For the lowly - scale James Leonard Farmer or squatter , heritage breeds are a great way to get the most out of your flock . Heritage breed animate being trace their lineage back to our forefathers . They were the breed common on the homesteads of the first American settlers .
In the time of our ancestors , near every home had a class cow and a flock of crybaby , and farming was a direction to keep the folk eat . Therefore , in birds and livestock farmers looked for various breed that could be hardy through harsh winters , lie well and furnish good nub .
An organization known as theLivestock Conservancyworks to preserve inheritance stock in the U.S. today . It maintains that not only are these animals important to our story , they also are the most useful creatures to keep on small farm because of their legion benefit . For the small sept farm , heritage breeds are the manner to go , even if their history is not your precedency . Their versatility alone makes them staring for the diminished farm , and harks back to a time when all of our food was turn and raise by phratry who call for to diversify so as to ensure the health of their farm and flocks .
Heritage Goose Breeds
Geese are no longer a common sight on the backyard farm , and therefore many breeds of geese are now considered endangered inheritance breeds . These include some beautiful , versatile breed that would delight any homesteader .
American Buff , Cotton Patch , Pilgrim , and Toulouse geese are all considered heritage stock . They are perfect examples of why these breeds are so particular . They ’re larger skirt with chubby bodies consummate for eating . They ’re also reliable layers with healthy appetites for weed , and they possess gaudy representative for hold . They can do many problem on the homestead and will accomplish them with joy . Other inheritance breed geese include the Sebastopol , a for the most part show bird with striking feathers ; the smaller papistical cuckoo , which is an fantabulous guardian ; and the long - make out Chinese ( figure above ) that is worthy for its weed abilities .
Heritage Duck Breeds
Many modern farmers think of either Pekins or Mallards when they first conceive of ducks . However , these are not always the most vernacular or most utile backyard duck’s egg breeds . In fact , heritage duck breeds are often much more suited to a hobby husbandman .
Some inheritance duck breed are primarily meat birds that also can lay tasty eggs . These admit the heavier Buffs , Anconas , Cayugas ( pictured above ) and Rouens . Other , lighter - weight breeds were create chiefly for their egg production , but are surprisingly useful for blighter control . These include the typical Indian Runner and other Runner breed , as well as the slightly heavier Khaki Campbell .
Heritage Chicken Breeds
There is a vast array of heritage chicken breeds , just as there are many more breed of standard chickens than there are ducks or twat . While there are varieties breed for certain trait , especially exhibition strain , a bang-up number are noted for their versatility , their hardiness and their foresightful testicle - position lives .
Some of my farmyard favorite birds are heritage breed , including the striking Australorp and the friendly Cochin ( pictured above ) . exposition heritage breeds are remarkably distinct and include the grandiloquent and thin Modern Game and the long - trail Sultan . But others breeds are hearty gain to a farm that see rough winters , such as the robust Russia Orloff or the tough Icelandic .
For the most part , inheritance strain chicken are known as first-class forager , involve less cereal than other breeds of chickens and rewarding you with mess of eggs and nub .
Eric Dobis/Flickr
Whether it ’s geese , ducks , chickens or another livestock fauna or dame , heritage breeds offer you a gravid deal for your investiture . They are ideal for the homesteads of today , because they originate from a time when everyone kept a minuscule holding and made every effort to allow for their own food for themselves .
Kirsten LIe-Nielsen
