Tips on getting involved raising endangered breeds - please advise

[savannahchickmom]

My family is discussing getting involved. We LOVE our chickens, and my daughters are facinated with why breeds/species become extinct. Therefore, as a family project, we are looking at breeding endangered chickens. Need some input from those of you who already do this. We have plenty of room to set up individual quarters & runs, and have "chicken experience," and definitely desire. Just need the tools for appropriate research & preparation. LOVE this site & all of the knowledge I regularly gain from these forums. Thank you in advance for your input & advice!
Have a great week!

 

[SteveBaz]

To BYC


Here's my list, for starters but I have only read about it.

1. Kraienkoppe
2. Russian Orloff
3. Malay
4. Shamo
5. Asil
6. American Game
7. Old English Game (Large Fowl)
8. Ameracaunas (NOT Easter Eggers)
9. Spitzhauben
10. Buckeye

Others may chime in here

 

[Oregon Blues]

I suggest that the family makes a list of what you hope the chickens will do for you. Eggs? Meat? Color? Do you want decorative? Nice calm temperaments?

What do you want to do with the chickens? Show? Pets? Sells birds or hatching eggs?

You'll have a hard time narrowing it down to a breed if you don't set some criteria, because there are a lot of breeds that are rare.

 

[savannahchickmom]

Okay - we have had a variety of chickens. Our favorites generally seem to be the quieter, friendlier birds. We can hand feed some of our silkies & seramas. However, the favorite rooster of all time was a TINY BB Red named Charlie. He had a full on banty rooster attitude too! Currently everyone is strictly a pet. We would be looking to sell eggs/chicks. We don't butcher. We do use the eggs & supply family & friends with eggs.

 

[hallerlake]

Quote:
Steve, Rare Feather Farm in the Okanogan area has good quality Russian Orloffs if your interested in getting some. I'm on the wrong side of the Cascades, but I have Appenzeller Spitzhaubens.

SavanahChickMama, in addition to looking into breeds that suit your purposes, get breeds that suit your climate. Mediteranean breeds would probably do well for you. Swedish or Icelandic breeds, probably not so much.

 

[savannahchickmom]

I live in Savannah, Missouri

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I think it is an admirable adventure. The forces of evil worldwide are working toward monoculture in poultry genetics which would make centuries of effort null and void and be dangerous for our future.
I have a few sites for you to check out.
ALBC and Feathersite
http://albc-usa.org/heritagechicken/chickencomparison.html
http://albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf
http://albc-usa.org/heritagechicken/cpl_chickenbreeds.html

Not all the birds in the following pages are in the USA
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKChickensA-C.html
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKChickensD-O.html
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKChickensP-Z.html

Some of the breeders in the next link have some rare birds.
http://mda.mo.gov/animals/pdf/poultry_yearbook.pdf

I raise Black Penedesencas and Jaerhons and am working on getting Legbars and Quetros.

If you have a desirable breed you will not only be saving valuable genetic diversity but you could also make a little money with fertile eggs/chicks/breeders.

Two caveats. There's advantages to flighty birds. They are usually more predator proof.

To save and improve a rare breed you'll be producing lots of birds so about butchering. If you breed, you'll need to find a use for the extra males. There aren't many homeless shelters for roos. They make good quality nutrition for your family.

 

[centrarchid]

If serious and willing to engage long term, then keep number of breeds low so number of birds can be kept relatively high. Conserving genetic variation will likely require keeping more rooster around than is optimal for a breeding flock. Raise them as best you can in accordance with how the breed was developed and follow the Standard of Perfection in respect to selection of breeding stock. Make certain to get founding / brood stock from more than one line to aid with conservation with some of the rarer lines. Do not get caught in the trap of geting birds only from the single best breeder.

 

[donrae]

Pick one breed and don't buy them from a "rare breed hatchery", get them from a quality breeder. Research the breed and the standard, get some honest critiques of your birds and how to improve them. And, as mentioned, breeding to improve a breed results in LOTS of culls if you do it right. You need to have a plan in place to deal with them. You need to cull them out of your breeding program or you're not improving the breed, you're just cranking out chicks.

 

[chickmashnoon]

I am listening in and taking notes cause I am interested in the LaFleche and Crevecouer, and Scots Dumpy- Is there a book or website you recommend for info on chicken genetics- stuff like what is dominant or recessive?