Heritage Breeds

[Sparky2133]

My mom is always saying "when we move to the country, I want to raise a Heritage Breed." And I am always going What?! Can someone define what a Heritage breed 'is', exactly, and what breeds are included in the term?

 

[Fred's Hens]

The ALBC American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Those are the folks. American Livestock Breeds Conservancy - Breeds Information

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.​

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[Sparky2133]

Are bantams included in this definition? Or are only Large Fowl capable of being a Heritage Breed? And what are some examples of Heritage Breeds?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Click on the link,, printed in blue in my first post and read away!!

I'll re-print their list here, but there are many great websites discussing heritage chickens. Lots to read and fun to learn.

CHICKENS
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• links​

CRITICAL​

THREATENED​

WATCH​

RECOVERING​

STUDY​

Campine

Chantecler​

Crevecoeur

Holland​

Modern Game​

Nankin​

Redcap

Russian Orloff

Spanish

Sultan​

Sumatra​

Yokohama​

Andalusian​

Buckeye​

Buttercup

Cubalaya​

Delaware​

Dorking

Faverolles​

Java

Lakenvelder​

Langshan

Malay

Phoenix
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Ancona

Aseel

Brahma

Catalana

Cochin

Cornish

Dominique

Hamburg

Houdan

Jersey Giant

La Fleche

Minorca

New Hampshire

Old English Game​

Polish​

Rhode Island White

Sebright

Shamo​

Australorp

Leghorn- Non-industrial

Orpington

Plymouth Rock

Rhode Island Red​

- Non industrial

Sussex

Wyandotte​

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Araucana1

Iowa Blue

Lamona​

Manx Rumpy (aka Persian Rumpless)

Naked Neck (aka Turken)
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[Sparky2133]

Thank you so much for the information!

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
Don't forget the wonderful Sussex Fowl! One of the finest dual purpose true Heritage breeds around. Fine for meat or eggs. Docile and good mothers.Cold Hardy, robust chicks, excellent foragers. Lots of colors to choose from. APA approved long ago both in bantam and large fowl. There are several Sussex threads here on BYC and a parent Club named American Sussex Association. As with any Heritage breed, buy from a breeder, the best you can get for your foundation flock. It will save you years of work and you'll have more fun at the shows.
Best,
Karen in western PA, USA