Definition of Heritage Breeds

[spartacus_63]

Sparticus, some nice comments. Have you ever read Wendell Berry?

I have read Wendell Berry's Organic Farming & Gardening. (I think that is the title) I have not read his poetry

It has been some time since I read it, but I did agree with his philosophy. Maybe we should ask him his thoughts about the "Heritage" question.

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Quote:
I have read Wendell Berry's Organic Farming & Gardening. (I think that is the title) I have not read his poetry

It has been some time since I read it, but I did agree with his philosophy. Maybe we should ask him his thoughts about the "Heritage" question.

I'd LOVE to listen to what he would have to say on the matter!

 

[rtroxel]

This is about what I expected

After listening to the first few pages of dialogue, topics began to take their own paths. And the question is almost as far from being answered as when I first proposed it. In the end, we have mostly gone back to our own corners. Unfortunately, someone else will probably decide for us what "heritage" is and means. Thankfully, it only affects most of us in a second-hand way, but it would sure be nice if someone could come up with a good definition. Saladin has made me think a lot. Yellow House and Bufalogal have challenged my mind. All of you have raised comments and questions. Unfortunately, we aren't in the position to make the decision. Maybe we should all write our local ALBC and SPPA district directors

I think the person who wrote that the word "heritage" has really lost its meaning is probably the most correct of all us. Maybe, the further we push the issue, the less heritage will mean. Or even worse, someone else will put the definition on it, and our birds will be left out (justifiably or not). While we people decide, the same result takes place. In the end, as always, the birds lose.

What is heritage? Heritage is productivity, popularity, usefulness, and uniqueness in the context of history. Is it more? Maybe. Is it less? I hope not. I hope it isn't just a term used to make more money and more sales to ignorant consumers while the last few genetics in the last few birds die off in those breeds. That would be much, much less.

 

[gjensen]

There will never be a consensus on this topic. Sometimes I think that it is best that there will not be. Usually when people all head the same way they all head the wrong way. Genetic diversity is promoted by a variety of people responsibly breeding for a variety of ideals. Some place more emphasis on production, some to compete in the show ring, some try to meet in the middle. People are like pendelums, they swing from one extreme to another. The balance is the average of those extremes.
The problem in the terms like heritage is that technically speaking by definition could include to mean any breed or strain. . . . . It could vary by perspective. All the breed would have to do is decend one generation and be claimed to be one's heritage.

HERITAGE - Inheritance; an estate that passes from an ancestor to an heir by descent or course of law; that which is inherited. (Webster 1828 edition)

I think breeds are best described (for preservation reasons) by EITHER the time period that they were developed, OR there intended use. These two would be difficult to argue. There is enough historical evidence to place the breeds in their respective group. Placed by the time period the breed was developed as Saladin suggested on another thread would leave less room for debate. The SOP is our standard for breed type not our standard as to when the breed became a breed. Asil's were a breed long before the SOP even existed.

I do like the terms heritage, heirloom etc. as a description of particular strains. There are strains of breeds that have been faithfully preserved over the course of generations and deserve a description that seperates them from the typical. It is an especially useful term when a strain has been kept in a family or region.

Concerning the preservation of our "HERITAGE", I think we should go about it humbly and faithfully. The second part of the definition I listed above is "2. In scripture, the saints or people of GOD are called his heritage, as being claimed by him, and the objects of his special care." Our heritage should be the objects of our special care. The SOP is our standard concerning our breeds of poultry. It is the best preservation tool that we have. There will always be a variance in the interpretation of that standard, but I will refer back to my original point. Sometimes that is not all bad.

Part of the original question in this thread was in reference to the ALBC's definition of growth rate. I believe the original intent was good, but the definition can be misleading. If your Delewares and New Hampshires have a slow growth rate (compared to many other breeds) then they need to be improved. We do not want to breed out the breed's usefulness. A particular breed's useful characteristics is part of their value. New Hampshires and Deleware's rate of growth is one of their useful charecteristics. A healthy growth rate is not necessarily a slow growth rate. Sorry guys, but I am eating my New Hampshire and Deleware culls at 12 - 14 wks. New Hampshires and Delewares were commercial birds of their time. They were intended to be, and it is part of my original interest in the breeds.

I am not claiming to be an authority on the subject. I am just sharing my thoughts on the discussion.

 

[Jake Levi]

To me Heiritage Chickens are those that our country had when much younger, in my case my choice is the RIRs as they are the ones from my grandparents farm when I was a kid, back in the 40s, my grandmother had very strict standards for her flock, they had to lay or went into the pot, had to be nice to be around or went into the pot, and had to be as they were supposed to be, if not a RC then into the pot, I find it hard to depart from those basic rules.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Here are the folks who assisted the ALBC to define Heritage Poultry.

