Glossary

apa: American Poultry Association. The membership organization publishes the “American Standard of Perfection,” describing a poultry breed’s ideal appearance and personality, and it classifies duck breeds into four categories based on size: Heavy, Medium, Light and Bantam. Its website provides links to many breed-specific clubs: amerpoultryassn.com/bc_links.htm

broodiness: a hormonal urge by hens to sit on and incubate eggs; they might “go broody”

conservation Priority list:

Updated every year by The Livestock Conservancy, the CPL reflects the number of animals registered in breed associations as well as the genetic variety and health of the breed’s next generation. There are five categories, in order of the number of breeding animals: Critical (fewer than 500 birds), Threatened (fewer than 1,000 birds), Watch (fewer than 5,000 birds), Recovering and Study.

roost: a tendency to sit or sleep on a perch, particularly at night

setter: a hen that readily sits on or “sets” eggs, either her own or those of other ducks