Choosing Chickens and Other Poultry

Poultry is a popular addition to farms and backyards everywhere. When shopping for birds, though, beginners may be overwhelmed by the hundreds of breeds available. A good place to start is by learning the difference between heritage and crossbreed poultry, and evaluating which type is best for your situation.

The Livestock Conservancy (TLC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect endangered poultry and livestock breeds. TLC defines as those whose characteristics have been standardized (usually called “standard bred”) by the American Poultry Association (APA). A heritage breed bird can mate naturally without extreme measures of assistance; has a slow growth rate; and has a long, productive outdoor life span. Usually, heritage birds produce eggs for a longer period of their lives