck rodents), and even first-generation To learn more about the American baits with these active ingredients: chlo- Bantam Association, visit: www.bantam- rophacinone, diphacinone sodium salt, club.com; write: P.O. Box 127, Augusta, warfarin, and warfarin sodium salt.” NJ 07822; call 973- 383-8633 or see their As well, you can make an easy and ad on page 18.

Build a Better Mouse Trap with a Five-Gallon Bucket

Tr e v o r Va n h e m e r t h t t p ://f i v e g a l l o n i d e a s .c o m /e x t r e m e l y -e ff e c t i v e -m o u s e -t r a p

he best mouse trap plan I’ve ever come across uses a five-gallon bucket, Ta dowel, and a tin can. It’s so simple and effective that you should never BP1304 need to purchase commercial mouse traps or poison. Step 1: Drill holes at the top of the bucket, on two opposite sides Step 2: Drill holes in the middle of each flat side of a soda can Step 3: Insert a dowel through the bucket holes and the soda can holes, to end up with a unit that looks like the image. Step 4: Bait with peanut butter and add a ramp for the mice to get up. Step 5: Fill the bottom few inches with water if you plan to kill the mice, or leave it if you want to release them somewhere or feed them live to your snake!

April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 23

Build a $3

Nest Box

charleS amOne Simply FlOrida attach to suit with y nesting boxes utilize plastic four nuts and pails with lids, sizes ranging bolts. These salvage pails with lids are from three-, four- and five-gal- readily available. The purchased parts Mlon pails depending on your chicken size cost me less than $3. FORGET TO CLOSE THE COOP AGAIN? requirement. The wire handle can be re- I have also made nesting boxes utiliz- WHEN WILL YOUR LUCK RUN OUT? moved and discarded. Plastic lids can be ing “kitty litter” pails with hinged lid. Just cut to desired opening to contain the hen cut lid at hinge point for a perfect box. At- and nesting material. I drilled ventilation tach perches in the same above manner. PROBLEM SOLVED! holes in the bottom of the pail as it will sit My hens seem to love these com- Stay out visiting friends, horizontally in my coop. I cut a slot in the fortable and sanitary boxes. I find these sleep in, enjoy your vacation! wooden dowel for inner perch. PVC pipe econo-boxes easy to clean and main- Prevent losses. parts as shown in photos depict the perch. tain. ENJOY PEACE OF MIND. • Endorsed by Rob Ludlow of BYC • Automatically closes and opens • Easy to set open & close times • Easy install. All parts included. • Solid Aluminum Frame and door with brass pivots, no wood • Battery Status Light • Photo sensor option • Charging options: 12v battery with solar panel or charger • No switches to fail, no string to break, no plastic arms • BUILT TO LAST. Fast Shipping. • Many features other doors wish they had! • 15” t a l l by 11” wide opening $180 plus shipping, options extra

Charles Amone builds his nest boxes from pails, a wooden dowel and PVC pipe for less than $3 each.

www.chickendoors.com (512) 995-0058

24 Backyard Poultry April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 25 tem. With this system, all horizontal wires are energized. This system works fine for Homesteading a relatively short fence in an area of even rainfall, where the soil remains conductive and serious predators—such as coyotes Made Easy and bobcats—are not a problem. An earth-return system doesn’t work well when the ground is not adequately conductive. Such a condition occurs when the soil is extremely dry, sandy, rocky, or frozen. An earth-return system also doesn’t work well for animals that jump between wires; they won’t get a shock because their feet are off the ground. In such situations, a wire-return system is more effective than an earth-return system. A wire-return system is less dependent FencingFencing byby RemoteRemote ControlControl on soil conditions. It deters animals having built-in insulation and those performing tricky maneuvers like slipping between A smooth-wire electric fence won’t always keep chickens in, but when properly wires instead of crawling under the fence energized it will keep predators out. or climbing over it. And, unlike the earth- return system, a wire-return system works By gail damerOw problem is truly fixed, then move on to well even for long fences. find the next problem. On a humid Ten- In a wire-return system, not all the he pasture where our laying hens nessee day with the temperature pushing fence wires are energized, or hot; some of forage is surrounded by a smooth- 100°F, all that walking gets exhausting. them are grounded. In this type of fence, Twire electric fence that’s designed Someone at Kencove Farm Fence the hot wires are said to be positive while more to keep predators out than to keep Supplies (www.kencove.com) must have the grounded wires are said to be nega- the chickens in. During the day the hens been just as tired as we were of walking tive. Our perimeter smooth-wire fence, freely duck through the fence to forage up and down fencelines, and was clever for instance, has six wires that, from in our orchard. That’s okay, because enough to design an energizer you can the bottom up, are: positive-positive- we have no near neighbors for them to turn off and back on by remote-control. negative-positive-negative-positive. bother, and during the morning and eve- How cool is that?! When earth-return or wire-return, ning when most predators are prowling, a smooth wire fence generally will not the chickens are safely back behind the Setting Up the System keep chickens confined. Their feet are too electric fence. Energizer, fence charger, fencer, fence small to provide much conductivity and Sometimes our chickens share their controller, power unit—all these terms their feathers provide terrific insulation pasture with our dairy goats. Then we put refer to that little box responsible for the against shock. For this reason, electric up electric poultry netting, not so much big jolt you get if you touch an electric poultry netting is popularly used to keep to keep the chickens in, but to keep the fence. It works by converting household chickens in. baby goats from getting into the coop to electricity or battery-stored power into Electric poultry netting is designed so eat the lay ration, and to keep the mama higher voltage, then sending the current you can energizer it either as a ground- goats from dismantling the chickens’ through fence wires in steady, short bursts. return or a wire-return system. Every automatic door closer. You can hear the energizer’s slow click- other wire of our Kencove net fence, for If you have any kind of electric click-click as it sends out the pulses. instance, is orange and all the orange fence, you know something is always To work properly, an energizer needs wires are bundled together; the alternat- going wrong. A storm blows debris all a good grounding system, which is ac- ing wires are green and are similarly over the fence—causing a short circuit. complished by connecting the energizer’s bundled together. For a ground-return Rain softens the soil, loosening the fi- ground terminals to at least three ground system, both bundles are connected to berglass net posts so the net rests against rods spaced 10-feet apart. Under normal the energizer’s power terminal. For a wet ground—another short. Deer blast circumstances, a fence’s hot wires are insu- wire-return system, which is preferable through the fence and break a wire—you lated from the earth and the circuit is open. for chickens, the orange bundle is con- guessed it, another short. To generate a shock, current must flow from nected to the energizer’s power terminal So we are constantly on the lookout the energizer through the hot wires and back and the green bundle is connected to the for problems that need fixing, which to the energizer through the soil. ground terminal. typically involves trotting back and forth When the circuit is completed by cur- When a wire-return fence is more along the fenceline to find faults, turn off rent flowing through the feet of an animal than 1,000 feet long, extra grounding the energizer, fix the problem, turn the standing on the ground, the system is rods are needed, each connected to all energizer back on, check to see that the called a ground-return or earth-return sys- the fence’s ground wires. For a long fence 26 Backyard Poultry where the soil is reasonably moist, the rods may be spaced every 3,000 to 5,000 feet. For a short fence and/ or where soil conditions are dry, rods should be spaced every 1,000 to 1,500 feet. Evenly spacing the rods isn’t as important as putting them in low spots where the soil stays moist (where the grass is greenest).

Shorts and Leaks Whether your fence is ground return or wire return, it’s important to make sure the hot wires have no contact with the ground or the grounding system. A direct connection would, of course, result in a dead short. Lesser contacts, called shorts or leaks, drain energy from the fence, making a plug-in system less effective and draw- ing down a battery-operated system more rapidly. Energy leaks have any number of causes: grass or weeds growing against hot wires or windblown twigs or branches lying across them; cracked insulators; bugs, leaves, or dust lodged in insulators; salty sea air; a bro- ken wire. A common problem with net fencing is that the posts are so far apart the bottom sags, causing the lowest hot wire to lie directly on the ground. Most of these situations result in arcing—pulses of current that, instead of flowing smoothly from one place to another—jump across a narrow gap by means of a spark. When arcing occurs, you can usually hear the snap of the jumping spark, which can help you find and cor- An energizer needs a good grounding system consisting of at least three rect the source of leakage. Whenever you check your ground rods pounded into the ground about 10-feet apart. Photos by electric fence, listen for problems as well as look for Gail Damerow

CMY

April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 27 The easy-to-read display on this fence tester says the hot wire is getting 7,400 volts, plenty enough to deter most animals. When the display says “OFF,” you can safely make your fence repair without having to walk back to the energizer to turn it off. them. If the source of snapping sounds ground terminals exceed 1,000 volts— I can’t recall how many fence testers eludes you, go back at night and you’ll telling you it’s time to pour water on dry we’ve bought over the years. Some had actually see sparks fly. ground rods. A voltage indicator light delicate terminals that broke easily and The remote-control energizer helps warns when the voltage drops below needed constant repair until they became you detect shorts by means of its unique 3,500 volts—telling you to look for (and unrepairable. Others had such a poor built-in diagnostic indicator. A ground fix!) whatever is causing the short. display you couldn’t read it on a sunny condition indicator light warns when the day, and they ended up in the trash. Us- Finding Faults ing any of them involved walking down When a fence demands attention, a the fenceline looking for problems, then hand-held fence tester is indispensable walking back to the energizer to turn off for finding the problem. The fence testers the juice, walking back to fix the prob- we’ve used in the past had two terminals, lem, walking back to turn on the fence, Hands free chicken plucker gets one on the unit itself and another connected walking back to check the repair, walk- ’em clean in 20 seconds! to the unit by a length of wire. The first ter- ing, walking, walking. minal is attached to a hot wire, the other to Kencove’s combination remote- some part of the ground system. With both control and fence tester that works with terminals in place, the tester indicates how the remote-ready energizer is sturdier and much voltage is getting through. easier to read than any I’ve seen so far.

Features: • Tough, UV-stabilized, food-grade, plastic tub and housing Fence indicator light Ground indicator light • 1 HP motor, 10:1 speed reducer • Spray ring to wash feathers away • Feather chute for tidy work area

Ask about the “Set-Up Special” “Scalder, cones, & other equipment available”

www.featherman.net PO Box 62, Jamesport, MO 64648 660/684-6035 email to:[email protected] This energizer’s diagnostic “Fence” indicator light is flashing green, so the voltage is okay, but the flashing red “Ground” light means the grounding system needs attention. 28 Backyard Poultry The top of the remote has a metal hook that, when pressed against a hot wire, reads information about the voltage, amount of current flow, and direction of current flow on a nice big display. I’m of the mind that nearly anything can be improved, and in this case I find the fence hook to be a tad short, causing it to SWEETER HEATER slide off the wire unless you’re careful to BROODERS - CHICKEN COOPS – HEN HOUSES ADVANTAGES hold it steady. And I believe this nice re- • Energy efficient • Trouble free• No hot spot mote should be kept in a pouch to prevent • Will not burn • Improves circulation • Lower stress • Improved comfort • Natural • Easily the display from getting scratched when sanitized by washing with disinfectant the unit is tossed in a glove compartment • No bulbs to break • No fire hazard or tool box. Luckily we happen to have an Call Toll Free 888-902-2272 Visit http://www.sweeterheater.com unused amp meter pouch with a belt loop to order/information. that perfectly fits the remote. And now we come to the truly excit- ing part of our new system: using the Offering day-old baby chicks, remote control to turn off the energizer ducks, goslings, turkeys, without taking a step. When you find a problem and want to turn off the current guineas, and pheasants. to fix it, you hook the controller over a hot wire and press the “off” button; you know the fence is off because the display tells you so. After making a repair, you hook the controller over any hot wire and press Welp Hatchery the “on” button; you know the fence is Free PO Box 77 catalog on because the display reads the voltage Bancroft, IA 50517 and current. It’s that simple! (800) 458-4473 The manual says it works on any www.welphatchery.com kind of electric fence—metal, poly wire, ribbon, braid, or net. Skeptics that we are, the first time we used the remote on our perimeter fence, one of us walked all the way around to the energizer to make sure it was really and truly off. Yup, it was. Skeptics that we are, we didn’t believe the remote would work as well on the poly twine net fence. So the first time we tried it, one of us walked to the energizer to make sure it was off. Yup, it was! Still, after decades of walking back and forth troubleshooting fences, I’m almost embarrassed to tell you how many times, out of habit, we have walked to the energizer to turn it off while carrying the remote control. But at last it’s sinking in: No longer need we walk our legs off while troubleshooting our electric fences!

Get more information about Kencove Fence Supply at www.kencove.com or see their ad on page 39.

Gail Damerow is the author of Fences for Pasture & Garden, available from our bookstore on page 43, along with her many fine books about raising chickens. April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 29 hOuSing: Dad’s Chicken Coop A Labor of Love

By cindy Pradarelli wiScOnSin

bought my dad and mom a rooster and six pullets for Father’s Day, 2011, along with a subscription to Backyard Poultry to Ikeep them up-to-date on raising their flock. Dad bought a coop locally and thought it would suffice for his gang. When I delivered the chickens and saw the “coop,” which was about the size of a dog house, I told my husband I wanted to build them a real chicken coop for his birthday in September. I had eight, 130' white pines in the front yard of my home cut down because I was afraid they were going to fall on the house, so we had an abundance of lumber, at the “right price.” Having never built anything, I gave my husband, Mike, some suggestions on what I’d like in the new, improved chicken coop and he came up with a plan. vane, a front porch to watch the sun rise in the morning, windows Mike would leave for work in the morning, come home that open for a nice breeze on those hot summer nights, and the during his breakfast break and give me instructions on what to flock is even serenaded 24/7 with country music on the radio. do next, show me how to do it and leave. Like clockwork he’d The coop is 8 feet wide x 12 feet long with the ceiling peaking at be back at lunch to give me further instructions and when he 8 feet and built on skids so it can be moved around the yard. returned at the end of the day we’d work on it together, and I’d Dad named his rooster “The Big Dummy,” so I made a sign get directions on where to start again in the morning. Little did proclaiming his turf for all who enter as “The Big Dummy’s I know what the end result was going to be. Hen House.” We delivered the coop to my parents a week before It has some features that I don’t believe are found in many Dad’s birthday, September 26, 2011. He was not expecting it coops, such as remote temperature control (Dad can tell what the and to say he was surprised is an understatement. The chickens temperature is in the chicken coop from the house), a chandelier, settled into their new home quickly and rewarded my parents waterproofed and fully insulated walls, motion detector lights, with 11 new chicks in the spring of 2012. Within a few days the floodlights, linoleum floor for easy clean up, six nest boxes that local newspaper came to the farm to take pictures and wrote a can be accessed from inside or outside the coop, a Hen of the feature article on it. Month contest sign (with the required criteria listed so there are We had to allow the wood to “age” so in the fall of 2012, Dad no squabbles between the hens), a steel roof, a rooster weather and I painted the coop red, as well as the original “dog house” coop which was used by the hens with chicks. Building this coop was a “labor of love” and a great learning experience for me.

A window is added for cross ventilation. The nest boxes are accessible from inside or outside. The chicken entrance with To remove any doubt about what is required to be the “Hen of the closure is seen in lower right side of photo. Month,” the criteria are spelled out above the nest boxes. 30 Backyard Poultry Cindy’s dad, Howard, After I spoke some fluent French at him, he decided it would be named his rooster “The in his best interest to help remove the “blockage” in the doorway, Big Dummy.” The rather than take up the photographer position at that time. coop was moved from Then we applied the OSB board to the interior walls, so the Cindy’s home to her chickens couldn’t pick at the insulation. We had an electrician parents’, a 3-1/2 hour drive. During the trip, install the chandelier in the middle of the room, motion detector folks were honking their lights and yard floodlights to the exterior, as well as an outlet horns, waving and giving for the radio. Dad plays country music for the chickens 24/7; thumbs up. Driver Bob Stickney laughed when they figured out his theory is happy, contented hens will lay more eggs. To finish folks were probably laughing about the coop’s sign. Bob jokingly off the interior we used 2" x 2" x 8' boards for roosts, hung the worried that they might think he was the “Big Dummy!” Hen of the Month plaque and the transferable hen nametags above each of the nest boxes. The Building Process With the interior completed, we finished off the soffit and (See page 32 for Materials List) facia and applied the steel roof to the rafters. To top it all off, The lumber we used for the exterior walls of my parents’ coop we put a rooster weather vane above the doorway. came from 130' white pines from a home I previously owned in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. My husband owns a sawmill so he processed the trees for the lumber; there’s a total of 290 board feet of lumber in the exterior walls of the completed coop. We started with 6" x 6" x 10' skis (so the coop can be moved with a tractor), held in position with 3/4" marine plywood floor. Next we screwed the 2 x 4s together for walls (16" center) with about four pounds of deck screws. With the supports in place, we applied the rough cut “Pradarelli Pine” (as my husband refers to the lumber from my white pines) around the exterior. With the walls up, we installed the windows and sills. Then we assembled the exterior nest box and attached it to the west wall of the coop. Next I insulated the interior walls with four rolls of R17 rated insulation (nothing is too good for the Big Dummy and his little Marine plywood was used for the floor. They screwed the 2 x 4s ladies), although there was about 1/2 roll left over. I bought an 8' together for walls (16" center) with deck screws. x 8' remnant of brick looking linoleum and glued it to the interior floor for easy clean up. (Dad shovels out most of the straw from the floor and then rinses the floor with the garden hose.) The next challenge we had was the entry door on the side for the flock and the human-sized double Dutch door. I had complained to my husband a few times that all the pictures taken were with him in them, “It doesn’t look like I did anything,” because I was the one with the camera. When we assembled the double Dutch door, we stood back to admire our work and real- ized I had left the drill inside the coop and with no door handle to use yet, the only way to get to the drill was to crawl through the chicken’s entry door on the side. Being somewhat smaller than my husband, of course he decided I was going to have to crawl through the small entry door to get inside and retrieve the drill. (I’m sure you know what’s coming next...) I got my “wide load” stuck in the small—did I say very small—entry door. My A vapor barrier was applied to exterior walls, then covered with husband never moved so fast as he did then to get the camera! rough lumber from white pine trees from Cindy’s yard.

Howard’s first chicken coop was about the size of a dog house, so his daughter Cindy decided she would build a new coop for his birthday. Insulation was put in the interior walls and the window was set. April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 31 Cindy Pradarelli and her husband Mike Wetterau built this coop for her father, Howard Duerkop. Left to right: Howard and Mary Duerkop, Cindy, and Mike. The coop walls were allowed to dry for one season, then painted red. Materials List

290' rough-cut pine for exterior walls 2 - 4' x 8' 3/4" marine plywood The 50 - 2" x 4" x 8' for walls and double sill weather 14 - 2" x 6" x 8' for rafters and ledge vane provided on double Dutch door the final 2 - 1" x 6" x 12' for facia touch. 4 - 1" x 8" x 12' for trim 7 - 4' x 8' x 5/8" OSB 2 - 4" x 4" x 10' pillar posts on front porch 4 - 2" x 6" x 8' for door approach 4 - 2" x 2" x 8' for roosts 4 pounds deck screws 192 square feet steel roofing 2 - insulated basement windows 3 - 1" x 12" for nest boxes 4 - 30' rolls R17 insulation 1 - 8' x 8' linoleum for floor 40' - #12-3 wiring 4 barn door hinges 1 barn door handle 1 switch plate 1 electrical outlet 1 remote thermostat sensor 1 chandelier 1 motion detector light 1 yard floodlight 1 rooster weather vane

It took us 1-1/2 weeks to complete the coop in our driveway, but without my husband’s help and expertise this coop never would have come to be. It was a 3-1/2 hour drive to deliver the coop to my parents’ house.

32 Backyard Poultry April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 33 Mad City Chickens Group Hosts 8th Annual Backyard Chicken Coop Tour

By El a i n e Be l a n g e r Coop Ph o t os By Ch e r i Ca r r & Al i c i a Rh e a l Wi s c o n s i n

he continuing interest in raising hens within city limits has led to a host of backyard coop tours. In 2004,T MadCity Chickens was one of the Christina Rose shows visitors just how premier organizations to work to change friendly birds can be. zoning ordinances to allow hens within city limits, and to begin offering coop tours to perspective chicken keepers. According to the website, http://madcitychickens.com, Mad City Chickens is ordinance to allow chickens in a group of pro-poultry folks in Madison, backyards. After six months of Wisconsin who worked to make keep- non-stop chicken awareness, ing chickens in their city legal and who education and promotion, the now strive to educate and encourage final ordinance was passed on homeowners to keep feathered friends May 5, 2004. in their backyards. To help like-minded poul- Prior to May 2004, chickens were not try keepers stay in touch with forbidden in Madison, but construction of each other, MadCity Chickens a coop to house them was illegal. Yet there group maintains a comprehen- were enlightened people living in Madison, sive website, an email chat keeping chickens hidden on their proper- group, offers City Chickens ties, and reveling in the self-sufficiency 101 classes and holds potluck and pleasure chicken-keeping brought. meetings throughout the year. They were the Chicken Underground. On June 2, 2012, the group They petitioned to change the Madison held the 8th Annual The Merline family prepares their coop B a c k y a r d for the tour. Below: Sharlene Merline’s C h i c k e n daughter takes care of the birds while their Coop Tour. Thirteen coop is cleaned up. coop owners opened their backyards to visitors, an- ticipating a large turnout of curious visitors. They weren’t disappointed, as they logged more than 200 people through their yards in under five hours. Every coop was different, and traces of the owners’ personality shone throughout, offering us a variety of ideas Many city coops are set up close to other buildings, to use in our next (or utilizing those areas for equipment and feed storage, first) coop. like this coop owned by Tom Powell. Enjoy the tour! 34 Backyard Poultry Rosita Gonzalez’s coop does double duty, with a children’s John Hylkane answers visitor questions. Note the lovely stained-glass play area above the coop. window near the coop’s front door.

