 | Our Chickens |  |
At Roundcreek we keep various
heritage breeds of bantams and a couple standard size varieties
for eggs and for breeding purposes. I have decided to keep rare
heritage breeds for the conservation of them. In North America over a
third of all breeds of livestock and poultry are concidered rare and
are in fast decline. More people need to get involved and
raise some of these old varities of livestock that our ancestors had
before it's too late. In Canada over 60 breeds of poultry, cattle,
sheep, pigs, horse, ponies and waterfowl are endangered.
These
animals are our treasures, our history and hold a key to so many
genetic possibilities. We need to keep these old breeds pure and save
our diversification. See how fun and rewarding it is to have a basket
full of different colored eggs or a freezer full of different
flavors of meat or the joy of looking at your beautiful colors of
animals. So many of the breeds that played a huge part of feeding
Pilgrims and our grandparents are now in danger of extinction. We
save so many of our other pieces of history such as
historical landmarks. " Why not our historical livestock"? I was
so surprised to read the lists that were formed here in Canada based on
a study of poultry breeds that have been around for what seemed
like "FOREVER" may not be so. Some came in from the
Mayflower or were creations made from those origionals and now with
commercialization are disappearing fast. Please look into it yourselves
and see how fast these breeds are being replaced by the faster growing
or producing animal. For example, the beautiful well known Barred
Rock on the RISK list for a mere 1000-3000 birds. Being
replaced by Isa browns or some other commerical hatchery bird.
Other North American famous birds such as the New Hampshire Reds,
The Rhode Island Reds and the Black Jersey Giants are on the Vulnerable
lists meaning 500-999 birds. Columbian Rocks, Light Sussex and Canada's
OWN creation the Chantecler are on the ENDANGED and CRITICAL
LIST meaning super low numbers of these precious birds. On the
critical list in Canada you will find the beautiful Dorking which are
in the blood of many of the poultry breeds and they are sadly on the
less than 100s list which are Critical and Rare. You will also
find White Wyandottes, White Jersey Giants, Brown Leghorns and
Delawares are also Critical LISTS to name just a few.
Please go to RareBreeds Canada http://www.rarebreedscanada.ca/priority-poultry.htm
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has also compiled a list
of livestock breeds that need conservation . The priority Lists
and information can be found here on their website http://www.albc-usa.org/
If you have the time and the space then try this very
rewarding hobby and way of life and help save them from
extinction at the same time. The way to create more of these creatures
is to get the demand up by getting some rare heritage breeds and keep
them purebred. Try to find animals that are the closest to the
"standard of perfection" for that breed as possible. This is
because you will probably want to multiply and reproduce your
animals and you dont want to reproduce animals with faulty
traits. Find a market for what you would like to produce whether
it be to your local farmer's market or your friends and family or
yourself and your family. Look into the different breeds and see
why each one was created and the history behind it, whether it be
for their beautiful colored eggs or the way they dress out or
exhibition qualities. Find one that is suited for your needs and
demands. Chickens are easy and so fun to watch
as they are so productive and are always busy chasing fat bugs,
scrounging for food, laying eggs and taking care of their chicken
families. The old breeds still have the instinct left in them
where alot of the new commercial breeds dont anymore and
don't/can't even naturally mate. I choose the dual purpose,
productive varieties that are very quiet and make great pets as
well. I am going to be hatching eggs this spring of some very
rare and beautiful varieties in bantam and standard size. If all
goes well I will have some extra chicks for sale. Check back
often to see whats available and have a look yourself and see how hard
it is to find heritage breeds of animals. Let's try to change
these numbers and have fun at the same time.
Breeds I will be hatching for breeding stock, mostly from Exhibition
strains
Bantam- Buff Brahmas, Cochins,
Wyandottes, Plymouth rocks, Leghorns, Cornish, Rhode Island Reds, New
Hamphire Reds, Chanteclers, Belgian D'anvers, Silkies and OEG.
Standard
varities may include-Partridge, Columbian and Barred Rocks,
Dorkings, White Wyandottes, Speckled Sussex, Lightbrown Leghorns,
Ameraucanas, Araucanas
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