I An Idea For All of You, do you agree (concerns My Genetics Opinion)

[Sonoran Silkies]

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I guess my biggest problem with your suggestion is that you are assigning value simply based on historical choice. Why are the choices made by someone from 100 or 300 years ago in defining a breed more vaild than the choices someone makes today? I have absolutely no problem with you or anyone else saying, "gee, I am concerned about keeping the old breeds that are dying out alive, and I choose to work to preserve them," or your encouragement for others to help preserve those breeds. I do object when you express the opinion that your choice (preserving older breeds) is more valid or worthwhile than someone else's choice to work on a new breed or variety. It strikes me as quite arrogant to consider one's own opinions more worthwhile than someone who thinks differently.

And quite frankly it actively discourages me from having any interest in preserving a breed that I might consider if your presentation were different. Yes, that is petty. But I am human.

 

[redhen]

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I guess my biggest problem with your suggestion is that you are assigning value simply based on historical choice. Why are the choices made by someone from 100 or 300 years ago in defining a breed more vaild than the choices someone makes today? I have absolutely no problem with you or anyone else saying, "gee, I am concerned about keeping the old breeds that are dying out alive, and I choose to work to preserve them," or your encouragement for others to help preserve those breeds. I do object when you express the opinion that your choice (preserving older breeds) is more valid or worthwhile than someone else's choice to work on a new breed or variety. It strikes me as quite arrogance to consider one's own opinions more worthwhile than someone who thinks differently.

And quite frankly it actively discourages me from having any interest in preserving a breed that I might consider if your presentation were different. Yes, that is petty. But I am human.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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BLESS YOU!

 

[laughaha]

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This is HILARIOUS cuz I have an absolutely gorgeous supersized BA mutt who is purple and green in the sunlight and I'm trying to make purple sheen to the black of black/blue/red barred creoles that lay dark blue or green or purple eggs, go broody readily (all of her close relatives do), and have small combs or fro's to help with winter hardiness. Talk about Funny coincidence. She should meet and pass on alot of what I want in my (eventual) personal flock of mutts (who I may name for poo's and giggles).

I think people call them PROJECTS cuz that is what they are- the purposeful breeding of two different breeds or mutts and looking for a desired outcome. Think of it as a "research project" if it makes you feel better. I do not think that most people who are just letting a huge mixed flock of chickens "do their thing" even bothers to call it a project. If you can't tell, I respectfully disagree with OP. I don't think you should have to be a geneticist to be looked upon favorably for making purposeful mutts (which TECHNICALLY EVERY modern chicken is). I'm having fun and eating the rejects, it's not like there is a chicken overpopulation issue (like dogs).

Current breeds are what they are because people a few hundred years ago wanted/needed chickens to be like that. Not a bad thing and the surviving breeds we have are certainly worth keeping around provided they have enough great qualities that people can become passionate about them.

If a chick needs help getting out of the egg, I help it cuz I'm new at incubating and it's probably my fault that it's having problems. If it grows up into something I don't want I eat it. Problem solved.

 

[cochin123]

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I guess my biggest problem with your suggestion is that you are assigning value simply based on historical choice. Why are the choices made by someone from 100 or 300 years ago in defining a breed more vaild than the choices someone makes today? I have absolutely no problem with you or anyone else saying, "gee, I am concerned about keeping the old breeds that are dying out alive, and I choose to work to preserve them," or your encouragement for others to help preserve those breeds. I do object when you express the opinion that your choice (preserving older breeds) is more valid or worthwhile than someone else's choice to work on a new breed or variety. It strikes me as quite arrogant to consider one's own opinions more worthwhile than someone who thinks differently.

And quite frankly it actively discourages me from having any interest in preserving a breed that I might consider if your presentation were different. Yes, that is petty. But I am human.

 

[greathorse]

I am on the side of not helping chicks out of the shell. I think if I had some expensive eggs that represented a breed I was starting with I would make some exceptions. By in large on my own eggs I just let it happen. My thought is, whether right or wrong is that ulitmately I should have better hatching vigor than if I step in at the drop of a hat. I would also guess that this change would be way down the road and not in the first generation or so.

In terms of breeding projects I really heard the OP pose a thought and more of a question, than an opinion. My opinion is that if one wants to get some birds and work with some sort of breeding program they would best serve the heritage breeds by focusing on some of the breeds that are challenged in numbers and working to improve that. I think that many of the "project" breeders enjoy themselves, do no harm, and wind up with some mutts that might look pretty cool. Nothing wrong with that.

I would also submit that those same "project breeders" that begin with poor to mediocre mixed up genetics wind up with very little for their efforts beyond some pretty cool looking mutts. It is hard enough to take an established breed and improve on it unless you have some experience, a great eye and often find a mentor of somekind. Many times folks can make a complete wreck in a generation or two because they lack the experience and knowledge to cull properly. So yes it is my opinon, it is only that, that the little poultry hobby as we have it here would be best served if folks focused on specific known breeds and did their best to improve on that.

I think the muddle of projects that come to mind on here provide entertainment and the ability for a backyard enthusiast to consider themselve project breeders, it makes them feel good. Good for them.

I feel good if I think I can get a little bit better bunch of birds this year over last.

It is all in what makes us enjoy the hobby

FYI I did not read a bit of pretention in the OP post.

 

[Chickanmanfromarkansas]

I will have to disagree with the statement about breeding "projects" to me they are fun when I feel like doing them.

Lighten up on him, he's just expressing his opinion. I did not take any offence to his statements, but don't agree with all of them either.

Now for my project: I'm going to cross..... (just kidding) there is not one. My stock is not old enough for anything like that for now.

Next year I'm going to get me some Cochins (haven't decided which variety yet).

 

[usschicago1]

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[usschicago1]

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I guess my biggest problem with your suggestion is that you are assigning value simply based on historical choice. Why are the choices made by someone from 100 or 300 years ago in defining a breed more vaild than the choices someone makes today? I have absolutely no problem with you or anyone else saying, "gee, I am concerned about keeping the old breeds that are dying out alive, and I choose to work to preserve them," or your encouragement for others to help preserve those breeds. I do object when you express the opinion that your choice (preserving older breeds) is more valid or worthwhile than someone else's choice to work on a new breed or variety. It strikes me as quite arrogant to consider one's own opinions more worthwhile than someone who thinks differently.

And quite frankly it actively discourages me from having any interest in preserving a breed that I might consider if your presentation were different. Yes, that is petty. But I am human.

arrogant-making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud
If thats one thing this whole thread I HAVEN't Been Arrogant. I Respect your opinion (though not your attitude) as much as everyone elses. I know you work with silkie varities, and thats great because if no-one did then we wouldn't have silkies. You were really not one of the people I was talking about. Really Im Saying to People WORK WITH A BREED !!! And I prefer a heritage breed if someone could choose. I'm not saying thats better, but morally speaking its better for the breed.

 

[justuschickens59]

Another Idea- Alot of people are doing "projects" For Fun. I really think this should be left for the professionals, like hinkjc and the genetic guros on this section.

I'm curious to know who decides who is "worthy" of doing "projects" and what the criteria is to become worthy?

As far as helping chicks out - I help every single one that needs it.

I agree 100% with whoever here said that just because something has been done a certain way for 100 years does not mean that is the correct way.