Christina Rose finds an unusual use for an old planter box.

Mia Luz Sleeman holds a Silkie chicken, giving visitors a close-up encounter with her bird. Many have never have seen a live chicken. Karen Rattunde uses the side of her coop to hang the everyday cleaning tools. The compost bin sits conveniently near the cleanout area.

Alicia Steele has a unique roost for her flock.

Karen Rattunde’s separate run area is easy to move around the yard allowing fresh Cynthia Colombo shows visitors what treats for her flock. poultry keeping is really about—the joy The coop keeps the of raising chickens. birds safe at night. April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 35 Apparently the crowds didn’t bother Steve and Cynthia Colombo’s Dan Minard’s coop uses a small amount hen. Above: busy of yard space by building a long and laying an egg. Left: narrow set-up, still giving his flock plenty “Whew, that job is of run. done!”

2013 MADCITY CHICKENS Above: Always popular CHICKEN COOP TOUR at any poultry event are the many unique Saturday, June 1, 2013, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Madison, breeds, like the Barred Wisconsin. Self-guided tour of backyard chicken Plymouth Rock hen coops. Talk to the chicken coop owners. Free and held by Mary Connor, open to the public. www.madcitychickens.com for and, right: one owned coop locations. E-mail smilingchicken44@yahoo. by Christina Rose. com or call 608-695-7914 with questions.

Joshua Heling’s coop has camera equipment installed in the ceiling and behind Coop owned by Steve and Cynthia Colombo. the waterer.

36 Backyard Poultry With perfect temperatures hovering near 80°F, visitors took the time to rest under a shade tree, where coop owner Wayde Lawler offers advice on keeping chickens. Coop owned by Daniel Marleau shows us a slanted roof, allowing rain and snow to run off away from the coop.

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April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 37 He a l t h : Th e An s w e r Ma n Ro n Ke a n , Ex t e n s i o n Po u l t r y Sp e c i a l i s t Un i v e r s i t y of Wi s c o n s i n -Ma d i so n

yard is about 1/2 acre so there is plenty of will cheep loudly, and huddle together room. We have the little ones in a smaller for heat. When they are too hot, they will fence and we shut them up at night in an lay flat on the ground a lot, and may enclosed big cage where they have plenty pant or try to escape a heat source (if of room. The cage is covered on top and all there is a heat lamp, etc.) so “listen” to sides. Should we have a light for warmth the chicks and they’ll often answer your in there? We are south so it is getting fairly question. That being said, a good rule warm (mid-70s during the day and mid- of thumb is to start the chicks at about If you have health-related poultry 50s at night). They are fully feathered. 90-95° F, then decrease the temperature questions, send them to us at Back- Also, one of them was dragging a leg. about 5° per week. So, by six weeks of yard Poultry, Attn: Answer Man, 145 I don’t see anything wrong but there was a age, your chicks should be able to han- Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 little cut on the leg. She was laying down dle temperatures of about 60° F. Since or email to [email protected]. We will and the other birds were starting to peck they are fully feathered out, this is also try to include your question in an her. I moved her to a small pet cage. What usually a good sign that they are ready. upcoming issue. should I look for on her leg and will I have Of course, they need to be acclimated trouble re-introducing her back with the to these temperatures gradually. If you “baby flock” when the leg gets better? have had them at 90° since they were Proper Temperature for Helen, Louisiana hatched, putting them directly out at 60° Chicks would be pretty harsh. It’s also good that We are presently raising Buff Orping- The first answer I usually give when the cage is covered, since drafts can be tons and Wyandotte chickens. We turned asked about proper temperature for pretty hard on young chicks, too. them out in a pen within the bigger chicken chicks is that they will tell you when they It’s difficult to give much answer yard at about six weeks old. The chicken aren’t happy. If they are too cold, they about the injured leg. If you want to spend the money, you may be able to find a veterinarian that will work on chickens. It is also possible that it has Marek’s disease. This is a viral disease that can cause paralysis of the legs, and it usually occurs when the birds are from six weeks to six months of age. If it is Marek’s, it is probably best to euthanize the chicken. It won’t get better, and will suffer until it dies. This virus seems to be present in most places, and some chickens will suffer from it while others don’t. Most hatcheries will vaccinate day-old chicks for a small additional fee.

Feeding with Sprouts/Feed Recipes I have 47 hens right now. I started growing wheat grass and oat grass flats, while feeding it to my hens along with heavy scratch, oyster, and alfalfa leaves. I have stopped feeding layer mash completely, unless we drop below -0 F° in the day. My hen house is heated con- sistently to 50 F° - 55 F° with an attached greenhouse for day use. Do you know a formula that would tell me how much one hen needs of wheat grass/oat grass weight per day? 38 Backyard Poultry There was a gentleman in the 1920s named Charles Schnabel that fed laying hens grass and had incredible results, however I can’t find any literature on his study, do you know of any?

Rae Ander, Wyoming Fast, Friendly Service & Expert Advice I think the best way to determine the amount the hens will need is to weigh the seed you use to grow the grass in the flats. Since the nutrient levels really won’t change very much, each hen should eat about four ounces (dry weight) of feed each day. The sprouting may make some nutrients a bit more digestible, but it’s mostly adding water. The feed may be more palatable to the hens, too. If you have larger breeds of hens than a typical Portable Electric Netting • Horse Fence egg layer, you might increase it to five or six ounces of feed total. Since you men- Electric Supplies • Remote Control Energizers tioned that you are feeding scratch grains High Tensile Wire • Woven Wire and alfalfa along with this, you should probably include the weight of that. I did try to look up research by Mr. Fence Guide/Catalog Schnabel. I was unable to find any pub- FREE lished research reports. There were a lot of websites that talked about his work, 800-536-2683 but most of them were trying to sell their www.kencove.com products. I think the wheat and the alfalfa probably provide enough protein to make this an adequate diet. I’m a little concerned that it may be lacking in salt.

There are a few very good websites with information on poultry feed including feed recipes. One is Harvey Ussery’s website, www.themodernhomestead. us/. Harvey is a frequent contributor to Backyard Poultry. He has written several articles on feed, which can be found on his website; choose livestock, then poultry and scroll down for table of contents and feed info. Harvey is also the author of an excellent book, The Small-Scale Poultry Flock: An All-Natural Approach to Raising Chickens and Other Fowl for Home and Market Growers, available from the Backyard Poultry bookstore on page 43. The Lions Grip website has a variety of chicken feed recipes and general feed information: www.lionsgrip.com/ recipes.html The Backyard Poultry online library (www.backyardpoultrymag.com/library. html) has the following feed articles: • Making Your Own Poultry Feed; • A Winter Menu: Changing Poultry Feed by the Season; April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 39 • The Challenges & Rewards of Making Our Own Feeds; • A Feed Formulation Spreadsheet; Start ‘em Right with • Calcium Should Only Be Offered Free-Choice; • Bean Sprouts as a Dietary Supplement for Your Flock; • A Popcorn Christmas Tree for the R Flock; and • Poultry Gardens —Ed. Premium Poultry Feed Health of Kids Around Poultry We have been thinking about getting and raising some chickens. I read in a book that you should not have children under five years of age or people with weak immune systems around them. Is this true? I have a seven-year-old and three-year-old child. I want them to enjoy the birds and learn to raise them, but I don’t want them to get sick. We receive a lot of strange looking egg photos Mark, Tennessee but this example is one of the most unusual we have seen to date. It is suspected that the There are not many diseases that hen that laid this egg had bleeding in her chickens can get that can be transferred oviduct, which then mixed with membrane to humans. Just as with any other ani- proteins as they formed. mals, you should take some reasonable precautions, such as washing your hands after handling them, etc. I don’t think they’re any more of a disease risk than a cat or a dog would Can you please advise on what made this be. happen and if I should be worried about I probably wouldn’t leave kids under my hens? five unsupervised with the chicks, since Dawn Grafe, Oregon the chicks can be somewhat fragile if handled incorrectly. Even then, the Wow, I’ve never seen anything like chicks are a lot more “durable” than that before! I showed this to a colleague, they look. and our best guess is that the hen may With adult chickens, you’ll want to have had some bleeding in her oviduct watch that the roosters aren’t threaten- at the time when the shell membrane was ing. They can do some damage to chil- being produced. The blood may have Home Fresh starter feeds have guaranteed levels of essential amino acids dren, but again, you’ll want to supervise mixed with the membrane proteins as they necessary for growth and reproduction as well as healthy skin and feathers. things. Again, that’s no different from a were forming. That doesn’t completely Wrinkled eggs, like this one sent by Jody cat or a dog. explain the size and the apparent lack of ennis, are more common. It is thought that I wouldn’t worry about having chil- albumen, however. hens that lay these eggs have developed a dren around the chicks. I think they’re Though I can’t say for sure, I don’t mild form of infectious bronchitis. The eggs Starter Multi-Flock: Starter/Grower aren’t very attractive but are safe to eat. great for kids! think this is probably due to a disease, so Medicated Non-medicated the rest of your flock is probably not at with Amprolium Odd eggs risk. I would monitor them for any signs I would suspect that the hen had some Today while cleaning our chicken of problems. I think it’s possible that this form of infectious bronchitis. It was likely coop I found this small, squishy, red, egg- hen might be okay in the future, too, if it a mild form, but must have caused some like ball. For reference, it is about the size was bleeding in the oviduct. She might damage to the oviduct. If this is the case, Protein - 20% Protein - 22% of a Key lime. The outside was squishy have flown into something that caused an she will likely continue to lay eggs with Fat - 3% Fat - 3.5% and rubbery. After taking a photograph, injury, for example. wrinkled shells. I wouldn’t expect them Fiber - 4% Fiber - 4% I broke it apart by tearing it. There was to be as large, however. no albumin in this egg, only yolk. I have Wrinkled egg Eggs like this will almost never kept chickens for over 10 years now and Can you explain this overly large and hatch, so you probably won’t want to try I have never come across anything like oddly shaped egg? to incubate them. The eggs are still safe this. I’m quite worried after seeing this. Jody Ennis, Minnesota to eat. They just look strange! Available in 25-lb or 50-lb bags 40 Backyard Poultry Start ‘em Right with

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www.blueseal.com • 1.866.647.1212 of sanitizing the water and waterers can Healthy Guts… eliminate unseen pathogens that could cause harm. Ask your local feed dealer or online supplier for the newly introduced Healthy Birds… Oxy E-100 to begin sanitizing your poultry’s water in one easy step. After sanitizing the water, look for allnatural supplements that, when added to water, provide a comprehensive approach Healthy to improving intestinal health. Research has shown that adding targeted proteins (to address salmonella, E. coli and clostridium), Families! probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes and yucca to your flocks’ water every day can dramati- cally improve intestinal health and improve your birds’ ability to fight off harmful disease. Newly launched HealthyFlock™ Tabs includes all the above ingredients and with just one tablet in each gallon, can help target pathogens and aid in improving intestinal health.

What Internal Parasites? Internal parasites, better known as By Da v i d Ma t h e s What Pathogens? worms, can impact your birds’ health DBC Ag Pr o d u c t s Numerous organisms can cause in- and performance while leading to an La n c a s t e r , Pe n n s y l v a n i a testinal disease, including salmonella, E. unsightly discovery in the poultry yard or coli and clostridium. In fact, salmonella coop. Roundworms, tapeworms, thread aising backyard chickens or other can also impact you and your children’s worms, hairworms and cecal worms are poultry can be a rewarding fam- health by causing illness in humans too. the most common in backyard flocks. Rily experience. But it requires While salmonella is causing disease in Any time your birds are out on dirt (after daily attention to keep your chickens your birds, they are also shedding the or- the last frost and until four weeks after healthy and to protect your family. Start- ganism into the environment where other the first hard freeze), they are at risk for ing from the day you bring home your birds and people, can become infected. picking up a worm infestation. new chicks through the rest of their life, According to the CDC, in 2012, there This means it is critical to establish your birds are under constant exposure were more than 400 cases of salmonella a routine program to address worms and to harmful pathogens and internal para- in humans (more than 37% were children) reduce the impact worm infestations can sites that can wreak havoc with their di- that were attributed to backyard poultry have on your backyard poultry flock. gestive system. raising. Focusing on improving digestive Currently there are no known com- The digestive system is the first layer health is a key step to keeping your back- mercial dewormers approved for use in of defense against intestinal disease. yard flock and your family healthy. laying hens in the U.S. Fortunately, now Ensuring your bird’s digestive system One of the best ways to help your there is an all-natural alternative. Zy- is in tip-top shape and able to fight off flock stay healthy is to establish key fend™ A, is a safe, non-synthetic water disease can help reduce medication management steps to prevent and control supplement that has been proven in large costs, improve survivability, increase pathogens from causing harm in the first organic and natural layer flocks to offset growth rates, and boost egg production. place. worm related issues without the need to In addition, a healthy digestive system First let’s focus on potential exter- discard the eggs. is also important for an active immune nal sources of infection. Disease can Remember, a healthy digestive tract system. be transferred between birds with the leads to healthier, happier backyard Spring is on the way and chicks will introduction of new chicks or new adult flocks. Focusing on these areas can con- be arriving soon. That means it is time birds into the flock. It is recommended tribute greatly to your desire to produce to start thinking about how to keep your to quarantine new arrivals from the rest healthy, wholesome food for your family new arrivals and your current flock of the flock for four to six weeks. This and make poultry keeping a rewarding healthy and happy. Since prevention is gives you time to determine if they get experience for all. the best approach to intestinal health, it sick and prevent them from infecting is important to not only know what can your flock. For more information on innova- cause problems in your backyard flock, Your backyard flock can also be tive Backyard Chicken™ products and but to keep up on the latest proactive exposed to pathogens via their water. backyard chicken raising tips, go to www. thinking to help your birds battle harm- While providing fresh, clean water may dbcagproducts.com or see their ad on ful pathogens and internal parasites. seem like enough, taking the extra step page 55. —Ed. 42 Backyard Poultry Backyard Poultry Bookstore NOw AvAilABlE… Chick Days An Absolute Beginner’s Guide “Have You Hugged Your CHICKEN Today?” Raising Chickens from Hatchlings to Laying Hens Backyard Poultry Baseball Caps Jenna woginriCh, PhotograPhs By Mars viLauBi Do you want to raise chickens but don’t Embroidered text, 100% polyester, know where to begin? Then you need Chick adjustable strap with velcro closure Days, an entertaining photographic guide and pre-curved visor. Available in that chronicles the life journey of three chick- navy blue, one size fits all, only ens (Amelia, Honey, and Tilda) from newly $14.00 each. hatched fluffy butterballs to grown hens lay- Use order form on page 45 ing eggs. Day by day and week by week, call 1-800-551-5691 you’ll watch these three chickens grow and or visit www.backyardpoultrymag.com change, and along the way you’ll learn everything you need to know about chicken behavior, feeding, housing, hygiene, and OrdEr YOurs TOdaY! health care. 128 pages, $14.95

Hatching & Brooding Your Own Chicks The Mating and Breeding Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Geese, Guinea Fowl of Poultry harry M. LaMon & roB r. sLoCuM gaiL DaMerow This book, first published in 1920, and now back If you want to incubate, hatch, and brood chicks in print, outlines all you need to know to become an yourself, rather than buying them from a hatch- accomplished breeder. It includes manipulating shape ery, this is the guide you need. Poultry authority and color combinations, preparing birds for weather, Gail Damerow explains exactly how to hatch encouraging the juiciest meat and largest eggs and healthy baby chickens, ducklings, goslings, much more. Authors Lamon & Slocum were the Senior Poultrymen at turkey poults, and guinea keets, addressing ev- the Bureau of Animal Industry for the USDA. 341 pages, $14.95 erything from selecting a breed and choosing the best incubator to ensuring proper set-up and sanitary conditions, understanding embryo de- Chicken and Egg velopment, and feeding and caring for newborn chicks in a brooder. This A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes is an indispensable reference for any poultry raiser, whether you want to hatch three eggs or one hundred. 240 pages, $24.95 JaniCe CoLe, PhotograPhs By aLex FarnuM Chicken and Egg tells the story of veteran food writer Janice Cole, who, like so many Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens other urbanites, took up the revolutionary gaiL DaMerow hobby of raising chickens at home. From picking out the perfect coop to producing the This informative book for both beginning and ex- miracle of the first egg, Cole shares her now- perienced chicken owners is now completely up- expert insights into the trials, triumphs, and dated. It covers breed selection, building feeders bonds that result when human and hen live in and shelters, how to collect and store your eggs close quarters. With 125 recipes for delicious to maintain freshness (or hatching), maintaining chicken and egg dishes, poultry lovers, back- good flock health, raising broilers for meat, and yard farmers, and those contemplating taking the leap will adore this showing your birds. 341 pages, $19.95 captivating illustrated memoir. 256 pages, $24.95

The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals gaiL DaMerow Imagine a weekend breakfast featuring eggs, bacon, and honey from your own chickens, pigs, and bees. Or a holiday meal with your own heritage-breed turkey as the main attraction. With The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals, even urban and suburban residents can successfully raise chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, and honey bees. It’s easier than you think, and it can be done on small plots of land. This essential guide covers everything from selecting the right breeds to producing delicious fresh milk, cheese, honey, eggs, and meat. Whether you want to be more self-sufficient, save money, or just enjoy safer, healthier, more delicious animal products, you’ll find all the information you need in The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals. 360 pages, $24.95

Reinventing The Chicken Coop Chicken Coops 14 Original Designs with Step-by-Step Building Instructions 45 Plans For Housing Your Flock Ju d y Pa n g m a n Ma t t h e w Wo lp e & Ke v i n McEl r o y Whether you’re keeping one hen in a small Backyard chickens meet contemporary backyard or 1,000 hens in a large free-range design! Matthew Wolpe and Kevin pasture, you will find the perfect housing plan McElroy give you 14 complete building in this comprehensive handbook. These 45 plans plans for chicken coops that range from for housing both laying hens and meat birds the purely functional to the outrageous- (chickens or turkeys) range from fashionable ly fabulous. One has a water-capturing backyard structures to large-scale, moveable roof; one is a great example of mid-cen- shelters. You’ll also find plans for converting tury modern architecture; and another trailer frames, greenhouses, and backyard sheds; has a built-in composting system. Some low-budget alternatives for working with recy- designs are suitable for beginning build- cled materials; and simple ways to make waterers, feeders, and nestboxes. ers, and some are challenging enough for experts. Complete step- With basic building skills, a little elbow grease, and this book of plans, by-step building plans are accompanied by full-color photographs you’ve got all you need to house your flock.166 pages, $19.95 and detailed construction illustrations. 192 pages, $19.95 How to Raise Poultry Everything You Need to Know Fences for Pasture & Garden Ch r i s t i n e He i n r i c h s Ga i l Da m e r o w If you want to raise poultry—for feathers or eggs, beauty or meat, pleasure or prof- The complete guide to choosing, it—this book is the perfect place to begin. planning, and building today’s best Poultry expert Christine Heinrichs lays out fences: wire, rail, electric, high-ten- the distinctions between waterfowl (ducks, sion, temporary, woven, and snow. geese and swans), turkeys, gamebirds (pea- Author Gail Damerow has a lifetime fowl, pheasants, quail and others), ratites of experience with goats and other (ostriches, emus, and rheas), and pigeons. She then clearly details animals, and weighs the pros and the very different requirements for raising each species, from feeding cons of various fence systems—from and housing to husbandry and health, to showing and marketing and traditional to the latest technology— legal concerns. 192 pages, $19.95 and helps you select the best one for your needs. 160 pages, $16.95 How to Raise Chickens Everything You Need to Know Storey’s Illustrated Guide Ch r i s t i n e He i n r i c h s to Poultry Breeds This book is thoroughly modern and comprehensive. It delivers everything the sub- Ca r o l Ek a r i u s title promises: “Everything you need to know—Breed guide and selection—Proper Gorgeous, full-color photographs of care and healthy feeding—Building facili- more than 128 birds. This definitive ties and fencing—Showing advice.” And guide includes a brief history of the it’s all presented in the context of today’s breed, detailed descriptions of identify- small, backyard flock. How to Raise Chickens might sound like a ing characteristics and colorful photo- simple premise for a poultry book but this one goes way beyond the graphs that celebrate the birds’ quirky how-tos. 191 pages, $19.95 personalities and charming good looks. If it’s fowl facts and photos you want, you’ll find them all here! 278 pages, The Small-Scale Poultry Flock $24.95 An all-natural approach to raising chickens and other fowl for home and market growers

