In this bonus episode of The Poultry Keepers Podcast, host Rip Stalvey takes a deep dive into a topic every breeder and exhibitor should understand: how feather development affects poultry type. Drawing insights from a timeless 1915 article by renowned poultry judge and illustrator Arthur O. Schilling, this episode explores how feathers influence our perception of conformation, structure, and maturity—and why learning to judge beyond the feathers is crucial.

Discover the difference between soft-feathered and hard-feathered breeds, why early feathering can be misleading, how cockerels and pullets develop differently, and what molting reveals about your birds. Whether you're evaluating show birds or selecting future breeders, this episode gives you the tools to train both your eye and your hand for better results in the coop and the showroom.

Visit us at www.thepoultrykeeperspodcast.com for more expert content, breeding tips, and bonus episodes. Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a fellow poultry keeper, and keep breeding with purpose!

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