Why are heritage breeds impossible to find?

[Doc7]

I don’t understand why in all of my hobbies I can easily find stuff in a wide range of price point and quality from big box (Cabelas, Bass Pro etc) to special order (via GunBroker.com, specific stores located throughout the country etc) or even via people on forums.

How come I can’t google, “Heritage -insert breed- egg or day old chick supplier” and find dozens of options? I know there are many people out there with SOP Bred heritage breeds (as opposed to a “heritage” breed From Meyer etc). No wonder these breeds are all endangered, there is simply too big a barrier to entry to find them.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Because Google isn't the answer to everything.
There's tons of heritage breeders around.
If you're looking for SOP bred heritage breeds then turn off the computer and go to an APA show.

 

[Amer]

Yup. When you go to an APA show you meet breeders for many different breeds and they will be local too. Also, lots of people who sell on the internet are looking for a profit. Heritage breeders do sell birds, but it's usually not their only job, so they don't have time or money to put in a website. Shows are probably the best way too find breeders, but join the APA Facebook page too. They have lots of useful information. Join a Facebook page for your state too. They will be advertising. If you have Facebook that is.

 

[Doc7]

I am not looking to get into heritage bred chickens. But anyone who is will be turned off by the current barrier to entry which is why so many breeds are endangered. The current model of using the shows to promote and spread heritage breeds is not resolving the issue.

 

[The Moonshiner]

There is no "barrier to entry" IMO.
Heritage breeds are easy to find if someone makes any effort to.
I mentioned shows because you mentioned SOP bred heritage breeds. Shows are the best place to get started but there are other places. I'm not a facebook fan but there is that. There's breed clubs, there's places like right here.
If someone isn't so much into SOP bred ones there's a lot of other choices too. Craigslist, swap meets, hatcheries, etc. etc.
IDK why you're under the impression they're so hard to find or in such an endangered state.

 

[Doc7]

Here is one link

https://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/poultry/chickens-101/saving-heritage-chicken-breeds/

As one example there are an estimated less than 400 heritage Delaware hens remaining. If that isn’t a problem I don’t know what is. Delaware heritage strain breeders should be shouting from the rooftops of the internet to spread them around the country and prevent diseases from wiping out an entire line.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/hom...ng-chickens/delaware-chicken-heritage-poultry

 

[The Moonshiner]

The internet can be very misleading.
If you feel this issue is so drastic do something about it. Go save a breed or two or dozen.
The breeds are out. The breeders are out there. The ability to find them is out there. The thing that is missing is the demand for them.
You can be part of the solution or not that's up to you.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Out of curiosity I googled heritage Delaware chicks for sell.
There are several hatcheries and pages of farms that offer them.
There's no way there are less then 400 Delaware hens left out there.

 

[snow5164]

I live in a small town in southern Manitoba and there is a heritage chicken breeder 25 minutes away.... I found her hens way to delicate and expensive. I like pure breeds but heritage breeds aren’t for me . The Icelandic’s almost made be burn down my coop and quit!!

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Here you go, they're even in VA:
https://macybaybeagles.weebly.com/delaware-chickens.html