Ancient breeds

[Lukieg]

Hello all, I am new to the forum. I have raised different breeds of chickens but I wish to work on some very old breeds.. the foundation breeds. I know Dorkings and Leghorns are very old and were known to the romans, however what other breeds are old? The older the better. Thanks folks.. i appreciate all the useful info the forum provides.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Silkies are pretty ancient. One of the Romans or Greeks wrote about them, along with it being pretty well known that Marco Polo write about them.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

It was Aristotle who wrote about silkies in 380 B.C.

Also found this for you: http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/07E04A08.pdf

 

[chickmashnoon]

I believe the egyptian breeds are pretty old, the Fayoumi and there are a few local breeds. Since they had incubatosr for eggs B.C. I'd assume that they have other breeds that are just as old, but not as widely known. There is also the original ear-tuffed breed that the araucanas were bred from- can't remember the name, but they are from south america.

Some of the fighting cocks are really old since chickens were known for sport in the ancient world and became well know as mc nuggets far later.

 

[KazAnder Farms]

The Brahmas are among the most ancient, at least according to the standard. Brahma Pootras they were called. Also oddly one of the larger of fowl.

 

[stevekwan]

I believe the egyptian breeds are pretty old, the Fayoumi and there are a few local breeds.  Since they had incubatosr for eggs B.C. I'd assume that they have other breeds that are just as old, but not as widely known.  There is also the original ear-tuffed breed that the araucanas were bred from- can't remember the name, but they are from south america.

Some of the fighting cocks are really old since chickens were known for sport in the ancient world and became well know as mc nuggets far later.

 

[stevekwan]

I believe the tuffed ear chicken you are refering to is the quechua breed

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Nankins are old and where the starting breeding for many many modern day bantams.
They are true bantams.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Asil.


Specifically the Madras Asil. Probably the oldest of all the breeds. Fayoumi, Silkie and Dorking are the other ancients.