Breeding Buff Leghorns

[danhonour]

How do we deal with breeds/varieties that have gone extinct but are still in the Standard (Lamonas,Brown Cochins),and varieties that were in the Standard but were dropped,but still can be found? Are they still not old?I recall seeing Dominque/Cuckoo Leghorns in very old Standards. Rose Comb Buff Leghorns and Single Comb Pile (Pyle) Leghorn,were both dropped from the 1928 Standard. (these were all largefowl in the APA Standards. I asked the rare breed conservancy how they deal with Breeds that are common,but have varieties that are very rare,like Buff Leghorns,Red Leghorns or Columbian Leghorns?The answer was they are not important,as they could be recreated.With this line of thinking we can completely lose a lot of varieties,as not important,then re-invent them. I know most people would not bother.The time,effort ,expense and work to recreate would be huge.The level of skill to do so,is beyond many breeders ,even if they desired to re-make.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
It seems we have an organization of unknown members that are giving a definition of heritage. Would prefer the definition be created by the APA. Does anyone know if the APA Heritage Committee has a definition yet?

 

[danhonour]

It has been a long while since anyone has posted on this thread.Was some progress made in the Buff Leghorn breeding pens this season?Good advice and interest was expressed early,so perhaps we will see some fine results.My birds are still maturing,so are not right yet for pictures.Those that get out the early spring chicks should have some coming into bloom about now.Any pictures?

 

[pips&peeps]

I was at a show a few weeks ago and was talking to a judge.He commented that I liked a darker Buff and that Marcus Davidson was a popular breeder that had the lighter shade,implying all buffs should be a pale shade.I presented my case,but I am sure it fell on deaf ears.

I had a judge tell me my cockerel was too dark last month and being it was dual show, the other judge raved about him even writing a note that he was a pure even buff.......

Maybe sometime I can pick your brain about my buff ameraucanas.....​

 

[dak]

Quote:
I believe Bo Garrett in OK is working on Brown LF Cochins (sorry if I'm off topic)

 

[danhonour]

I saw in the Cochin Forum that Bo was trying to breed Brown Cochins,I even posted some history and advice.I have heard that there are still Lamonas,but I have not yet seen any evidence.If these two varieties are still around,they need seroius attention and help to get re-established.I am not against remaking these if they are gone,as both are newer varities.If a few of the originals are still left,even if of poor quality they should be breed and worked with to preserve some of the original genes.

Pips and peeps,I run into the pale/light buff verses golden buff,all the time.If you stay near the middle you are safe.In the breeding pen having some of the richer buffs ,will help prevent them breeding too light or pale.

The pale buffs are lacking in pheomelanin (red pigmentation).Light buff can be even and if the bird is of great type can and should win.If type is equal them a darker shade should win because a few more points would be for better under color,better quill color, perhaps no shafting. and especially if both are even.

The light buffs can be attractive and even,but the best buffs are the even ones of the rich shade.These hold the buff color as they age and molt.All shades of buff need to be mated to mates only a shade or two away.Extreme color matings tends to bring out mealiness and patchiness. I find having some darker buffs,I can eventually get some great buffs from.When you have the light buffs you are fighting to keep what little color you have,they fade still lighter and have white under color .

If you start getting red ,then it is time to reduce color .They can be used if of good type,but will take a few generations using birds going in the lighter direction.

With all the talk on buff color,lets not forget the practical side of Buff Leghorns.We do not need to hear that they are poor layers, they lay very small eggs,or are not very vigorous.I know I want robust birds,that lay well and lay nice large eggs.If your buffs lay a variety of sizes,only set the large ones in the incubator,eat the small and medium.If you set only the big eggs after enough generations,the complete flock will lay large and extra large eggs,but it takes time and effort.

 

[Birch Run Farm]

I've got youngsters still growing out. I hope they have matured enough come the middle of January and if so, they will go to NEPC to show.

 

[DaveK]

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I joined a Heritage Poultry group because I liked some of the people but at the same time said I could not define "Heritage" because I do not think that way. My main interest is in breeds that are genuinely old, like WFB Spanish. I've also had the old English "clay" Dorking which is actually a wheaton. The original stock was imported from England by Lewis Compton and still exists though in limited numbers. These are an old and legitimate "Heritage" breed but because they haven't gotten into any Standard are little known even to other Dorking enthusiasts. Yes, the commercialization can be irritating and in some cases a very negative influence on a breed's development. One person had singlehandedly changed the face for a while of internet participation by breeders of my favorite breed of waterfowl. No one wants to be associated with that attitude and the commercialism and seller's hype. In the end we all do what we want but it thrills the Hell out of me to come across good quality in some of the very old breeds where we just don't see them as they should be anymore. Dave

 

[danhonour]

Dave I cannot agree more.What you say is so true.Once you learn what quality is,you can quickly spot the good ones.You have to know quality to appreciate it. In my book "The Art of Breeding ",the opening statement is "the best birds will be where the best breeders are",I wrote this about 30 years ago and it is an understatement if anything. Dan Honour

 

[dak]

Does anyone have any updated pics or projects going on?