Ha r v e y Us s e r y For a complete list of all books A comprehensive guide to whole- available from the Backyard Poultry Bookstore, systems, mixed-flock poultry husbandry. visit our website at Lively, thoughtful, and engaging, it is www.backyardpoultrymag.com. filled with essential information on basic care, housing, pasturing the flock and putting it to work, holistic health, poultry If you do not have Internet access, write to in the kitchen, and creative strategies for Bookstore Catalog Request, more home-produced feeds, including cultivated earthworms and soldier grubs. 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 Contains detailed butchering instructions or call 800-551-5691 with dozens of photographs and the best guide to working with broody hens available anywhere. 416 pages, $39.95 44 Backyard Poultry The Chicken Encyclopedia Free-Range Chicken Gardens An Illustrated Reference How to Create a Beautiful, Chicken-Friendly Yard gaiL DaMerow Jessi BLooM New—and indispensable for all chicken en- Many gardeners fear chickens will peck thusiasts! Beginners and old pros alike will away at their landscape, and chicken welcome Gail Damerow’s latest contribution lovers often shy away from gardening to the poultry world, The Chicken Encyclope- for the same reason. But you can keep dia, a listing of more than 1,000 entries 100% chickens and have a beautiful garden, too! related to chickens! Anything you want to Fresh eggs aren’t the only benefit—chick - know about chickens is either included here ens can actually help your garden grow and or it’s probably not worth knowing. Not only thrive, even as your garden does the same a reference work, it’s interesting enough to for your chickens. In this essential hand- read on its own, to get an education in chickenology. Or enjoy flip- book everything a gardener needs to know ping through it to pick up fascinating facts on every page. The full- is covered, including chicken-keeping basics, simple garden plans to color photos and illustrations are also superb, both educational and a get you started, tips on attractive fencing options, the best plants and pleasure to look at. 320 pages, $19.95 plants to avoid, and step-by-step instructions for getting your chicken garden up and running. 218 pages, $19.95 For the love of Poultry A Backyard Poultry Anthology, The First Year The Complete idiot’s Guide to Raising Chickens For the Love of If you missed the first year of Backyard JeroMe D. BeLanger Poultry Poultry—here’s your second chance. The complete collection of articles and photos You’re no idiot, of course. You know there’s from 2006 is now a book! This full-color nothing like the taste of fresh, free-range eggs anthology contains 320 pages featuring from chickens you’ve raised yourself, but more than 30 writers, including renowned you’re wondering if owning your own flock poultry expert and author Gail Damerow, of birds would be all it’s cracked up to be. In homesteading guru Harvey Ussery, and this Complete Idiot’s Guide you’ll find advice A Backyard Poultry Anthology The First Year University of Wisconsin's top poultry spe- on locating and buying your first chickens; tips BY THE EDITORS OF BACKYARD POULTRY cialist, Ron Kean. Enjoy reading as they for buying or building the right coop; learn all share their knowledge, and be entertained about eggs from conception to cooking; learn by stories like Chickens in the city; Pampered poultry; Championing to identify normal behavior in healthy chickens rare and historic breeds; The world's smallest chicken; The trained and what to do when something goes wrong, and decide for yourself if chicken “Eggzibit” and much, much more! 320 pages, $19.95 raising chickens organically is right for you. 160 pages, $14.95

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Backyard Poultry Bookstore WI Residents Add 5.5% sales tax $______145 industrial Dr., Medford, wi 54451 Call Toll-Free 800-551-5691 or Fax 715-785-7414 Total Enclosed $______www.backyardpoultrymag.com while the lymphatic circulatory system helps rid the offending antigens (germs Raising Healthy Chicks that cause disease) from the body. The B-cells start the process by moving into the bursa of Fabricius (BF), starting two weeks into the egg’s incubation and on up until 6-10 weeks of the chick’s life. So although the immune system starts to develop in incubation, it is incomplete upon hatch. While the B-cells are in the Naturally BF, gene conversion happens to rearrange By Su s a n Bu r e k , He r b a l i s t the buck stops regarding health. The build- the B-cells to learn the diversity that is Mo o n l i g h t Mi l e He r b Fa r m , ing blocks of immunity actually start at a needed to protect against all possible antigens. This critical period happens Mi c h i g a n cellular level at 15 days into incubation and continue until sexual maturity, with during the first three weeks of a chick’s was nine years old in grade school some important milestones along the way. life, completing at the end of six weeks. when I got my first chick. Like If you are not breeding your own chicks, it The B-cells then leave the BF to teach countless classrooms all across is very important to know as much about the other organs of the immune system theI country before and since, we hatched the breeder and their chicken-keeping this diversity until sexual maturity. At that chicks in an incubator for our science les- practices as you can. The health of the hen point the blood will take on producing the majority of B-cells. son. I don’t remember much about the has a great impact on the future health of The first line of defense is the skin hatching, but I do remember the teacher her chicks. Prior to the breeding cycle, it and mucous membranes of our chick. telling us to get a note of permission from is imperative that our hens are at optimal health and get all the appropriate vitamins, But if a foreign invader antigen cell gets our parents to be able to take one of the minerals and protein needed. For example, past those and enters the chick’s body, it chicks home. I remember the excitement research has found the trace element zinc will be converged upon by a phagocyte- I felt when my dad signed the note and methionine during the egg production type cell like a macrophage. The BF has when I handed it over to my teacher. I cycle reduced embryo mortality during taught the B-cell to attach to the antigen still remember the bus ride home, with the first week of incubation and improved and to start producing antibodies specific the chick secure in my shoebox. The future immune response. A good natural for that antigen. The B-cells also have chick turned out to be a black and white source of zinc would be pumpkin, squash memory cells to remember the antigen, Plymouth Rock rooster I named Charley. and watermelon seeds. It is also important and upon each future encounter will Those memories of keeping him are for- that the hen’s antibody level is high upon launch quicker and stronger antibodies ever etched in my mind. Flash forward hatch, which I will discuss shortly. each time. The first encounter takes the to 13 years ago my delight in bringing Energy and nutrients are stored in the B-cells some time to build antibodies, home seven keets (baby guineas) to my shell, yolk and albumen (the main compo- which is why adult birds should be much new little farm in the country. In this day nent of the egg). The eggshell will provide less susceptible to disease than young and age, poultry keeping is more than just the primary source of calcium to the devel- birds as their immune systems are better raising livestock for food production, as oping chick, along with some secondary at responding. The antibodies do not kill evidenced by the chicken keeping phe- trace minerals. The yolk sac is the primary the disease directly. They prevent the nomenon springing up everywhere. They rich source of protein, vitamins and min- antigens from attaching to their target site are a part of the family just like my rooster erals. The albumen is the source of water in the body, to grow and do their damage, was to me as a child. Like all animal com- and protein. B-lymphocytes (B-cells) are by blocking their receptors. They also panions, we try to keep them around for manufactured in the yolk sac and later in immobilize the antigen, which assists the as long as possible. With that in mind, I the embryo liver and bone marrow and macrophages to destroy it. think it is worth our while to employ some are the cells that start to build the immune The thymus starts manufacturing specific natural support to build a strong system. Both the yolk sac and the albumen T-lymphocytes (T-cells) that helps all immune system and a healthy foundation play an important part at hatch, temporar- around. The T-cells assist the B-cells in for our chicks so they can live long and ily protecting the chick immune wise. producing antibodies, produce lymphok- healthy lives. I still have three guineas 13 ines to help the macrophages further years later that I still enjoy very much! How Active Immunity Works destroy the antigen and to assist the white The lymphatic system is considered the blood cells among other supportive func- bird’s immune system. It is not one place tions to help remove the antigen from Building Immunity in the body, but an orchestration of many the body. Starts With the Hen different parts working together. Organs The best support to health we can pro- like the skin and mucous membranes are Management for Developing vide for our poultry is to help them build part of the immune defense system along Immunity in Chicks the strongest immune system they can. No with the primary internal organs, the bursa Passive immunity is passed from the matter what other management techniques of Fabricius and thymus. The spleen, bone hen to the defenseless chick upon hatch. we employ, the immune system is where marrow, and lymph nodes assist the blood, The hen is able to pass her antibodies 46 Backyard Poultry to the chick through its amniotic fluid antibody levels high in a hen to pass on and yolk during hatch. During hatch, to her chicks. the yolk gets absorbed, and the chick swallows the amniotic fluid and this Immune Herbal Support passing is a protective measure that lasts There are a number of herbs that about a week while the chick’s own im- can help build and support the immune mune system is getting under way. What system. The herb I recommend to start should be noted is that the antibodies of with, and the one I use the most for im- the hen have been developed unique to mune building for my flock is garlic. her living environment, the same one the Whole garlic is easy to get and use, and chick has come to live in upon hatch. it is really easy to grow, which I recom- Also, the current level of strength of her mend. Unlike other forms of garlic that antibodies at hatch is also passed, so can be prepared, fresh garlic offers it’s you want that to be as high as possible. most potent and highly active medicinal This maternal immunity gives a boost value. to naturally hatched chicks as opposed to those from hatching eggs or chicks you buy elsewhere. If I hatch eggs in the incubator, my own practice has been to wait to put chicks into a separate outside nursery at six weeks old, keeping them in insider brooders until then. They are not only feathered and can maintain body heat, but they have also the more critical development of their immune system completed. At the very least, I would not put any chick in an outside nursery until after three weeks of age where adults have not been allowed. They should still be provided a heat source until they are fully feathered. If a mama hen hatches her own, I will leave them with her because they get immune protection and warmth from her, but I will still move them to a separate clean nursery. I recommend this kind of setup to minimize antigen exposure to delicate, growing immune Separate nurseries inside Susan’s main population pen are dedicated for Mama and systems, but also to help the chicks (and chicks only. mama hens) to not have to spend time warding off other adults who may pick on young chicks. Young birds need supervision when integrating into large adult populations because of their size and because they are immediately placed at the bottom of the pecking order. Chicks also need to have a reachable water supply and this is not always practical in a coop with lots of adults. In whatever setup you have, the main things to consider are the chick’s level of immunity, the challenge of organisms in the environment (how large your flock is and how concentrated the soil or litter is with droppings), and the kind of invading germs you have been experiencing within your flock (e.g., coccidiosis or Marek’s disease). Herbs are ideal to provide support not only in building strong immune systems, If the chicks were not hatched by a hen, separating them in their own nursery by wire, but to keep them healthy while they do but still visible to the rest of the flock, allows them and the adults to get used to each so. These herbs can also help keep the other so later integration will be smoother. April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 47 chicks in their own nursery minimizes traffic from other birds kicking up dust. On the other hand, dust bathing is a very healthy activity, and this helps the other part of the external immune system: the skin. (See “Healthy Dust Bathing,” February/March 2013 Backyard Poultry.) Chicks should be given a dust bathing area of their own after three weeks of age. Dust bathing is not so much an issue concerning breathing in dust, because the activity is infrequent and only for short periods of time. I add powdered herbs to the dust bathing mix that makes for a beneficial activity that keeps the skin free of parasites. The herbs may even be absorbed by the skin for further internal benefits. We also Susan offers greens and raw garlic should treat external cuts and abrasions to chicks right away. Pecking comes promptly. I clean cuts and wounds with naturally, and if foods are there, they soap and water if needed, and I find raw will learn to eat them quickly! honey a good natural bandage. Left: This chick loves his chickweed, a very good starter herb for chicks! Immune Support through We have already learned that the im- posing waste) will collect in our coops Food and Herbs mune system gets fired up by stimulation and runs, due to the litter we use, our It makes sense not only to provide a of the B-cells, T-cells and phagocytes poultry shedding skin and feathers and nutrient dense diet to support a rapidly (macrophages) and by antigens invading from the feces itself. If our poultry are growing body, but we can also look at it the chick’s body. Garlic’s constituents exposed to this dust for long periods of as supporting all the organs in the lym- have the capability of activating all three time, it can cause excessive coughing. phyatic (immune) system as well. On day of these types of cells. Garlic can greatly It is this coughing that will degrade or one, along with their grain/seed food, I enhance the fledgling immune system of kill the cilia, causing excessive mucus make herbal tea with the garlic and honey. a chick. I offer crushed garlic, free choice, production, which will overwhelm the I offer the herbal tea mixture for at least from day one to teach them to eat it raw. scavenging cells. This can create an entry 3-4 weeks, until they can handle eating I will provide it throughout their lives as point for the invading bacteria cells. This larger plant material on their own. needed. I also start with one clove crushed is another big reason why I do not use garlic per quart of water. When adding Diatomaceous Earth (DE) in my poultry Grains/Seeds anything to the waterers, always make sure environment. I keep chicks on towels Grains and seeds provide carbohy- your chicks/poultry are drinking. If they while in their brooders which helps mini- drates, proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are not, switch them back to plain water. mize this issue. Keeping mama hen and gives our chicks lots of energy, and fats You can try again with a lesser amount of herb. Along with garlic, other immune enhancing herbs you can try are roots of echinacea and astragulus, and various medicinal mushrooms. Wild turkey tail mushrooms are prevalent in my environment and I plan to use them more this year with my chicks. I would offer these herbs as a tea, which means they need to be infused into hot water, then cooled for drinking.

Immune Support for Skin and Respiratory System The respiratory system is part of the immune system and our housing management will play a big part in keeping it healthy. The parts that defend this system are the cilia, mucus secretions and cells that kill invading bacteria. It is inevitable that dust and ammonia (through decom- These chicks are getting off to a good start drinking herbal tea with garlic and honey. 48 Backyard Poultry provide essential fatty acids and energy minerals, pollen, protein and live enzymes. as well. Protein is a major building block It is a powerful antioxidant with antiviral for the chick’s body, primarily muscle and and antibiotic action, and it can stimulate feathers, as well as hormones. The first the immune system as well. I add one tea- week or so, make sure whatever grain food spoon raw honey per quart of water. you provide is ground up small enough for I also teach my chicks to eat apple the chick to eat. I also grind up the big- chunks and berries. I believe the more ger seeds like pumpkin, black sunflower variety of foods you introduce at an early and peanuts for them to eat. I don’t worry age, the easier it is for them to experiment about feeding grit until they regularly start on their own while on range. There is very eating lots of whole seed. little my flock will not eat while on range. Building a healthy foundation for our Herbs/Greens chicks will serve them well throughout These herbs host a myriad of vitamins, their lives. Having them around is immea- minerals, protein, calcium and even probi- surable to our well-being as well. otic support. The green herbs I use to make tea come from my own gardens and wild Susan Burek is an herbalist who ad- areas. I fill a quart jar full of plant matter, vises on Poultry Natural Living & Herbal fill with boiled water and let steep until Care on Facebook http://www.facebook. cool. My foremost choices of herbs are com/groups/herbalpoultrycare. nettle and comfrey, followed by chickweed, dandelion and lamb’s-quarters. You She is also the owner of Moonlight can even make tea from Romaine lettuce Mile Herb Farm in Willis, Michigan, if you don’t have lots of native greens where she lives with a variety of critters, around! I try to use native herbs that they and is a chicken and guinea fowl breeder. will encounter on range later in life. She grows native and cultivated herbs on six acres of land, and sells her own for- Honey mulated avian poultry products at www. Honey is beneficial for its vitamins, moonlightmileherbs.com.

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April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 51 FeeD: tion and cataracts. Indeed, about the only nutrient lacking in eggs is vitamin C! Despite its apparent nutritional perfection, the egg can be enhanced by improving It’s The Chicken what is fed to the hen. This improvement in the nutrient profile of the egg demonstrates that not only are we what we eat, but appar- And ently our hens, and therefore their eggs, are, too. Hens are very good at incorporating what they eat into the developing egg. Hens fed ground flaxseed will produce eggs with a much higher level of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an important omega-3 fatty acid, while those fed algae meal will lay eggs with higher amounts of docosahexaenoic The Egg™ acid (DHA), another very valuable omega-3 fatty acid. The greater inclusion of vitamin D in today’s poultry feeds has The egg shines as the most perfect source of protein in the world. increased its concentration in eggs. Even the color of the yolk is influenced Dr. MiKeLLe roeDer man, and almost 40% of the needs of a 5'5", by pigments the hen consumes. This is a nutritionist 125-pound active female — all for a grand very important concept for people raising Purina aniMaL nutrition LLC total of only 140 calories! backyard hens for eggs. Feed them a poor The provision of high amounts of diet of unfortified scratch grains and table onsider the egg. Vilified for de- quality protein at such a low caloric scraps, and not only will the nutrition of cades for its cholesterol and satu- cost would be enough to make the egg the egg suffer, but the hen’s production will Crated fat content, the egg is experi- an amazing addition to any diet, but it likely decrease, and her eggshells will be encing a redemption of epic proportions doesn’t stop there. The egg is also a rich thinner, contributing to increased breakage as further research confirms it as one source of choline, a nutrient that is es- and wastage. Many people remember their of the most high-powered nuggets of sential for fetal brain development and grandparents feeding chickens this way, but natural nutrition on the planet. The tim- to help prevent birth defects. Eggs also 1) we now know much more about nutri- ing couldn’t be more fortuitous, as the provide significant amounts of B vita- tion of both chickens and humans than we popularity of raising hens for egg pro- mins (especially B12, which is not found did back then, and 2) your grandparents’ duction is exploding. Let’s take a closer in plant foods unless they are commer- chickens probably had much larger areas in look at this culturally ancient food. cially fortified), the minerals selenium, which to roam and forage for insects, grubs Despite its humble origin (and what phosphorus, iron, zinc and calcium, and and various forbs. Your grandparents also could be humbler than emerging from the they are one of the very few naturally oc- may not have used supplemental light to south end of a chicken?), the egg shines as curring and significant sources of vitamin keep hens laying through the winter, when the most perfect source of protein in the D in our diets. The egg is also a source of there are no bugs or weeds to consume. Sci- world. Protein sources are ranked in order lutein, a compound shown to be helpful in entists have worked hard to determine the of the completeness of their amino acid preventing age-related macular degenera- nutritional requirements of chickens and profile, relative to the needs of humans, and their digestibility and given a score known as the “biological value.” The egg scores the highest of all proteins and is the gold standard against which all other proteins are measured. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 of them, 10 of which are essential, meaning our bodies cannot make them and they must therefore be provided in our diets. Not only does the egg contain 18 of the 20 amino acids, it contains all of the 10 essential amino acids in abundance. It has the best amino acid profile known — better than meat, milk and soy products. One large 50-gram egg provides nearly seven grams of highly- digestible protein. Two eggs for breakfast fulfills about 28% of the protein needs of Raising hens for eggs continues to be popular, and youngsters enjoy the task of collecting the average six-foot, 180-pound active eggs, proud that their pet can provide food for the family. 52 Backyard Poultry to develop feeds that meet those requirements. 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human keeper doesn’t understand proper feeding. BIRD SENSES While chickens delight in foraging, they also need commercial feed to achieve a healthy diet. If they only eat a quality commercial ration, like Nu- allnatural trena® Layer Feed, they will also thrive. FormulatedForchicKens,turKeys, Problems arise when people over feed ducKs,geese,domesticpoultry, snacks, usually cracked corn or scratch. andwaterFowloFallages Chickens love them and eat so much that they ignore more nutritious feed. Corn and scratch is fine in moderation but is too low in protein and other nutrients to keep chickens healthy. Limit these treats to 10 to 15 percent of your flock’s diet, They’re sharper than you think or about what they will consume in 15 Photo courtesy of Brad Fuller, virginia minutes. Detecting Feed Freshness twain LoCKhart Taste Put simply, chickens will not eat old, nutrena PouLtry exPert Buy a bag of mixed seeds and wild spoiled, or moldy food. How they can birds glean every one of their favored discern less-than-fresh food is a mystery, alling someone “chicken” or “bird types while leaving the ones they dislike although it’s probably through some brain” should be a compliment, for the squirrels. In many ways, chickens combination of excellent eyesight, a keen Cgiven what we now know about are similar to wild birds—and humans. sense of taste, and perhaps smell. birds. Chickens—and most birds, for that People have distinct individual food Many owners have shared stories matter—are amazing animals with acute preferences. So do chickens, including about discovering an old bag of layer feed senses and more intelligence than previ- the ability to avoid toxic or distasteful that had been overlooked for months. To ously thought. Understanding this, and foods. It was once thought that chickens the human eye and nose, the feed seemed especially chickens’ food preferences had only a few taste buds and their sense as good as new, and the feeder was filled. and nutritional needs, will help owners of taste was of minimal importance. It’s The chickens, however, immediately keep their flock healthy and productive. now known they have at least 300 taste recognized it as stale and wouldn’t touch nowthereisacomprehensive,safe,and buds (a dog has about 1,800; humans it. After a few days, the feeder remained Vision have around 10,000). Chickens can full and the birds hungry—until fresh effectivewaytohelpprotectpoultryhealth Chickens are similar to their wild kin. readily distinguish the taste difference feed replaced the older feed. Although They have uncanny vision, which enables between succulent lettuce and nearby the two feeds seemed identical, the savvy them to find food and avoid danger. A motherwort, a common garden weed they chickens could tell the difference. ™ backyard wild bird feeder offers a perfect simply won’t eat. Some birds love corn, To keep feed palatable and nutritious, ZyFend a demonstration. Add some sunflower seeds while their coopmates prefer pelletized protect it from predators (especially their � after the feeder has been empty a few days, feed. However, it’s rare that a chicken urine and droppings), moisture, and age. � and it’s likely a chickadee will be dining doesn’t relish insects, worms, grubs and Moisture is especially damaging. Any � before its human patron has returned in- tiny weed seeds. feed that gets wet spoils almost instantly, � doors. That excellent eyesight also helps and high humidity readily penetrates feed birds spot lurking predators and locate tiny Intelligence and Memory and often makes it moist enough for mold ™ morsels too small for the human eye. Anyone observing foraging chickens to grow. healthyFlocK tabs knows that they lack neither intelligence Also remember that quality feed has � Hearing and Smell nor an ability to find food. When first a shelf life. Air and humidity gradually � Their ability to hear and feel is likely allowed to range around a yard, chick- degrade its quality. To reduce rejection, � also strong, although they may lack much ens randomly discover prime foraging it’s a good idea to only buy and store as � of a sense of smell. But the strength of places, often damp areas under leaves or much feed as your flock will eat in two � their other senses compensates enough mulch. Determined scratching uncovers to three months. to help them find food. the reward of hidden food. Let the birds So, adopt a bird brain and start think- oXye-100 out of their coop the next day or week, ing like your chickens. The better you � and they’ll beeline to the same area and understand their nuances and preferences, � immediately begin scratching up lunch. the more likely you’ll have a productive, � FAST�FENCE Using their outstanding vision and sense healthy flock. � Info�and�buy�now�at of taste, they can locate and feast on delicious varied wild foods. However, a word To find a Nutrena® dealer near you, www.electricnets.com of caution: a chicken’s well-developed visit www.NutrenaPoultryFeed.com or 800-356-5458 sense of taste can cause problems if its see their ad on page 87.

