Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[J's Orpingtons]

Can I post pics of my Orpingtons ?

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

J's Orpingtons :

Can I post pics of my Orpingtons ?

The original poster started this thread for the American Heritage Fowl found in the American Standard of Perfection. However, there is a nice thraed on the "Imported English Orpingtons" at https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=386051

You are welcome to post here, but may find more folks appreciative of your photos over there.​

 

[OSUman]

J's Orpingtons :

Can I post pics of my Orpingtons ?

Go ahead orpingtons are Heritage birds.​

 

[Tracydr]

Are Sicilian Buttercups heritage? Whatever about non-white leghorns? I know they aren't DP and am hoping to get Red Dorkings for this when we move.

 

[speckledhen]

This is the definition of "Heritage" for this thread's purpose. Let's please stick to original purpose of this thread. If the birds fit the defnition from the first page of the thread, then they belong here. Tracy, hopefully someone can answer your question.

Here is the ALBC "Definition of a Heritage Chicken" -
Definition:
Heritage Chicken must adhere to all the following:
1. APA Standard Breed. Heritage Chicken must be from parent and grandparent stock of breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) prior to the mid-20th century; whose genetic line can be traced back multiple generations; and with traits that meet the APA Standard of Perfection guidelines for the breed. Heritage Chicken must be produced and sired by an APA Standard breed. Heritage eggs must be laid by an APA Standard breed.
2. Naturally mating. Heritage Chicken must be reproduced and genetically maintained through natural mating. Chickens marketed as Heritage must be the result of naturally mating pairs of both grandparent and parent stock.
3. Long, productive outdoor lifespan. Heritage Chicken must have the genetic ability to live a long, vigorous life and thrive in the rigors of pasture-based, outdoor production systems. Breeding hens should be productive for 5-7 years and roosters for 3-5 years.
4. Slow growth rate. Heritage Chicken must have a moderate to slow rate of growth, reaching appropriate market weight for the breed in no less than 16 weeks. This gives the chicken time to develop strong skeletal structure and healthy organs prior to building muscle mass.
Chickens marketed as Heritage must include the variety and breed name on the label.
Terms like “heirloom,” “antique,” “old-fashioned,” and “old timey” imply Heritage and are understood to be synonymous with the definition provided here.
Abbreviated Definition: A Heritage Egg can only be produced by an American Poultry Association Standard breed. A Heritage Chicken is hatched from a heritage egg sired by an American Poultry Association Standard breed established prior to the mid-20th century, is slow growing, naturally mated with a long productive outdoor life.
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has over 30 years of experience, knowledge, and understanding of endangered breeds, genetic conservation, and breeder networks.
Endorsed by the following individuals:
Frank Reese, Reese Turkeys, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, Standard Bred Poultry Institute, and American Poultry Association;
Marjorie Bender, Research & Technical Program Director, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD., Technical Advisor, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, and Professor, Veterinary Pathology and Genetics, Virginia Tech;
Don Bixby, DVM. Independent Consultant, former Executive Director for the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;
R. Scott Beyer, PhD, Associate Professor, Poultry Nutrition Management, Kansas State University,
Danny Williamson, Windmill Farm, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, and American Poultry Association;
Anne Fanatico, PhD, Research Associate, Center for Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas;
Kenneth E. Anderson, Professor, Poultry Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
The current commonly accepted description for Heritage is if it was in the Standard of Perfection prior to the mid 1960s. A Buttercup would be a Heritage layer, as it is definitely not a dual purpose or meat bird. Some colors of Leghorns were also in the SOP and qualify.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
That would include a lot of breeds. You can look at http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/APA_Recognized_Breeds_6_2010.pdf and see the date of admittance. Under this description any bird would have to meet the SOP to qualify.

Example:


BREED VARIETY YEAR ADMITTED CLASS NAME
Chantecler White 1921 American

The APA has a Heritage Committee and are trying to better define what a Heritage bird is. They are also working on a flock certification program. It just takes time for them to get it all hammered out. Until then, the ALBC is the only definition we have for Heritage.

