breeding
How to Hatch Chicken Eggs
It is time to begin preparations for breeding and collecting eggs for hatching. Anyone can have great success in learning how to hatch chicken eggs; all that is necessary is to provide good conditions that work in accord with the nature of the birds, and the cycle of reproduction. So where do we begin?
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The History and Future of Marans Chickens
Marans chickens are synonymous with chocolate brown eggs. Marans chickens originated in the French village of the same name about 240 miles southwest of Paris or 100 miles north of Bordeaux.
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Pigeon Facts: An Introduction and History
Pigeons are remarkable for so many reasons. A true cosmopolitan, long after humans have left this earth, only cockroaches, rats, and pigeons will remain.
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Setting The Poultry Standards
With increased interest in heritage breeds in poultry, the American Poultry Association is stepping up to promote standard breeds with its new Flock Inspection Program that will certify consumer chickens with the APA’s imprimatur.
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How Genetics Determine Duck Egg Color
Leghorns lay white eggs and Marans lay dark brown eggs. But duck egg color doesn’t follow these specific rules. Why can some ducks, of the same breed, lay blue eggs while the others lay white?
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Poultry Blips from American History
The history of chickens and other domestic species of poultry has long been an integral part of our American history. From the earliest colonists arriving on sailing ships, frontier settlers, and pet chickens at the White House, we as Americans have always loved poultry.
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Lamona Chicken: Everything You Need to Know
Back in 1912, Harry M. Lamon, senior poultryman of the Bureau of Animal Husbandry, initiated the development of the Lamona chicken at the USDA experimental station. He wanted to produce a dual-purpose breed for the American market.
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Selective Breeding: How to Breed Chickens
For those of us who are learning how to breed chickens or teaching others how to breed chickens, you must realize that breeds of poultry cannot be maintained. Your fowl are either improving or degenerating with each passing generation.
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Want Blue Eggs? Pick These Chicken Breeds!
Let’s face it, having backyard chickens is popular, but still pretty unique for most folks. Why not step up the unique a notch and go beyond the standard brown and white eggs by adding blue egg layers to your flock?
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The Brakel (Braekel) Chicken
Although not exceptionally rare, the Brakel (alt. Braekel) breed always needs more keepers and is also a historic, interesting race. In Flanders, Belgium where it originates, the “Brakel Hen” is known as the oldest large laying breed that still exists today, the Ardenner being the oldest Belgian breed of the French speaking Waloon area of Belgium.
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