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April/May 2013 Keepinganimalshealthyisourpassionwww.backyardpoultrymag.com 55 scantolearnmore call717-509-5724orvisitdbcagproducts.com Yo u r Fl o ck : Live Entertainment

By Je n n i f e r Ca e z z a Ca l i f o r n i a

live in California with my husband Matt, our two children, Trevor and Charlotte and our six pullets that we Ipurchased in September 2012. The hens bring us so much joy and entertainment! This is my first flock and I am hooked. My “ladies” are spoiled and wait by the coop door every morning to be let out to cluck around the yard. It is amazing how different each hen is and how each one has her The chicks get some outside time. The entire family enjoys watching the live enter- own unique personality. tainment the flock provides.

Stella, the Silver Laced Wyandotte, is the leader of the flock. She is smart, the Tillie is such a beautiful honey color and first one out of the coop in the morning is very friendly from the extra handling and our friendliest chicken. she received from Trevor as a chick.

My son Trevor with four chicks on his lap. His chicken is “Tille,” the Buff Orp- ington that was named after the chicken in his favorite children’s book, Tillie Lays an Egg by Terry Golson.

The pullets found a pretty comfortable The Poultry Palace: My husband Matt built this out of love for me. He really had spot to watch the construction of their no desire to do this, but after I ordered the chicks he had no choice! He did a great coop take place in the background. job and it was so much better than I anticipated! 56 Backyard Poultry Incubators, Brooders, Cages & Supplies

Tillie, Zinnah and Edith. Zinnah is usually too busy chasing the other chickens around. I was surprised to see her here, with the other two so close by, eating scratch.

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Adeline, the Jersey Giant, is not the sharpest tool in the shed. She often gets too busy with hunting for bugs or scratching that she doesn’t notice her friends are long gone! We often hear Adeline clucking loudly in concern until she spots the other girls.

Tille, the Buff Orpington and Adeline, the Jersey Giant. April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 57 Br e e d Fo c u s : for? Well, as already stated bantams have their advantages when it comes to feeding and housing. Therefore, if you want chick- Choosing Bantam ens as pets, for showing or for a hobby Versus flock, then you should seriously consider Standard Breeds the miniatures. Some other things to note are that many bantams are excellent foragers, broodies and mothers. By Ar m a n i Ta v a r e s The majority of bantams can also Te n n e s s e e fly well, which is an aid in free-ranging situations. Though, this may present the ne thing that all chicken enthusi- problem of them flying out of enclosures asts, old and new alike, can relate that were designed to house large fowl. Oto, is the trouble that arises when They come in an array of different sizes, trying to decide which type of chicken shapes and colors, not to mention person- to get. It always happens, whether it’s alities. Bantams are just lots of fun! your first time choosing your chickens, or just that time of year for the annual Keeping a Mixed Flock of chick order. The breed you pick could Bantam and Large Fowl be based simply on appearance, such Now, as for keeping both bantams and as the ones with frizzle feathers, funny LF in a mixed flock, it certainly is pos- combs or feathered feet. But there are sible and can be done successfully. But some things you should consider when Armani raises several bantam breeds, you must consider that many bantams are looking through the hatchery catalogs including the bantam Cochin. He chose tiny. A large rooster may injure a bantam (or where ever else you’re getting your bantams because he likes their looks and hen while breeding, and bantams will chickens from) to get the most out of the small size. usually get picked on by larger birds. breed(s) you choose. Also, a LF rooster may severely Which size to choose is what I’ll HB would eat about seven times as much injure or kill a persistent bantam cock in be discussing here. Which works best: feed as the bantam each week! a fight. So, if you were to mix them, it bantam, standard or a bit of both? This Needless to say, you would save a lot would most likely be best if they were in is one of the most important things to of money on feed. But, bantams generally a flock where there are no LF roosters and consider. Let me say that bantams require lay fewer and smaller eggs than breeds plenty of feeders, waterers and space. half the amount of space needed by large specifically bred for egg production. Also, Don’t hesitate to try mixing the two fowl (LF) thereby reducing costs for the if you’re raising chickens for meat, you sizes if this is what you planned to do. construction of coops and runs, as well as should most likely look elsewhere. Ban- Often times it works out perfectly fine, obviously taking up less room in the yard tams don’t have much of a carcass. Some especially in a free-ranging flock and with and also being easier to construct. larger varieties of bantams, though, may birds raised together from chick-hood. In addition to that, bantams eat much suit some people as a small meat fowl. Just remember, the single most impor- less than a LF. A bantam, in general, will tant thing to consider when picking your eat half a pound of feed per week. Large Bantam Advantages chickens is to have a clear picture of what fowl can eat from two pounds a week So if bantams are not the best for egg you want out of them, and stick to the for light breeds, to four pounds a week or meat production, what are they good breeds that will best fulfill that purpose. for heavy breeds. Using a bantam as a comparison to a heavy breed (HB), the Raise chickens for your own fresh eggs!

Many sizes available!

Armani also raises Old English Game bantams. According to the The Old English www.victoriansunlimited.com Game Bantam Club of America, more Old English Game bantams are shown at poultry or call 610-857-2101 for a brochure. competitions than any other breed in America. 58 Backyard Poultry April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 59 ing been at first given to this quality. The breed was finally The Buttercup Chicken recognized by the American Poultry Association in their Standard of Perfection in 1918. By the time a standard had been set for the color of the breed, popular interest had greatly declined. Inter- estingly, the breed was being embraced, in England even as it declined in America. By 1920 the English had a club for the breed, but again popularity soon faded. In color, the Buttercup rooster is a rich reddish orange with a black tail. The hen is golden buff with regularly marked black spangles, oval in shape, positioned in parallel rows. The black sections of both male and female are a lustrous greenish black “The Crown of the Fancy” in color. Both male and female have yellow skin; white The Buttercup chicken gets its name from the golden buff feathering of the hen’s feathers and the ear lobes; reddish bay eyes; unique comb, which is a combination of two single combs that merge together in the front and back. light horn-colored beak; and Above Buttercup cockerel and pullet are bred and owned by Jana wilson of indiana, photographed willow-green shanks and at the AlBC photo booth during the APA National meet in lucasville, Ohio. Photos courtesy of toes with the bottom of the Jeannette Beranger/AlBC. feet yellow.

By Don sChriDer For aMeriCan Dedham, Massachusetts, received birds LivestoCK BreeDs ConservanCy from his neighbor, a Captain Dawes. Mr. Loring made subsequent importations he unique and charismatic But- and bred and promoted the breed for tercup chicken derives its name about 50 years. We also know that all the from the combination of unique stock today descends from or is related to combT shape and the golden buff color an importation of hatching that arrived to of the hen’s plumage. The comb of the America in 1892. Buttercup chicken is actually two sin- Though Mr. Loring put much effort gle combs that merge in front over the into promoting the Buttercup chicken beak, as well as at the back. The com- breed, it was not until 1908 when the bination on the best specimens forms efforts of two other promoters were suc- a cup-shaped “crown” — that is, a cup cessful. Mr. J.S. Dumaresq of Easton, surmounted by regularly spaced medi- Maryland, and Mr. L.B. Audigier of um-sized points. Imperfectly formed Knoxville, Tennessee, leveraged Mr. Buttercup chicken combs appear akin to Audigier’s position as publisher of the a pair of antlers. poultry periodical, Industrious Hen to The origins of the Buttercup chicken great effect. By 1912 a breed club was are unknown. For centuries, chickens formed which soon reached over 300 with cup-shaped combs were seen in members. Large classes were seen at large quantities in North Africa. We also many shows but the great popularity was know that farmers on the Italian island of to be short-lived. Buttercup breeder Neil Perin, Ohio, The breed had been promoted to Sicily have used the Buttercup chicken holds a nice pullet he displayed at the for centuries. The first importation of the public on its superior utility but the Mother Earth News Fair in Pennsylvania. Buttercups from Sicily to America is Buttercup chicken was found to be only Buttercup hens have lovely golden buff thought to have arrived in 1835. But the average for egg production. There was plumage on the head and neck. The first importation that is well documented also a division of opinion regarding the remainder of their feathers are marked was in 1860, when C. Carroll Loring of proper color pattern—little attention hav- with black spangles. 60 Backyard Poultry With cup-shaped comb, resembling a flower blossom, golden buff plumage, and willow green shanks and toes, it is easy to see how this breed has also earned the nickname of “Flowerbird.” In England they were also found in Golden Duckwing, White, Brown (Black Breasted Red), and Silver (the golden The Buttercup cock has an impressive cup-shaped comb, almond-shaped white buff and red color sections being replaced earlobes, well-rounded wattles, and striking feathering. Because of the large combs, by white). they are susceptible to frostbite. Above Buttercup cockerel bred and owned by Jana Wilson of Indiana, photo courtesy of Jeannette Beranger/ALBC. Buttercup chickens are a very active non-broody, white egg-laying fowl that lay approximately 140-180 medium to large eggs per year. Males can be expected to weigh 6.5 pounds and females AmericAn Poultry AssociAtion 5 pounds. These birds are suited to many climatic conditions, but the large size DEDICATED TO PROMOTING AND of the comb makes it a poor choice in PROTECTING STANDARD-BRED POULTRY northern winters. The Buttercup chicken breed is listed Benefits include: as threatened on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. Quarterly Newsletter-Annual Yearbook Officially Sanctioned Shows and Judges Find more information about this breed from the American Buttercup Club, www.americanbuttercupclub.com; JOIN TODAY-Dues: $20 per year or $50 for 3 years Bridget Riddle, Secretary/Treasurer, 3030 Orestimba Rd., Newman,CA 95360; Junior members $15 per year or $40 for 3 years Email: americanbuttercupclub@yahoo. com; Phone: 209-485-1413. American Poultry Association PO Box 306, Burgettstown, Pa. 15021 Backyard Poultry’s website library Phone: 724-729-3459 - Email: [email protected] also contains an article at www.back- Website: amerpoultryassn.com yardpoultrymag.com/library.html.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has an extensive library of breed articles and other free educational materials on their website at www.albc- usa.org, or for more information see their ad on page 32. April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 61 Br e e d Conservation —Ar o u n d t h e Wo r ld : system. They also try to make it more of a family event. I have seen “theme areas” at shows incorporating a small lake, watermill and poultry on a farm-like enclosure as well as pseudo “ fields” Rare with picket fences encompassing various breeds. The setups are very colorful, the birds look at ease and the kids love it. France certainly knows how to look after its heritage breeds with Breeds of each Department having some sort of Society or Ecomusee for conservation. Since the 1990s, the Club pour la Sauvgarde des Normandy Races Avicoles Normandes has looked after the conservation of the breeds of Normandy. (The Club for the Protection of Poultry Breeds—CSRAN, 156 Route Du Four Pain, 76750 Bosc-Roger By St u a r t Su t t o n Sur Buchy) Beginning in 2013, Normandy will, like its Brittany De v o n s h i r e , En g l a n d neighbor, also get its own dedicated conservation center housing local as well as exotic birds at Petit-Quevilly. There are also other described the French La Gournay chicken breed in De- such sites in other areas of France. cember 2012/January 2013 issue of Backyard Poultry. In this issue I cover the other rare breeds of the area, namely Caumont theI Caumont, Le Merlerault and the Pavilly. The rare breeds of The Caumont takes its name from the small village Caumont Normandy have a real mix of comb shape and color that could l’ éventé in Calvados, Normandy. The Caumont has what is date back to the original “Norse men” invasion of the Gaul area. known as a “crown or cup” comb that is exceptionally rare and France has a long—and some would say the closest—associ- is due to a rare gene thought to be carried by only two other ation with poultry than any other nation. The Latin word for breeds in the world, the Sicilian Buttercup and the Augsburg chicken is gallus and Gaul is the old name for the region now (a German breed). Some historians believe these three breeds known as France. The coq is the national emblem of the coun- may possibly be linked through the conquests and movements try; it adorns its sports teams, and was even the emblem of the of the kings of Sicily who, through various marriages, ruled French Revolution. Having lived in France for a few years I can parts of Normandy, Augsburg and Sicily in the 12th and 13th vouch for their passion for poultry, which runs in tandem with centuries. Although the Caumont’s full ancestry is unknown, it the national love of fine food. They put an emphasis firmly on was possibly the result of crosses made between these foreign the bird’s taste and utility virtues, ahead of anything else. breeds and the more local Bresse-Gallic black type poultry and Although having said that and having experienced many Crevecouers. Although around for many years the breed was French poultry exhibitions, their shows are always well at- not officially standardized in France until 1913. It thrived up tended by exhibitors and visitors alike with a high number of to the Second World War. Only 30 years afterwards, however it good looking, diverse breeds on view. They also cater well to was considered extinct and thus had to be brought back to life the public with judging comments and bird information clearly by the passion of conservationist Jean-Claude Periquet. visible on each cage, making it easier for the paying audience The Caumont itself is a strong, rustic, proud and slender to recognize individual breeds and to understand the marking animal that is well adapted to the humid climate of Normandy

Caumont cock Caumont cock

62 Backyard Poultry and very much at home free ranging. It is black with green hues in its feathering, has a cylin- drical body and a raised tail. Its crown comb is followed by a small feather crest. Minimum weight for the male is 6.5 pounds, the female at 5.5 pounds. The face should be red, the eyes dark orange and it should have white earlobes, indicating the relationship to the Gallic-Bresse poultry. The back is large, long and, tilted back- wards, the chest large and carried fairly high. It has a well-developed abdomen, medium length wings that are tight to the body and a good size tail carried at a right angle. The legs are black lead and it has four toes. According to the French standard, the nails must be black but gray horn tends to appear. The hen is similar but smaller with a much-reduced comb. They lay up to 200 large 2.1-ounce white-shelled eggs per year. They, like Bresse Gauloise, Crèvecoeur and La Fleche are renowned for having a fine tasty flesh. The Le Merlerault hens breed is still exceptionally rare. deep chest and well-stocked, well-developed abdomen should Le Merlerault be used to breed from. Originally from the Merlerault region of Normandy in the The hen is compact and nearly horizontal, has a more department of Orne, also famous for its trotting horses, the rounded and more substantial crest than that of the cock, con- Merlerault is described in the 19th century by many authors as sisting of shorter feathers that do not obstruct her vision. Her a sub race of the Crèvecoeur, a breed already kept in the U.S. abdomen should be well developed, as should the hindquarters. after being recognized by the American Poultry Association She broods well and lays up to 150 large white, 1.9-ounce eggs way back in1874. Indeed, it does look like its cousin but has no per year. The breed is very rare. My own experience in keeping beard and no muffling. The Merlerault is strong and fairly large them is that they are similar to the La Fleche in that they can in size and thrives if kept free range. It has black plumage with be nervous but ok when handled regularly. They like to range green hues. The cock weighs at least 6.5 pounds, the hen at least and are hardy outdoor animals well worth keeping. 5.5 pounds. The crest should be regular and symmetrical, not too long, but balanced, and it should not obstruct the animal’s Pavilly vision. The male has a u-shaped horn comb without branching. The Pavilly is named after a village of Caux, Normandy and The earlobes are white, the eyes a burning red color. Its original is thought to have existed for centuries although it was not stan- color is black, but in France it now appears in blue. Its qualities dardized until December 1908 when the Pavilly Club was cre- are primarily for its high-quality meat and individuals with a ated. The breed is similar to its Normandy cousin the Caumont

Le Merlerault cock Le Merlerault cockerel

April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 63 a whitish face and dark red eyes. The neck is strong and slightly arched, with many fine hackle feathers. It has a large long back and large chest with medium size wings. Its feet are smooth, and grey in color. They are similar in size to the Caumont. Today, like the Cau- mont, the Pavilly requires breeding work as they were forgotten during the second half of the 20th century. Pavilly hen A g r o w i n g number of people concerned with the preservation in that they both have a crest, but it differs of Norman poultry are helping in the from that breed as the Pavilly has a single breeds’ survival. The new Conservation comb whereas the Caumont has a crown Center for Norman breeds now being or cup shaped comb. The Pavilly is strong built in Petit-Quevilly will also improve and slender with a fine and flattened head the breed’s chances. It is very rare, even and a small, unruffled black crest. It has in France. Acknowledgement and thanks to Jean-Claude Periquet and Bruno Lom- ende. If you would like more information on any of the above breeds please feel free to contact me at stuart-sutton@ hotmail.co.uk. Stuart Sutton offers a photo gallery of domestic poultry breeds mainly in their natural surroundings with an emphasis on the rarer breeds of the UK, France, Belgium and Holland at http://stuart-sutton.wix.com/the-chicken-photo-library. All inquiries welcomed.

Pavilly cock

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Product Videos blog.flemingoutdoors April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 65 About Geese: A 3-part series Part 2: Medium Geese

By Ch r i s t i n e He i n r i c h s Ca l i f o r n i a

his second part of a 3-part series on geese looks at medium geese, as classified by the American Poultry As- sociation. The five recognized breeds range from 13 to T17 pounds in weight, but many unrecognized breeds are also raised by devotees of these birds, so deeply entwined in our history and hearts. All geese are related to the wild geese that still migrate across the globe. Knobbed Chinese and African Geese are descended from the wild Asian Swan Goose. American Buff, Pomeranian, Sebastopol, Embden and Toulouse are descended from European Graylag Goose. All show some influence of the wild Bean Goose. Among medium geese, Pilgrim Geese are a modern composite developed from traditional Gray Geese and the old West of England Geese. The traditional American Gray Goose, a larger domesticated version of the Western Graylag, has never been formally recognized but was the dominant breed raised in America since Colonial days. Many unrecognized goose breeds are attractive and useful. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has identified 96 breeds or genetic groups of geese worldwide. Lyn Irvine says, in her 1961 book, Field with Geese, “No other creature so rapidly turns grass into flesh—the common- est weed into the most coveted food.” They can be turned out in fields after harvest to glean and clean. They are vegetarians and may look with disdain, as only a dignified goose can, on the relish with which ducks devour insects and snails. Medium geese are the most popular being kept today, according to waterfowl breeder and judge James Konecny, president of the International Waterfowl Breeders Association. “The vigor is up, they are easier to manage, there are more sources to purchase them and the availability of day-olds makes them popular farm birds,” he said. Medium geese grow and mature faster than heavy breeds. In one full year, goslings can hatch in the spring and grow to experience a complete breeding cycle by the following spring. “You don’t need to be as patient as you need to be with heavy geese,” he said. “You can get there and see what you’ve got in the first year.” Geese are sociable and usually enjoy going to shows. Judges enjoy them and they often do well, going to Champion Row. The best success is with geese kept on the farm for their whole lives, though. The stress of changing environmental conditions, the dangers of hot weather and exposure to disease increase the risks even for the hardiest birds.

