The gene is only fatal if short is crossed with short (50 % short, 25% long, 25% dead in shell.) If short is crossed with long, you get a 50/50 split between short and long with no fatalities (at least not due to the mutation.)
These were only saved in the '70's by enthusiasts and dedicated breeders. Like many worthy breeds that neared extinction (Chanteclers and Crevecoeurs come to mind), much had to due to passing fancies, impact of wars (on Crevecoeurs), the homogenizing poultry industry. Arkansas is the at the heart of the chicken industry and you I guarantee you find very few non-production chickens around, even in backyard flocks. My granmother raised RIR and Dominques, but you don't see these anymore, even in the country. My nephews raise chickens for 4-H, but the ONLY breed available to them to "order" is Cinnamon Queens.
I laud all of you on this list that work to keep all of these heritage breeds alive!
On a less serious note, I find the dumpies adorable. Of course, I love Bassetts and Corgis, so of course I would love a short-legged chicken. Placed an order to Sand Hill and hope my order will be filled this year (sold out until 24Jul, with only 2 remaining hatches, so not definite.)
