With the increased consumption of chicken meat worldwide, one would think that chicken breeds were doing well. In fact, the opposite is true.
Industrial or Commercial Chicken Breeds
The vast majority of chickens raised today are industrial bred and represent only a few of the breeds developed since the domestication of chickens approximately 8000 years ago. These breeds, which were bred for meat and egg production, do better in factory-like conditions. Common breeds found in large-scale commercial operations are the White Leghorn and the Rhode Island Red.
Commercial chickens are bred to mature quickly, often achieving a mature weight before their skeletal system can support their bodies (some reach an adult weight as early as 6 weeks). Even if they were allowed to move about in an open space, they would be unable to walk.
One concern with focusing on two or three lines of poultry breeds is a lack of genetic diversity. It has been found that commercial chicken breeds have up to 50% less genetic diversity than their "wild" cousins raised in smaller, more diversified flocks. This lack of genetic diversity increases the birds' susceptibility to disease. A new variant of an old disease or a new disease could wipe out the world's industrial chicken and egg production.
Heritage Chicken Breeds
The commercial focus on only a few breeds has led to the listing of many poultry breeds as endangered, some critically. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) keeps a list of endangered livestock breeds and has more than 56 breeds of chickens on their list. Many of these have sub-breeds, such as white, buff, or blue, which means the total number of threatened breeds is actually higher.
Advantages of Antique Poultry Breeds
Heritage chickens were bred for their tolerance to extreme heat or cold, ability to forage for their own food, tendency for broodiness (willingness to sit on eggs and hatch them, then raise the chicks), longevity, and predator avoidance. Heritage chickens are defined by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) as chickens that come from stock that meet the American Poultry Association's breed standard, have mated naturally, have a slow growth rate (reaching maturity no sooner than 16 weeks of age), and have the ability to lead long, productive lives in an outdoor, pasture-based management condition. Breeding hens are expected to be productive for five to seven years and roosters for three to five years.
Increasing Genetic Diversity in Commercial Chicken Operations
Simply breeding the commercial chickens with some of the remaining heritage breeding stock would increase the genetic diversity of the industrial birds. While this may cause a slight dip in egg production or a slightly smaller breast size, it would provide much needed immunity to the birds.
Alternatively, small breeders who raise the heritage birds in backyard or small farm flocks will be tapped to provide breeding stock if and when the industry collapses due to illness.
Sources
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
Heinrichs, Christine, and Don Schrider, Enjoy Heritage Chickens. Mother Earth News, Feb/March 2005.
Heirloom Heritage Farms
The American Poultry Association
Mary Beth Miller - Mary Beth Miller is the author of two Young Adult novels from Dutton Children's Books, Aimee (2002) and On the Head of a Pin (2006). Some ...
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