Right: Sebastopol geese are easily recognized for their long curly feathers. The feathering also requires better protection from foul weather than other goose breeds generally need. Photos by Dave Kozakiewicz, Hindsight Farms, Michigan

66 Backyard Poultry Medium Goose Breeds The buff feathers are not as strong as white or gray feathers, Recognized traditional medium goose breeds are Sebasto- prone to sunlight oxidation, according to English breeder Chris pol, Pilgrim, American Buff, Pomeranian and Steinbacher. The Ashton. “The buff feathers lose their sheen and fade badly,” she Steinbacher is the most recent addition to the Standard of Perfec- writes, “They become brittle, lose their Velcro-like adhesion tion, being recognized in 2011. John Metzer of Metzer Farms and become less weather-proof.” in California finds geese very variable in personality. No single breed stands out as most calm and personable in his experience, Pomeranian geese are an historic German breed, associ- because individuals vary so much from calm to aggressive. ated with the Pomorze region of eastern Germany between “There’s no one breed that is always the best,” he said. the rivers Oder and Vistula. Although only Gray Saddleback and Buff Saddleback varieties are recognized, they are also Sebastopol geese look as if someone curled their feathers. raised in Gray, White and Buff varieties. In Germany, the Buff Their soft, flowing ruffles give them the appearance of fantastic Pomeranian is known as Cellar goose. dream birds. Their feathers are as much as four times as long as True Pomeranians are distinguished by their pink bills and normal feathers, with flexible shafts that spiral, draping down to pink legs and feet. They have a single lobe. Orange bills and the ground. Traditionally white, their fanciers are experimenting feet or a double lobe disqualify a bird as a Pomeranian. with breeding them in buff, blue, gray, and saddleback color varieties. Konecny calls them “the Silkies of the goose world.” Steinbacher geese are a German breed of fighting goose. Despite their decorative appearance, they are an ancient They have a long, graceful neck and a short head and bill, giv- utility breed, hardy and respectable egg layers of 25-35 eggs a ing them what waterfowl breeder Lou Horton calls “a powerful year. The breed is associated with Eastern Europe, around the appearance.” Its distinctive orange bill is edged with black ‘lip- Danube River and the Black Sea. stick’ markings. They have no keel or dewlap. In the U.S., only Sebastopols’ unusual appearance attracts owners who are the blue variety is currently raised and recognized, although inclined to keep them as ornamental birds and as companion gray, buff, and cream varieties are raised in Europe. Blue and birds. Keep docile Sebastopols away from aggressive birds. gray colors breed true. Despite their reputation as fighting They enjoy bathing those lovely feathers in clean water. They geese, only the males fight each other, and then only during aren’t good flyers, with those long, soft feathers. Their loose the breeding season to establish the flock hierarchy. They are feathers make them appreciate protection when it’s especially mild-mannered with people but protective of their nests. (See cold, wet and windy. sidebar on page 70 for more on the Steinbacher goose.) Those long feathers may interfere with successful breeding. This hardy breed thrives on a lean diet of grass on pasture. Feathers around the vent can be clipped to improve nature’s They cannot tolerate a rich diet and can die from overfeeding. chances. Their popularity sometimes pressures breeders to misrep- Autosexing Geese resent less desirable birds. Unscrupulous exhibitors may pull Females and males of most breeds are so similar to each straight feathers, an exhibition defect, from their birds. other that it’s difficult to tell them apart. More than one breeder has been disappointed in breeding pens, only to find out that American Buff geese have the colorful plumage that reflects the birds in them were of only one sex. Autosexing breeds their name. Their light feathers make them easy to dress out solve that: the sexes have different plumage. Ganders are white without dark pinfeathers. They were developed from the tra- and hens are solid color or saddlebacked. Saddleback means ditional Gray farm goose and Buff geese from Germany. They that the shoulders, back and flanks are colored, in contrast to are the largest of the medium geese, topping out at 18 pounds. the white body. Autosexing dates back 1,000 years or more A double paunch is required for showing. in England and France, longer in Scandinavia. These breeds

American Buff geese are quiet, docile geese and make excellent parents. These birds are the largest of the medium sized geese and make fine roasting birds. They are popular show birds as well. They were accepted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Excellence in 1947. Photos by Kathy Hopkins, Silver Spring Waterfowl, Texas April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 67 Clockwise: A female Lavender Saddleback Pomeranian; a solid brown Pomeranian gander; a pair of Brown Saddleback Pomeranians with a Lavender gander in the forefront. Photos by Terence Spencer, Nebraska probably originated in Scandinavia and Geese can be are indigenous to areas where Vikings set territorial and ag- their anchors. gressive in the Pilgrim geese were developed in the breeding season, 1930s by Oscar Grow. They are a modern so plan to separate composite of American Gray and the au- them in pens. Like tosexing Old English or West of England all domestic fowl, geese. Pilgrims have orange bills and legs, geese are vulner- which distinguishes them from the Old able to predators. English. They are the only autosexing breed Fence them from recognized by the APA for exhibition. predators with four- foot poultry wire Housing fencing. In mild climates, security from “The runner ducks especially need A total pen area of 2,500 square feet predators is all the protection they need. the geese to survive the cold weather,” should be adequate for a small flock of “I have yet to see a goose get under he said from his Royal Oaks Farm in less than 10 geese. If it can include a pond shelter to get out of the rain!” says ex- Illinois, experiencing a freeze in Janu- of 500 square feet of water, so much the perienced breeder Dr. Tom T. Walker ary. better. Geese enjoy splashing in water and of Texas. A house to lock geese up overnight swimming, although they can manage In cold climates, simple structures are should provide about 10 square feet of without it. They stay cleaner and have adequate to protect them from the weath- space for each goose. Geese confined fewer parasites if they have access to er. Stacked hay bales with a plywood roof for longer periods of time should have water. It’s easier for the geese to walk to facing south or a semicircular windbreak 20 square feet per bird. A low shelter the water than for you to bring the water of straw bales keep them out of the wind open on all sides can offer shade and to them. and snow. Provide plenty of dry litter for protect food. Their water must be kept clean, them, wood shavings or straw. Replace it Domestic geese do not fly much. If despite their defecating in it and splash- as it gets wet. As long as geese are well flying becomes an issue, trimming four ing mud around. Cement-lined artificial fed and have clean bedding, their natural inches off the leading four or five prima- ponds or children’s plastic pools are easy insulation can take almost anything win- ries of one wing will prevent them from to clean and don’t turn into mud holes, ter throws at them. In a winter storm, they successfully flying away. Feathers will but small wetlands can be constructed may be out looking around while other need to be trimmed again after each molt. and managed to enhance habitat for do- fowl are sheltered indoors. Pinioning removes the entire first joint mestic geese as well as wildlife. Natural The IWBA’s James Konency keeps of the wing, cutting it off. It can only be running water such as a stream on your his geese in a mixed flock with his ducks done on goslings in the first day or two property can provide the regular fresh during the winter. The geese help keep after hatching. It makes it impossible for water geese need. the ducks warm. the bird ever to fly. 68 Backyard Poultry Breeding Geese are good parents, Select strong birds without defects for breeding. with both the goose and Wing problems, such as angel wing, may be environ- gander participating in the mental, but it’s wiser to avoid breeding birds that have parenting tasks. them. Weak legs are another reason to keep birds out of Left: A Buff Pomeranian the breeding pen. Size is less important than type when mother with her Buff selecting breeding birds. It is easier to breed for larger gosling. size than to correct defects in type. They will make their own nests on the ground. Walker Below: A Brown provides a small structure like a dog house for geese in Saddleback Pomeranian nesting pens, but finds they often prefer to nest outside with non-Pomeranian the house. The dampness is important in incubating the goslings. Photos by Terence eggs. “The goose will even take the hay out of the house Spencer, Nebraska and mix it with sticks, leaves and other things she finds to build a nest outside the nice house that I have built,” he says. They will line their nests with their own down. Watch them carefully until you are sure the goose will be broody and the pair can manage their nest. Ms. Irvine attributes to the 18th century French scientist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon the observation that “the condition of a sitting hen, however insipid it may appear to us, is perhaps not a tedious situation but a state of continual joy.” Broody chicken hens or artificial incubators can be used. Many goose eggs are successfully hatched under hens. A hen can manage from four to six goose eggs, and can foster the goslings. Goose eggs benefit from moisture, as they would receive from their mother on her daily ablutions. Ms. Irvine dunked her hen’s lower regions in water as she returned to the nest each day. A typical clutch is 10 to 15 eggs. If the eggs are removed, many geese will continue to lay, as if for a second clutch. A clutch of 13 or 14 is exceptional, more than some geese will be able to cover for incubation. If those eggs are removed, leaving an artificial egg to encourage her, the goose may continue laying. Others will not lay any more, even if they end up setting on the false egg alone. Eggs can be stored up as long as 14 days before beginning incubation. Candle eggs between eight and 14 days of incubation. Infertile eggs are clear. Developing embryos show a half-moon air sac at the round end of the egg. Goose eggs hatch in 29 to 31 days, but they may vary from as early as 27 days to as long as 33.

Recently hatched Pilgrim goslings can be distinguished by both feather and bill color. Females are darker. The bills of Pilgrim geese are the only auto-sexing breed recognized for exhibition. Ganders are both will be orange at maturity. Photo by white, females are gray. This helps breeders avoid the pitfall of selecting only one sex Ricky J. Millet, Louisiana for the breeding pen! Photo by Bonnie Long, Virginia April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 69 Goslings will start eating grass the recommended dose and it can make the duration, which may well be for life. right away and can be supplemented them sick. They love raising a family and, especially with crumble. If hatched by a hen, The floor should be covered with some Sebastopols, will happily adopt youngsters she may attempt to feed them as she kind of rough material that gives the gos- of other species. Give them a place to nest would chicks, but they will ignore her. lings’ feet something to grip. Otherwise, and you will have years of happy families. Don’t feed goslings medicated chick they may develop leg problems. Geese are long lived in good circumstance, starter. They may consume more than Like all geese, medium geese mate for living more than 20 years. Steinbacher Geese Ch r i s t i n e He i n r i c h s ernd and Mari Krebs have been the moving force in bringing Steinbacher geese to the U.S. and recognition by the BAmerican Poultry Association. They imported two pairs of gray and two pairs of blue Steinbachers from Germany in 2003 and began breeding them. By working with other breeders, they led the effort to achieve recognition in 2011. “We can’t keep up with the demand,” Mari Krebs said. “Our goal is to have them spread all over and empower breeders so they will have offspring quickly.” They have strong personalities and that fighting temperament can be a challenge to manage. They form likes and dislikes among the flock that can flare into fights during breeding season. The Krebs isolate breeding pairs during the season, from October or November through the spring. “They are fighting birds and you have to take that into account,” she said. “Give them the accommodations so they can breed successfully in spite of their nature.” Size and those black lipstick markings are breeding concerns. Because they develop gradually, the Krebs raise them for five or six months to avoid passing on any birds that aren’t true to the breed standards. The Krebs don’t breed small or inadequately marked individuals, butchering them for the table instead. With people, Steinbachers are confident but naturally tame and sociable. Mrs. Krebs describes the birds as “endearing.” “They like talking to people,” she said. “They are so tame, they sit right in my lap. Their character is so different from other geese. ” The Krebs have worked with other breeders to start flocks of Steinbachers. They remain rare now, but are being seen at poultry shows. Several have made their way to Champion Row. You may see one at the next show you attend. Read the full article, “The Steinbacher “Kampf”(Fighting) Goose” in the February/March, 2008 issue of Backyard Poultry. — Ed.

Steinbacher geese were first bred to thrive in the harsh Thüringer East German landscape with little, or no, grain. They are extremely active foragers and have strong jaws that help them to chew food. Photos by Bernd & Mari Krebs, Michigan

70 Backyard Poultry Pilgrim, Sebastopol and Buff geese Learn more about the International are all struggling with fertility. John Waterfowl Breeders Association from Metzer is embarking on artificially their website, http://iwba.org/ or con- inseminating his flocks this year, in tact Chris Ervay, 4202 Optimist Farm an attempt to improve fertility. His Rd., Apex, NC 27539; phone: 919- flocks—160 Sebastopols, 160 Pilgrims 880-8538 or email: Neuseriverwtrfl@ and 200 Buff females—are reproducing aol.com. at only 35 to 40 percent fertility. Com- bined with 70 percent hatch rate and the Christine Heinrichs is the author of average clutch of 15 eggs per female, How to Raise Chickens and How to Raise each female produces only three or four Poultry, Voyageur Press, both of which goslings. focus on raising traditional breeds in “It’s hard even to save breeders from small flocks. See the Backyard Poultry that number,” he said. In January, he had bookstore on page 43. already pre-sold his supply of Sebasto- pols and Pilgrims for 2013.

Goose Products The primary product is the table- ready bird for roasting. Medium geese are good meat birds. Table birds are usually butchered before they reach six months of age. The gizzard, heart and liver are all desirable meats. Goose liver is the prime ingredient in pate de foie gras. Geese do not need to be forcefully fattened to produce delicious liver. Birds can be processed on the farm or at local processing facilities. Some local governments offer mobile processing facilities built on trailers that can be rented for home use. To avoid pinfeathers in the carcass, butcher goslings before they molt their juvenile feathers for adult plumage, at nine Murray McMurray to 12 weeks. Part the feathers and check Est. 1917 to see whether pinfeathers are forming. If they are, delay butchering until the birds have their full adult plumage, six to 10 weeks. Geese, like ducks, can also be skinned. Poultry wax can be used to clean carcasses. Feathers can be saved after plucking, washed and used or sold. Check state laws on selling birds. Every state allows a small number of geese to be sold within the state, but crossing state lines requires USDA certified processing. Goosefeathers and down are the original insulating materials for warm clothing and bedding. No man-made product is as good as goose down and feathers. Geese stay warm in the harshest winter weather. Goose eggs have the reputation of being superior for baking. The white, or albumen, is thicker than that of chicken eggs and may be disappointing for whip- ping uses. It is not light enough to whip up well. April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 71 FinanCiaL oPPortunities: already came equipped with a sizable coop and run, in addition to other out- buildings and plenty of fertile land for peas, greens, and other heirloom crops. Legal Considerations What it didn’t come with, unfortunately, was the right to raise livestock. Despite Before Starting a its agricultural zoning, the Madaras farm, at 2.5 acres, was only half the size required by Lodi Township ordinance: Small-Scale Poultry five acres were required in order to own five chickens, with each additional hen requiring an additional acre of land per Farm law. “It’s an outdated ordinance, dating back to the building boom,” Douglas Mad- aras noted. “Decades ago, when develop- ments were cropping up on farmland, they established that ordinance to dissuade potential farmers from interrupting the halt of big money coming in from big construction. But that was decades ago, and so many families live out here that raise chickens, quail, rabbits, you name it, on properties even smaller than ours. This is ag-zoned land! As long as we are taking proper care of our flock and properly disposing of their manure, there should be no reason for us not to farm.” Added Angela, “I truly don’t see the As part of planning your business and before purchasing a flock, check your local township contacting every farm family, livestock ordinances to verify that the type of poultry you’d like to raise on your property every 4-H kid, and telling them they have is allowed. Some areas have restrictions against roosters, as their round-the-clock crowing can disturb the serenity of a country setting. Photos by Ana Hotaling to get rid of their animals. I couldn’t believe it when the township contacted us. I thought it had to be a joke, a mistake. This By ana M. hotaLing here come the legalities you might very is a farming community! That’s why we MiChigan well face if you’re planning on going chose to move here.” into the poultry business. Yes, rules and The Madarases successfully chal- ew adventures surpass that of leav- regulations apply everywhere, even in lenged the local ordinance, contacting ing behind a comfortable urban agriculturally zoned areas, and it’s best the Michigan Department of Agriculture For suburban existence to start life to familiarize yourself with the obstacles and Rural Development and filing their anew as the owner of your very own you might encounter before they are right property as an officially recognized poultry farm. Thanks to dwindling em- smack in your face. farm under the state’s Right to Farm ployment opportunities and security in Act. But the headaches, heartache, and the private sector, skyrocketing cost of Where Chickens Are the seemingly endless paperwork—as living, and a growing desire to go back to Outlaws… well as unhappy neighbors who refused the land and become more self-sufficient, First and foremost, and preferably to recognize their right to farm—took more and more people are flocking to ru- before you close on your piece of pastoral a toll on the couple, despite their farm ral America, and choosing to raise their paradise, find out if poultry is even permit- being recognized by the state as legit. own flocks. And with acreage available ted on the property. It seems almost silly to Douglas harvested his quail and placed for a percentage of the price of a resi- ask. It’s rural land, right? Obviously farm what remained of his Ameraucana flock dential-neighborhood home, it’s become animals are allowed! Except when they are with good homes where Douglas and even easier for you to launch your dream not, as Douglas and Angela Madaras of Angela still have access to their eggs and of a countryside poultry haven. Lodi Township, Michigan, discovered. breeders. The Madarases are now looking You’ve decided to take the plunge? The Madarases moved from North at selling their property and moving to a Congratulations… and kudos to you Carolina to Michigan, specifically pur- better, more livestock-friendly location. if you’ve spent a good amount of time chasing an agriculturally zoned prop- “We simply don’t have the resources to reviewing all the practical and financial erty in Southeast Michigan where they fight (the neighbors) even though the considerations involved in owning and planned to become more self-sufficient, law is on our side,” explained Douglas. operating a small-scale poultry farm. live more healthfully, and raise a flock of “Without it, raising animals at our scale is But ready as you may be (or not), organic chickens and quail. The property more of an expense than an income.” 72 Backyard Poultry When in Rome… It was a hard lesson for the Madarases to learn. To ensure that you don’t experience the same hassles they did, take the time to place a phone call to the township hall that oversees the farmland you wish to buy. Better yet, stop by and introduce yourself to the zoning ordinance director as a prospective new resident and poultry farm owner. Ask for a copy of the local ordinances regarding livestock, and be pre- Freedom Ranger pared to spend significant time reviewing every single ordinance that applies specifi- Color Chicks cally to your hoped-for acreage. Have a legal pad or laptop at hand ready to take notes. You’ll need it, because every single township in rural America has its own set ~ Freedom Rangers~ of livestock and farming ordinances, and are specially when in Rome, you’ll be expected to do Douglas Madaras tosses scratch to what suited for full as the Roman farmers do. remains of his once-large flock of heritage pasturing, free chickens. Despite having his acreage range, organic Some examples of laws not to be recognized by the State of Michigan as certified, overlooked include: an official farm, Madaras and his wife, backyard, etc. Angela, have faced continual legal battles against neighbors who refuse to recognize To order Freedom Rangers, call Restrictions on the species of their right to farm. Kendall at 717-336-4878 or visit poultry you can raise: Don’t set www.freedomrangerhatchery.com your heart on breeding emu when your mosphere, which is apparently disturbed Guineas are fast grow- township only permits chickens and tur- by the incessant crowing of cockerels and ing, suitable for keys. Similarly, if your plan is to raise roosters. If your property parcel prohibits backyard growers who chukkar, pheasant, and quail, you might roosters, drakes, and toms, you may want want to control ticks be surprised to learn that gamefowl are a to rethink whether your poultry breeding and for those who no-no in your area. Some ordinances for- farm would have a chance of succeeding would want to use them bid waterfowl such as ducks and geese, in such a restrictive zone. as a meat bird. while others prohibit large ornamentals Restrictions on the location of such as peacocks and swans. Find out livestock housing: From the moment exactly what poultry you are permitted we purchased our farmland, my husband to raise before buying land that restricts Jae and I knew exactly how we were go- your desired flock. ing to lay out our land; the northern acres Restrictions on the size of your would be left as wild prairie, the eastern flock: Usually, a size restriction, like meadows near the pond would be home that encountered by the Madarases, is to our poultry coops, and our own heir- directly based on how much acreage you loom crops would take up a half acre own. Some zoning ordinances allow for a of yard nearer the house. All this went The muscovy is fast growing and a maximum of 50 birds (and that’s 50 birds out the window the moment I brought great range duck with a lean meat that is total, not 50 chickens plus 50 ducks plus the zoning ordinances home. All animal desired by many restaurants. 50 turkeys) per five-acre lot, while other housing had to be a set number of meters To order Muscovy ducklings call townships might set the cap at 100 birds from both the property line and bodies Stephen at 717-445-6255. or even an unlimited amount. Verify the of water, nixing our plans for our coops size of the lot you are looking to buy, then and runs. In the end, we swapped the lo- Call or visit us online. ascertain what your limit is. If you are cations for poultry and produce… once planning on breeding poultry, it behooves we verified the coops were not closer to you to find out beforehand that your 10 the house than the ordinances allowed. J.M. Hatchery acres can only legally hold 100 birds. 178 Lowry Road Restrictions on the gender of Sign Language New Holland, PA 17557 birds allowed: Although uncommon, As a child, I loved going for a ride some townships zone their agricultural in the country and seeing all the farm 717-354-5950 areas to allow only female birds. The signs along the road. The egg farm sign www.jmhatchery.com belief is that a good number of landown- in Marlboro was cleverly shaped like an ers in rural residential zones moved there egg, while the apple orchard off Ryan from the city for the peaceful country at- Road featured a lovely, old-fashioned, April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 73 hand-painted sign and the dairy farm off out the coops, and do maintenance to Highway 9 caught everyone’s attention ensure the health and well being of your with its gigantic, smiling cow sign. When flock. In other words, your basic, run-of- Jae and I started discussing signage for our the-mill farm chores. But what if you want farm, all we could agree upon was that our to do more? Perhaps you’d like to share sign had to be easily seen by someone in your love of farming with the public by a passing car and that it had to be able to offering farm tours. Maybe you want to withstand the ever-changing Michigan teach children—especially those urban weather. Jae wanted an enormous, egg- and suburban kids you left behind—about shaped sign several hundred feet down farm animals and the circle of life by host- the road, so that customers would have ing visits with day cares and scout troops. some warning that our farm was coming You’ve possibly admired how serene and up. I wanted an elegant, sandblasted sign peaceful your farm setting is and have con- at the entrance to our drive. sidered publicizing it as a site for a farm- You probably have some ideas regard- themed wedding or other special event. Or ing the type of sign you want for your maybe, just maybe, you are quite proud of farm and where you want to place it. the quality of your eggs and chickens and Before you get set on one specific style, Visits by day care centers, schools, and want to attract potential customers for both check with your old friend, the township scout troops are a wonderful way to by offering a farm-to-fork dinner featuring educate children about poultry but, before zoning ordinance director. Believe it or your own fried and oven-roasted chicken taking reservations, check that your not, there might be more regulations on zoning ordinances permit “agricultural with an assortment of souffles, custards, the books regarding signage than there entertainment” such as farm tours. and other egg-based dishes featuring your are regarding livestock. Some towns are own farm-fresh eggs. very picky about the kinds of signs they One final note about signage: your lo- These creative approaches not only allow within their boundaries. The town cal and state authorities might also restrict spread the word about poultry farming— just down the road from us, for example, what you can actually say on your sign. A and your poultry farm in particular—but does not permit any roadside signs at all. farm a few miles down the road from us they also help put a few extra dollars in Town employees can frequently be seen was fined and had to remove their sign, your wallet. Unfortunately, they might yanking signs out of the ground and cart- which advertised their organic produce also be illegal, depending on where your ing them away, noting repeat offenders and eggs, because they were not govern- poultry farm is located. Local and state who end up being fined for their signs. ment certified as organic despite their or- agricultural regulations specify what is Another nearby township allows signs, ganic practices. Compared to other nearby considered a farming or agricultural activ- as long as they are mounted on the side towns, our zoning ordinance director was ity and, for these authorities, farm tours of one of the buildings on the property downright generous by allowing us to and on-site public events are not agricul- and don’t exceed 16 square feet in size. A have our farm name, street address, and ture but rather agricultural entertainment, township a few miles south of us, on the brief description of our farm on our sign, or agritainment. If you plan to supplement other hand, permits billboard-sized signs, with a hanging rider to advertise fresh eggs your farm’s income by offering any of making it close to impossible to miss the when we have them available. these alternative activities, check your turn-off for the local potato farm. zoning ordinances. Some towns do not Before placing the order for your sign, Inappropriate Behavior allow these offerings at all due to the belief ask your zoning ordinance director these What kind of activities do you do on a that the vehicle traffic they would create five important questions: poultry farm? Why, you feed the chickens, to and from your farm would detract from • Are signs allowed? gather the eggs, hatch out chicks, shovel your town’s peaceful rural atmosphere. • What styles of sign (monument, billboard, sculpture, post, A-frame, etc.) are allowed? • What material(s) may the sign be made from? • What is the maximum sign size permitted? • Where on the property/easement/road may the sign be installed?

