List of oldest U.S. chicken breeds. Is it correct?

[Bullitt]

Made up composite breeds:

American Games (crosses of OEG, Asian, and Spanish game breeds)
Asil or Aseel (In the west, they are the resutt of the crossing of distinct separate lineages found in India, Pakistan, and surrounding countries.)

Breeds, as we know them, are an invention of the late 18th Century; before that animals were bred to be of a type, not breed. There were meat and dairy cattle, although generally the milch cow outside of Northern Europe came from the draft or meat stock- and any steer could be used as an ox for riding or draft purposes.. Dogs were bred to be "hound type", "lurcher type" or some other type. Many of the types were landrace stock. The only chickens that were selectively bred at the time seem to be game fowl.

Registries for animals began with a stud book in Britain as a result of a demand for a better class of cavalry horse, a matter that had not worried the sea power British much before the 17th C. James I imported an Arabian stallion, and this caught the attention of breeders - but the first effort at the General Stud Book was in 1791. Early on, it was restricted to the offspring of Arabian stallions on native mares, or the offspring of Arabian stallions on mares who were the result of an Arabian - native mare cross. In the early days there was great emphasis on making sure that the animals were not consanguineous. The original animals were entirely practical, and were tested in races of as long as eight miles to be sure they would meet the requirements of the cavalry. In the late 18th C. there came a demand for "sprint races", which seems to have encompassed any run below about two miles in length. Around that time, the registry or stud book was opened to crosses between the original half-blood horses. Prior to that they had no established type, and were registered solely on the criteria of lineage. (There is a modern tendency to see the original crosses superiority as entirely due to the alleged superiority of the Arabian horse by those who have forgotten that the native dams were also extremely fine animals and made an equal contribution to a cross that excelled both parents in the desired qualities.)

Chickens were predominately barnyard scavengers in Europe. The eggs were collected and when they were eaten in Britain, it was as an expensive delicacy. British farmers who raised meat birds did not attempt to improve them, and meat birds were not raised for home consumption. Looking through history, it seems that the breeding of practical, specialized fowl was perhaps first and last a project of the Romans who discovered chickens made excellent portable rations for the troops. The only selective breeding of poultry in Britain seems to have been restricted to game fowl.

Colonial North America was an entirely different environment. The chicken was kept as a practical, subsistence food source. Even the local tribes took up the raising of chickens; the Iroquois are documented as raising chickens by 1687, and chickens were in British North America no later than 1609; while the Spanish introduced them during the conquest.

The Colonial British ate chicken and eggs in the summer, overwintered a few to provide for next years breeding, and ate eggs and chicken in the summer. They were a food source that rustled up most of its own food, and could eat whatever portion of the leftovers - AKA slops - that weren't fed to any hogs that happened to be on hand.

Selective breeding wasn't really practiced until the North Americans (here defined as Canadians and Americans) began to try and improve birds in the mid-19th Century, apparently inspired by the "hen fever" fad.

In the US and Canada there was a fervor associated with Cochins and Brahmas, just as in Europe; but rural Americans seemed to find the practical application of Javas, Cochins, and Brahmas to be of interest. The result of these early American selective breeding efforts later resulted in the export of America breeds to Europe where they played an important role in the development of many European breeds, including the Orpington, Welsumer (via the Orpington), the Niederrhein, the Dutch North Holland fowl (not to be confused with the American Holland fowl), the Amrock (a European/British utility breed of Plymouth Rock ancestry, but bred for performance), Langshan (a bare legged German breed as distinguished from the British feather legged Croad Langshan), the Vorwerk (by way of the Orpingtons), Marans, and Ixworth.

From what I understand from what has been said, American Game would be a type and not a breed. It was stated earlier that the only thing in common is body type.

"The Colonial British ate chicken and eggs in the summer, overwintered a few to provide for next years breeding, and ate eggs and chicken in the summer."

Is that correct? What did you mean to write?

 

[The Yakima Kid]

"The Colonial British ate chicken and eggs in the summer, overwintered a few to provide for next years breeding, and ate eggs and chicken in the summer."

Is that correct? What did you mean to write?

