So, we joined the Livestock Conservancy, which seems to be interested in conserving breeds of animals that are no longer in production, or no longer kept by people. Birds like the Sebrights and Orpingtons and Yokohamas, that sort of thing. My daughter posted on my board, so I will see if I can answer both her questions and intent and your questions. I appreciate the responses greatly!
First and foremost, I am not a breeder. I have never bred anything. My daughter, however, is an extreme enthusiast of ornithology. Her deep interest is why we agreed to chickens in the first place. I think she wants to breed for conservation, to preserve certain strains. I am not sure how to term breeds of chickens, as most of what I have read, including the Storey books, claim that there are only a handful of "breeds" - the brown egg layers and the white egg layers. So I image the response should be "oh Dear". I have a lot to learn if she wants to start breeding for conservation.
She cannot show in the Elko area without joining 4-H, something I am reluctant to do because of the meeting lengths and required activity schedules. I already have one kid in High School sports and it feels like one more thing would break our schedules. So, backyard breeding would be her 'activity", and thus, no show, no show hens.
So back to the question:
No on the Showing part. The Livestock Conservancy offers a card grading system for judging breeding stock. My daughter might want to do this? So this would be hatchery stock, if I am understanding the moderators' post. So what is the deal with the hatchery stock? Is it inferior for preserving the breed, or are there real issues with it in terms of sustainability of the breed? Looking forward into the future, not all birds are quality enough to show, so now I am unsure what is the purpose of preserving - non-show? - birds? Lots of cunfusildness here.
So to breed to the APA or the ABA Standard of Perfection - this is for show quality - not the birds your keep and eat? Are the birds that you "keep and eat" endangered, and is this where the Livestock Conservancy comes in?
So, our purpose is to have a small flock in the backyard for eggs and enjoyment and my daughter. Evidently her interests are running toward breeding. No surprise there. Conservancy breeding is conserving what? Food/egg production, or characteristics to ensure genetic diversity should a population collapse happen? So cold hardiness, in our case, egg production, broodiness, foraging ability - all the things that would ensure that the birds would live and thrive and their "breed" - "type" - is ensured for future generations?
Is this a move on her part to preserve her beloved rooster chicks???? not ruling that out.
Now the questions for me are piling up!
Where would I even begin???
Oh my goodness. Any advice to point me in the right direction would be much appreciated. My little project might be growing into something way larger than I had intended.
Thanks to all for your responses!