In the end, our zoning ordinance director dictated what kind of sign our farm could have: a wooden or fiberglass sign, not exceeding nine square feet, hung or bolted to a post within five feet of the A key resource for budding poultry farmers is their state’s Department of Agriculture roadside. Goodbye, giant egg, and hello, website, which lists regulations affecting the production and sale of shell eggs and meat. stylish, sandblasted sign. Photo courtesy of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 74 Backyard Poultry Have You Hugged Your CHICKEN Today? Growing Michigan’s Front: Future

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If you’re City:______State:______Zip:______planning for your poultry farm to provide m m eggs and/or meat for markets, cafes, and Check Enclosed Charge my credit card: restaurants—what is considered indirect Visa/MC/AmEx/Disc No.:______Exp.:______sales, since consumers do not get their Email:______Phone:______eggs directly from you but rather through a middle man—your first step should Mail to: Backyard Poultry be to contact your state’s Department of 145 industrial Drive, Medford, wi 54451 Agriculture to get more information or, www.backyardpoultrymag.com better yet, to make an appointment with a or call Toll-Free: 800-551-5691 or Fax: 715-785-7414 April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 75 Foy’s Electronic Door Keeper DA agent to inspect your premises and to sit down with you to discuss your poultry This automatic control device can New from be used wherever a vertical sliding operation’s requirements and shortfalls. gate is to be opened and closed to respond to light conditions at If your poultry farm is truly a small- dawn and dusk. 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As with indirect sales, you will want to contact your state Department of Agriculture, albeit this time to request a copy of your state’s Cottage Food (home- produced) industry laws. For someone whose goal is to enjoy a simpler, more self-sufficient life as a poultry farmer, the multitude of legalities to comply with might seem daunting and as regulated as city life, if not more so. However, when you take into consider- ation the fresh air and open spaces, the Soy-Free, Organic Feeds. And More. slower pace of life, the connection with your agrarian heritage, and the pure en- We make a great soy-free, certified organic chicken feed. But that’s notall we do. joyment of raising a flock of beautiful, We also have essential organic ingredients for your garden, pasture and orchard. entertaining, and even affectionate birds, Want more great organics? Please visit our website. Or give us a call. We welcome not even a dozen regulations or restric- your questions. 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Ana Hotaling’s articles have ap- CO CO peared in such publications as Carib- Countryside bean Travel and Life, Reader’s Digest, CO Hispanic, and the New York Post. She CO Organics and her husband Jae own and operate FMA Farms, a heritage poultry farm in Certified Organic, Soy-Free Feeds • Animal Health Products southeast Michigan. Ana shares her love OMRI Approved Organic Gardening and Farming Products • Good Stuff 801 2nd Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980 • Nationwide Shipping for her animals on her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/FMAFarms. 76 Backyard Poultry April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 77 4-H Poultry Project Evolves Into Money-Making Venture

By De n i s e St a n t o n Te x a s

’m sure you have heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” In the last Iseveral years there has been an explo- sion of people going green, raising their own gardens, and using organic methods rather than going to the grocery store. An avenue my family pursued has been a backyard laying hen project. Through 4-H my children and I have raised turkeys and broilers for the county fair. Those projects did not pay for themselves. We began to Andrew sells his poultry after raising them for about five months. He sits at a local feed store think of ways we could pursue to make a on the weekends and visits with customers, answering questions and selling the birds. profit and teach our children responsibility as well. This led us to trying our hand at raising and selling laying hens for a My family approached this project by Barred Rocks an old-time favorite, backyard poultry project. It sounds simple evaluating what birds people might want, beautiful chicken, hardy and layers of enough right? After all, how harmless can and that those breeds would be the ones brown eggs; it be to raise hens in your backyard? It re- we would raise. We came to the follow- quires a low startup cost while producing ing conclusion: Ameraucanas: very popular, lay blue tangible products such as eggs, fertilizer Rhode Island Reds: hardy birds, excel- and green eggs. People are fascinated and for some, meat. lent brown egg layers; with the blue and green colored eggs versus the traditional white eggs.

Once we decided what birds would sell the best, we ordered them as chicks and raised them until approximately four to five months old. The birds normally begin to lay at six months of age. Because our climate has warm summer months and we wanted to be done before it would get too hot for the birds, we began our project in the fall and completed it in the spring.

Above: Two-month-old pullets growing in brooder pen. These chickens are Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks. Demonstrating the winning end of a Left: Andrew cleans out his pens poultry project, Grant Stanton takes regularly and bags the manure. The sixth place with a turkey hen at the 2004 manure is sold as natural fertilizer for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The gardens, fruit trees and shrubs. hen sold for $9,000 and he was able to keep $4,000 for his education fund. Denise reminds us that they do not always win. 78 Backyard Poultry Some benefits to Evolves Into raising your own hens: Money-Making Venture • hens are quiet; • hens do not smell; • hens eat insects in the yard; • hens are kid friendly, not to mention that kids also love to gather the eggs; • extra bonus—manure in shavings is highly nutritious and an organic way to fertilize garden and shrubs.

A few drawbacks to consider: • predator problems, this might include problems with rats, snakes or possibly hawks that fly above; • city ordinances that prohibit poultry in backyards—some communities have ordinances that refuses citizens the right to raise these animals in their yards.

We have been able to sell our pullets on average for $15 each. Another possibility that we had not given much thought to was selling the chicken manure as organic fertilizer for gardens and shrubs. We came across this idea as we were using the manure in our own raised bed garden. We also had some trees that needed some TLC and the manure was the cure. We began to fill empty 50-pound feed bags with the fertilizer and sold them for $5 each. There were times we weren’t able to keep up with the demand!

I’d like to mention a few of the ways we approached selling the birds/ fertilizer: • craigslist.org; • Flyer distributed at a local feed store; • Clientele established over the years; • My 4-H son sat at the feed store on Saturdays to answer the questions people had. (People really seemed to enjoy this although it does require a lot of time.) This improved his leadership skills, as well as his public speaking skills.

We began this project to make money for college so profitability was important. On average, my son made $1,000 profit in this short time period, from fall to spring. Just as importantly, he learned responsibility and other lessons that will last him a lifetime. April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 79 reCiPes: rosemary seem to be too pungent for their taste, although their dried sprigs give the coop a nice smell. When the summer herbs become abundant, I scatter extra Spring Chicken with herbs and flower petals in their nest box to keep it fresh. Herbs also pair naturally with chicken Fresh Herbs in cooking. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding the use of herbs for cooking, and like the chickens you’ll no doubt have your own favorites, the following guidelines will help you decide which herbs add the best flavor and when to use them. It’s important to make sure the herbs complement the chicken, but not overpower it, because the bird should always be the centerpiece of each recipe. The herbs you use will depend upon the method of cooking used. Whether you use strongly flavored herbs or more delicate herbs, the type of cooking will steer your selection.

Braising—Cooking chicken slowly in a tightly covered pot with a small amount By JaniCe CoLe the new green sprigs. I can’t blame them; of liquid tenderizes the bird and creates Minnesota we’re all hungry for something fresh. intensely flavored au jus. Use stronger Herbs and chickens go together natu- herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme and ne of the first signs of spring rally (in fact, you may have to fence your bay that will mellow yet hold their fla- here in Minnesota is the sight of herb garden from your chickens). Herbs vor in the long slow cooking. O slender shoots of chives push- not only taste good to your flock, they ing up through the damp leftover leaves offer medicinal and other health benefits Broiling—Quick intense heat charac- and melting snow piles lingering in the as well. I often give my girls leftover terizes broiling. Delicate herbs should garden. While I prefer to let chives grow herb sprigs to supplement their diet be protected from the heat by stuffing to a few inches before I snip my first throughout the year. While they eagerly them into chicken breasts or placing taste, the chickens often find them be- snap up parsley, tarragon and other mild them under the chicken skin. Stronger fore I even see them and quickly remove herbs, stronger herbs such as sage and herbs can withstand the high heat but

Herb Chart Herb Chart

Herb Characteristics Basil Delicate herb with strong flavor; good for both quick and long cooking. Its pungency increases with cooking. Bay Strong flavor that only develops during long slow cooking. Chervil Delicate herb with slight anise flavor, add at the end of cooking. Chives Delicate and mild, best added at the end of cooking; shield from strong heat. Cilantro Strong and pungent taste; loses flavor with long cooking. Add only at the end of cooking. Dill Delicate to pungent depending on how much you use. Best added towards the end of cooking. Lemon Balm Delicate lemon citrus flavor with a hint of mint. Great in marinades and sauces. Lovage Strong celery flavor; use sparingly in long slow cooking. Mint Add at the beginning and end of cooking; long cooking will mellow flavor. Marjoram Milder than oregano, good for long cooking. Oregano Pungent when fresh, sweeter when dried. Use sparingly for long cooking. Parsley Flat parsley has more flavor than curly parsley; use generously towards the end of cooking. Rosemary Especially useful for hearty full-flavored dishes. Very pungent; add at the beginning of cooking. Use rosemary stems as kebab skewers. Sage Strong and pungent herb that mellows during cooking. Tarragon Distinct anise flavor, especially good in roasted chicken. Delicate yet strong, add at the beginning or end of cooking. Thyme Popular herb; strong flavor, use sparingly. Perfect for long and slow-cooked dishes as well as quick grilling or pan- frying.

80 Backyard Poultry will be pungent without long cooking so Poaching—Gently simmering chicken ing delicate herbs in the poaching liquid use them sparingly. in liquid is a simple way to cook chicken and cooking slowly and gently to avoid breasts. Add flavor to the chicken by us- toughening the meat. Grilling—High heat grilling adds smoky flavor to chicken so delicate herbs can Roasting—Add herbs under the skin, in get lost. Add water-soaked herbs to the the cavity and over the outside to flavor flame to add herbal smoke to your dish, both the meat and the skin. Baste with or better yet, grill chicken over a bed of an oil and herb combination to continue moistened herb sprigs placed on the grill to add fresh herb flavor to the chicken rack. as it cooks. A variety of herbs work for roasting but stronger heartier herbs will Marinating—A marinade can add fla- yield more intense flavor. vor not only to the outside of the chicken but to the meat as well by letting the Sautéing or Pan Frying—This quick- chicken marinate for many hours. Strong- cooking method is perfect for medium ly flavored herbs work well and mellow to delicately flavored herbs such as through the cooking process, but light Growing herbs in pots lets you move chervil, dill and chives. Make sure you delicate herbs can be used as long as you them to take advantage of the sun and season the meat in the beginning and at reserve some to sprinkle at the end. keeps them away from digging chickens. the end of cooking for the best flavor. Tarragon-Chive Roast Chicken

lacing herbs directly under the skin of the chicken helps to pro- Ptect the delicate flavor of fragile herbs such as tarragon and chives while imparting more flavor to the meat. Tarragon, one of the earliest herbs to emerge in the spring, pairs perfectly with chicken and surprisingly holds its delicate flavor throughout long roasting. Chives can be used at the beginning of cooking when protected from high heat, but their best flavor emerges when sprinkled on at the end of cooking. 1 (3-1/2 lb.) whole chicken 6 (4- to 6-inch) fresh tarragon springs 6 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 2-1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Sprinkle delicate chives over the chicken at the end 3 large garlic cloves, minced of cooking for the best flavor. 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Preheat oven to 425ºF. Place a roasting rack in center of shallow roasting pan; coat rack and pan with cooking spray. Loosen the skin of the chicken over the breast by slipping your hand between the skin and the meat to create a pocket. Place 4 of the tarragon sprigs and 2 tablespoons of the chives into the pocket; place the remaining 2 tarragon sprigs and 1 tablespoon of the chives into the chicken cavity. Combine the oil and garlic in a small cup; brush half of the mixture over the chicken. Place the chicken breast-side down on the roasting rack. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and, using tongs, carefully turn the chicken breast-side up. Brush chicken with half of the remaining oil mixture. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Remove from oven and baste with remaining oil mixture. Continue baking an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 175ºF. in thickest part of the thigh (being careful thermometer does not touch a bone). Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before carving. Sprinkle with remaining 3 tablespoons chives before serving. Use whole herb sprigs to flavor the meat under the skin. Serves 4

April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 81 Pan sauces are perfect for these herbs as their fla- Fresh herbs left over from cooking and vor increases and expands when paired with light flower petals can freshen a nest box. creamy sauces.

Stuffing—Use delicate herbs when stuffing chicken breasts, as stronger herbs will overpower the taste of the meat. When stuffing the cavity of a whole bird, stronger herbs can be used to best effect.

Janice Cole is the author of Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes (Chronicle Books, 2011). For recipes and more information about her flock, visit her blog at ThreeSwinginChicks.com. Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes is available from the Backyard Poultry bookstore, see page 43. Lemon-Spiked Chicken with Sage

age lends a delicate green color and pungent flavor to the Slemony marinade, which mellows during grilling. The grilled fresh sage sprigs add a nice touch to this dish, similar to deep-fried sage leaves but more delicate and less oily. I like to use different varieties of sage, such as tricolor or golden sage. They’re easy to grow and offer unique foliage, so I always tuck a few plants into my container gardens at the start of the growing season. One 3-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces* 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped 4 large garlic cloves 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest Pungent sage mellows during cooking. 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh sage, plus 6 sprigs fresh sage 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice Drop the chicken pieces in a large resealable plastic bag. Combine all the remaining ingredients, except the sprigs of fresh sage, in a blender container and blend until smooth. Pour the marinade mixture over the chicken, seal the bag, and massage the chicken to coat all of the pieces. Put in a shallow pan and marinate for 6 to 8 hours in the refrigerator, turning occasionally. Preheat the grill to medium and then arrange for indirect heat: For a charcoal grill, arrange the coals on one side or around the edges, leaving the center clear. For a two-burner gas grill, turn one side off, and for a three-burner gas grill, turn the center burner off. Place the chicken directly over the heat, cover, and cook for 8 minutes, turning once. Turn the chicken again and place over the indirect heat. Cover and grill for an additional 40 to 50 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, turning every 10 minutes. Place 1 sage leaf on each piece of chicken and place the remaining sage sprigs over the direct heat during the last 2 to 4 minutes of grilling time. Grill the sage sprigs until lightly dried and crumbly. Crumble the grilled sage over the chicken before serving, or place the grilled sprigs on the platter with the chicken, letting diners crumble the sage themselves. Serves 4 * Six boneless skinless chicken breast halves can be used in place of the cut-up chicken. Marinate as directed above and grill directly over medium heat 8 to 12 minutes or until no longer pink in center, turning once. From Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes

82 Backyard Poultry April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 83 A Lo v e o f t h e Ho bb y : consists of three barns, five pastures and 12 portable and 90-some permanent bird coops. Adding to their count of 120 chickens, they also have 40 dairy goats, 15 sheep, eight hogs—all A Family Affair: show animals, plus eight horses and a smatter- ing of beef and dairy cattle, peafowl, pheasants, guineas, doves, pigeons, and ducks. Home schooled and devout Christians, the Stolt- man family has a rich and varied home life. At the time of this article, Kaitlyn, (now off at college) is 19, Logan 17, Eli 16, Rosie 14, Owen 13, and Anna is 6 years old. All kids are mature and extremely polite. The day I spoke with them via telephone, each waited patiently to tell their stories. Show Time! Within this group of children you will find degrees of interest in chickens. However, when show time comes around, they all pitch in. With a staggering 30-60 birds to prepare per show, there are numerous tasks and each family member has his or her specialty to help make the birds look their very best. Among the chores, the favorite is bathing the chickens. This job can take three to four days to accomplish but it is most satisfying to see the chickens turn from dusty to lustrous. The birds get soaked in warm water, soaped, rinsed, dipped in a vinegar solution, then rinsed again. When Show Time Comes Around, Each bird is then wrapped in a towel and awaits the best part: the “blowout.” Although the birds Every Stoltman Child Pitches In might struggle during the bath, they hold perfectly still while the hairdryer carefully dries and fluffs By Ta m a r a St a pl e s their glorious feathers. Ne w Yo r k Logan is the oldest boy and the senior breeder. In fact, next year he will eligible for a three-year judging apprenticeship. s a city dweller and mother to a young child, I am in This serious study will lead to judging the junior shows, at first, awe of the rural farm family. The notion of getting up Ain the cold pre-dawn to care for a multitude of animals is mind-boggling. I do love the idea of the young child having, what a city kid would consider, the enormous responsibilities of caring for many other lives; forgoing the easy afternoons of sidewalk skateboarding or playing video games before dinner. I imagine this young rural child dressing himself in many layers, walking out into a cold dark morning toward the barn and pens to see how the animals fared in below freezing temperatures, all before school. These are images that seem nostalgic to this city girl, images seemingly set in the 1940s. However, I am pleased to report, that this sort of wistful daydream is alive and well. During my visits to the poultry shows to work on my book, I noticed a couple of adorable sandy-haired boys donning matching lab coats and carrying chickens. I asked to photograph them and the polite boys agreed. Another time I noticed a young man shadowing a judge. Only later did I learn that these kids were all related and that they were serious breeders in their own right. The Stoltman Family Heather and Mark Stoltman and their six children live on Logan Stoltman assists a show judge at the 2010 Eastern New a small farm in South Ostelic, in central New York; a region York State Poultry Association Show in Cobleskill, New York. known primarily for agriculture. The five-acre family farm Photo by Tamara Staples 84 Backyard Poultry The Stoltman children are active in showing more than just chickens, seen here winning 2011 Reserve Grand Champion at the New York State Fair Dairy Goat Open Show. Photo by Owen and Eli Stoltman show birds at the 2010 Eastern New York Heather Stoltman State Poultry Association Show in Cobleskill, New York. Photo by Tamara Staples shadowed by a licensed judge, then eventually the open shows. This sort of long-term commitment to the love of poultry is at the very heart of what makes The Fancy so special. Logan most likely will devote a large part of the rest of his life to the involvement, not only in judging and showing these exquisite birds, but also in the very preservation of breeds that might otherwise be lost forever. When asked about his favorite aspects of the hobby, Lo- gan replies in the best possible soon-to-be-judge answer: the distinctive shapes and color of each bird. Apart from admiring their beauty, Logan’s trademark is teaching the bird to pose. His technique involves a pointer and various treats, coaxing the bird into standing tall, holding its head at a flattering angle or fanning the tail feathers to show the full array of colors and patterns. Attitude is the mark of a competitive bird. On the way to the shows, the chickens are housed in boxes with soft bedding such as wood shavings and hay. When they The five oldest Stoltman children with blankets they had sewn for a 4-H project. Photo by Heather Stoltman arrive at the shows after a long drive, it’s time to put the birds in their cages, making sure they are fed and watered. This is one of the times that Eli’s special talents are most needed. Known for having an eye for detail, Eli will spy any extra dirt that might have gone unnoticed or reshape a twisted feather. Armed with his tools, he sets out with baby wipes to clean up any mishaps, making sure that the nostrils are free from dirt, that toenails have been clipped to the proper length. Before the judging, he carefully applies baby oil to the wattles, earlobes, and combs; this helps not only to bring out the brilliant red, but also maintains warmth during the winter shows. Heather proudly tells me that when Logan and Eli were 12, and 11, respectively, the show organizers asked that they begin to compete in the advanced youth leagues due to sweeping wins. In 2012, Logan’s Rhode Island Red cock won Reserve Best in Show in the open show at Syracuse, edging out some seasoned The Stoltman family raises a large variety of animals including breeders. The boys are clearly natural competitors, able to do various poultry, goats, sheep, hogs and cattle. Kaitlyn and Eli the hard work to get to Championship Row. In fact, they keep Stoltman wash a dairy heifer on their five-acre farm. Photo by The Standard of Perfection close by for speedy reference. Heather Stoltman April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 85 Kaitlyn and Rosie also love the birds, but act more as helpers at the shows. Kait- lyn attends SUNY Oneonta with the goal of one day becoming a game warden in Montana. Rosie’s interests lie more with horses and she began horse competitions in earnest last year. Owen admits he doesn’t love getting up at the crack of dawn to care for the animals. However, he is a strong competitor. Grab-N-Go Although not nearly as vocal about his poultry passion as his older brothers, he is still serious about his hobby, having won many awards in the youth division. Anna, the youngest by far, has already learned much from her older siblings. Al- though she shows in the junior league, her favorite pastime is strapping the chickens CHICK in her doll stroller and parading them around the farm. No doubt a fledgling master breeder. A White Crested Black Polish bantam owned by Teresa McGayhey, New Jersey. Photo The Family’s Favorite Breed: by Tamara Staples The Polish Bantam The kids have several chicken breeds. DAYS It is crucial for serious breeders to have see straight down and in limited amount will often see husband and wife out forag- hands-on experience with the varied types from side to side. When approached from ing in their favorite part of the garden. of poultry. When asked to pick a favorite, above, they are easily startled. Speaking of coupledom, Heather and The simple, natural way to get your a few days of contemplation were needed. The Polish pose a breeding challenge Mark Stoltman met when they were 9 and The final result was the White Crested because the full crest requires special care 10 years old, at a cattle show where they chicks off to a healthy start. Just grab a Black Polish bantam. This choice is not in everyday husbandry. Since the Polish were both competing. They each grew up convenient 7-lb. bag of NatureWise® feed and you’re surprising due to the breed’s unusual ap- have a thin skull, they are susceptible more on family-sized dairy farms and together pearance. These birds have an exquisite quickly to hypothermia in cold weather. managed several commercial dairies. ready to go. It’s complete, wholesome nutrition for healthy, shock of white feathers protruding directly The crest is an ideal breeding ground for Heather and Mark married in 1990. In growing chickens in one easy step. There’s no need for out of the skull, shooting in every direc- lice, so regular treatments with flea and addition to keeping a working farm, supplements — NatureWise® is a complete vegetarian diet tion. This bouffant crest of feathers is set tick spray are in order. If the crest happens Heather is a paralegal, part time church off with a bright red v-shaped comb, and to get wet, the good looks are lost and the secretary/treasurer, and Mark works at an and includes prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion, adding to its fashionable suit are the tight floppy wet feathers are a bother to the bird. auto parts store. so you can look forward to fresh, hard-shelled eggs. fitting, green-sheened black feathers that It is important to accommodate them with adorn the body. Well-curved tail sickle a dry and well-roofed house. Get more information on the Polish feathers round out this handsome look. Al- Although not reliable layers they chicken breed from “The Polish Ban- though the Polish are tame, their behavior tend to lay a nice sized egg in relation tam” and “The Polish Chicken: The See your local Nutrena® feed dealer for the NatureWise® can be considered a bit wacky due to the to their smallish body size. The birds are Royalty of Poultry” articles in the April/ feed that’s right for you. large crest limiting their vision. They can very sweet, making them excellent pets May 2007 Backyard Poultry or online and their stylish beauty, an impressive at www.backyardpoultrymag.com. The exhibition bird. Polish Breeders Club website is www. There remains a debate over the ori- polishbreedersclub.com. gins of the Polish bantam, however one thing is agreed upon: they did not origi- Tamara Staples is the author of The nate from Poland as their name implies. Fairest Fowl: Portraits of Championship Most people believe that the miniature Chickens, published in 2001. Her second form originated in either Russia or the book of chicken portraits, The Mag- Netherlands and developed further in nificent Chicken: Portraits of the Fairest England. Although the White Crested Fowl is now available. Get more informa- Black Polish are most commonly bred, tion at www.chroniclebooks.com. you can find the Polish in a variety of Enter for a chance to win free Nutrena® Poultry Feed other colors: black, white, laced blue, Tamara is a commercial photogra- cuckoo, black mottled and buff. pher who lives and works in New York or Happy Hen Treats, or This little fact might be my favorite: City. Visit www.tamarastaples.wordpress. the Polish bantam love coupledom. You com or www.tamarastaples.com. WIN A CHICKEN COOP!