Let me rephrase that. In the summer the colonists and the tribes ate eggs and chickens. They overwintered a few birds to provide the seed for the next year's flock. Hens of that era probably didn't tend to lay much in winter.

Interestingly enough, my contemporary Dominiques seem to be great winter layers.

The main point I was trying to make is that many breeds - not just American breeds - are composite, and that unique American conditions probably explain why there was greater interest in improving breeds for practical use in the US and Canada than in many other countries.

Note that the APA from the beginning considered itself an organization that included both Canada and the United States. Canadian poultrymen participated in the organization of the APA in 1873, and the standard was released in 1874.

 

[sandiklaws]

List of oldest U.S. chicken breeds. Right now there are 12 breeds listed. I was going for 10.

Is it correct?


Here is the updated list:


1. Dominique -- Know as "Pilgrim Fowl" and was around for many years before being accepted by the APA in 1874.

2. Java -- Considered the second-oldest American breed and fist mentioned in print in 1835. But it was not accepted by the APA until 1883. The white, black, and mottled varieties were all accepted by the APA in 1883, but white was removed in 1910 because it looked too much like the White Plymouth Rock. Some incorrectly state that the breed came from Java when only some of the foundation stock came from Java. The Livestock Conservancy states, "The Java is considered the second oldest breed of chicken developed in America."

3. Rhode Island Red: This article states, "The Rhode Island Red was developed not by fanciers but by poultry farmers in the area of Little Compton, Rhode Island, beginning about 1830." It also states, "The Golden Buff or Golden Red, as the breed was originally called, was first exhibited about 1879 but was bred in large numbers for practical uses before then." http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...ed-heritage-poultry-zeylaf.aspx#axzz2mv3yHjbm
Rhode Island Red was admitted to the APA in 1904.

4. Plymouth Rock: The Plymouth Rock was developed in New England in the middle of the 19th century and was first exhibited as a breed in 1849. Plymouth Rock was accepted by the APA in 1874. (There are many color varieties.)

5. Wyandotte: The first examples of the breed appeared in 1870s. The Silver Laced Wyandotte was developed in New York in the early 1870s and was admitted to the APA in 1883. Other color varieties were admitted by the APA later.

6. Rhode Island White: The Rhode Island White originated in 1888 through the efforts of Mr. J. Alonzo Jocoy of Peacedale, Rhode Island. He developed the breed by crossing White Wyandottes with Partridge Cochins and Rose Comb White Leghorns. In 1903, Mr. Jocoy made the breed known to the public and offered individuals for sale. The breed continued to be developed and improved so that it more closely resembled the Rhode Island Red’s brick-like body shape. This distinctive shape helped to prevent the breed from looking similar to and being confused with White Wyandottes or White Plymouth Rock chickens. In 1922 the Rhode Island White was admitted to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection during the national conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, that year.

7. Jersey Giant: The breed started in the late 1800s. The Black Jersey Giant was admitted into the APA in 1922. The White Jersey Giant was admitted by the APA in 1947.

8. "The Buckeye was first bred and developed in 1896, by a Warren, Ohio resident named Nettie Metcalf." The Buckeye was admitted to the APA in 1904.

9. California Gray: "In 1908, Dr. Horace Dryden, a professor at the Oregon Agricultural College (now known as Oregon State University) experimented by crossing white Leghorns and Barred Plymouth Rocks. White Leghorns are small white chickens known for excellent white egg production.  Barred Plymouth Rocks are a very popular heavy breed of dual-purpose chickens with alternating black and white stripes. In 1927, Dr. Dryden moved to Modesto, California, and started the Dryden Poultry Breeding farm.  The Leghorn and Barred Rock crosses were sold as California Grays, a high producer of white eggs."
California Gray has never been recognized by the APA. I suspect this is because a California Gray looks like a Barred Leghorn.

