Poultry Books
British Poultry Standards (6th Edition)
This book is a must for anyone interested in breeding or showing poultry. It contains all the breed standards that poultry are judged by, or bred to, and covers all poultry, ducks, waterfowl and eggs. It is known as the "Bible" and covers all the specifications and judging points for all the breeds as laid down by the Breed Clubs and recongnised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain. All Panel Judges have passed exams and tests using the information in this book. It is a great reference book for anyone interested in purchasing a particular breed or for example checking markings etc. according to the breed photos displayed. Expensive but worth it!
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Diseases of Free - Range Poultry by Victoria Roberts, BVSc. MRCVS
Again another reference book that can be a great help to any poultry keeper puzzled by various ailments that do crop up from time to time in poultry.
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Hen Keeping Self - Sufficiency by Mike Hatcher
This is a little gem of a book written by the current poultry club president. It provides a great introduction to all aspects of keeping poultry, breeding and showing; it is written in a very easy to understand way and draws on Mike's sixty years experience of keeping poultry, and is packed with useful information.
This book can be obtained from us at info@irishpoultrysociety.com
There is a limited supply of copies.
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Monthly Magazines
Fancy Fowl
THE magazine for serious exhibitors! Contains a lot of information for the breeders too.
Details in 2009 directory.
Anyone interested in getting Fancy Fowl magazine can click on the link below.
Subscribe to Fancy Fowl Magazine
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Practical Poultry
This magazine contains a lot of information, and would be a more light hearted approach to poultry keeping covering not only pure breeds but subjects like rescue hens, hybrids and pets.
Can be obtained from the bigger newsagents or direct.
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Poultry Showing
Showing Poultry - The Championship Route
When you enter a bird in a class, she firstly has to win the class, then win the section beating all the other birds in that classification. For example, a Rhode Island Red hen has to beat all the other Rhode Island Reds in the hen class, and then beat the Rhode Island Red cocks, the Light Sussex cocks and hens, the Buff Orpington cocks and hens, the Wyandotte cocks and hens and all the other classified heavy soft breeds until she is top in the section. As selected by the judge. Only then will she be placed on Championship Row to be considered for the overall Championship. To do that she will have to beat all the other section winners, no easy task!
The road to the top is not an easy one. Just because you win your class does not alas mean you get up on Championship Row. You have to progress to a section winner to do that. However, it is great to win classes, and no one should be disappointed they don't advance further. Remember, there are many people at shows whose birds don't even get as far as that. So don't give up, keep trying and one day who knows!
Remember the Golden Rule, it's not the winning, it's the taking part that really counts!
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Poultry Health
Mycoplasma
Here is an article on the poultry disease Mycoplasma by Victoria Roberts.
Mycoplasma In Poultry
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Poultry Keeping
Housing
- Site house with its back to the prevailing wind.
- Ensure house is well ventilated, best up near apex to avoid draughts.
- Secure from all predators, foxes, vermin, magpies and thieves.
- Have only one male bird per breeding pen.
- Plenty of dry litter on floor, ideally shavings.
- Perches can be provided for chickens over 8 weeks, at least 2" wide, no more than 24" off ground for heavy breeds.
- Do not overstock.
- Allow plenty of floor space.
Feeding
- Keep all feeders and drinkers clean.
- Provide mixed grit.
- If birds not free ranging maintain vegetation in run area.
Parasites
- Maintain a worming programme with flubenvet for internal parasites.
- Control external parasites e.g. mites fleas ticks lice and scaly leg with licensed products from your vet.
Transport
- Use strong cardboard boxes, one for each bird and sufficiently large for the bird to stand up and turn round.
- Ventilation must be provided by making two parallel cuts in opposite corners of the box 1" apart and pushing section cut inwards, weave the top so that it is secure and tie with string.
- Shavings or newspaper or a combination of both for the floor. Use only once.
Never ever sell or buy birds in sacks.
Food and water must be provided for journeys over 8 hours.
Do not put boxes in boot of car. Place on back seat. Open window in car to ensure ventilation
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Day Old Chicks
It had been brought to the Society's Attention, that day old chicks were traded in the outside section at Larchill. We would like to point out that we did not give approval for this, and would not condone this practice. DAY OLD CHICKS SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE BROODER AND SOLD LIKE THIS - in many cases to totally inexperienced people. We recommend that people DO NOT BUY OR SUPPORT THIS PRACTICE in the interest of animal welfare. Larchill will NOT PERMIT this trade in the future, and indeed are looking at curtailing the scale of young birds, some only off heat. Have patience, let them grow and then sell!
Just think of the kiddies who persuade their parents to buy them some cuddly little chicks, and the disappointment when they die!
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