ChickDays_GrabNGo-FP4C_Mag-B 1 2/6/13 2:29 PM

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ChickDays_GrabNGo-FP4C_Mag-B 1 2/6/13 2:29 PM

GRAB-N-GO JOB # CAN120097 DATE 2.6.13 INITIALS DATE CLIENT Cargill 4C B CD Mark H. HEADLINE Grab-N-Go Chick Days AD/DS Anthony L. LIVE 7.75" x 10.375" CW Steve K. TRIM 8.25" x 10.875" 1 BLEED 8.75" x 11.25" AM Callie W. MEDIA MAGAZINE PM Dianne Y. COLOR CMYK STAGE: CLIENT REVIEW C MYK Bo o k Re v i e w : her hens. Or so she claims in The Chicken Gladys, and Gladys. Yes, she has five Chronicles. (count them) Rhode Island Red hens all “Some humans think highly of big named Galdys. Why? Because she can’t brains,” she tells her chickens, “They tell them apart anyway, so why give them THE CHICKEN have done much damage to other crea- different names. tures because they think their own big Count them, did I say? brain is of major importance and any “Like the child that I still am,” says CHRONICLES being with a smaller brain is somehow Ms. Walker, “I count my chickens every deficient. For instance, your head is time I see them.” small and your brain as well. Yet they Oh, gosh! Don’t we all? Well, okay, I both seem adequate for what you appear don’t count the chickens in my big flock these days to enjoy most in life. Being of laying hens every time I see them. with your friends, eating well, sleeping The flock is too big and the hens move when you want to, enforcing or endur- too fast. But I do periodically sneak into ing the pecking order when you feel like the coop at night and count them while it, and making sounds that seem to this they’re sleeping. My pet Silkies, on the human to indicate, at the very least, a other hand, I do count every time I see sense of integrity of being, contentment, them. When one goes missing, I search and even, stretching it perhaps, a bit of for it in a panic. Like Ms. Walker, “I knew (chicken) humor.” something awful had happened.” This book is a fast read, with thirty- As the narrative goes along, the au- eight short chapters that are ideal for thor works in more and more commen- those of us who have to grab reading time tary on her world travels as an activist for in brief spurts. It’s far better than any peace and justice, as well as apologies for novel of fiction, full of colorful feathered her occasional meat-eating lapses as a characters named Gertrude Stein, Rufus, “mostly” vegetarian. Animal lovers likely Chicken Chronicles: Sitting with the An- and Gladys, and Gladys, and Gladys, and will take interest in her observations on gels Who Have Returned with My Mem- ories: Glorious, Rufus, Gertrude Stein, Splendor, Hortensia, Agnes of God, The Gladyses, & Babe by Alice Walker, 208 pp, paperback; The New Press, New Combs are the Coolest York, NY (www.thenewpress.com) $16.95 An excerpt from: The Chicken Chronicles by Alice Walker

[Mommy’s] next knoll over neighbor, Sue Hoya Sellers, the great painter, Re v i e w e d b y Ga i l Da m e r o w goat raiser, cheese maker, the best roaster of goat and chicken in the world, came to visit. She and Mommy took a stroll about the garden, picking collards and y mother grew up as the only kale and digging out a few potatoes and onions. Mommy of course wanted to girl in a houseful of brothers. brag about her girls. Oh, she said, they are laying. At least some of them. My grandmother raised chickens M Do you know which ones? asked Sue, her head cocked and her bright blue and none of the boys wanted anything eyes giving her an adorable chickenlike countenance. to do with them, so it fell to my mother I don’t, said Mommy, somewhat wistfully. She didn’t really care, and still to catch, kill, and pluck chicken din- it would have been nice to know. ners. As a result, my mother developed Well, said Sue, here’s how you tell. Mommy has learned so much from Sue! an aversion to any chicken that didn’t She waited with joy. come from the supermarket. At the age Sue reached down and picked up Rufus. See her red comb? she said. Then of 93 she died having never experienced she put Rufus down and picked up Hortensia. Mommy never writes about the joy of keeping chickens of her own. Hortensia. But there she was. A striking vision of black and gold, with less And, of course, she never understood orange and more yellow in her neck and ruffle. my own fascination. This one, said Sue. Hortensia, said Mommy. Novelist and poet Alice Walker, best This one isn’t laying. See how pale her comb is? known as the author of The Color Purple, Mommy looked closely. It was true. Rufus’s comb was fiery red; Hortensia’s also grew up in a chicken-keeping house- merely pink. hold and from the age of eight or nine When they start to lay, said Sue, putting Hortensia back on the ground, their her job was to “chase down the Sunday combs turn. Isn’t that the coolest? dinner chicken and wring its neck.” Mommy agreed. It sure was. She was wondering all kinds of things. For Unlike my mother, Ms. Walker came instance, in humans, what was the equivalent of the comb? Had hers, whatever around later in life and bought into the it was, turned? chicken-keeping craze to the extent that when she’s traveling she writes letters to 88 Backyard Poultry the chained elephants she encounters in chickens. “Their house smells sweet,” India, but not everyone will appreciate she says, “which amazes me every time. such digressions as two chapters eulogiz- It smells sweet, because of the hay that ing “Saint” Michael Jackson. covers the washable concrete floor and Too, she is occasionally mystified fills the nests, and because of the lumber by chicken behavior and, as a pacifist, used to build everything, and because is particularly appalled by the pecking their poop basically comes from fruit and order. At one point she banishes Rufus vegetable matter. I treasure the poop and after discovering the hen was bullying always praise and thank them for it. In the Gertrude Stein, not taking into consid- spring, after winter composting (maybe eration that as long as you have at least two winters because chicken poop is so two chickens one will always be at the hot) it will go on the vegetable beds. We top of the pecking order and one will be have a working team here, I often tell at the bottom. them.” The author swings back and forth Amen to that! between addressing herself as “I,” “she,” and “Mommy.” I got the biggest kick out of the following “Mommy” passage, because it reminded me of my neighbor who makes a distinction between clean dirt and dirty dirt: “Gertrude Stein... was scratching deep into the dust bowl she’d made and fluffing her feathers until they were saturated with dust. It was so lovely to Mommy that chickens had sense enough to know clean dirt wasn’t dirty. That you could bathe in it.” If you enjoy spending hours hanging out with your chickens, you’ll enjoy hanging out with Ms. Walker and her

April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 89 Just For Fun: Boy, was I off the mark. Isolated? Not a chance. Smelly? Sometimes, if the wind is right. Boots? I still haven’t bought myself a pair of boots, even though they might be worth it one of these days for tromping out to the chair workshop, the pumpkin patch or the chicken coop. Farm Yep, you heard me correctly. In the last four years, my Days in-laws have taken their big stone farmhouse, barn, and land, and turned it into one multi-faceted operation. They run Peer- less Rattan, a caning and weaving supply business out of their home, and they also repair hand caned, pressed cane, rush, splint, Danish cord, and wide binding chairs for individuals and furniture repair shops all over the state. They turned a back field into a pumpkin patch where they grow pumpkins, decorative gourds, and ornamental corn. But it is the chicken coop that has made the biggest impact on my kids. They started with their first batch of chicks in 2009, and the kids were absolutely enthralled with watching them grow from fluffy balls of feathers into teenagers with scraggly feathers into full grown hens with bushy tails. And once they started laying eggs? It was fascinating for the kids (and me) to go “check The Hammonds sell their crops and eggs off the farm, and the the eggs.” Every visit was filled with learning new things about grandchildren get a big thrill out of “checking the money box” chickens. Did you know that different varieties of chickens lay that sits next to the pumpkin stand. different colored eggs? Or that the first eggs a chicken lays are teeny-tiny? Or that when chickens molt, their feathers grow back By raCheL haMMonD in looking first like gigantic pins sticking out of their backsides? MiChigan And that while they are molting, they stop laying eggs? Since 2009, my in-laws have added a new batch of chickens have always lived in suburbia, so my interactions with each year, another coop, and an expanded yard for them to hang any sort of “farm life” were pretty limited. I think one out, bringing their total number of chickens to 40. That means of my childhood friends had horses…my grandpa had they are gathering probably around a dozen and a half eggs aI big strawberry patch…but that was about it. So, when a day, packaging the blue, green, brown, and white eggs into my husband’s parents announced in 2007 that they were cartons, and selling them to neighbors, friends, and passersby going to move from the outskirts of Detroit to a big stone that see their “Eggs” sign out by the road. One time while we farmhouse in Southwest Michigan with a barn, a few acres were visiting, a woman came to buy eggs, but their last two of land, and surrounded by fields of corn, I didn’t know dozen had just been sold a half an hour earlier. She needed just what to expect. My only impressions of a farm were that a few to make a cake, so my mother-in-law literally walked out they were isolated, smelly, and I would have to invest in a to the barn to see if the chickens had laid any eggs. She came good pair of boots. up with four or five, and the woman snapped them up. If you have never tasted “farm fresh eggs” you don’t know what you’re missing. The yolks are firm with a sunny yellow color, and a bright flavor to match. My daughter refuses to eat any eggs that aren’t “farm fresh,” and I don’t blame her. I feel the same way!

when grandchildren, Madison Hammond and Josiah McClelland, visit the Hammond Farm, they are enthralled by the chickens. They help feed the flock, and collect the eggs.

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I am so thankful for this little slice of farm life that my kids are able to experience. I love that they can go collect eggs and then come in and mix them into cake batter. I love that they can watch the pumpkins turn from green to orange, peel ears of corn, and pick tomatoes, zucchini, and watermelon out of the garden for us to take home. It is our life, and it’s getting a little bit greener… one farm fresh egg at a time.

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April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 91 youth: Minute Mystery “Gerrrrr-trude, come quick! The pond monster is in the barn!” Duke Strutsmore, the BB Red rooster pecked my feet, taking me away from a rather lovely dream in- volving a feed sack and that hunky movie star goose, Ryan Gosling. “…yes I’ll have another…nom, nom… ouch!” I opened my eyes. “Duke, what are you doing?” “Something weird is going on in the barn. It’s glowing like the pond monster is in there!” “I’ve been through this before, Duke.” Yawn. “Now go back to sleep, and let me find my dream date.” The little pipsqueak latched onto my big toe and I hopped off the roosting bar. “What in tarnation—“ I stared at his beady little eyes and that pointy beak… and decided a stroll past the barn might be Hello, Poultry Pals! good for my aching toe. The coop is starting to have that feeling it gets just before sunrise when the rooster I perched at the threshold of the coop door flaps his wings, puffs his chest and prepares for something big. Only the coop feels and gazed toward the barn. Hmm...there did like that all day right now. The muck under the roosting bars has been scooped out, appear to be a soft glow. Maybe the Duke our scratch mixture has changed, and nesting boxes are being freshened up (and wasn’t so hard boiled after all. some hens are even considering adding curtains). Rattle-rattle-buzz-ding—Chick As I waddled to the door a shadow flick- hatching season is upon us! Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year. ered against the wall. The light was dim, but Keep your roost rockin’, Gertrude McCluck, C.i.C. something was definitely lurking in there. I peered in to see a figure open the incubator door and remove two eggs! My hackles raised, but as C.I.C. I’ve learned attacking is A Flock of Flower Pot Chickens not always the best plan. These whimsical planters will brighten up your house or porch and are easy to make! I crept along the wall to the back of the barn and hopped onto the seat of the tractor. The Materials: scene I surveyed reminded me of the old • self-drying clay (Crayola Model Magic, black and white movie, “Dr. Frankenfeather.” 1 variety pack, 1 terra cotta pkg.) On the long workbench lay all kinds of • 3-1/2" terra cotta pot (for hen or rooster) shiny tools and sharp implements of torture. • empty K-cup, clean (for chick) On the center was a box with light coming • black permanent marker (optional) through the small hole on top. The “doctor” put an egg on it and...it glowed! An electric Instructions: egg—who’d have thought? 1. For a Buff Orpington rooster as shown, I pulled out my trusty spy glass to see the form two ovals for the wings from the terra first egg had a dark spot in the center and spi- cotta clay and squeeze lightly over the rim der-like veins inside. “Dr. F” removed it and of the pot. Choose a tail feather color and roll several pieces of clay into 1/2-inch put the second egg on the hole. It was clear strands and attach by pressing onto the pot. inside and glowed even more that the last 2. Choose a beak color and make a small pyramid shape. Form it into a beak and gen- one. He put the first egg back in the incuba- tly press onto the pot. Form six small toes the same way, and place at the bottom of the tor, and then—my stomach flip-flopped—he pot, three on each side. Roll two balls of black for eyes and attach. Form a comb and threw the clear one in the garbage can! wattles from the clay and attach as shown. Oh the inhumanity (or would that be ’in- If desired, make “c” marks on the pot to simulate feathers with a permanent marker. 3. avian-ity’) of it! I contemplated executing For a fluffier looking pot, cover the sides of the pot with a thin layer of clay, making 4. my kung-pow chicken ninja attack. If I feather texture by sticking a fingernail or edge spoon lightly onto the surface of the started with a “hi-yah” and … clay. Continue with the other features in the same manner as above. “Hey, Gertrude. You’re up late.” 5. For the chick seedling planter, cover the sides of the plastic cup with a thin layer of yellow clay, then add facial features and wings as shown. Wha – ? It wasn’t a pond monster, it was my farmer. Good thing I didn’t go chicken- 6. Let clay dry for 24 hours before planting anything in it, being careful to keep dirt off the clay as much as possible. Pot will last one summer outside or a couple of years ninja on her. indoors. If any piece falls off in the drying process reattach with glue. I put the information into my bird brain. Rattle- rattle-buzz...gosling, no—rattle-rattle-buzz... There are many ways to personalize your flower pot chicken. Show off your finished ding! I knew what was going on in the barn. creations by sending jpeg photos to [email protected]. Photos may or may Do you? not be published in a future issue of Backyard Poultry. Answer On Next Page 92 Backyard Poultry Find a path through the maze to put the eggs into the incubator! Jokes…Get the Yolk? Q. What is a chick’s favorite pizza topping? A. Peep-aroni! Q. What’s a chick’s favorite snack? A. Corn chips! Q. Why do chickens think cooks are mean? A. They beat eggs!

Fun Facts: • The little bump on the tip of a duck’s bill is called a bean. • The long bone that runs between the breast muscle and down the underside of a chicken is called a keel bone. This is an apt name as the keel is the main structural element of a ship. It stretches along the center line of a ship’s bottom from the bow to the stern. • While frizzling shows up commonly in 25% of Cochins, it appears in other chicken Baack Talk breeds as well. The Sebastopol goose, wWhat i hat iss tthishis however, is the only breed of waterfowl chickenduck that is frizzled. thinkisaying?ng?

Minute Mystery Answer: The eggs were being candled. Eggs are normally tested after 5-7 days of incubation to see if they have a chance of becoming a chick or not. Because temperature is so important the eggs can’t be out of the incubator more than a few minutes, or on top of the light source for very long or they get too hot. Eggs are like Goldilocks — not too hot or too cold, they like Photo courtesy of it just right. Open (unfertilized) eggs David King, Pennsylvania need to be thrown away so that they don’t explode inside the incubator MAilil your caption idea by April 15 along with your name, town and or contaminate the other eggs. Ger- state to Baack Talk, 15154 w 231st St., Spring Hill, KS 66083 OR trude reported to Duke S. that she E-MAilil to [email protected]. Selection for publication in had vanquished the pond monster a future issue will be at the discretion of Backyard Poultry. Name, town and that all chickens and eggs were and state will be printed with response unless otherwise requested. in their appropriate places. She then returned to the roosting bar in search A few favorites from Feb./March Issue: of a dream. • “PULLET, PULLET, PULL IT!!!!!!”—Bon- nie Norris, Indiana • “We are going to win the ‘Id-egg-arod’ in Gertrude McCluck, Chicken Alaska!”—Jared Balser, Utah in Charge is assisted by chicken wrangler Cyndi Gern- • “I don’t know where I am going, but at least hart. Find out more about I know where I’ve been.”—Harold Fine, Washington Gertrude and her book series for • “While dashing through the snow, in a one person sleigh…”—Jennifer children and other fun activities at: Nery, Wisconsin www.GertrudeMcCluck.net April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 93

Backyard Poultry Breeders Directory Have birds for sale? Advertise in the Backyard Poultry Breeders Directory for less than $4.50 a month. Your ad will be seen by more than 100,000 poultry enthusiasts who read every issue. Fill out the order form and return it today!

