BREEDING SEASON
At her Kentucky farm, Stephanie Coomer finds her Cochins have good fertility year-round, so she can set breeding pens at her convenience.( Photo by Stephanie Coomer)
Plan Your Poultry’ s Breeding Season
Top APA Tips for Successful Chicken Rearing
By Stephanie Coomer, Coomer Farm
As November rolls around, many of us are planning our breeding season for 2025. Personally, I prefer winter hatching, as I find, for large fowl, it gives them the best opportunity to grow frame before the hottest months here in Eastern Kentucky. Many years, including this year, I find myself even having a few small pens in October. This also allows my
birds to have finish by the biggest fall shows. The American Poultry Association( APA) Standard of Perfection defines finish as“ the completion of growth of the entire body, head parts, plumage, shanks and toes, and which must have the proper color, luster and sheen. Indicates bloom and health, ideal weight and perfection of plumage color and growth.”
So, if you want to try your hand at breeding, the following tips will help you get started:
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