The gene-spliced breeds are not good backyard chickens

[The Moonshiner]

Sorry, but I disagree.

You're disagreeing with yourself?
interesting

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I know what hybrids are and Black & Red Stars are not hybrids nor are they crossbreds. They are actually gene-spliced also known as gene-editing and genetically-modified chickens.

Two companies that control the genetics of poultry are Cobb-Vantress (owned by Tyson Foods) and Aviagen (see links below).

https://poultrylife.com/en/poultry-companies/aviagen-poultry-genetics-and-sustainability/

"gene editing" in chickens: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6189320/

They're not. I've made black stars myself in my own flock. It's just a fancier name for black sexlinks.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Gene-splicing sounds incredibly complex and expensive. I don't see how anyone could sell birds like this for just a few bucks a pop.

 

[trenace]

It doesn't have to be repeated.

 

[OnlySympathy]

You're disagreeing with yourself?
interesting

i would disagree with myself if i said that too

 

[The Moonshiner]

i would disagree with myself if i said that too

Touche

 

[NatJ]

I know what hybrids are and Black & Red Stars are not hybrids nor are they crossbreds. They are actually gene-spliced also known as gene-editing and genetically-modified chickens....
"gene editing" in chickens: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6189320/

The page at that link includes this:
"the production of modern broilers does not rely on recombinant DNA techniques (“gene splicing”

Following a link on that page to another page on the same site:
https://www.farmforward.com/issues/genetic-modification/what-is-hybrid-poultry/
"No gene splicing is required to produce these birds. Instead, they are genetically engineered through the intensification of an age-old technique: mating two breeds of birds together to produce a third bird with even more desirable characteristics than its parents."

Two companies that control the genetics of poultry are Cobb-Vantress (owned by Tyson Foods) and Aviagen (see links below).

https://poultrylife.com/en/poultry-companies/aviagen-poultry-genetics-and-sustainability/

That page does mention "Aviagen has specialized in the development of high-quality poultry genetic lines, including broiler chickens, which dominate the poultry meat industry. Utilizing advanced technologies such as DNA sequencing and genomic selection, the company has been able to develop birds with [various traits]"

That does not say they are doing gene splicing, just that they are selectively breeding chickens based on what DNA they have (test to see which chickens have the gene you want, then breed from those chickens: not the same as changing which genes are present in any particular chicken.) That would be the same method that is already used in many other kinds of creatures, including dogs and humans: make a test for the gene, test to see if the individual has that gene, decide whether that individual should produce any offspring.

If you're going to cite sources to support a position, it helps if the source actually DO support the position.

I agree that many of the commercially-produced hybrid chickens have problems. My only point is that selective breeding for extreme traits did the damage, not gene splicing.

 

[MROO]

Just a heads up before you get any rhode island reds-- I have read they do best in a single breed flock because they can be aggressive bullies to non RIR. I like different breeds in a flock (and honestly would love to have a Buckeye if I was gunning for a red chicken, over a RIR) so that always stuck out to me.


Anyway, sounds heartbreaking at least with getting one of the battery birds for $1.50 that I've seen Craigslist ads for, you can at least feel like you're giving them a nice life after what they experienced, versus supporting a bad breed being produced.

The best Reds I've come across were New Hampshires - an old US breed. My favorite hen was a NHR - docile, friendly, great layer of large, tan eggs and the sweetest bird I've ever had. She would carry on quiet conversations with me and "purred" when stroked. If I was to move from my Nankins to a standard fowl, that's definitely what I'd have!