Bringing the Buckeye Back to Ohio

As part of efforts to recover endangered chicken breeds, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy are offering a unique, hands-on workshop opportunity for Ohio farmers with their “native son,” the Buckeye chicken.

Buckeyes were developed by Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio, and appropriately named after the “Buckeye State.” Buckeyes are unique in the American Class of chickens in that it is the only breed created entirely by a woman. Mrs. Metcalf started by breeding a Buff Cochin male to Barred Plymouth Rock females. This produced what she considered a large, lazy fowl. The next year she purchased a Black-Breasted Red Game male and crossed this male over the half cochin pullets. This cross produced several red offspring and from there she developed the breed. It is interesting to note that her creation predated the introduction of Rhode Island Reds into the mid-west.

ALBC hopes to reintroduce this unique, dual-purpose breed back to Ohio - it's state of origin. Many of the birds used for the workshops will be kept by conservation breeders in Ohio. Also, some workshop attendees will receive hatching eggs to help further the conservation of the Buckeye.

Join us for this exciting event!

Buckeye Chicken Production Selection Workshops:

Time: Tuesday, June 23rd, 10 - noon and 2-4 pm Place: Old Trail School, 2315 Ira Rd. Bath, OH
The workshop is being offered at a $150 cost for indviduals and $250 for couples. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required and will be on a first come first serve basis. You will need to sign-up for either the 10-noon workshop or the 2-4pm workshop.

Protecting Endangered Livestock Breeds and the Future of Agriculture - Presentation
Join American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s Jeannette Beranger as she takes you on a trip of discovery to learn about the diversity of livestock and poultry breeds and the vital role they play in the future of agriculture. The event will also include a sampling of rare breed meats. a $15 donation from adults and $10 donation from children is requested to help cover expenses.
Tuesday June 23, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Old Trail School, 2315 Ira Rd. Bath, OH

For more information on either of these events and for registration information, contact: Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy
2179 Everett RoadPeninsula, OH 44264
Phone: 330.657.2542Fax: 330.657.2198

http://www.cvcountryside.org/

More Clarification on the Heritage Chicken Definition

Mother Earth News attended the Heritage Chicken Definition kick-off event in Lindsborg, KS, on April 17, 2009. They were kind enough to record several videos helping to provide clarification on the new definition. Below are a few of the videos, courtesy of Mother Earth News. If you have questions about the Heritage Chicken definition, please feel free to contact ALBC.

What is Heritage Chicken?

How are Heritage Chickens "certified" as Heritage?

Heritage Chicken Defined

(Picture: Charles Taft's Delaware chicken courtesy of ALBC)

On April 17, 2009, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy officially unveiled its definition for Heritage Chicken. ALBC held a press event and Heritage Chicken meal in Lindsborg, KS, with the help of Good Shepherd Ranch.

ALBC's new Heritage Chicken definition is outlined below. We hope this definition will help get some of these traditional or Heritage breeds back into the marketplace. If demand can be created, population numbers can be increased -helping conservation and genetic diversity. To learn more about the new Heritage Chicken definition and to find resources, visit http://www.heritagechicken.org/

DEFINITION
Heritage Chicken must adhere to all the following:
1. APA Standard Breed. Heritage Chicken must be from parent and grandparent stock of breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA) prior to the mid-20th century; whose genetic line can be traced back multiple generations; 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. Heritage eggs must be laid by an APA Standard breed.
2. 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.
3. Long, productive outdoor lifespan. Heritage Chicken must have the genetic ability to live a long, vigorous life and thrive in the rigors of pasture-based, outdoor production systems. Breeding hens should be productive for 5-7 years and roosters for 3-5 years.
4. Slow growth rate. Heritage Chicken must have a moderate to slow rate of growth, reaching appropriate market weight for the breed in no less than 16 weeks. This gives the chicken time to develop strong skeletal structure and healthy organs prior to building muscle mass.

Chickens marketed as Heritage must include the variety and breed name on the label. Terms like “heirloom,” “antique,” “old-fashioned,” and “old timey” imply Heritage and are understood to be synonymous with the definition provided here.

Abbreviated Definition: A Heritage Egg can only be produced by an American Poultry Association Standard breed. A Heritage Chicken is hatched from a heritage egg sired by an American Poultry Association Standard breed established prior to the mid-20th century, is slow growing, naturally mated with a long productive outdoor life.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has over 30 years of experience, knowledge, and understanding of endangered breeds, genetic conservation, and breeder networks. Endorsed by the following individuals:
Frank Reese, Reese Turkeys, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, Standard Bred Poultry Institute, and American Poultry Association;
Marjorie Bender, Research & Technical Program Director, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;
D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD., Technical Advisor, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, and Professor, Veterinary Pathology and Genetics, Virginia Tech;
Don Bixby, DVM, Independent Consultant, former Executive Director for the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy;
R. Scott Beyer, PhD, Associate Professor, Poultry Nutrition Management, Kansas State University;
Danny Williamson, Windmill Farm, Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch, and American Poultry Association;
Anne Fanatico, PhD, Research Associate, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas;Kenneth E. Anderson, Professor, Poultry Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University.