These folks thought long and hard on this definition. It may not be perfect, but it is the best we have.

http://www.albc-usa.org/heritagechicken/definition.html

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.

Definition of Heritage Chicken

Purpose:

Chickens have been a part of the American diet since the arrival of the Spanish explorers. Since that time, different breeds have been developed to provide meat, eggs, and pleasure.

The American Poultry Association began defining breeds in 1873 and publishing the definitions in the Standard of Perfection. These Standard breeds were well adapted to outdoor production in various climatic regions. They were hearty, long-lived, and reproductively vital birds that provided an important source of protein to the growing population of the country until the mid-20th century. With the industrialization of chickens many breeds were sidelined in preference for a few rapidly growing hybrids. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy now lists over three-dozen breeds of chickens in danger of extinction. Extinction of a breed would mean the irrevocable loss of the genetic resources and options it embodies.

Therefore, to draw attention to these endangered breeds, to support their long-term conservation, to support efforts to recover these breeds to historic levels of productivity, and to re-introduce these culinary and cultural treasures to the marketplace, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is defining Heritage Chicken. Chickens must meet all of the following criteria to be marketed as Heritage.

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]

From http://www.albc-usa.org/heritagechicken/Endorsers.html

Endorsers
The following indviduals helped to craft the Heritage chicken definition and have signed on as endorsers of the definition. They come from a variety of backgrounds including academia, research, poultry education, poultry production, and more.

Marjorie E. F. Bender
Research & Technical Program Director
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
Marjorie serves as Research and Technical Program Director for the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. She has a M.Ed. in Agricultural Science from the University of California-Davis, has been involved in sustainable agriculture since 1991, and has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector. She led ALBC’s heritage turkey conservation effort and is leading the same effort for chickens. Contact: [email protected], (919) 542-5704

Donald E. Bixby, DVM
Breed Conservation Consultant
Former Executive Director of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
Don has been involved with ALBC since the 1980s, and served as Executive Director from 1988-2002. He was responsible for organizing the first North American rare breeds show and sale and for establishing the ALBC Rare Breeds Gene Bank. He has been the liaison to the USDA National Animal Germplasm Program and a leader in founding Rare Breeds International. He currently serves as a Breed Conservation Consultant for ALBC. Contact: [email protected], (540) 951-2386

D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, Ph.D.
Technical Advisor, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and Professor, Vetinary Pathology and Genetics, Virginia Tech
Phil has served as the Technical Advisor for ALBC since 1978. He is employed as a veterinary pathologist and geneticist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg. He has written several books on color genetics and rare breed conservation. He is sought after as a speaker on genetics as well as rare breed conservation. Phil has taken the lead on Spanish horse rescues and is a conservation breeder of Spanish horses, and Tennessee Fainting goats. He works closely with several breed organizations as well as individual breeders of several different breeds.Contact: [email protected], (540) 231-4805

Frank Reese
Reese Turkeys, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, Standard Bred Poultry Institute and American Poultry Association
Frank owns and operates Good Shepherd Ranch in Lindsborg, Kansas. Frank has raised standard varieties of turkeys since his childhood, and is currently leading the effort to conserve heritage turkeys through breeding, production collaborations with regional farms, and regional and national marketing strategies. He is dedicated to raising all of his poultry humanely on pasture and providing his customers with the highest quality turkey available. Frank also breeds chickens, ducks, and geese and has begun marketing selected breeds.
Contact: [email protected], (785) 227-3972

Danny Williamson
Windmill Farm, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, and the American Poultry Association


Danny breeds Standard Bred poultry for production and show. He currently maintains breeding flocks of 400 Black turkeys, 300 Plymouth Rock chickens, as well as Cornish, Dark Brahma chickens, and White call ducks. Danny is a general license judge for the American Poultry Association and has earned the title of Grand Master Breeder in Black turkeys, Standard Dark Brahma chickens, and White Call ducks. He serves on the Board of Directors and is employed as the General Manager and Chief
Financial Officer of Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, Inc.Contact: [email protected], (785) 965-2628

R. Scott Beyer, PhD
Associate Professor, Poultry Nutrition Management, Kansas State University


Dr. Scott Beyer attended Texas A&M University and received an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry in 1983. He obtained his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in the Animal Nutrition Program from the University of Georgia and then worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate for Harvard University in the Department of Nutrition. He now is an Assistant Professor position at Kansas State University where he is the coach of the KSU Collegiate Poultry Judging team. Dr. Beyer is also the Poultry Extension Agent for the state of Kansas. His research focuses on feed manufacturing and poultry nutrition.
Contact: [email protected], (785) 532-1201

Anne Fanatico
Research Associate
Center for Excellence for Poultry Science
University of Arkansas
Anne is currently employed as a Research Associate at the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas. Anne hold a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas, a MS in Animal Science from Oregon State University, and a BS in Zoology and Spanish from the University of North Carolina. She worked overseas for two years in Costa Rica as a Peace Corps Volunteer specializing in agroforestry. Her areas of specialty at NCAT include small livestock; particularily pasture-based poultry production, including organic production, new marketing options, and alternative feeding. Contact: [email protected]

