Joseph, it was good to read your posts and others. Some interesting ideas.
I would like to contribute a few thoughts on the topics discussed.
Concerning all of the new breed fads. I do not get all excited about it either. I do feel like some of it is natural. How did we get all that we do now? Most were imports at some time.
It seams that poultry keeping has seen it's booms and busts before.
You guys are right. People are going to keep what they want. And they should. If that is what they like, then so be it. I have chosen to try breeds that are accepted, and I think there should be a priority there. That is not saying that any other has no value though. Their value might be more subjective here. The value of accepted breeds and varieties are more objective. They have the backing of an established and respected organization.
Concerning breeding for production, and it's simplicity. I would say yes and no. Depends how serious you want to get. It can be very complicated and difficult, and it can be kept on an elementary level. I think this is a mute point really, because I have never known anyone to take it that seriously.
I am not especially religious about it. You will not find me trap nesting, keeping extensive records, or testing sires. I do want to be mindful of it along the way. I think it is a use it or lose it kind of thing. If we do not put any pressure on these points, we will lose them the same as if we did not put pressure on size.
I think it would be a shame to let any livestock devolve into purely ornamental specimens. If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that breeding for type alone is not going to automatically make the birds productive. It is certainly a major player and gives the birds potential. There is jut a little more to it than that.
I have come to a place where I want both. I grow blueberries and they are beautiful plants, but they would not be the same if they did not produce a lot of quality blueberries. I started in blueberries for the blueberries, and appreciate that they are attractive, and a pleasure to own. I see the berry, the qualities of the berries, how many they produce, when they produce them, and how they produce them as traits that the particular variety has. An identical plant that did not have these characteristics is another variety all together.
I feel that the production characteristics of a given line of birds as traits that the birds have. If they are poor layers, poor growers, poor hatchers, etc. I see those characteristics as faults just as I would poor this and that. I am looking at the characteristics of the whole bird.
I would certainly never recommend anyone committing to marriage just because they think the potential mate looks good. That is part of it, but not all of it.
The challenge of owning and breeding birds that look the part and play the part appeals to me.
I like the variety in poultry breeds, and poultry keepers. I have my perspective, but I enjoy the variety of perspectives. There is a lot of ways to do this, and a lot of different things to do.
What the birds need is more able bodied dedicated breeders. That is where we are short. The more quality people learning this craft, the more breeds and varieties will hang around as a result.
I do not know many of those. A lot of buyers, and keepers maybe. I have noticed some that frequent this thread, that are putting real effort into it. Some that are not. Some are like me, and plugging away, but time will tell whether or not we will be any good at it.
Since you are a farmer, maybe poll just