10. Lamona: "The Lamona is a [COLOR=0066CC]breed[/COLOR] of [COLOR=0066CC]chicken[/COLOR] originating in the [COLOR=0066CC]United States[/COLOR]. It was developed in the early 20th century by Harry S. Lamon, who was the senior poultry expert at the [COLOR=0066CC]Bureau of Animal Industry[/COLOR],[SUP][COLOR=0066CC][1][/COLOR][/SUP] an agency that was eventually replaced by the [COLOR=0066CC]U.S. Department of Agriculture[/COLOR]'s [COLOR=0066CC]Agricultural Research Service[/COLOR]. Working at the [COLOR=0066CC]Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center[/COLOR] in [COLOR=0066CC]Beltsville, Maryland[/COLOR], Lamon crossed White [COLOR=0066CC]Plymouth Rocks[/COLOR], Silver-Gray [COLOR=0066CC]Dorkings[/COLOR] and White [COLOR=0066CC]Leghorns[/COLOR] to produce the Lamona. The effort began in 1912 and by 1933 it was recognized as a breed by admittance into the [COLOR=0066CC]American Poultry Association[/COLOR]'s [COLOR=0066CC]Standard of Perfection[/COLOR].[SUP][COLOR=0066CC][3][/COLOR][/SUP] A [COLOR=0066CC]bantam[/COLOR] version was miniaturized from the standard Lamona, and it was recognized by the APA in 1960."

11. New Hampshire: The New Hampshire originated starting with Rhode Island Reds and using selective breeding. New Hampshire was admitted by the APA in 1935.

12. Holland: Despite its name, this breed was developed in the United States starting in the 1930s. The White and Barred Holland were developed simultaneously. This breed looks much like a Plymouth Rock but lays white eggs. Holland was admitted to the APA in 1949.

List of oldest U.S. chicken breeds. Right now there are 12 breeds listed. I was going for 10.

Is it correct?


Here is the updated list:


1. Dominique -- Know as "Pilgrim Fowl" and was around for many years before being accepted by the APA in 1874.

2. Java -- Considered the second-oldest American breed and fist mentioned in print in 1835. But it was not accepted by the APA until 1883. The white, black, and mottled varieties were all accepted by the APA in 1883, but white was removed in 1910 because it looked too much like the White Plymouth Rock. Some incorrectly state that the breed came from Java when only some of the foundation stock came from Java. The Livestock Conservancy states, "The Java is considered the second oldest breed of chicken developed in America."

3. Rhode Island Red: This article states, "The Rhode Island Red was developed not by fanciers but by poultry farmers in the area of Little Compton, Rhode Island, beginning about 1830." It also states, "The Golden Buff or Golden Red, as the breed was originally called, was first exhibited about 1879 but was bred in large numbers for practical uses before then." http://www.motherearthnews.com/home...ed-heritage-poultry-zeylaf.aspx#axzz2mv3yHjbm
Rhode Island Red was admitted to the APA in 1904.

4. Plymouth Rock: The Plymouth Rock was developed in New England in the middle of the 19th century and was first exhibited as a breed in 1849. Plymouth Rock was accepted by the APA in 1874. (There are many color varieties.)

5. Wyandotte: The first examples of the breed appeared in 1870s. The Silver Laced Wyandotte was developed in New York in the early 1870s and was admitted to the APA in 1883. Other color varieties were admitted by the APA later.

6. Rhode Island White: The Rhode Island White originated in 1888 through the efforts of Mr. J. Alonzo Jocoy of Peacedale, Rhode Island. He developed the breed by crossing White Wyandottes with Partridge Cochins and Rose Comb White Leghorns. In 1903, Mr. Jocoy made the breed known to the public and offered individuals for sale. The breed continued to be developed and improved so that it more closely resembled the Rhode Island Red’s brick-like body shape. This distinctive shape helped to prevent the breed from looking similar to and being confused with White Wyandottes or White Plymouth Rock chickens. In 1922 the Rhode Island White was admitted to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection during the national conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, that year.

7. Jersey Giant: The breed started in the late 1800s. The Black Jersey Giant was admitted into the APA in 1922. The White Jersey Giant was admitted by the APA in 1947.

8. "The Buckeye was first bred and developed in 1896, by a Warren, Ohio resident named Nettie Metcalf." The Buckeye was admitted to the APA in 1904.

