Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[saladin]

The post I liked was the one that used the term 'marketing' in there application of 'heritage.'

To think that non-standard birds are not 'heritage' simply because they aren't in the Standard is the thing I still find the most laugable about all that is in that definition. Of course, I find other things laughable in it as well. Which is why I don't use the word in anything I write anymore.... especially those things that are published.

 

[saladin]

"Heritage" is a marketing term used to label products from APA standard-bred birds. or simply put they are non-commercial strains. But breeds that would meet the "heritage" definition would be any large fowl breed recognized by the APA by the mid- twentieth century. The ALBC has a full definition on their website.
So yes your barred Plymouth rocks would be considered heritage.
Really the term heritage is closely related to "exhibition" quality, in my opinion, because these birds are supposed match the APA standard of perfection.

This explains the stupidity in the definition as it now stands best I think, 'the "heritage" definition would be any large fowl breed recognized by the APA by the mid-twentieth century.'

Let's take the oldest documented breed in the world: the Asil. It was not included in the Standard until the 1980s, thus doesn't meet the definition of 'heritage' as here formulated.

Yet, there is documented evidence that the Asil was in North America by the 1820s at the latest. Which means it was in the States before many of the breeds labeled as 'heritage' even existed!

Call it what you like folks, but I'm educated enough to know that that doesn't make sense.

 

[Fred's Hens]

The ALBC has its definition. The folks with that conservatory came up with their definition. It is theirs and since they wrote it, they'll have to defend it, change it, adapt it, etc.

The SPPA has a lengthy article on its website homepage as well expressing the association's view on the matter.

 

[vebyrd36]

[COLOR=0000CD]The Marans people understand this. Look how far they have come. Sure a portion of the birds spread round the public were mismanaged. But many weren't . As people got used to the breed, they became dissatisfied with their untypey birds. They either improved them or found breeders with better birds and started over. Now , ten years after things got real serious with the breed, Black Copper and Wheaten have both been APA approved. Plus they have plans for Cuckoo, Blue Copper Marans and White Marans. No, the 1st 9 yrs. weren't pretty and a lot of things went wrong. But a lot more things went right and the breed is progressing nicely.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000CD]Karen[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000CD] Former Director of Archives[/COLOR]
[COLOR=0000CD]Marans of America Club[/COLOR]

Very true we have come a long way with the Marans. Interesting to see what colors people are creating.

VIVI

 

[thedragonlady]

I still think that as long as breeders hold back and do not push their lines a bit and get as many birds as reasonably possible into good hands that the fate of the heritage birds is sealed. If the popularity of poultry is on the rise, why wouldn't this be the opportunity to get folks that are now a little seasoned on hatchery birds hooked on heritage birds. Bob has mentioned that more people are calling him to get connected to good birds. HURRAY!

THis mentality will impede the recovery of these wonderful lines that you and Bob have been trying to preserve. DOesn't any one look at the situation this way?

Just food for thought.

I have birds available now. I've been lucky to find a few really good homes for 6 trios so far. I'm shipping more birds next week. Anybody who is serious about good Buff Orps can contact me for a few pairs, and some very nice Cockerels who are too nice for the stew pot. The girls are still laying up a storm.

 

[hcammack]

How are everyones birds doing in the snow? My Faverolles have turned out to be much more cold hardy then my hatchery laying hens. Its really cold with 6 inches of fresh snow on the ground and still falling now. The faverolles have been out in their covered run scratching around.

 

[cubalaya]

the words heritage, heirloom, historic, and traditional all refer to a time when americans had small farms and the sense to raise most of their own food. while i like the term heritage because it sounds good, the sppa is probably right about how we should refer to our birds. the asil being the oldest historically, the shamo and cubalaya; old, and the delaware a modern composite breed would be traditional agriculture. the delaware more like todays meat chickens being kept in large broiler houses, faster growing and the beginning of factory farming. the small sustainable farms of the early 1900's were more geared to rhode island reds, plymouth rocks, dominiques, and later australorps and usually had some games too. i have been working with the cubalayas for a few years now and feel they are a very sustainable small farm breed. while i wish their eggs were a little browner and bigger for egg sales, i prefer to eat them over the others.

 

[hcammack]

I have birds available now. I've been lucky to find a few really good homes for 6 trios so far. I'm shipping more birds next week. Anybody who is serious about good Buff Orps can contact me for a few pairs, and some very nice Cockerels who are too nice for the stew pot. The girls are still laying up a storm.

Very tempting very few things are as pretty as a good buff orp. I am gonna stick with the faverolles I think though.

 

[thedragonlady]

I think part of the problem is learners hanging out with and buying from other learners. Hold on a minute..just give me a bit to explain....or... I think this internationally renowned veteran dog breeder can explain it better than I. From Roselyn Williams classic book, "Reaching For the Stars, Advanced Labrador Breeding". This is applicable to all animal breeders. Just substitute poultry terms for dog terms.
http://www.wolfweb.com.au/acd/sevenages.html

Having shown most 4 footed and 2 footed critters successfully , I think this article should be read by everyone wanting to get into breeding / showing anything. There are cliques in dogs, horses, goats, chickens, etc, and the author makes it very clear that until you have studied, and have a clear picture of just what YOU want to produce, you will never get to the top. There is an art to breeding. Some people are born with an "eye", and some people have to spend years developing it. Some never do. Following the clique just doesn't cut it.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

the words heritage, heirloom, historic, and traditional all refer to a time when americans had small farms and the sense to raise most of their own food. while i like the term heritage because it sounds good, the sppa is probably right about how we should refer to our birds. the asil being the oldest historically, the shamo and cubalaya; old, and the delaware a modern composite breed would be traditional agriculture. the delaware more like todays meat chickens being kept in large broiler houses, faster growing and the beginning of factory farming. the small sustainable farms of the early 1900's were more geared to rhode island reds, plymouth rocks, dominiques, and later australorps and usually had some games too. i have been working with the cubalayas for a few years now and feel they are a very sustainable small farm breed. while i wish their eggs were a little browner and bigger for egg sales, i prefer to eat them over the others.

In the end, the Heritage Committee of the APA will more than likely decide for us what terms to use. And now the ALBC director is on that committee. Did anyone from the SPPA get appointed to that committee?