Farming and Homesteading Heritage Poultry

[BGMatt]

Why are heritage breeds associated so closely with APA standard? It's rather dumb. I suppose poultry are one of the only live stock you can in-breed and still call them an example of the breed. Here is the definition I use for heritage breeds - " Heritage chickens are the types that were popular and common before modern commercial chickens took over all the meat and egg production." - Short and simple. Unlike the APA definition. Standard of Perfection associations around the world have to much influence on chicken breeds. Every time I here the "It's only a heritage bird if it meats the SOP" I laugh. Because the concept of a pure bred chicken in NA is new (less than 100 years) with production abilities. this is just one breeders opinion

APA doesn't define heritage, although they should. They are the oldest livestock organization in North America. The reason the standard is so important is form follows function and vice versa. If you have been involved in other livestock you would know this. The standards were written for these breeds when they were relevant for production. The type of each breed was written to make sure that breed could fulfill its purpose. Birds that aren't close to their standard aren't that breed. They're just mutts and thus can't be "heritage". The current commercial poultry industry is amazing. We have moved beyond breeds for efficient production. These super layers make the old "heritage" breeds look sad, and a Cobb Broiler is the epitome of selective breeding for meat and truly makes the old meat birds look like something out of the Stone Age, model T's to a Ferrari. Those that actually care about the history and heritage of poultry in the US must adhere to the standard, because the standard is not some showroom invention, it is based on production truly. It is what makes the birds a living history. If folks claim to care about heritage and therefore poultry history they have to care about the standard. Otherwise they're talking out of both sides of their mouth, ya know? Sounds awfully hypocritical.

 

[finnfur]

I haven't decided on a breed yet, but I would like to help preserve a heritage breed. I'm open for suggestions for a bird that is the best combo of friendly, beautiful, and a great egg layer. Everything in my garden is heirloom, so it only makes sense to choose a heritage breed of chicken. Suggestions welcome!

There is a chart at the ABLC web site that is downloadable - it compares chickens - make your selection from the things you want - when you narrow it down let us know and we can help with source - there is a lot of useful info on that site also.
http://albc-usa.org/heritagechicken/chickencomparison.html

Good luck and welcome !

 

[finnfur]

APA doesn't define heritage, although they should. They are the oldest livestock organization in North America.

The reason the standard is so important is form follows function and vice versa. If you have been involved in other livestock you would know this.

The standards were written for these breeds when they were relevant for production. The type of each breed was written to make sure that breed could fulfill its purpose.

Birds that aren't close to their standard aren't that breed. They're just mutts and thus can't be "heritage".

The current commercial poultry industry is amazing. We have moved beyond breeds for efficient production. These super layers make the old "heritage" breeds look sad, and a Cobb Broiler is the epitome of selective breeding for meat and truly makes the old meat birds look like something out of the Stone Age, model T's to a Ferrari.

Those that actually care about the history and heritage of poultry in the US must adhere to the standard, because the standard is not some showroom invention, it is based on production truly. It is what makes the birds a living history. If folks claim to care about heritage and therefore poultry history they have to care about the standard. Otherwise they're talking out of both sides of their mouth, ya know? Sounds awfully hypocritical.

Agreed but the Ferrari's don't taste as good as the old model T's - IMHO LOL

 

[BGMatt]

Agreed but the Ferrari's don't taste as good as the old model T's  - IMHO LOL

True. But from measurable point of view. Size, growth rate, feed conversion they beat the tar out of "heritage" breeds. And those old breeds (remember the definition says pre-1950s) can never come close to those numbers, but that's ok.

Just like its ok to raise hatchery birds (that cost me personally a lot to say) or other mixes because they lay more, or you just want the pretty colors.

However, if you want to raise "heritage" or "heirloom" breeds and you toss out the standard and don't adhere to it, it just makes you look silly, uneducated, and uninformed. Or like a snake oil salesmen out to make a quick buck.

 

[finnfur]

True. But from measurable point of view. Size, growth rate, feed conversion they beat the tar out of "heritage" breeds. And those old breeds (remember the definition says pre-1950s) can never come close to those numbers, but that's ok.

Just like its ok to raise hatchery birds (that cost me personally a lot to say) or other mixes because they lay more, or you just want the pretty colors.

However, if you want to raise "heritage" or "heirloom" breeds and you toss out the standard and don't adhere to it, it just makes you look silly, uneducated, and uninformed. Or like a snake oil salesmen out to make a quick buck.

Yes Yes , all true but I put a high weight on enjoyment . Tried BlackBroilers and worst experience in raising I have had . And unless doing it commercially you can buy em cheaper at the store. I think the standard is important for the purpose of the bird . Shape & type. However color variations doesn't change the table quality of the Meat or Eggs . That doesn't mean you can't strive for the paint but not as the most important of the SOP. We are talking for Homesteading Heritage now.

 

[BGMatt]

Yes Yes , all true but I put a high weight on enjoyment . Tried BlackBroilers and worst experience in raising I have had . And unless doing it commercially you can buy em cheaper at the store. I think the standard is important for the purpose of the bird . Shape & type. However color variations doesn't change the table quality of the Meat or Eggs . That doesn't mean you can't strive for the paint but not as the most important of the SOP. We are talking for Homesteading Heritage now.

Totally with you on that. I despise commercial poultry, be it broilers or hatchery birds.

Shape and type are very important in letting a bird do its job properly. And reward proper breed selection. Technically a Rhode Island Red and a Wyandotte are both dual purpose breeds. However due to body shape and type the Rhode Island Red is slanted more toward egg production and the Wyandotte more meat based.

Color isn't as important true, but I am sure they had reasons beyond ornamental. A lot of varieties are tied to a preference in a particular region, which adds historical significance to it.

I do know feather quality can be linked to production. Using the Rhode Island Red as an example, the old timers discovered birds with medium feather width would out produce birds with wide feathers.

There is quite a bit of production info even today in the standard. It's in the first 40 pages or so, but bandwagoners and newcomers to poultry since the whole fad of backyard chickens started don't realize that so they dismiss the standard as "show only".

 

[TheApproach]

What is everyone's opinion on the Delaware?

 

[Arielle]

What is everyone's opinion on the Delaware?

Get Kathy Imos.

 

[catdaddyfro]

What is everyone's opinion on the Delaware?

Good ones"real Delawares" would certainly serve purpose on the homestead for sure if that's the ques. at hand. Bad ones, as in (factory stock) would be just comparable to Pro reds(not knocking them as all serve their own purpose and rites) or any of the other plethora of the so called "breeds" from a industry/hatchery type bird.

Jeff

 

[caseyBlane]

I

What is everyone's opinion on the Delaware? 

I get 3.5 - 4.5 dressed males at 20 weeks. Sustainable Poultry Network has a program to get them at 16 weeks