Raerest breed

[MROO]

Me too. Here's another question that may take us back to the one that started this thread. 336White Phoenix posted:
"I'm looking to see who here has the rarest birds or who knows what the rarest chicken is Thanx for any info u can give me"

So my return-to-the-root question would be:

Out of the birds you see as rare - whether the "authorities" of the research agree or not - which ones do you see as most needing the boost of a true resurgence? And why?

We've already had one mentioned. The Naked-Necks have suffered from their rampant popularity. There have been hundreds of naked-neck crosses, so many that most of us don't even know what a "true" Naked-Neck is supposed to look like. Some crosses, like the Show-Girls (Naked-Neck/Silkie cross) have caught on and may well go on to being their own breed. Others, not so much.

The issue is not the new crosses. Those are fun to do as back-yard experiments. The issue is that, in the mad race to create a new breed or just a new look, we may well lose the original. I nearly happened to the Nankin. The only thing that saved them through the last century or so was their small size and super-broody nature. In the days before incubators, the gamekeepers in Europe needed a small chicken to brood bigger clutches of quail and pheasant. The Nankin Bantam was perfect for their needs, so they inadvertently kept the breed true and alive. I, for one, am grateful. I love my little red gems!

It nearly happened to the Olandsk Dwarf and the Russian Orloff, too. And it DID happen to another breed, but I can't remember the name. I recently read an article about a breed in Europe that was down to two roosters, and one of them was sterile! According to the article, the remaining rooster was crossed out to similar hens and the breed was saved. I thought I had bookmarked it, but apparently I missed. If anyone can confirm the comment and identify the article and/or breed, I would be grateful. It's really bugging me!

Okay - I'm done writing my "book." Sometimes it's no fun being a history buff ... words get in the way ...

 

[BlackHackle]

Me. I was the one who corrected you. I guess an h and a b look pretty similar lol.

You were? ...ah I've had people do it to me before, I wasn't trying to pick on you

 

[BlackHackle]

Besides @AMERAUCANAS4REAL , it's pretty hard to see when you're 50% blind and your glasses keep breaking

 

[Amer]

You were? ...ah I've had people do it to me before, I wasn't trying to pick on you

I was kind of kidding though. I corrected you in case people thought that was the actual name of the gene.

Besides @AMERAUCANAS4REAL , it's pretty hard to see when you're 50% blind and your glasses keep breaking

I'm 50 percent blind, but my glasses haven't broke for a whole year. I think I need my eyes checked again, I think I'm 51 percent blind now. Lol.

Me too. Here's another question that may take us back to the one that started this thread. 336White Phoenix posted:
"I'm looking to see who here has the rarest birds or who knows what the rarest chicken is Thanx for any info u can give me"

So my return-to-the-root question would be:

Out of the birds you see as rare - whether the "authorities" of the research agree or not - which ones do you see as most needing the boost of a true resurgence? And why?

We've already had one mentioned. The Naked-Necks have suffered from their rampant popularity. There have been hundreds of naked-neck crosses, so many that most of us don't even know what a "true" Naked-Neck is supposed to look like. Some crosses, like the Show-Girls (Naked-Neck/Silkie cross) have caught on and may well go on to being their own breed. Others, not so much.

The issue is not the new crosses. Those are fun to do as back-yard experiments. The issue is that, in the mad race to create a new breed or just a new look, we may well lose the original. I nearly happened to the Nankin. The only thing that saved them through the last century or so was their small size and super-broody nature. In the days before incubators, the gamekeepers in Europe needed a small chicken to brood bigger clutches of quail and pheasant. The Nankin Bantam was perfect for their needs, so they inadvertently kept the breed true and alive. I, for one, am grateful. I love my little red gems!

It nearly happened to the Olandsk Dwarf and the Russian Orloff, too. And it DID happen to another breed, but I can't remember the name. I recently read an article about a breed in Europe that was down to two roosters, and one of them was sterile! According to the article, the remaining rooster was crossed out to similar hens and the breed was saved. I thought I had bookmarked it, but apparently I missed. If anyone can confirm the comment and identify the article and/or breed, I would be grateful. It's really bugging me!

Okay - I'm done writing my "book." Sometimes it's no fun being a history buff ... words get in the way ...

Hamburgs certainly need help. You could just take hatchery birds and refine them. Not only are they rare, but not the kind of bird you would want to lose. After all, what other birds have such wonderful spangling, a great shaped tail and a beautiful rose comb? And lay white eggs too. Sicilian Buttercups are extremely unique with their special combs.

More rare breeds that would be harder to find: Redcaps and Dorkings. Both important parts of English heritage. They have unique traits that can't be replicated. We have five toed breeds. But none have a unique blocky shape, clean legs, a clean face, and white skin combined. I have never seen such a rectangular chicken.
And Derbyshire Redcaps are so rare I don't even know what they are supposed to look like whatsoever. I even know what a Lamona looks like, not a Redcap though.

 

[BlackHackle]

I'm 50 percent blind, but my glasses haven't broke for a whole year. I think I need my eyes checked again, I think I'm 51 percent blind now. Lol.

Lucky you, I spent like $350 out of my own pocket on mine and they break every other day

 

[MROO]

I got this off of Google Images. It's supposed to be a Derbyshire Redcap. Just look at that comb ... I WANT ONE!!!!!!

i ordered Silver Spangled Hamburgs from a US hatchery a year or so ago. Every last one arrived with pasty-butt and developed serious wry neck within the first few days. Despite vet-directed care and supplements, I lost them all! My vet claims that, in chicks that young, it indicates a selenium deficiency in the breeding stock. I'm still on the lookout for some Hamburgs. I know they're around here somewhere, because there was a pair at the Maryland State Fair, last summer - and they were GORGEOUS!

 

[BlackHackle]

I got this off of Google Images. It's supposed to be a Derbyshire Redcap. Just look at that comb ... I WANT ONE!!!!!!

i ordered Silver Spangled Hamburgs from a US hatchery a year or so ago. Every last one arrived with pasty-butt and developed serious wry neck within the first few days. Despite vet-directed care and supplements, I lost them all! My vet claims that, in chicks that young, it indicates a selenium deficiency in the breeding stock. I'm still on the lookout for some Hamburgs. I know they're around here somewhere, because there was a pair at the Maryland State Fair, last summer - and they were GORGEOUS!

I really like hamburgs! I just got too many different breeds right now.

 

[MROO]

So many chickens .... so little space .... {{SIGH!}}

 

[BlackHackle]

So many chickens .... so little space .... {{SIGH!}}

 

[Amer]

I got this off of Google Images. It's supposed to be a Derbyshire Redcap. Just look at that comb ... I WANT ONE!!!!!!

i ordered Silver Spangled Hamburgs from a US hatchery a year or so ago. Every last one arrived with pasty-butt and developed serious wry neck within the first few days. Despite vet-directed care and supplements, I lost them all! My vet claims that, in chicks that young, it indicates a selenium deficiency in the breeding stock. I'm still on the lookout for some Hamburgs. I know they're around here somewhere, because there was a pair at the Maryland State Fair, last summer - and they were GORGEOUS!

I've seen like two pictures and he's gorgeous.

Yeah I've heard the more rare chickens are the less work is put into them so they are weaker. John Sullivan I believe owns Buckeyes and they are extremely disease resistant while the La Fleche he has, a breed that needs a more help, you go so much to sneeze in their direction and they've got something.