 

[capayvalleychick]

Quote:
So, is the ALBC definition more accepted than the SPPA's position?

I'm asking because I have a bit of a dilemma. I made a decision to raise ONLY heritage breeds of livestock & poultry here on my ranch. Preferably breeds that are in need of conservation. That's why I am stubbornly sticking with Silver Gray Dorkings, even though my attempts with that breed get more and more frustrating.

I have been an ALBC member for years and have chosen my breeds from their lists. I was raising Buckeyes but got some Delawares on a whim, and decided to sell the Buckeyes and concentrate on raising the SGDs and Delawares. I really like everything about the Delawares!

My dilemma is, this year I joined the SPPA. I found out that their criteria for heritage includes only breeds prior to 1900. Which makes sense to me, in a way. But, I love the Delawares! So, I tell people that I have one of the oldest heritage chicken breeds and one of the most modern, both ends of the spectrum. I'm worried about the formalization of the label, heritage. What do I do, if my Dellies don't make the cut?

Any idea of what the APA's cutoff is going to be, for Heritage poultry?

Kim

 

[OSUman]

Quote:
So, is the ALBC definition more accepted than the SPPA's position?

I'm asking because I have a bit of a dilemma. I made a decision to raise ONLY heritage breeds of livestock & poultry here on my ranch. Preferably breeds that are in need of conservation. That's why I am stubbornly sticking with Silver Gray Dorkings, even though my attempts with that breed get more and more frustrating.

I have been an ALBC member for years and have chosen my breeds from their lists. I was raising Buckeyes but got some Delawares on a whim, and decided to sell the Buckeyes and concentrate on raising the SGDs and Delawares. I really like everything about the Delawares!

My dilemma is, this year I joined the SPPA. I found out that their criteria for heritage includes only breeds prior to 1900. Which makes sense to me, in a way. But, I love the Delawares! So, I tell people that I have one of the oldest heritage chicken breeds and one of the most modern, both ends of the spectrum. I'm worried about the formalization of the label, heritage. What do I do, if my Dellies don't make the cut?

Any idea of what the APA's cutoff is going to be, for Heritage poultry?

Kim

From my understanding the SPPA defines the breeds as Old and Rare instead of Heritage, which has become more of a sales technique. If you love the Delawares why wouldnt you stick with them no matter what anyone else says? They are a Rare breed in true form and need the help.

Quote:
The leghorn breed is classified as Heritage, the White Leghorns that you buy from a hatchery in most cases arent white leghorns because they are sometimes hybrids, and have often been bred with no reguard to the standard because it means nothing to the producers. The people who developed the white egg layers dont call them leghorns but by more technical names such as Hyline W-36 or Hyline W-98 ( http://www.hyline.com/aspx/productsandservices/products.aspx )

 

[capayvalleychick]

Quote:
Well, I want my work to count for something, to make a difference. I want to feel that I am helping, in the long run, to preserve important genetics.

I'm not someone who gets animals that are the latest trend to try to get rich quick. Just being rare or novel is not why I choose what I do. Besides preserving the genetics, I like breeds that are hardy, easy, and well suited to a small farm.

I get a lot of disparaging comments from local farmers, even my own husband, about why would I raise these strange breeds when there are more productive animals to choose from. If I make an exception for one breed, then I'm selling out. This is just my own feeling about my own operation.

One of the things that I would like to do is to offer "heritage" chickens as a meat bird, for sale. I have a ways to go with the Dorkings and those will be a roasting bird. The Dels mature much faster, tasted great and I can grill them on the BBQ. I don't know if there is another old breed that can compare.
The Cornish X and the Freedom Rangers are faster maturing, so I can't compete with that. They are more cost effective. If the Delaware isn't considered a heritage breed, then it loses the marketing value needed to justify the added cost of feed to raise it.

Kim