Definition of Heritage Breeds

[saladin]

The ALBC has done some very good work; no doubt about it.

I worked more closely with them when Don S. was on board. He started and ran the Buckeye project. Don is a chicken man. When the ALBC lost Don they lost a real gem and their poultry expert.

The ultimate purpose of the ALBC and the SPPA are somewhat different.

How you see disagreement as 'tearing down' I don't know what you are talking about nor do I understand that way of thinking. A question was asked and I answered it. It is as simple as that.

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
The ALBC did this to boost popularity in
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 Are you trying to tare it down? This is exposed to be a good thing.

Not trying to tear down anything. Trying to get it right. The SPPA has been working exclusively with fowl since 1967.

The ALBC is a Life member of the SPPA.

Is it just because your birds and others are not included in this list makes you want to change it? Why don't you try to make a definition of some sorts for the old breeds that you raise?
At this point it is going to be hard to change what the ALBC has written, I do agree that this definition is not perfect. not many things are.......
punky
did not read your last post until after I posted

 

[saladin]

punky,
The breeds I raise are in the Standard. And are on the ALBC list.

 

[saladin]

I worked with Don at the ALBC for years on refining the numbers they use as criteria for what is rare. I am just at a loss over what you are thinking.

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
Then which part do you think needs changing? the Standard part?

 

[saladin]

First, I think 'heritage' is to general of a term. Though it has been an attention get-ter; no doubt about that!

Second, birds with recent creation dates are not 'heritage' by any definition of that word. (Heritage means something that is passed from generation to generation: thus implies being 'old.'

I don't have a problem with Standard bred birds. lol. I believe in them! That is what I raise; or at least try too.

The ALBC focuses on farm production breeds; as rightly they should. They have every right to define their own focus.

The SPPA focuses on ALL old and rare breeds of fowl and only fowl.

Those two thing are not the same.

 

[punky rooster]

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Well what would be a good cut of date?

 

[saladin]

That would need to be determined, in my opinion, by several organizations working together: namely the APA, ABA, SPPA and ALBC.

The problem is you are working with 3 dates and one question:

1. When was the breed accepted into the Standard?
2. When was the breed created?
3. When was the breed imported (if applicable)?
4. What was the breed created to do?

 

[buffalogal]

Quote:
I see. I can't help but think of the old "my dog's better than your dog"song.

Quote:
In that, I would have to say "they" are right. While I can understand the ALBC as an orginization only wanting to count breeds in the United States and Canada, does a breed acquire "heritage" status based strictly on it's documented appearance in this country? If that's the intent, I suppose we could qualify and say "American Heritage Poultry Breed", but we might get some slack from Houghton Mifflin.

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
I agree with this especially the organizations working together part