SERAMA COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA, Jerry North Carolina Associations Schexnayder, 504-621-0596. SONBURST FARM, LLC, Weaver, Salisbury, North Carolina. 704-638-6533. Hatching eggs shipped. Chicks, laying hens, receive a Handbook & quarterly Bulletins and are Sutton, Sec./Treas., 1901 N. 181st Hwy., Sylvan Grove, pullets, cockerels–local pickup. NPIP# 55-1068. eligible for club awards. Yearly dues are $10/junior, KS 67481. 785-526-7449. $12/individual and $18/family. Cochins Michael Muenks, Secretary/Treasurer, 33878 Highway 87, California, MO 65018-3911. Ameraucana New York AMERICAN BRAHMA CLUB, Candy Prince, JAMIE'S COCHIN'S, Jamie Matts, 283 State Hwy. 235, Sec./Treas., 6291 S. 25 Rd., Boon, MI 49618. Michigan Harpursville, NY 13787. 607-725-7390. Chick Hatchery, ChickHatchery.com, John aol.com> Show quality Promoting the birds. Majestic Ones! USA & Canada Membership dues: W. Blehm, Birch Run, Michigan. Bantam Adults/Partnership/Farm $20/yr., US Juniors $10/yr., chickens: buff, lavender & silver Ameraucana. all other memberships $30/yr. Large fowl chickens: buff, lavender, silver & black Dominique Ameraucana and partridge, buff & white Chantecler. ARAUCANA CLUB OF AMERICA. Promoting the Georgia tufted, rumpless, blue egg laying Araucana. $20 annual American Game Bantams BOB’S BIDDIES HATCHERY,LLC, Bob Berry, 2155 dues includes quarterly newsletter, breeders guide, Weaver Dr., Ray City, GA 31645. 229-455-6437. and Araucana Handbook. Mail inquiries to: Araucana Colorado Professionally raised chicks–Rhode Island Carolina 29670-9727. Visit our website and forum: Reds, Dominiques, Buff Orpingtons, Delawares and Rosen, 59221 E. U.S. Hwy. 50, Boone, CO 81025. 719-947-3006. [email protected] http://rosenagb. New Hampshire Reds. Available late fall 2012-–Dena’s CHANTECLER FANCIERS INTERNATIONAL, webs.com. AGB’s in BB Red, Golden Duckwing and Special and Ameracanas. All natural feed, sexed & Mike Gilbert, Secretary, W5171 Baker Rd., Silver Duckwing. Koklass Pheasants and Erckel’s shipped all year. NPIP Certified. Disabled owned/ Holmen, WI 54636. 608-857-3386 (Call be- Francolins. We ship nationwide by USPS Express operated business. fore 9 PM CST.) Mail. THESE ARE SHOW BIRDS–NOT FIGHTING CHICKENS! We do not have a catalog. Freedom Ranger COCHIN’S INTERNATIONAL CLUB, Jamie Matts Sec/ Pennsylvania Treas., 283 State Hwy. 235, Harpursville, NY 13787. Araucana 607-725-7390. Three newsletters a year and a breeder’s direc- South Carolina Fox, 190 N. Blainsport Rd., Reinholds, PA 17569. 717-336-4878, Fax:717-336-3711. com>Freedom Ranger chickens. DOMINIQUE CLUB OF AMERICA. Boosting Ameri- True rumpless Araucana chicks. Hatching and ship- ca’s Oldest Breed Since 1973. Large fowl and ban- ping weekly March thru November. Also Amerauca- Game Birds tam. $10 annual dues. Contact: Tracey Rodenbach, nas, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes & Red Shoulder President, 61 Difficult Rd., Pleasant Shade, TN 31745. Yokohamas. Indiana Aseels WOODSIDE AVIARY, James Kotterman, Peru, Indiana. GUINEA FOWL BREEDERS ASSOCIATION. GFBA 765-985-2805. PHEASANT ENTHUSIASTS check this will encourage, support, and educate people as to the out! Displaying full color the Golden Pheasant, Ghigi Pennsylvania benefits in raising guinea fowl and provide information Golden, Lady Amherst, Silvers, Swinehoe, Impeyan, and support to those who own or plan to own them. GREEN VALLEY STABLES, Joe Ambrose, PO Box Temminck Tragopan, Brown Ear & Blue Ear. No brochure 511, Vanderbilt, PA 15486. INTERNATIONAL WATERFOWL BREEDERS AS- 100% Pure Aseel and Red Jungle Fowl hatching eggs. Minnesota SOCIATION, Promoting the breeding, exhibition, $50 per dozen including shipping. OAKWOOD GAME FARM, INC., PO Box 274, Princ- and management of all types of domestic and wild eton, MN 55371. 800-328-6647. We sell day-old pheasant and chukar partridge newsletters, and all association perks. U.S Annual Barred Plymouth Rock chicks and eggs. Ask about our new smaller quantities Dues—Adult: Individual $20, Junior $15, Family $25, on eggs and chicks. Life $300, International members add $5 to U.S fees. North Carolina Contact Chris Ervay 4202 Optimist Farm Road, Apex, BILLY PLACE FARM, Cynthia Glasscoe, East Bend, Wisconsin NC 27539. Ph. 919-880-8538 or e-mail: Neuseriver North Carolina. 336-699-2677. Barred Plymouth Rocks, Dominiques, Black 800-216-9917. Indian Red Junglefowl, Guineas, Sec./Treas., 28181 Chickadee Ln., Pequot Lakes, Peacocks. Ducks: Mandarin, Ringed Teal, Whistling MN 56472. 218-963-6117. Promoting Jersey Mute, Australian Black, Trumpeter, Whooper, Black Giants with newsletters including informative articles, Kentucky Necked. Quail: Northern Bobwhite, Jumbo Bobwhite, annual Members Directory and awards at club meets. Texas A & M, Valley, Gambel, Blue Scale, Mountain, U.S. Yearly Dues–Individual $15; Family $20. U.S. PATHFINDERS FARM, P.O. Box 35, Williamstown, Mearns. Partridge: Chukar, Hungarian. Ringneck 3 Years Dues–Individual $40; Family $55. Interna- KY 41097. 859-801-6081. Cross, Melantistic Mutant. Ornamental Pheasants: Dollars). International 3 Years Dues–Individual $55; Exhibition Quality Buckeyes in large fowl. Chicks Red Golden, Yellow Golden, Blue Eared, Brown Family $70 (U.S. Dollars). and started birds. Eared, Lady Amherst, Silver, Timminicks Tragopans. Wild Turkeys: Eastern and Merriams. PALM BEACH COUNTY POULTRY FANCIERS AS- Missouri SOCIATION, Marie Reddy, Newsletter/Web Site, 3331 J SQUARED FARMS, 816-586-2262, We raise Guineas fanciers.com> A dedicated group of poultry breeders Buckeyes & only Buckeyes! Rare, heritage, dual and enthusiasts that believe in the advancement of purpose. Day old chicks ship October–May. Limited Iowa poultry breeding and exhibition. Dues are $20/yr. supply. Not flock bred. WINTERS GUINEA FARM, Ralph Winter, 21363 94 Backyard Poultry White Pine Ln., New Vienna, IA 52065. 563-853-4195. Bobwhite Quail. Eggs: $11.75/12, $23.50/24, $49/50. Laced Red Wyandotte, Blue Orpington, Blue Splash Postpaid. Marans, Buff Brahma, Golden Cuckoo Marans, Golden Guinea fowl, Peafowl. Laced Wyandotte, Golden Lakenvelder, Golden Pol- North Carolina ish, Golden Sebright, Light Brahma, Light Sussex, Jersey Giants GEORGE PARKER, 768 Moores Ln., Lumberton, NC Mille Fleur D’Uccle, New Hampshire Red, Partridge 28358. 910-374-8176 or 910-738-7432. Quail Eggs: Penedesenca, Porcelain D’Uccle, Pumpkin Hulsey Bobwhite, Tennesse Red, Mexican Speckled, Georgia Gamefowl, Red Silkie, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Indiana Giant. Will ship small quantities of eggs. Send self Silver Lakenvelder, Silver Sebright, Silver Spangled MARIA’S JERSEY GIANTS, since 1976, Maria Hall, 7030 addressed stamped envelope for price list. Hamburg, Speckled Sussex, Welsummer, Wheaten S. Bloomington Trail, Underwood, IN 47177. 812-752- Ameraucana, Wheaten Marans, Wheaten Penedes- 7825. Quality Gentle Giant Blues, Splash & Black Sebrights colors, chicks, started birds & adults. Shipping. California Florida CHICKEN RIDDLE, Bridget, 3030 Orestimba Rd., New- Leghorns BLACKBURN’S QUALITY BANTAMS, Wayne Black- man, CA 95360. 209-485-1413. No catalog! Large Fowl: Shamo, Buttercup, Sebrights: Golden, Silver & Buff; Wyandottes: Silver Michigan Salmon Faverolle, Minorca, Sumatras, Barnvelders, Laced & Golden Laced. White Ameracanas, Light Sussex. Will sell show quality DESTINY FARMS HATCHERY, 13078 Windy Hollow and non-show quality teens and adults. Dr., Milford, MI 48380. 517-285-6558. Specializing in the BEST egg layers around! FEATHERHILLS FARM, Tony Albritton, 16405 Orchard ISA Browns & White Leghorns. Louisiana Ave., Caldwell, ID 83607. 509-995-7284. All bred to the Standard of Perfection. Marans PO Box 159, Vacherie, LA 70090. 225-265-2238. Large Fowl: Barred Plymouth Rock, Speckled Sussex, White Wyandotte, Silver Leghorn, Rhode Island Red. Illinois Serama. Bantam: White Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, White Leghorn. Narragansett Turkey, Pilgrim Geese. MARANS CROSS LAYERS, Gary Underwood, 2404 Oklahoma NPIP#91-121. S. Simmons Rd., Stockton, IL 61085. 815-947-2359. JUNEBUG’S SILKIED SERAMAS, June Suhm, 214 N. Service Rd., Moore, OK 73160. 405-620-2332. Illinois ANDY ANDERSON, 17496 E. 1000 Rd., Mt. Carmel, Ohiki Silkied Seramas. IL 62863. 618-262-8389. Call after 6 PM. Hatching eggs–$17 per dozen freight paid. Wyandotte bantams: Oregon Georgia Partridge, Buff, Blue Laced, Black, Golden Laced, ONAGADORI SOUTH FEATHER FARM, Toni-Marie OREGON OUTBACK SERAMAS, Sue Apple- Columbian. Buff Orpington. Old English: Brown Red, Astin, Monroe, Georgia. 770-267-3648. Cell: 404-952- gate, 1018 Chapman Rd., Gilchrist, OR 97737. Spangled, Wheaten, Mille Fleur. 9238, CHICKEN SCRATCH POULTRY, Larry & Angela bantamlongtails.com> Imported in 2002, 9 years of McEwen, RR3 Box 44, McLeansboro, IL 62859. selective breeding to introduce the Ohiki into the hobby. South Carolina 618-643-5602. Coronation clean leg Cochin with long dragging saddles & tails. PIXIE CHICK SERAMAS, Juliette Heerlein, 2445 Rockland Ave., Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487. Copper Marans, Blue Copper Marans, Blue Laced Red Orpingtons Wyandotte, Welsummers, Blue Ameraucana, Black Silkies Ameraucana, Rumpless Araucana, Olive Egger. Illinois Iowa BRUSHY CREEK ORPINGTONS, Illinois. Shipping Massachusetts day-old chicks throughout U.S. Lavender, Blue/Black/ COUNTY LINE HATCHERY, 2977 Linn Buchanan Splash, & Lavender Mottled! Also on Facebook. NPIP. Rare and fancy peafowl, guineas, farm.com> Hatching eggs–Champion Silkies–Master chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, bantams and more. Peafowl Exhibitor, Breeder, NPIP#1299. Featuring Showgirls & Silkies. Most economical and Turkeys diverse poultry assortment available. Iowa SCHLECHT FARM & HATCHERY, 9749 500th Ave., THE PEACOCK INFORMATION CENTER, Dennis Miles, IA 52064. 563-682-7865. Poultry: MEADOW RIDGE FARM, Brad Myers, 4893 Tree Cornish Rock, Brown Leghorn, Blue Laced Red Wy- Peahen eggs, Peacock DVDs. Farm Rd., Pequot Lakes, MN 56472. 218-568-5680. andotte, Golden Lace Wyandotte, Sex-Link, Rhode Bourbon Red & Royal Palm turkeys. Hatching eggs, Island Red, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, Americauna. Pigeons poults, breeding stock. NPIP. Bantams: White Laced Red Cornish. Ducks: Mallard, White Mallard, Rouen, Khaki-Cambell, Pekin, Fawn & Oregon White Indian Runners. Goslings: White Emblem. Arkansas MIKE’S MIDGET WHITES, Mike Omeg, 2965 Dry CEDAR MIST LOFT, Mike Owen, 601A Acklin Gap Hollow Ln., The Dalles, OR 97058. 541-288-7253. WELP HATCHERY, Box 77, Bancroft, IA 50517. Rd., Conway, AR 72032. 501-329-2377. Midget White Turkeys. 1-800-458-4473. Specializ- boxesfor birds.com> Rare breeds of pigeons & fowl. ing in Cornish Rock broilers. Also offering baby chicks, USPS approved live bird shipping boxes. Wisconsin ducklings, goslings, bantams, exotics, turkeys, Guin- LIBERTY TURKEY FARM, Kent Haroldson, 642 Perry eas, pheasants. Free catalog. MC/Visa/Discover. Polish Center Rd., Mount Horeb WI 53572. 608-333-1997. Bourbon Red, Royal WESTHOFF POULTRY, Zachary Westhoff, 102 Wren, Palm, Narragansett poults & breeding stock Ames, IA 50010. Iowa Exhibition WESTHOFF POULTRY, Zachary & Jill Westhoff, Various Buckeyes, Dominques, Javas, Wyandottes, Hamburgs, 102 Wren, Ames, IA 50010. Lakenvelders, Campines, Australorps, Cochins, Leg- I sell and horns, Crevecoeur, plus many more, all show quality. Arkansas raise laying hens/pullets, and around 50 breeds of Maryland show quality chickens. GABBARD FARMS, Arkansas. Hatching eggs, chicks & poultry sup- WHITMORE FARM, Emmitsburg, Maryland. Shipping Quail plies. Ameraucana/Araucana, Ancona, Appenzeller day-old chicks March thru October. Show quality lines, Spitzhauben, Barnevelder, Lavender Ameraucana, excellent egg color, selected for performance. Black and Barnevelder (bantam), Barred Plymouth Rock, Black Blue Ameraucana, Ancona, Delaware, Black Copper Massachusetts Ameraucana, Black Australorp, Black Copper Marans, and Blue Copper Marans, Welsummer. Photographs, ANTONIO R. FERREIRA, JR., 49 Chestnut St., Blue Ameraucana, Blue Andalusian, Blue Birchen pricing and online ordering at . E-mail

April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 95

Michigan R.C. Leghorns: Light Brown, Black & White; White Montana CEDAR CREEK HATCHERY, 5840 Sweeter Rd., Faced Black Spanish, R.C. Mottled Ancona. Black ZERO MONTANA HATCHERY, Barry Davis, 1261 Twin Lake, MI 49457. 231-821-0670, Chickens: Rhode Island Non-Bearded Silver, Golden and Buff Laced Polish, Chickens, ducks, geese, guineas. Reds, Golden Comets, California Gray Leghorns, Pearl Crevecoeur, La Fleche, Salmon Faverolle, Welsum- White Leghorns, Buckeyes, Silver Laced Wyandotte, mers, Silver Campine, Golden Campine, Laken- North Carolima Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Turkins, Americaunas, velder, Silver Penciled Hamburg, Golden Penciled SUMNER-BYRD FARM, INC., Roy Sum- Delaware, Light Brahma, Dark Brahma, Buff Brahma, Hamburg, Bearded White Polish, Golden Spangled ner & David Byrd, 4241 Moonrise Dr., Holly Barred Rocks, White Rocks, Black Javas, Mottled Ja- Hamburg. Black Sumatra, Black Breasted Red Springs, NC 27540. 919-372-9529. Cornish/Rock Cross, Cedar Creek Bluebell Superlay- Black Ameraucana, Silver Duckwing Ameraucana, Chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas and ers, Lavender Orpingtons, Double-Barred Lemon Silver Phoenix. Bantam: Black Old English. Modern quail. Cuckoo Orpingtons, Speckled Sussex, Coronation Games: Brown Red, Birchen, Red Pyle and Black Sussex, French Black Copper Marans, French Blue Breasted Red. Silver Penciled Rock, Red Naked Oklahoma Copper Marans, French Blue Splash Marans, French Neck, White Naked Neck, S.C. Rhode Island Red, COUNTRY HATCHERY, Matthew Smith, PO Box Wheaten Marans, French Golden Cuckoo Marans, S.C. Leghorns: White, Dark Brown, Light Brown; 747, Wewoka, OK 74884. 405-257-1236. Black & White Pied, Blue & White Pied, Polish, Bearded White, Bearded Golden Polish, Turkeys, Ducks, Quail, Peacocks. Chocolate and White Muscovies, Pekins, Swed- Bearded Buff Laced Polish, Wheaton Ameraucana, ish, Anconas, White Mallards, Grey Mallards, TOWNLINE POULTRY FARM, INC., Box 108, Zee- White Crested Blue Polish, Buckeye. Cochins: Khaki Campbells, White Runners, Crested, land, MI 49464. 888-685-0040. 616-772-6514. Poultry: Isa-Brown, Rhode Island Reds, Langshan, Black Frizzle, White Frizzle, Bearded Buff and Egyptian Goslings; Guinea Keets; White & California Grey Leghorn, Barred Rock, Araucana, White Silkie, Bearded Mille Fleur. Geese: Canadian, Black Silkies; Standard White Cornish, Blue & Buff Buff Orpingtons, Black Sex-Link, Black Australorps, Egyptian. Ducks: Muscovy: Black, Blue, White and Orpingtons, Blue Old English, Red Pyle Old English, Cornish-Rock cross, New Hampshire, Golden Lace Chocolate. Turkeys: Narragansett, Black, Bourbon Indian Red Jungle Fowl, Reds, Australorps, Brahmas, Wyandottes, Silver Wyandotte & Light Brahmas. Red, Slate, Wild Turkeys, Royal Palm, Beltsville Ameraucanas, White Leghorns and Barred Rocks; Ducks, geese, turkeys & pheasants. White Turkeys, Standard Bronze Turkeys. Standard Bronze, Chocolate, Beltsville White and Minnesota Missouri Bourbon Red Turkeys; Pharoah Coturnix Quail. SUNNY CREEK FARMS, Don Schirrick, 15378 ANDERS POULTRY FARM, Travis Anders, 23312 E. Pennsylvania 160th St. SW., Red Lake Falls, MN 56750. 218-253- 327th St., Harrisonville, MO 64701. 816-830-9006. HORSTMAN’S POULTRY, Dick Horstman, 5 S Kings 2291. Free catalog. All Large Fowl: Buckeye; Buff Eggs – chicks – adults. Large Fowl: Crested Black Polish; Rhode Island Red; Delaware; Partridge & Silver Penciled Rocks; Blue Orpington; URCH/TURNLUND POULTRY, 2142 NW 47 Ave., Barred Rock. Bantams: Ohiki; Silver Phoenix; White SC & RC Rhode Island Red; WC Black Polish; Red Owatonna, MN 55060-1071. 507-451-6782. Large Phoenix; Black Wyandotte; White Old English. Ship- Dorking; Goldlaced & Silverlaced Cochin. Bantam: fowl: Wyandottes: White, Golden Laced, Buff, ping day old chicks year round. Black, Silver Penciled, Partridge, & Columbian; Barred & White Rock; Buff & Dark Brahma; Goldlaced Mottled Java, Black Java, S.C. Rhode Island Red, CACKLE HATCHERY, PO Box 529, & Columbian Cochin; White Araucana; Bearded R.C. Rhode Island Red, Black Giant, White Giant. Lebanon, MO 65536. 417-532-4581. Silver Polish. Dominiques, Buckeyes and Rhode Island White, Dark Brahma, Cochins: Black, Blue, White, Buff & 75 years South Carolina Partridge; Black Langshan, White Langshan. S.C. of hatching and shipping baby chicks. Free Color HT AUSTIN, 1766 Homestead Rd., Bowman, SC Leghorns: Buff, Black, Dark Brown, Silver & White; Catalog, 186 varieties. 29018. 803-308-1203. Hatching eggs/dozen. Assorted rare pheasant eggs selected from 8 breeds. Available March - June, $65. Call Duck egg assortment: Gray, Blue Fawn, Snowy, Breeders Directory Order Form $58. Bantam egg assortments: Sebrights–Golden, Silver, Buff; Polish–Black, Blue, Buff, Golden; Silkies– Classification/Breed:______Lavender, Buff, Gray, Barred, Red, $38. Vermont Your Farm Name:______DOG RIVER BANTAMS, Mark Podgwaite, PO Box 331, Northfield, VT 05663. 802-225-8344. Eggs, started and mature birds in White and Black Cochins and Barred Rock Address:______Bantams. Call Ducks. City, State, Zip:______Wisconsin BUTCH’S BIRDS POULTRY FARM, Airling Gunder- Phone Number:______son, N6465 Schwantz Rd., Pardeeville, WI 53954. 608-429-9960. Geese, ducks, chickens, NPIP. OUR FLY BABIES BACKYARD CHICKENS, Bob & Additional Words:______Pam Bendixen, 6182 Bluff Rd., Bancroft, WI 54921. 715-252-0422. < bob@ourflybabies-chickensforsale. One Year Directory Listing (6 issues) $ 50.00 com> Am- eraucana, Andalusian, Copper Marans, Old English, Mail this Penedesenca, Phoenix, Serama, Silkie, Swedish form along Additional Words $1.50 each: $ _____ Flower Hens, Welsummer, Wyandotte. with your PURELY POULTRY, PO Box 466, Fre- payment to: Total amount enclosed: $ _____ mont, WI 54940. 800-216-9917. 300 varieties: chickens, bantams, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas, peafowl, swans, pheasants, Backyard Poultry ornamental pheasants, chukars and quail. 145 Industrial Drive, Medford, WI 54451 SUNNYSIDE HATCHERY, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. 920-887-2122. Shipping to North Central U.S. only. Phone: 800-551-5691 • Fax: 715-785-7414 • E-mail: [email protected] Jumbo broilers, Leghorns, Blacks, Browns, turkeys & ducklings.

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Backyard Poultry Mag (Premier).indd 1 2/20/13 11:26 AM Visit our website or call for Products that our unique booklets—FREE! Please... PoultryNet Feeders & Waterers It’s a prefabricated electrifi ed The Eco feeder and Combination fence (see above) that: waterer (above) are just 2 out of 48 • Fences in non-fl ying poultry feeders and waterers that we offer. (chickens, ducks and geese). Check out our catalogs and website • Fence out dogs, foxes, coyotes, for more backyard poultry products. raccoons, opossum and skunks. Fence Catalog Poultry Catalog A roll can be installed/removed/ Also available… moved in a few minutes without • Heat lamps tools. Only hand tension is required. • Nest boxes Free Shipping! Arrives at your door as a complete • Feed grinders & shellers on qualifi ed internet orders. roll—but needs to be electrifi ed with • Egg handling supplies See our website for details. an energizer. (Energizer and corner • Books posts sold separately.) …and much more. A 164 ft roll (which includes the plastic line posts) weighs less than 15 lbs. Choice of 42" or 48" heights About Premier? and either step-in or push-in ground For 35 years we’ve offered proven spikes for the posts. products fi eld tested on our farms. Note: Not effective with baby chicks that We’re famous for our integrity, our are small enough to crawl through the 2"x3" service and our unique catalogs— net openings. which are “saturated” with www.premier1supplies.com information and photos. 800-282-6631 • Washington, IA

April/May 2013 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 99

Backyard Poultry Mag (Premier).indd 1 2/20/13 11:26 AM 86 Backyard Poultry