Kenneth E. Anderson
Poultry Extension Specialist & Prof. of Poultry and Food Science
North Carolina State University


Prof. Anderson’s extension and research responsibilities include
animal welfare as impacted by molting practices, and the impact of these practices on the welfare of the laying hen. He also does research on shell egg cooling and processing; layer performance and management; and on the biological basis for chemoprevention of ovarian cancer. Prior to joining N.C. State University in 1990, Prof. Anderson spent seven years at the Dept. of Animal Science at Kansas State University. He has also spent three years in industry, as general manager of the State Line Egg Producers Cooperative Association, Inc., in Beatrice, Nebraska.Contact: [email protected], (919) 555-1212​

 

[Yellow House Farm]

Quote:

Definition of Heritage Chicken

Purpose:

Chickens have been a part of the American diet since the arrival of the Spanish explorers. Since that time, different breeds have been developed to provide meat, eggs, and pleasure.

The American Poultry Association began defining breeds in 1873 and publishing the definitions in the Standard of Perfection. These Standard breeds were well adapted to outdoor production in various climatic regions. They were hearty, long-lived, and reproductively vital birds that provided an important source of protein to the growing population of the country until the mid-20th century. With the industrialization of chickens many breeds were sidelined in preference for a few rapidly growing hybrids. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy now lists over three-dozen breeds of chickens in danger of extinction. Extinction of a breed would mean the irrevocable loss of the genetic resources and options it embodies.

Therefore, to draw attention to these endangered breeds, to support their long-term conservation, to support efforts to recover these breeds to historic levels of productivity, and to re-introduce these culinary and cultural treasures to the marketplace, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is defining Heritage Chicken. Chickens must meet all of the following criteria to be marketed as Heritage.

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.
​

Most of this definition is sensical, basic, clear. We know what it means. Heritage fowl are purebred fowl that breed pure and naturally thrive in a small to mid-scale farm/homestead environment. I don't know how much there is to argue about there, although there's always someone who's going to gripe, that's the beauty of community.

One of the greatest difficulties is issue of the miid-50's date. That is subjective and causes problems because it isolates individuals and their fowl superficially. If one has a long ranging historical thought process, most composite fowls are babies: RIR's, NH's, Orpingtons, Delawares, Hollands, Faverolles, etc.... I think that these are all grand fowl, but if we're talking heritage qua history they're not exactly far reaching. On the other hand, if we're going to extend the label to Delawares and NH's, then it's not exactly a stretch to extend the courtousy to Ameraucanas.

Then there is the reality, as mentioned above in a well thought out post, SOP inclusion discusses the time period when officiating efforts were made for stnadardization in the US; this does not necessarily say anything about the historicity of the fowl. The 1930's were just last week if one considers the history of the OEG.

I think the whole notion of a date should disappear, as heritage will continue to unfold long after I'm dead, and I am younger than many on the aforementioned committee. We would do well not to establish ideas that will only alientate and, on that account, be discounted by history in the long-run as a fadish movement with no long-term benefit.

 

[Our Roost]

Heritage birds fall within the time frame prior to the mid 20th century period. They were explicit to what farmers created from crossbreeding birds from around the globe correct? Its important you understand how that came about. Standards were formed to control breeding guidelines, ( these came from horse breeding regulations believe it or not) and any new breeds created had to stem from the already named breeds certified by these agreed to standards of SOP and APA.. There were no barnyard specials or mutts in this group. They sort of selected what the farmers or breeders had to offer and made a decision what chickens fell into the elite group known as heritage birds. So if the parent breed used for cross/breeding had guidelines of SOP, then the offspring had to have those same guidelines to keep the new strain pure within the family of the parent birds used. You can't create a new heritage breed by any other standard because of the standards set and etched in stone!
Secondly, all chickens were slow growers up until the Cornish x came into play after World war ll. I am not knocking your thoughts but only the history and true heritage of breeds created during that time frame. They WILL and always will be Heritage breeds. They are recognized as such and that will never change. All and any bird after that time frame stems from a heritage breed used to create it. You can however, create your own standards of perfection for your new creation as long as you follow the rules. This is why the Morans you mentioned isn't excepted as a heritage breed in America, It came from another origin and we breed to different standards on some breeds. My input is over.

Sorry I'm late but I am into crossbreeding and trying to create a strain within 2 different breeds being used. Trying to find out history of how heritage breeds were initially created and coined as such. Someone from say china brought birds to England who gave them to Germany who brought them to America and so on! In that process they kept interbreeding until they found something suitable that repeated for their origin, lifestyle and environment. Thank you creative farmers!