9. California Gray: "In 1908, Dr. Horace Dryden, a professor at the Oregon Agricultural College (now known as Oregon State University) experimented by crossing white Leghorns and Barred Plymouth Rocks. White Leghorns are small white chickens known for excellent white egg production.  Barred Plymouth Rocks are a very popular heavy breed of dual-purpose chickens with alternating black and white stripes. In 1927, Dr. Dryden moved to Modesto, California, and started the Dryden Poultry Breeding farm.  The Leghorn and Barred Rock crosses were sold as California Grays, a high producer of white eggs."
California Gray has never been recognized by the APA. I suspect this is because a California Gray looks like a Barred Leghorn.

10. Lamona: "The Lamona is a [COLOR=0066CC]breed[/COLOR] of [COLOR=0066CC]chicken[/COLOR] originating in the [COLOR=0066CC]United States[/COLOR]. It was developed in the early 20th century by Harry S. Lamon, who was the senior poultry expert at the [COLOR=0066CC]Bureau of Animal Industry[/COLOR],[SUP][COLOR=0066CC][1][/COLOR][/SUP] an agency that was eventually replaced by the [COLOR=0066CC]U.S. Department of Agriculture[/COLOR]'s [COLOR=0066CC]Agricultural Research Service[/COLOR]. Working at the [COLOR=0066CC]Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center[/COLOR] in [COLOR=0066CC]Beltsville, Maryland[/COLOR], Lamon crossed White [COLOR=0066CC]Plymouth Rocks[/COLOR], Silver-Gray [COLOR=0066CC]Dorkings[/COLOR] and White [COLOR=0066CC]Leghorns[/COLOR] to produce the Lamona. The effort began in 1912 and by 1933 it was recognized as a breed by admittance into the [COLOR=0066CC]American Poultry Association[/COLOR]'s [COLOR=0066CC]Standard of Perfection[/COLOR].[SUP][COLOR=0066CC][3][/COLOR][/SUP] A [COLOR=0066CC]bantam[/COLOR] version was miniaturized from the standard Lamona, and it was recognized by the APA in 1960."

11. New Hampshire: The New Hampshire originated starting with Rhode Island Reds and using selective breeding. New Hampshire was admitted by the APA in 1935.

12. Holland: Despite its name, this breed was developed in the United States starting in the 1930s. The White and Barred Holland were developed simultaneously. This breed looks much like a Plymouth Rock but lays white eggs. Holland was admitted to the APA in 1949.

Pyncheon Bantam, raised by Nathaniel Hawthorne and mentioned repeatedly in his famous novel "House of Seven Gables". Origin mostly unknown, but considered to have become a breed in the United States.

 

[Bullitt]

Pyncheon Bantam, raised by Nathaniel Hawthorne and mentioned repeatedly in his famous novel "House of Seven Gables". Origin mostly unknown, but considered to have become a breed in the United States.

Interesting.

So where would Pyncheon Bantam go on the list?

 

[sandiklaws]

Interesting.

So where would Pyncheon Bantam go on the list?

Earliest reference is 1700's, however not all "experts" agree with that early date. Nathaniel Hawthorne had them in the 1850's

 

[Bullitt]

Earliest reference is 1700's, however not all "experts" agree with that early date. Nathaniel Hawthorne had them in the 1850's

From what I am finding it seems that Pyncheon Bantams were likely bred in Belgium, and then probably brought to the United States in the 1700s.


http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Pyn/SPPAPyncheon.html

Pyncheon Bantams
adapted with permission from
SPPA Breed Brochure
Pyncheon Bantams have a long history, but disappeared from exhibition for most of the 20th century. Dedicated breeders have brought them back and are rediscovering this colorful breed and its history.

