Backyard February/March, 2009
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Volume 4, Number 1 Backyard February/March, 2009 PoultryDedicated to more and better small-flock poultry Naked Neck Chickens Birds of a Different Feather Pg. 40 Fowl Language What Your Birds are Really Saying Pg. 18 Plus: Nankin Bantams Write a Poultry Journal Lazy Gardener’s Compost $4.99 US Australian Poultry Tour and much more inside! COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE CHICKS, EGGS AND SHOW QUALITY BIRDS Specializing in a variety of poultry in Large Fowl, Bantam, Ducks, Geese and Swans • Call, write or e-mail for a price list and availability. • Delivery can be arranged to shows we plan to attend. • Call between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. CST, M-F • We look forward to talking with you! Superior Farms Danny Padgett, Poultry Farm Manager 5500 N. Sara Road Yukon, OK 73099 Phone: 405-354-1401 • Fax: 405-354-2332 [email protected] 2 Backyard Poultry RANDALL BURKEY COMPANY Quality Animal Health Products since 1947 FREE Poultry Supply Specialist *Catalog We stock everything you could want or need for poultry! INCUBATORS BROODERS EGG CARTONS NESTS & COOPS MEDICATIONS CHICKEN TRACTORS POULTRY BANDS FEEDERS & WATERERS NETTING CAGES & PENS BOOKS LIVE CHICKS & EGGS $5 OFF your first order over $25 when you mention this ad! SAME DAY SHIPPING TOLL Order Online OnFebruary/March, in stock items ordered by 1:002009PM CST FREE 800-531-1097www.backyardpoultrymag.comwww.randallburkey.com 3 BACKYARD Volume 4, Number 1 February/March, 2009 POULTRY Backyard 145 Industrial Dr. Medford, WI 54451 www.backyardpoultrymag.com Poultry Publisher: Dave Belanger Editor: Elaine Belanger Managing Editor: Anne-marie Ida Editorial Assistant: Samantha Ingersoll From the Editor: Helpful Hints: Circulation and Fulfillment: Laura Celebrating the New Year Steer Clear of Drive-Thru Ching, Ellen Waichulis, Kate Tucker, (of Backyard Poultry that is) .........6 Hatcheries: Ordering Chicks Kelly Weiler, Christine Barkley, Should be Fun ...............................48 Gwendolyn Jones Bookstore: Ann Tom Letters to the Editor ..........8 Shows: Advertising Representatives SPPA News: A Summary of the 2008 APA (Rates on request) Research Your Breed: Where National, Ventura, California ... 52 to Find Those Details .................... 14 Alicia Komanec Ohio National Youth Show ...... 56 1-800-551-5691 Mites in Winter Poultry [email protected] How to Read a Coop Tag ......... 58 Houses .........................................15 Gary Christopherson 1-800-551-5691 Some Historic Breeds Are [email protected] Better Adapted to Cold Weather ...................................... 16 Backyard Poultry (ISSN 1559-2251, USPS 023-374) is published bi-monthly at Coming Events .....................17 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451. Periodicals postage paid at Medford, WI and additional mailing offices. Health: Fowl Language ........................... 18 The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of the editor The Answer Man .......................24 or publisher. All contents of this issue of Backyard Poultry are copyrighted by Countryside Publications, Ltd., 2009. All Gardening: rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or The Lazy Gardener’s Compost in part is prohibited except by permission Heap ...........................................30 of the publisher. Editorial and Advertising Office: Recordkeeping: Backyard Poultry Preserve Your Experience & 145 Industrial Dr. Heritage in a Poultry Journal ... 36 Medford, WI 54451 This issue’s featured breeds are [email protected] the Nankin and the Naked Neck. Breeds: Nankin hens are prolific layers Subscriptions (U.S. funds): Nankin Bantams: Something of cream to light beige eggs. $21 per year; 2 years $35. Old, Something New .................... 38 Nankins can have either a single Backyard Poultry Subscriptions comb or rose comb. 145 Industrial Dr. Naked Necks were developed Medford, WI 54451 Turkens: Birds of a Different from the desire for a smooth- 1-800-551-5691 Feather ........................................ 40 skinned, dressed fowl, with bare POSTMASTER: areas that make plucking easier Around the World: and quicker. They are good layers Send address changes to: U.S. Poultry Enthusiasts Share Backyard Poultry Subscriptions of brown eggs and tolerate cold 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 Their Australian Poultry climates well. Tour Adventures ........................42 See pages 38 & 40. 4 Backyard Poultry ON THE C O VER : www.Critter-Cages.com The February/March, 2009 cover Cages and Equipment for all your Critters. Visit our secure online store winner is a photo by Dana Ness, D.V.M., or give us a call Monday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm Pacific time, Satur- Vashon, Washington. This is her Naked days 10 - 4. 310 832-9981 Email [email protected] 53”x 24”x 21” High Neck hen, Sneetch. (According to the 51”x 43”x 47” High Premium Plus Backyard Hutch - 79.99* APA’s American Standard of Perfec- *plus shipping WA 01533 tion, the breed name is Naked Neck, but many of us also know them as Chick-N-Nest-12.99 WA 01492 Turkens.