Home

 The Sustainable Poultry Network is all about creating local and regional food movements, specifically with standard bred, heritage poultry for meat and eggs! We believe that the very best poultry for the kitchen tables of American families are the traditional, heirloom breeds that are recognized by the American Poultry Association. We also believe that if we are going to preserve the heritage breeds of chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, we must get them back to their production qualities.

These birds must also qualify by the following definitions listed below. We are thankful for the ALBC and the hard work they have done to define what exactly a heritage bird is.

Natural Mating: Standard bred poultry must be reproduced and genetically maintained through natural mating.

 Long Productive outdoor lifespan: Standard bred poultry must have the genetic ability to live a long, vigorous life and thrive in the rigors of pasture-based, outdoor productive systems. Breeding hens should be productive for 5-7 years and roosters for 3-5 years.

 Slow growth Rate: Standard bred poultry must have a moderate to slow rate of growth, reaching appropriate market weight for the breed in no less than 16 weeks for chickens and a minimum of 24 weeks for turkeys. This gives the bird time to develop strong skeletal structure and healthy organs prior to building muscle mass.

 This website is all about educating and equipping you to breed, grow and market your very own flock of sustainable, standard bred poultry. ENJOY!

Here’s what Mark Leski at Heritage Creek Farm had to say about Jim Adkins and the Center for Poultry:

Just wanted to say thanks to Jim Adkins for his willingness to do the a Heritage Poultry workshop at our farm.  It was a wonderful day.  The information presented was very helpful. The hands on with the birds was exceptionally educational.  Many of the attendees expressed similar responses and interest in being involved in the advancement of heritage poultry since attending the workshop.  I want to express a personal thanks to Jim for his help in training me up to be able to recognize and select birds appropriate for breeding.  Jim, your help and expertise has been invaluable.

Instructor Jim Adkins teaching the Hogan Principles of Production at Heritage Creek Farm

You can see more testimonials here!