They are recognized by the American Bantam Association, but not the American Poultry Association. They are shown in the Single Comb Clean Leg class. Pyncheons are a medium size bantam, with cocks weighing 24 ounces, cockerels and hens weighing 22 ounces and pullets weighing 20 ounces. It has a tuft of feathers rising from the head behind its comb, with feathers draped down the neck. Its plumage is similar to the Mille Fleur color pattern. Shanks and toes need to be willow yellow, soles of feet yellow and earlobes bright red. Other colors will disqualify birds being shown.
Finding historical information on Pyncheons is a quest. Bantam Breeding and Genetics by Fred P. Jeffrey includes an article on Pyncheon Bantams, pages 83-84 in the 1977 edition.
It's very possible these first birds originated in Belgium, where the Mille Fleur color pattern originated, and where, in Flemish Belgium, families with the name Pyncheon may be found. It has been suggested to me that the breed may have been created by a Belgian poultry breeder of the name Pyncheon. The name would have passed on to the birds the way that Sir John Sebright gave his name to the bantam breed he created.
A look through information posted by breeders in forums online tells me the breed is inbred, with poor fertility, but they are good layers for bantams, and good broodies. They lay cream or tinted eggs, are winter hardy, and like to fly. According to Nathaniel Hawthorne, they say, the breed has existed in the U.S. since the mid-1700s. The breed is being promoted and interest is growing.
The characteristics unique to the Mille Fleur pattern in Pyncheon females include little to no black stippling in the neck hackles. Most Mille fleur varieties show a strip of black in the lower female neck hackle, a black strip that goes from the white spangle and extends up the shaft of the feather where it meets the body of the feather. Their hackle pattern is the exact same pattern as the breast, cushion, and back, uniform with the rest of the plumage. Color should predominate over white in the head, primary and secondary feathers. The undercolor should be slate shading to slatey buff at the base in males, medium slate shading to pale salmon at the base in females. "The undercolor of the Mille Fleur Pyncheon is just as important as the outer color," says Hart. "Without the proper balance of color, the bird looks foreign and not good Pyncheon color."

 

[sandiklaws]

From what I am finding it seems that Pyncheon Bantams were likely bred in Belgium, and then probably brought to the United States in the 1700s.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Pyn/SPPAPyncheon.html

Pyncheon Bantams adapted with permission from [COLOR=0066CC]SPPA[/COLOR] Breed Brochure Pyncheon Bantams have a long history, but disappeared from exhibition for most of the 20th century. Dedicated breeders have brought them back and are rediscovering this colorful breed and its history.

They are recognized by the American Bantam Association, but not the American Poultry Association. They are shown in the Single Comb Clean Leg class. Pyncheons are a medium size bantam, with cocks weighing 24 ounces, cockerels and hens weighing 22 ounces and pullets weighing 20 ounces. It has a tuft of feathers rising from the head behind its comb, with feathers draped down the neck. Its plumage is similar to the Mille Fleur color pattern. Shanks and toes need to be willow yellow, soles of feet yellow and earlobes bright red. Other colors will disqualify birds being shown. Finding historical information on Pyncheons is a quest. Bantam Breeding and Genetics by Fred P. Jeffrey includes an article on Pyncheon Bantams, pages 83-84 in the 1977 edition. It's very possible these first birds originated in Belgium, where the Mille Fleur color pattern originated, and where, in Flemish Belgium, families with the name Pyncheon may be found. It has been suggested to me that the breed may have been created by a Belgian poultry breeder of the name Pyncheon. The name would have passed on to the birds the way that Sir John Sebright gave his name to the bantam breed he created. A look through information posted by breeders in forums online tells me the breed is inbred, with poor fertility, but they are good layers for bantams, and good broodies. They lay cream or tinted eggs, are winter hardy, and like to fly. According to Nathaniel Hawthorne, they say, the breed has existed in the U.S. since the mid-1700s. The breed is being promoted and interest is growing. The characteristics unique to the Mille Fleur pattern in Pyncheon females include little to no black stippling in the neck hackles. Most Mille fleur varieties show a strip of black in the lower female neck hackle, a black strip that goes from the white spangle and extends up the shaft of the feather where it meets the body of the feather. Their hackle pattern is the exact same pattern as the breast, cushion, and back, uniform with the rest of the plumage. Color should predominate over white in the head, primary and secondary feathers. The undercolor should be slate shading to slatey buff at the base in males, medium slate shading to pale salmon at the base in females. "The undercolor of the Mille Fleur Pyncheon is just as important as the outer color," says Hart. "Without the proper balance of color, the bird looks foreign and not good Pyncheon color." [rule]

Well, the foundation stock possibly came from Belgium, but they have only been recognized as a breed here,after many generations of breeding.

 

[cubalaya]

Made up composite breeds:

American Games (crosses of OEG, Asian, and Spanish game breeds)
Asil or Aseel (In the west, they are the resutt of the crossing of distinct separate lineages found in India, Pakistan, and surrounding countries.)

