Chicken Breed Focus - Maline

[Our Roost]

First off, Green Fire acquired malines from a Canadian source and did not import from Belgium. Secondly, there was only one bloodline available at that time. Whether or not they acquired a second bloodline later on I do not know. I wrote them and discussed the whole shipping subject matter and concerns of caution because of legalities regarding importation. It was just a word of caution and nothing more.
Bine, being from Germany, maybe you have some sources you wish to share about your breeders clubs and importation contacts over there? I will say this one last time, this breed is not available as hatchery stock in he U.S. or Canada. Green Fire Farms specializes in rare birds but I wouldn't classify them as a hatchery per say. The malines is not a hatchery class breed to be sold on that level. Its a rare chicken meat bird that has need of proper breeding guidelines for it to survive and recover in numbers. There are people trying to gain access to buying and raising this breed so either zip the lip or share your sources!
Last but not least, if you decide to purchase this breed as your primary meat bird long term, then consider all the factors like bloodline and longevity. As another member mentioned, outcrossing or crossbreeding for utility can be done and is in the works already both by myself and in Canada.

 

[Bine]

Okay,the Malines have a breeders club here it is member of the german breeders association and of cause I would ask them. I am a member of the local breeders club in my home town due to the laws about chickens....vaccination etc. It was easier for me to join a club, than doing all the paperwork to get permissions... so, if I want to be a proper breeder I only have to tell my Club's Charimen and they normally know a breeder in my region b/c most Chairmen are show judges and travel in fall/winter from Club to Club....

But if I had a rare breed in mind that had to be imported I would contact Vieh e.V.and the GEH e.V.both are conservation clubs with breeding programs, They are connected to the European Union and have international umbrella organisations that coordinate breeding programs much in the same way the WWF coordinates breeding programs for wild animals in zoos.
As far as I know both clubs list the Malines as endangered.

I think all breeders of rare breeds have the same problems no matter if you try to save sheeps or chickens. Fresh blood is hard to find, often the regional population shows inbreed defects that only can be rooted out with new blood and legal imports for privat households are not manageble. The animals die before you are able to get all the paperwork together on your own.
That is why I always stress the importans of clubs. They know all the administrative barriers and know - if possible - how to take them.
Now you have the added problem that your national breeders club is not that interessed in Malines. So, I think, the only way is to establish a club.
I don't know how many people you need in the US to get a tax exemptions and such... in germany you need seven people and a brief explanatory statement that tells the local authorities why you do what you do. Protection and conservation of animals are always of public utility and will be registered as club without questions. As a Club like "Friends of Belgium Coucous" or something like this, you maybe able to catch the attention of your national club. Some breeds/colors here are not registered but have observer status, that means that the national club is interessed in the breed/color but the breed needs improval, more breeders.... but you can interduce your chickens on the national shows to the public and so find more friends and breeders.


The biggest problem is to put a chicken on an plane.
First you have to travel to Europe, meet with breeders here, find the chickens and than? Quarantine? How long? Where is the Quarantine Station? Who cares for the bird (s), that surely will be very confused.
So, I think, that sperm import maybe an alternativ. The vet technician is the stork for so many animals, why not for your chickens? The EU exports sperm for the farm industry all the time, so this must be possible.
There is the Scientific Poultry Yard not far away from my home town that has kyno conservation project and maybe could help, maybe your have something like that in the US or Canada.

 

[Our Roost]

Bine,
Thank you very much for your input and time explaining this as well as supplying some contacts. You must understand that there isn't enough enthusiasm for people to follow this paper trail just to acquire a handful of home stock meat breeders. I am a member of a club organized in Canada open to the North Americas for the interest in malines. There is progress being made with the breed but slow goes the effort, especially with a way for owners to get the latest bloodlines. This is why I caution people who have interest long term verses just owning them. Its one thing to own them, but another to save them, Thanks.

 

[JRNash]

Hsve to start somewhere.

 

[Bine]

Oh, wait... Facebook Malines with some nice pics and some very proud breeders.
I know that saving a breed is very slow business. The breeding technic is different from show breeding or utility breeding and i think it is very importent to inform people about the differences, so they can make a decision what they want to do.
We have to lokal breeds on the "deep red" list and yes, they are beautiful and yes, there is a conservation programm, but no, not with me as a breeder. Because having some chicken in the backyard and some new little chicks every year is fun, but conservation breeding is work, much work and a big responsibility. Caring for 20 of the last 100 chickens of a rare breed means that failure is no option.
And that is why I stay with my Barbu d'Anvers, if I select the wrong rooster for breeding it's not the end of the world for this breed.

 

[JRNash]

I disagree with your philosophy. Your eyes might be the ones that see something someone else misses. In my OPINION it's a numbers game. Get the numbers UP then worry about utility or show. Every one interprets information differently. Everyone sees things a little different.You can never be sure That a BREEDER has anymore judgment than yourself. I for one DON'T beleive a breeder is anymore qualified to save these beautiful birds than I or anyone else is. The key to success IMO is not giving up when the results are other than expected.

 

[Shellz]

Wow! Thank you Bine for sharing.

Fantastic FB page as well. Huhn's photo of a hen is spectacular! I'm proud of my cockerels & rooster, but none of my hens have that beautiful shape. The yellow in my birds beaks & legs take longer to recede in my hens as well. A few keep the yellow & are culled later.

Sigh! Sadly I am getting out of Malines for personal reasons. I am still very interested in them - I just don't have the resources to keep them going, among other things going on...etc...

In the interests of sharing, here is the small FB club for Malines that was started for North America:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/179468588909744/?ref=ts&fref=ts

 

[Our Roost]

I applaud your efforts. Bringing back any bird on the disabled list is difficult and a long process. Yes Nash, numbers are important but so is the quality. Easy enough to choose the best of the best from those numbers to start. Selection of good stock from those numbers is primarily what most home breeders do. I don't show birds but I'm proud of what I raise and want the best from them they have to offer. That means following some SOP guidelines of my own as well as those provided by the professionals in the know about the breed. I think its good to know what your looking for before you go about trying to duplicate it. Yep, its your judgement so choose well!

 

[JRNash]

Ya gotta start somewhere

 

[Shellz]

Ya gotta start somewhere

Yep!