how about selling araucanas as EEs?

[Guitartists]

Thanks Anne.... I knew it was possible but not how rare it was for them to not be visible or inward.

Chickens I don't feel are the same as dogs and cats... no overpopulation problems because the fix is that they are eaten

And as far as the other goes, it seems that with the rarity of the breed..... it would be better for people to attempt to perpetuate the breed even if the lines are not show quality than for people to be discouraged due to the lack of large numbers of show quality birds... just my 2 cents.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Amazondoc- could you please post pics of the birds in question? I'm now really curious as to what a blue/buff looks like.

Also, if you are making a list, I would love to add more EEs or whatever you'd like to call them to my little flock. My current EEs are all standard size. Please put me on your spring" mailing list"! Thanks!

 

[amazondoc]

Hiya --

There's a link to pics of all my current araucanas in another thread in this same forum section. It's titled something like "my araucanas, and genetics of blue wheaten".

I'm not sure yet whether I'll breed in the spring, sell eggs, hatch chicks, or what. Check back when the weather warms up!

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Thanks for the info Anne. So it's the lethal gene that impairs the hatchability, not low fertility like I've seen some say. Good to know that.

I know the polish are unique in appearance, and a lot of people go for that funny looking crest, but I try to breed for hardiness and health along with anything else. I guess there's a point to preservation of all the breeds, but I'd think the ability to survive would be high on the list. It never seemed like a good idea to me to deliberately breed any kind of animal that can't live without special help. Weakening the species, basically. There's a reason for survival of the fittest, in the wild!

I suppose that all the breeds have some valuable genes, though. Maybe the funny-looking crested birds that can't see to eat will turn out to carry some gene that makes them resistant to a disease or something.

 

[priszilla]

Quote:
I thought to gain APA or ABA breed acceptance of any breed- the birds HAD to breed true.True to form and color.That's why the serama folks are having a tough time getting it recognized as a breed

 

[vfem]

My head is spinning

*note to self, never breed araucanas*

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
It's actually both. They get it from all sides!

The rumpless characteristic makes it more difficult for the birds to breed successfully -- so the eggs are not always fertilized. THEN you have to deal with the lethal tufted trait.

I guess there's a point to preservation of all the breeds, but I'd think the ability to survive would be high on the list. It never seemed like a good idea to me to deliberately breed any kind of animal that can't live without special help. Weakening the species, basically. There's a reason for survival of the fittest, in the wild!

There are deleterious traits in many breeds of many domesticated species. For example, the merle trait in many breeds of dogs can lead to deafness and blindness. The spotting trait in dalmatians can lead to deafness, and many dals have problems with bladder stones. The tailless trait in manx cats can lead to incontinence and even paralysis. The dwarfism of miniature horses is obviously maladaptive, as is hydrocephaly in toy breeds like chihuahuas. And so on and so forth. Heck, even the extreme laying trait in layers, and the extreme weight gain in broilers, are deleterious to the bird's survival. It happens all the time!​

 

[Birch Run Farm]

This cockerel doesn't meet the Standard of Perfection but I sure wouldn't call him an EE because of that!

Yep, I think my ugly baby is beautiful!!!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Suddenly Jimmy Buffet comes to mind...
"If I only had a pencil thin mustache..."

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
It's actually both. They get it from all sides!

The rumpless characteristic makes it more difficult for the birds to breed successfully -- so the eggs are not always fertilized. THEN you have to deal with the lethal tufted trait.

I guess there's a point to preservation of all the breeds, but I'd think the ability to survive would be high on the list. It never seemed like a good idea to me to deliberately breed any kind of animal that can't live without special help. Weakening the species, basically. There's a reason for survival of the fittest, in the wild!

There are deleterious traits in many breeds of many domesticated species. For example, the merle trait in many breeds of dogs can lead to deafness and blindness. The spotting trait in dalmatians can lead to deafness, and many dals have problems with bladder stones. The tailless trait in manx cats can lead to incontinence and even paralysis. The dwarfism of miniature horses is obviously maladaptive, as is hydrocephaly in toy breeds like chihuahuas. And so on and so forth. Heck, even the extreme laying trait in layers, and the extreme weight gain in broilers, are deleterious to the bird's survival. It happens all the time!​

I know it's true, it does happen all the time. I wish it didn't. I think it's a shame what we've done to some animals, genetically. In some cases, like German Shepards, we've taken perfectly wonderful dogs and turned them into cripples, with hind legs splayed so badly they kind of scrabble and slither along, they can't walk normally. I've seen this, in a dog show ring, with a dog that was actually a winner. It was disgraceful. And his owner looked proud.

I can't condone any breeding practice that adversely affects the health of the animal. Deliberately breeding weakness into any species is not a good idea, even if it is common.

The extreme laying ability in layers breeds and extreme weight gain of the meat breeds are excellent illustrations. Those aren't the healthiest birds, at least the meat birds. I've never raised the extreme egg layers, they probably aren't as bad as the Cornish X's, but I know they wear out long before a more moderate breed, such as an Australorp or a Orpington. I'm beginning breeding experiments of my own to produce a more sustainable, healthier meat bird. They won't grow as fast, but I bet they'll be a heck of a lot healthier, and a few more weeks growth is acceptable to me, for a better bird.