There's no doubt that the most efficient producers of eggs are commercial hybrid chickens housed in a controlled environment and fed on a fully balanced commercial layer diet. But
Heritage chickens are beautiful in many different ways and make beautiful and varied pets.
Heritage chickens lay colourful eggs.
There are heritage breed chickens that naturally suit hot climates,
or cold climates.
Heritage chickens are good at foraging and adapt well to a varied diet.
Heritage breed chickens live, and lay eggs, for many years. They have a much longer life span that the commercial hybrids, who wear themselves out in a few years.
Heritage breed hens are by far the best broodies and mama hens for raising chicks.
You can't really breed those commercial hybrids at home - at least three generations of breed lines are needed to make each first-generation hybrid that has that peak laying performance. If you want to breed chickens, you need a heritage or cross-breed rooster.
And unlike those millions of identical commercial hybrid hens, heritage breed chickens have a wide range of genetic diversity. Let's maintain and protect that for our future.
If you want to know more about the sex-linked crosses that result in baby chicks that are easily identifiable as girls or boys at hatching, this is my video about that:
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from my genetics series:
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For more fascinating facts, hints and tips about caring for your chickens, and the sheer pleasure of chickens, subscribe to my channel: Chickens in my garden - New Zealand
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