I disagree with the OP for a number of reasons. First, if someone is interested in the breeds that are in decline, they will work with them. It is no ones responsibility to take on a project that they have not chosen for themself. I certainly agree that reviving a breed whose numbers and popularity are in decline can be a worthy goal. But do consider why it is in decline--for some reason breeders and exhibitors and those who just keep chickens have lost interest. Perhaps it is a breed more susceptible to disease? Or less productive? Or not as tame? Or... As was mentioned, many of these breeds were deliberately crossed and created at some point in the past. In a number of cases, not even that far in the past.
If someone wants to breed a green and purple polka dotted bird with barred tail feathers and a crest, why is it anyone's business to tell them that they cannot or should not do that with their own birds? If they obtain their goal, FANTASTIC! And if they do not, what has it really hurt anyone or anything?
None of the better known breeders who work on projects arrived at that level of distinction overnight. They did it by choosing to pursue an interest or dream one step at a time, receiving recognition along with their accomplishments. A few were born to families that kept chickens, growing into the knowledge; others came to it later in life: as a teenager, a young adult, or even as a retiree.
As for helping chicks out of the shell, perhaps if you were talking about chicks brooded under a hen it might make some sense, but most chicks that are helped out of shells are hatched in an incubator under artificial conditions. Is it the chick's genetic issue that prevents it from hatching when incubator humidity or temperature is too high or low? Low temperature causes the chick to hatch late; high temps cause it to hatch early. Either of these can cause hatching issues. Likewise, humidity that is too low makes it very difficult for the chick to break through the membrane. High humidty makes for chicks who are initially weaker.
If someone wants to breed a green and purple polka dotted bird with barred tail feathers and a crest, why is it anyone's business to tell them that they cannot or should not do that with their own birds? If they obtain their goal, FANTASTIC! And if they do not, what has it really hurt anyone or anything?
None of the better known breeders who work on projects arrived at that level of distinction overnight. They did it by choosing to pursue an interest or dream one step at a time, receiving recognition along with their accomplishments. A few were born to families that kept chickens, growing into the knowledge; others came to it later in life: as a teenager, a young adult, or even as a retiree.
As for helping chicks out of the shell, perhaps if you were talking about chicks brooded under a hen it might make some sense, but most chicks that are helped out of shells are hatched in an incubator under artificial conditions. Is it the chick's genetic issue that prevents it from hatching when incubator humidity or temperature is too high or low? Low temperature causes the chick to hatch late; high temps cause it to hatch early. Either of these can cause hatching issues. Likewise, humidity that is too low makes it very difficult for the chick to break through the membrane. High humidty makes for chicks who are initially weaker.
