Raising heritage vs. breeding for desired traits

[Coloradan]

Hi again. I am still new to chickens and thought I would present this question to the community. I was wondering what everyone's opinion is on whether to raise heritage birds or to breed for desired traits. Currently I have a naked neck and a leghorn as well as 2 blue slate turkeys I picked up from a local swap, both hens are laying but I am looking to increase the flock. I understand the importance of keeping heritage breeds pure but at the same time before these breeds were recognized as pure breeds by different national and global associations, were the people raising these birds not breeding for their own desired traits? This being stated should I stick with one or two breeds that are good dual purpose heritage birds, that are also broody or should I pursue the mixed flock, incorporating a couple different breeds that fit my criteria?

thanks

 

[chiques chicks]

My answer is...

Do what makes you happy!

There are people that breed for show, concerned with confirmation. There are people who breed for egg laying, there are people who breed for meat, there are people who raise and breed for fun. Some people have their birds as pets. No one is wrong, IMHO. It all comes down to what your goal is.

I personally have two breeds, I keep sperate by breed, but not color. I'm trying to breed pretty, minimal care, predator alert (wary). That means if a predator takes an easy meal, or weak birds, I deal with it, the strong survive. They also aren't "pets", as in easily picked up. They aren't mean, just aloof. It's just what I want, not what someone else tells me is right.
I have them for eggs and cull extras as meat. They are also eye candy. They are not breed to standard.
Just enjoy whatever you decide upon!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It's up to what you have for goals. Many want diversity of color so keep mixed flock. Many want an easter basket of egg color so keep certain breeds. Arucauna, Maran and the cross of two for blue, dark brown and green egg basket. Many only want as many eggs as efficiently as possible so keep prodution birds like leghorn and sex links. Some of us pick a breed for trait we want and variety for color then get the best stock we can to perpetuate the breed and keep it to the standard. This is much harder to do with most starting out they do the breed harm instead of helping to preserve it. I don't recommend straight run to new chicken keepers. It takes time to get to understand poultry and male behavior is challenging to beginners.

I've many years experience with poultry, started with all pullet chicks but have made up my mind as to what I want. For me a dual purpose bird is ideal, if keeping chickens I might as well keep a heritage flock. I have one breed, one variety to work with and the challenges of breeding to the standard keeps me mentally stimulated. Is my stock show quality? Not yet but from a show quality line. If I don't mess up too badly, will improve my stock to standard and be progressively hatching a higher percentage of birds closely matching the standard. This gives purpose beyond getting eggs, and keeping a self perpetuating flock. People admire my birds which gives pride too, all and all maintaining/working with a heritage flock is more rewarding to me than a colorful basket.

 

[Coloradan]

Thank you guys very much for the such prompt responses. I am looking for a heritage breed of some sort and do not want to mess up the genetics so will not be getting a straight run or any roosters anytime soon. I plan getting 2 or 3 chicks from several different breeds and seeing which ones do the best. The main goal I have is for steady year round egg production, but I also plan enjoying the occasional roast bird. They need to be a cold hardy, broody, self reliant to some degree, and predator resistant bird. If these traits have been noticed in any specific breed I am interested in hearing more of your experiences and what types of birds you raise.
Thanks again

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Hatchery stock and breeder stock are completely different birds. You can't compare them. Behavior of a hatchery "breed" to a breeders line will be different, egg production less in standard bred birds and the shape, size very different.

Dual purpose birds will consume more feed and provide less eggs than layers. The difference of eggs is not so great with hatchery breeds as they've had high production birds bred into stock for egg production. Reason why hatchery birds are so different from pure bred. Also why hatchery birds are far less likely to go broody.

A duel purpose bird handles cold climates better due to body mass but I've raised Leghorn in the cold north without problems so not a real issue. If your coop is well ventilated frostbite is not an issue but if the thought of single comb birds losing a few points on comb bothers you stick with rose or peacomb birds.

Wyandotte is a popular dual purpose, rose comb bird originatting from NY. I've never raised them but hear they can tend to be noisey and a bit snarky. That could be hatchery stock tendency though. The breed I chose is Plymouth Rock. An American classic, that truely was the best dual purpose of it's day and base of broiler industry. I don't much care for the added fluff on Wyandotte and present day Orpington. The Orpington is a British bird modeled after our Plymouth Rock, the rock being one of it's founding breeds. The Brits did'nt like the ex-colonist out doing them so created the Orp which in turn was imported to Australia and improved on for utility resulting in the Australorp.

Just enjoy your chickens no matter what you get and in the future you may decide to go the heritage route and bteed or not.

 

[Coloradan]

Very informative and well written, thank you. Is there a certain hatchery or breeder you would recommend?