Mahonri your version is far better and healthier then whats on the boob tube, stay your course.
Good luck on the rats, really donot like them, to put it mildly.
Cute video Mary, love the goats too, just not big enough! How are they going to carry a pack??? Other then a sandwich?
Re the fray gene, its been around a long time, seen it in other traditional breeds too, some of the APA judges call it a 'deleterious recessive'. And wont even allow them in a class if any show up.
All standards I am aware of name it a serious fault in feathering. So most APA breeders wouldnt even try to show them.
In other species of birds it hinders, at best, flying.
Can not in any way help a breed unless looking for freakish chickens. And freakish chickens arnt helping a breed.
I can remember my grandmothers disgust at a neighbors flock that had it. One of her comments was'' shouldnt even be allowed to have chickens''. She took breeding and stewardship of her flock of RC RIRs very seriously. I feel the same about the Icelandics. Many things are great, some should never be tolerated.
Sorry , sorta, to sound so blunt, but , dont allow any with it to breed.
Best candidates for chicken and dumplings.
