Would this breeding plan work?

[phasianidae]

lots of breeds already that need breeders and work. many of them apa standard breeds that are getting low in numbers and will be extinct soon. how about picking an existing breed and working to make them better or at least preserve them instead of making more mutts that generate only interest of a few. most of these "projects" only last a short time and interest dies as breeding birds is harder than they think. anyone can put 2 birds together and make mutts

Maybe breeds that are unpopular should be allowed to die. A lot of them were popular in the past when they served a purpose, but times have changed.

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

Maybe breeds that are unpopular should be allowed to die. A lot of them were popular in the past when they served a purpose, but times have changed.

there are also a few breeds that originate in places not many people go to or even know about like some of the endangered German breeds and most American poultry clubs or associations don't even know exist!

 

[phasianidae]

there are also a few breeds that originate in places not many people go to or even know about like some of the endangered German breeds and most American poultry clubs or associations don't even know exist!

Yeah, if they are worth saving I'm sure the Germans will take care of it. Something a lot of people don't realize is that many of these endangered breeds are only recreations of the former landraces that went extinct during the world wars. Others went extinct during the post World War II agricultural revolution and were subsequently brought back by sentimental breeders. I think the market will always decide what is worth keeping and what is not, be it for sentimental, ornamental, or utilitarian reasons.

 

[cubalaya]

Maybe breeds that are unpopular should be allowed to die. A lot of them were popular in the past when they served a purpose, but times have changed.

The fact that they lasted this long, have a standard of perfection, and had some purpose that was different from other breeds tells me that they are more important than some backyard breeders try at making a breed with few numbers and little experience. Those birds will be forgotten quickly and the new breeder will lose interest when it doesn't turn out like they thought. But you are right about them dying off without interest in them today. Most just want the latest fad chicken

 

[phasianidae]

The fact that they lasted this long, have a standard of perfection, and had some purpose that was different from other breeds tells me that they are more important than some backyard breeders try at making a breed with few numbers and little experience. Those birds will be forgotten quickly and the new breeder will lose interest when it doesn't turn out like they thought. But you are right about them dying off without interest in them today. Most just want the latest fad chicken

They made it into the standard because they were significant at the time, and had numbers. If they still had purpose why would their numbers be so low?

The current assortment in the standard represents only a fraction of the potential phenotypical diversity that is possible. Chickens have an enormous wealth of mutations, many of which have never been incorporated into breeds and varieties. How many large fowl breeds are in the standard that have a single comb, and, if you had to describe them to a non-fancier, would sound exactly the same?

I agree that most peoples' efforts to make a new breed won't be successful. Even if the competence, finances, and vision are in place, the need for consistency over multiple decades will end most projects. However, I do think it's important that people be encouraged to pursue their passion. Everyone begins with inexperience. I took on a project at 15 years old and failed because of incompetence. I learned a lot from that project and my failures and am now trying again.

Also, isn't this all for fun? If someone enjoys keeping the old breeds alive they should do it. If someone enjoys crossing different breeds together to get something new, why not the same? Any breeder, whether of old or new, regardless of how long they last, should enjoy what they are doing. If they have that what more could you ask? Like anything in life, it's more about the journey than the destination. If the destination is reached, great, if not, enjoy the ride for however long it lasts.

 

[cubalaya]

Yes when i got restarted on chickens, i picked a breed that was extremely rare but was multipurpose and i liked the way they looked and acted. Of course its all for fun. If you dont truly love it, you will not stick with it. The breed was Cubalayas . I ended up being able to breed any color that they ever came in. Some problems i had: BB reds had serious faults due to inbreeding by show people , white feathers and high tails mainly in cocks. Blacks had red feathers and some white feathers mainly in cocks. Gold duckwings had slow feathering genes. After many years i settled on Whites which were sports from my Brown reds and Red pyles. Every once in a while a pyle will show up or a hen will show bluish legs but they are pretty much good compared to the standard. I still keep one Black hen but the rest are White