—Ed.) For more information *plus shipping on this unique breed, see page 40. To learn how to enter your poultry- related photos in the photo contest, see page 55. 45”x 46”x 27” High Chick-N-Barn by Ware WA 01495 - 339.99* Chick-N-Yard by Ware WA 01496 - 139.99* *plus shipping 48”x 24”x 38” High Chick-N-Hutch by Ware WA 01490 169.99* Chick-N-Pen by Ware WA 01491 - 159.99* *plus shipping Hova-Bator Incubators from $53.99 (4 models) Wire Mesh Rolls (100 ft.) starting at $59.99* Backyard Poultry *plus shipping ....................55 Critter-Cages.Com 305 N. Harbor Blvd. San Pedro, Ca. 90731 Photo Contest 40”x 60”x 36” High Phone 310 832-9981 Email [email protected] Youth: Gertrude McCluck: Chicken in Charge ................... 60 Backyard Poultry Index 2008 .............................62 Backyard Poultry Breeders Directory ........... 65 Author Harvey Ussery shares his composting method; let the chickens to do the work. See page 30. February/March, 2009 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 5 FR O M THE EDIT O R : Celebrating the New Year (of Backyard Poultry, that is ) ELAINE BELANGER code) and e-mail address, if you have other than chickens, tell others. They EDIT O R one. Your inquiry can often be answered may need that little nudge to “just do by phone in a more timely fashion than it” and your story might be the one that From the inception of Backyard Poultry any other method. convinces them. we have encouraged readers to be part of Send your stories, questions, con- If you have a poultry association, our poultry community by sharing their cerns and photos to Backyard Poultry, group or special event coming up, tell us knowledge, experiences and questions Attn: Elaine, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, about your activities. with other readers. WI 54451 or e-mail [email protected]. Give some thought, right now, to what As we excitedly enter our fourth you have to share with others. If it comes year, we wanted to again welcome your Stories/Suggestions/Questions—We ask to your mind, chances are others will be participation, and offer clarification on you to share your experiences—those that thinking about it too. different sections of the magazine. have worked well—and those that didn’t Articles are not always used imme- We especially want to thank all of (maybe you can save someone else the ex- diately and may be kept for an issue that you—the poultry community—for your pense and disappointment of trying some fits the season/theme better. interest, enthusiasm and support of our project you already know won’t work). We can’t promise that everything sent magazine and the pleasures of raising Include details, photos or diagrams to help will be printed, but we do promise that poultry. others visualize your project. every article or letter will be read and Share your fun poultry stories. Con- considered. All Communications—For a quicker sider why you raise birds and encourage reply to any inquiry, be sure to include the others who are still hesitating about what Photo Contest— The photo contest is following contact information with every breed to raise, or even if they should raise ongoing. When we receive a photo, it communication: name, complete mailing poultry at all. is electronically copied, recorded and address, phone number (including area If you raise unusual breeds or poultry forwarded to the contest judges. The original photos are then returned to you, CO MMUNITY : but your photo may still be used at any time in the future. Address Changes—The post office does not forward magazines when you move. To be sure you don’t miss an issue, con- tact us as soon as possible by phone, e- mail or letter. Be sure to include your full name, complete old and new address. Credit Card Orders—When you order a subscription, books or back issues with a credit card, the charges are processed under our publishing company, Country- side Publications, and will reflect that on your statement. When you order online, a confirma- tion e-mail is sent to you stating that your order has been sent to Countryside Publications. Be assured your order is for Backyard Poultry. Contact Information—If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us immediately. Office hours are Monday- Friday, 8-4:30 central time. “I’m not sure how many children actually go sledding with their hens but... Write to Backyard Poultry, 145 In- This is my daughter, Jhan Wagenaar. Her chicken’s name is Priscella.” dustrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451; e-mail: —Jan La Forge, Ohio [email protected]; or phone: 800-551-5691. 6 Backyard Poultry February/March, 2009 www.backyardpoultrymag.com 7 LETTERS : Do you have something to crow about? We want to hear from you. Send questions, comments, opinions, advice, coming events, etc. to: Backyard Poultry Editor, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 e-mail: [email protected] Dubbing Article Ruffles In the coop, prevent drafts by sealing increasing blood flow to the comb and Feathers and insulating the building better; hang wattles, which helps dissipate heat.