Breeds, as we know them, are an invention of the late 18th Century; before that animals were bred to be of a type, not breed. There were meat and dairy cattle, although generally the milch cow outside of Northern Europe came from the draft or meat stock- and any steer could be used as an ox for riding or draft purposes.. Dogs were bred to be "hound type", "lurcher type" or some other type. Many of the types were landrace stock. The only chickens that were selectively bred at the time seem to be game fowl.

Registries for animals began with a stud book in Britain as a result of a demand for a better class of cavalry horse, a matter that had not worried the sea power British much before the 17th C. James I imported an Arabian stallion, and this caught the attention of breeders - but the first effort at the General Stud Book was in 1791. Early on, it was restricted to the offspring of Arabian stallions on native mares, or the offspring of Arabian stallions on mares who were the result of an Arabian - native mare cross. In the early days there was great emphasis on making sure that the animals were not consanguineous. The original animals were entirely practical, and were tested in races of as long as eight miles to be sure they would meet the requirements of the cavalry. In the late 18th C. there came a demand for "sprint races", which seems to have encompassed any run below about two miles in length. Around that time, the registry or stud book was opened to crosses between the original half-blood horses. Prior to that they had no established type, and were registered solely on the criteria of lineage. (There is a modern tendency to see the original crosses superiority as entirely due to the alleged superiority of the Arabian horse by those who have forgotten that the native dams were also extremely fine animals and made an equal contribution to a cross that excelled both parents in the desired qualities.)

Chickens were predominately barnyard scavengers in Europe. The eggs were collected and when they were eaten in Britain, it was as an expensive delicacy. British farmers who raised meat birds did not attempt to improve them, and meat birds were not raised for home consumption. Looking through history, it seems that the breeding of practical, specialized fowl was perhaps first and last a project of the Romans who discovered chickens made excellent portable rations for the troops. The only selective breeding of poultry in Britain seems to have been restricted to game fowl.

Colonial North America was an entirely different environment. The chicken was kept as a practical, subsistence food source. Even the local tribes took up the raising of chickens; the Iroquois are documented as raising chickens by 1687, and chickens were in British North America no later than 1609; while the Spanish introduced them during the conquest.

The Colonial British ate chicken and eggs in the summer, overwintered a few to provide for next years breeding, and ate eggs and chicken in the summer. They were a food source that rustled up most of its own food, and could eat whatever portion of the leftovers - AKA slops - that weren't fed to any hogs that happened to be on hand.

Selective breeding wasn't really practiced until the North Americans (here defined as Canadians and Americans) began to try and improve birds in the mid-19th Century, apparently inspired by the "hen fever" fad.

In the US and Canada there was a fervor associated with Cochins and Brahmas, just as in Europe; but rural Americans seemed to find the practical application of Javas, Cochins, and Brahmas to be of interest. The result of these early American selective breeding efforts later resulted in the export of America breeds to Europe where they played an important role in the development of many European breeds, including the Orpington, Welsumer (via the Orpington), the Niederrhein, the Dutch North Holland fowl (not to be confused with the American Holland fowl), the Amrock (a European/British utility breed of Plymouth Rock ancestry, but bred for performance), Langshan (a bare legged German breed as distinguished from the British feather legged Croad Langshan), the Vorwerk (by way of the Orpingtons), Marans, and Ixworth.

the asil is not a composite breed but was one of the breeds that make up American games. asils are one of the oldest breed on earth. there very name means pure.

 

[RingedTeal]

I just wanted to say American Games should be top of the list. There is plenty info out there of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin having these birds. Also it is said that Abe Lincoln got the nickname "Honest Abe" from his judging in cockfights.

 

[alugj]

There are brown egg hybrid layers that are actually dual purpose hybrids, such as the Black Star.

What makes you think that I haven't investigated the various brown egg hybrid layers, and the various meat hybrids, breeds, and dual purpose breeds? What makes you think that I didn't in the past breed my own replacement birds?

I think your assumption that I consider the APA evil is particularly odd. I find it irrelevant, a waste of time, and active in discouraging people's interest in the more productive and efficient strains. I also think that your constant references to keeping poultry as a hobby explains a lot.

In other words, you give the serious impression that you have absolutely no clue about production.

................