The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[RedRidge]

I will respectfully disagree with the way Fred has assumed heritage to be interpreted.
Actually any "heritage" RIR I have ever seen have been hatchery birds (production Reds). So i suspect it is a regional term. The term heritage is very misleading.
The term which is important is "standard bred" and I've found that if anyone truly has standards bred stock they can tell you exactly what their line is.

 

[cmom]

I bought fertile hatching eggs sold as heritage rhode island reds. They are 8 weeks old now, and I'm wondering if they are actually heritage RIRs or production. I'm not very fond of production reds. Any info is greatly appreciated. I'm new to this

Several years ago I bought 3 dozen eggs from a fellow in Lake City Florida. He told me they were "Heritage" Rhode Island Reds. I bought the eggs and no way were they pure (Heritage) Rhode Island Reds. They were much lighter in color, had no horn coloring on their legs and did not have dark colored beaks. I wish people would refer to pure breeds as Heritage since the breeds ancestry can be traced back for many generations and they conform to the SOP for their breed.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I will respectfully disagree with the way Fred has assumed heritage to be interpreted.
Actually any "heritage" RIR I have ever seen have been hatchery birds (production Reds). So i suspect it is a regional term. The term heritage is very misleading.
The term which is important is "standard bred" and I've found that if anyone truly has standards bred stock they can tell you exactly what their line is.

We're actually in agreement, I suspect. I don't think we're in essential disagreement at all.

I absolutely prefer Standard bred as the proper term. That said, most of the Heritage breed preservation groups DO include a line in their definition that states that a "heritage" bird is one bred to the breed standard. I've read the definitions of the various groups with the American Livestock and Breed Conservatory (though I believe they've dropped 'American').

To me, their idea is to preserve breeds. But one cannot preserve without careful selection and such selection must have a goal and that goal, for me? It is the Standard. So, for all the good intents of such conservation groups or in spite of the attempts to market birds as "heritage" to thus assign some value added to their selling price, the bottom line?

Standard bred. The standard for the breed as written in the Standard of Perfection. Thus, for me, this thread is about standard bred Reds, start to finish. Show them. Enjoy them on your homestead to "preserve the breed". Either way, breed them to the Standard.

Hope that helps.

 

[grahask]

Thank you for the info. I have no interest in showing them but I am interested in preserving the purity of heritage breeds. I went to P. Allen Smith's farm and was so inspired by his beautiful flock and his efforts with the Heritage Poultry Conservancy. I will keep studying and learning as I expand my flock. Thanks again.

 

[Matt1616]

We're actually in agreement, I suspect. I don't think we're in essential disagreement at all.

I absolutely prefer Standard bred as the proper term. That said, most of the Heritage breed preservation groups DO include a line in their definition that states that a "heritage" bird is one bred to the breed standard. I've read the definitions of the various groups with the American Livestock and Breed Conservatory (though I believe they've dropped 'American').

To me, their idea is to preserve breeds. But one cannot preserve without careful selection and such selection must have a goal and that goal, for me? It is the Standard. So, for all the good intents of such conservation groups or in spite of the attempts to market birds as "heritage" to thus assign some value added to their selling price, the bottom line?

Standard bred. The standard for the breed as written in the Standard of Perfection. Thus, for me, this thread is about standard bred Reds, start to finish. Show them. Enjoy them on your homestead to "preserve the breed". Either way, breed them to the Standard.

Hope that helps.

I never use the term "Heritage" when referring to pure bred poultry but I hear people throwing the term around all the time. I refer to my birds as "Pure Bred" or "Show Birds" as I feel they qualify as both.


Matt

 

[Matt1616]

It is only a few days away from the APA Nationals in Knoxville, TN. This will also be a District Meet for the Rhode Island Red Club. We will be setting up a table for the weekend so I hope to see and meet some of you guys there.

Matt

 

[Fred's Hens]

It is only a few days away from the APA Nationals in Knoxville, TN. This will also be a District Meet for the Rhode Island Red Club. We will be setting up a table for the weekend so I hope to see and meet some of you guys there.

Matt

It'll be good to meet you Matt. See you there.

 

[RedRidge]

It is only a few days away from the APA Nationals in Knoxville, TN.  This will also be a District Meet for the Rhode Island Red Club.  We will be setting up a table for the weekend so I hope to see and meet some of you guys there. 

Matt

Looking forward to seeing those I've met and meeting those I haven't.

 

[cmom]

It is only a few days away from the APA Nationals in Knoxville, TN. This will also be a District Meet for the Rhode Island Red Club. We will be setting up a table for the weekend so I hope to see and meet some of you guys there.

Matt

I wish I could go but maybe next year. I hope all of the BYC members that show do well. You will all be in my thoughts (wishing I could be there too).

Hopefully I'll see some members at the Lake City, Florida show the 2nd Saturday in January. Not to far away.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Looking forward to seeing those I've met and meeting those I haven't.

Sherri, I heading straight to the Reds aisle, as soon as get my Rocks cooped in. Meet you over there!!!