Heritage Breeds
Nearly 100 breeds of livestock and poultry are now threatened with extinction.
What are Heritage Breeds? Why do we need to save them?
The ALBC has the answers.
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Black
Welsh Mountain Sheep are small, pure black in color, and have a long tail which
is left undocked. The medium soft wool is hard wearing, and was used
extensively in the Welsh woolen mills. Black Welsh Mountain Sheep have
retained their hardiness and self-reliance. They have virtually no lambing
problems, although twins are not common. These sheep produce a premium
meat. The small popular cuts are lean, succulent, tender, and tasteful,
with little fat.
The Narragansett turkey is named for the
Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. Narragansett turkeys have traditionally been
known for their calm disposition, good maternal abilities, early maturation, and
excellent egg production. There was little feed given to the turkeys; instead
they ranged for grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects. This historic
variety, unique to North America deserves to survive.
Taken from, Birds of a Feather Saving Rare Turkeys From Extinction by Carolyn J. Christman and Robert O. Hawes
Dexter
cattle originated in Ireland and were imported to North America beginning in
1910. Dexter cattle are among the smallest cattle breed in the
world. They stand 40" tall and weigh 700-900 pounds. Dexters
are hardy, forage-efficient cattle with excellent maternal qualities. The
Dexters are popular with those who appreciate its efficiency in producing both
milk and beef on limited acreage. The milk produced is high in solids,
making it ideal for butter and cheese production. Dexter beef is lean and
high in quality. Dexters are good browsers and can rid pastures of
unwanted plants, and they may be used as oxen.
Taken from A RARE BREEDS ALBUM of American Livestock, by Carolyn J. Christman, D. Phillip Sponeberg, Donald E. Bixby
