July 11, 2010  Check my blog. for some interesting poultry events. Check the Starting from Hatch page for results of my hatching project: four chicks! Click the Shows button for information on upcoming shows and poultry events.

How to Raise Poultry grew out of my involvement with the Society for Preservation of Poultry Antiquities, for which I continue to serve as historian. My first book, How to Raise Chickens, focused entirely on these traditional breed domestic fowl. SPPA does not limit its dedication to chickens, however. Waterfowl, including ducks, geese and swans, turkeys and guineafowl are specifically included. Many members also keep pigeons and other game birds, such as quail, peacocks and partridges.

So it was a continuation of my work with heritage poultry to write a book that includes all those breeds. Along the way, ratites – ostriches, emus and rheas – naturally came along.

Writing the book gave me a wonderful opportunity to focus on these birds, one at a time. Being immersed in ducks, then geese, then turkeys and the rest was a pleasure. The book includes photos of many historic poultry breeds, from actual Red Junglefowl in the wild to fighting Blue Steinbacher geese, Blue Slate turkeys and Lavender Guineafowl. The ostriches, emus and rheas were new to me. I learned so much from so many wonderful people who helped me! Male rheas incubate their yellow eggs.

In addition to specific details about the history, description, husbandry and marketable products for each species, How to Raise Poultry includes an Overview of modern small flock poultry raising, extensive information on poultry management and a conclusion comprising agricultural tourism, poultry in art and community life and a look forward into the future.

July 11, 2010 State Fair Season!  Fall shows are on the schedule, starting with Indiana's White River Poultry Club show Labor Day weekend. Check the Upcoming Shows page for shows, swap meets and other events in your area. Join your local poultry club. The Show page has extensive listings of upcoming shows.  Send me information about your poultry event and I'll add it to the list. This is becoming the most popular page on this site. Attend a poultry event near you!