CONSERVATION FLOCKS

Many backyard chicken breeds face endangered status. Here's what to keep in mind when starting a flock to ensure a breed's future.

- BY ANA HOTALING

Starting a conservation flock is a rewarding way to support rare and endangered poultry breeds while enjoying the benefits of backyard chicken-keeping.

Whether you're a seasoned homesteader or new to raising chickens, starting a conservation flock allows you to contribute to biodiversity and sustainable farming practices.

By choosing heritage breeds recognized by organizations such as The Livestock Conservancy (https://livestockconservancy.org), you help preserve genetic diversity and traditional farming history. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of starting a conservation flock — from selecting the right breeds to creating a suitable environment for long-term success. But first, what is a heritage breed? The Livestock Conservancy states that a heri- tage breed must adhere to all the following:

APA STANDARD BREED: A heritage chicken must be from parent and grandparent stock of breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association prior to the mid-20th century; whose genetic line can be traced back multiple genera- tions; and with traits that meet the APA Standard of Perfection guidelines for the breed. Heritage chicken must be produced and sired by an APA Standard breed, and heritage eggs must be laid by an APA Standard breed. The Jersey Giant was originally created to potentially replace turkeys as a premium table bird. Its numbers are currently recovering.

NATURALLY MATING: Heritage chicken must be reproduced and genetically maintained through natural mating. Chickens marketed as “Heritage” must be the result of naturally mating pairs of both grandparent and parent stock.