Old and Rare Breeds

[RioLindoAz]

I'm currently raising Nankins right now and plan on breeding for type and color on the years to come. I'll most likely have chicks available NEXT Spring. Pens are already up.

 

[saladin]

Chris,

I appreciate the glossary post. That should be a help to anyone that wants to learn.

 

[saladin]

Missi,

Malays are one of the oldest breeds. They are very difficult to raise. I did so for a number of years and decided I just didn't have the kind of time or money required to keep them, but I sure hope someone does. I did find some bantam Malays about 6 years ago and started keeping them. They don't have the health issues of the large fowl Malays and are really great birds.

 

[saladin]

Rio mentioned the Nankin.

The Nankin is a truly ancient fowl and a true bantam breed. They existed in this country by 1840 but then disappeared. Back in the 60s Dr Dempsey imported stock froma Ms. Peters in the UK. All the stock in America is related to that one import.

Five years ago 4 of us started the Nankin Club of America. Since then, this little breed has just bloomed: thanks in a great way to Mary Ann Harley of SC who last year shipped over 500 Nankin chicks all over the US.

I would love to see the same thing happen with the Pyncheon. Why? Because I want to see us preserve all the rare fowl we have. We are called to be stewards of what we've been given. There are different fowl to suit different taste.

 

[cubalaya]

thanks for the invite saladin. is this the anti-heritage large fowl thread? lol. i was thinking of selling all my mutts and just keeping my cubalayas and australorps. heritage cubalaya and heritage black australorp sounds good. composite industrial cubalaya or industrial composite breed australorp ; not so good. oh well, if thats what they are.

 

[saladin]

If folks are looking to get into old and rare breeds with a distinct connection to the Americas then I would suggest the following:

Historically the following is believed by most poultry historians:

The first fowl brought to the Americas would have been something akin to the White-faced Black Spanish and, of course, Games.

The early English colonists (remember the Spanish beat them by more than a century) most likely brought something akin to the Dorking (old 5-toed fowl) and, of course, Games.

In the Bay Colony you would have found the Dorking minus the Games. Jamestown and south you would have also found the Dorking but also the Games.

The Blue Hen of Delaware is a Blue Game hen.

Thus, in summary, the 3 fowl, for sure, you would have found in the early colonies:

White-faced Black Spanish
Dorking
Games

The Games would have been: English Games, Irish Games and Spanish Games. These three with the addition of Orientals help to make up what is now being refered to as 'American Games.' That was never a term I heard growing up (except in reference to the bantams). They were always simply refered to as Pit Games to distinguish them from Old English and Modern Games.

(All of these are found in the APA Standard except for the so called American Games).

It is important to remember that what we know as 'breeds' was much more fluid than it is today: except with Games.

 

[flgardengirl]

Quote:
Pyncheon guy, I would love to hear more about how you got started with pyncheon bantams ,how/where you got started with your birds, and some of your experiences with them. They seem fascinating!

 

[saladin]

Illia,

How good are the Shamos you have? Are you looking for others too? I can point you to some good ones. My good friend Herman Hagood has some extra pullets.

I'm hoping for a good hatch on the Malgache. They lay so few eggs that it is very difficult to have extras.

 

[Pyncheon guy]

I aquired my first Pyncheons from a breeder by the name of Harold Strawser.... His stock was from the original and famous Reverend in Kentucky who kept the breed going for quite some time. I didn't purchase them...we traded Pyncheons for a Blue Muscovy female...I use to keep several Muscovy varieties. I started with four birds....Three purebred and one Pyncheon crossbred. Fertility had been a problem..... with the help of some other Pyncheon lines and out-crossing....I now have VERY prolific breeders. Minor setbacks have occured from these crossings but the overall picture has been a pretty one. I had been very familiar with the Mille Fleur pattern and still to this day try to improve upon their color/pattern. The breed has to have a tassel/crest....RED earlobes...and WILLOW legs....They are recognized by the ABA..but not the APA...yet.

I live in Northern Michigan and the little Pyncheons thrive now despite the weather. They lay a nice size cream colored egg coming from a small bird....great mothers....and the males are every bit the word "Macho". When the males are in great condition their neck and saddle hackles have such an intense shine that they do look wet. The biggest problem that one needs to face with this breed...is: Leg color, proper ground color in the plumage..esp. the females...too many have dark and/or sooty colored bodies.....and many tend to have excessive white in their plumage..esp...in wings and tails. I've seen some that tend to be too "leggy"....they should NOT be "stilty" looking. They still have a way to go....but with the few dedicated breeders that we have...I know the job WILL get done. This is the ONLY breed that I have now....I did recieve a wonderful Christmas present from my best friend down state....a SQ pair of Bd. Blue Silkies.....I love them too. I concentrated my Mille Fleur Pyncheon line down to about 35-40 birds...plus I have some other color varieties that I'm "playing" with....My number one goal is to perpetuate this "true" little American bantam and promote the Mille Fleur Pyncheon breed as much as possible.... Other photos of my birds can be seen on My Page...also there was a great article written in the "Backyard Poultry" magazine Feb/Mar 2010 issue....photos of mine and Jody Hinkle's (great breeder of poultry) birds are shown. This is just a quick description of my Pyncheon journey....I've raised and exhibited livestock since 1967.....everyday I'm learning something new and the "Backyard Chicken" has helped do this.....Kudos to them!!!! My hat goes off to the MANY dedicated breeders and promoters of these older breeds....without them...breeds would be lost and the world would be a less colorful and happy place to live. Regards to all, Rusty Hart (Irish Acres)

 

[OSUman]

Here is the link to the article that Rusty was talking about. http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/5/5-1/pyncheon_bantams.html