1. Appropriate Breed Selection

2. First you must decide how you will be raising your poultry Confinement Hen house with a run In movable pens/chicken tractors Fixed building with unlimited range On range in a movable building

3. In confinement

4. A hen house with a fenced outdoor run?

5. A movable pen

6. Chicken tractor

7. Portable housing with temporary fencing

8. Fixed building with large or unlimited range

9. On range in a movable building

10. You can make use of clever design elements, like a rain barrel for water

11. Or build outdoor access to the nesting boxes

12. Some Health Promotion Ideas Clean water Fresh feed Clean air Probiotic supplements Follow good biosecurity Watch for signs of disease Manage pests and parasites

13. Second you must consider the product you wish to offer Free range meat Meat for a specialty market Meat and eggs from one flock Eggs Eggs of a particular color

14. Eggs come in many colors: white, brown, terra-cotta, chocolate, blue and green

15. Then it is time match a breed with your market, expectations, and circumstances

16. Dual- purpose breeds are best for meat and brown eggs

17. Stock quality will vary by source as well as by breed

18. Most white egg laying breeds are very active but have little meat

19. Many very old breeds are tremendous foragers, but will grow more slowly

20. Others are fast growers

21. There are breeds with a lot of history

22. Or whose usefulness is overshadowed by their beauty

23. Some have appeal to ethnic markets

24. Others come in fascinating colors that help them avoid predation

25. A good personality is a trait often overlooked when choosing a breed

26. Educating your market is how you add the value to your product Product’s Exclusivity Difference Contributions Benefits

27. Remember, many breeds are considered “Best.” Choose the breed that best matches your market circumstances, and expectations.