Chickens - Raising Small Animals - page 41

• A chick is a baby chicken.
• A hen is a mature, adult female chicken.
• A rooster , or cock, is a mature, male chicken that has not been castrated.
• A pullet is a female chicken under 1 year old.
• A cockerel is a male chicken under 1 year old.
• A capon is a castrated male bird.
You do not need to have a rooster for a hen to produce eggs. The eggs will not be fertilized
and will not hatch into baby chicks, but your flock will be more docile without a male. Roost-
ers can be aggressive, especially when mating with a hen. If you have a male, you can still eat
eggs the rooster fertilizes as long as the embryo has not started to form. An embryo only can
form under specific conditions that your refrigerator does not mimic.
Best Breeds for Exhibition
Attend county fairs or local exhibitions to take a gander at the popular breeds that participate
in these events. Any purebreds can be used for show, and some shows allow for hybrids. One
of the most prestigious organizations chicken owners can join is the American Poultry Associ-
ation (APA) ( www.amerpoultryassn.com ) , which uses a point system to classify its mem-
bers. For example, if you participate in a state meet or any APA-sanctioned show with 750 to
1,499 birds, you receive ten points. The more points you receive, the higher your standing in
the association. The association has various levels, including Master Exhibitor, Grand Master
Exhibitor, and Hall of Fame Exhibitor. Once you reach each level, you receive an award, such
as a plaque and recognition in the APA yearbook. Join the APA through their website, where
you also can find more information on where meets are located and how to register.
Start with small, local shows before traveling to larger regional shows with your birds. This
will give you an opportunity to learn from more experienced chicken fanciers and see how the
shows operate. When you are ready to show your chickens, be sure they are in top condition.
Follow the guidelines the judges give, which should be outlined for you when you register.
Ask a representative if you do not receive them. Even a small detail that is not followed could
disqualify your bird. To avoid disappointment on show day, be prepared ahead of time, and
make sure you understand all of the rules.
Below is a list of birds that are visually impressive and are good breeds to choose should you
want to show chickens.