Post by scarecrow on Sept 15, 2013 19:43:59 GMT -5
Before anybody gets excited, I'm not actually doing a project like this. I have thought about it before but I do not currently have the funds to embark upon it. But I thought I would mention it to see what my fellow Orloff enthusiasts thought.
Basically, there used to be more utility strains of pure breeds, as I have read. Nowadays the best examples of purebreeds are often found at poultry shows, and, well, they aren't always the best examples: inbred, practically useless on the homestead, etc., are just a few of the problems one might find in overly standardized examples of a purebreed.
But I have read that in the days in which folks cared more about value on the farm, there were "utility" strains of purebreeds, in other words, birds that weren't picture perfect representations of their breed but were definitely purebred and worth more in their meat/egg yield. I have heard of utility strains of purebreeds, but I have wondered, "Why not try to develop a utility strain of the Orloff?"
Let's face it, folks: although I 100% agree that Orloffs should look like Orloffs, if we abide too strictly by looks, we will destroy the breed. A breed consists of more than outward appearance. No one would look at a Leghorn that LOOKED like a Leghorn but didn't lay lots of eggs and say it was a REAL Leghorn. No one would look at a Tomaru longcrower that LOOKED like a Tomaru and call it a REAL Tomaru if it didn't have a crow that lasted who-knows-how-long. In the same way, the Orloff should look like its supposed to, but it should also be a good winter layer, be resistant to cold weather and disease, weigh between 7-8 pounds, etc. Basically, it ought to have some utility value.
What I want to know is, Do y'all think that, utility wise, the Orloff is suffering here in the States? I know it is suffering as a breed in general, but is that because it has lost utility value, or because it has just lost popularity to the "super-chickens" of the commercial industry?
Lastly, if the Orloff is suffering in its utility value, how can we as enthusiasts and breeders join together to beef up its utility without doping it with unrelated breeds?
I hope this will bring some friendly discussion.
God bless,
~Scarecrow~
Basically, there used to be more utility strains of pure breeds, as I have read. Nowadays the best examples of purebreeds are often found at poultry shows, and, well, they aren't always the best examples: inbred, practically useless on the homestead, etc., are just a few of the problems one might find in overly standardized examples of a purebreed.
But I have read that in the days in which folks cared more about value on the farm, there were "utility" strains of purebreeds, in other words, birds that weren't picture perfect representations of their breed but were definitely purebred and worth more in their meat/egg yield. I have heard of utility strains of purebreeds, but I have wondered, "Why not try to develop a utility strain of the Orloff?"
Let's face it, folks: although I 100% agree that Orloffs should look like Orloffs, if we abide too strictly by looks, we will destroy the breed. A breed consists of more than outward appearance. No one would look at a Leghorn that LOOKED like a Leghorn but didn't lay lots of eggs and say it was a REAL Leghorn. No one would look at a Tomaru longcrower that LOOKED like a Tomaru and call it a REAL Tomaru if it didn't have a crow that lasted who-knows-how-long. In the same way, the Orloff should look like its supposed to, but it should also be a good winter layer, be resistant to cold weather and disease, weigh between 7-8 pounds, etc. Basically, it ought to have some utility value.
What I want to know is, Do y'all think that, utility wise, the Orloff is suffering here in the States? I know it is suffering as a breed in general, but is that because it has lost utility value, or because it has just lost popularity to the "super-chickens" of the commercial industry?
Lastly, if the Orloff is suffering in its utility value, how can we as enthusiasts and breeders join together to beef up its utility without doping it with unrelated breeds?
I hope this will bring some friendly discussion.
God bless,
~Scarecrow~
