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Need help getting chickens that have not been genetically modified

 
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What chicken breeds have not been genetically modified? I dont want to raise some franken-chicken that some scientist cooked up to grow faster. I am just looking for a more natural chicken I guess. I live in southern ohio so they would have to do good in the cold.

Thank you very much for your help!
 
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not really an issue, yet. there are indeed labs creating gmo chickens for various reasons, but they aren't available at retail hatcheries. so you can take that off your list of things to worry about for the time being.

on to what your criteria will be for choosing a breed or breeds. you mention that cold is an issue, so breeds with small combs that are less vulnerable to frost bite could be a good idea. one such breed that I'm familiar with is the Buckeye, which just so happens to originate in Ohio. a great breed for a lot of reasons.

you don't mention any other criteria, though, which makes recommendations difficult. are you just after maximum egg production? then go with a light weight egg breed like a leghorn or one of the sex-linked hybrid laying birds. are you just after fast growing meat birds? choose a hybrid meat breed. are you after birds that will incorporate well into a permaculture arrangement? choose a dual-purpose breed that forages well and is adapted to your climate(hint: do this one). do you plan to breed your own birds and perhaps maintain a threatened heritage breed? choose one breed. no breeding? get a variety of breeds so you can find out which suits your style of husbandry the best.
 
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A simple Google search can find you most anything you want. Here's a link to a breed that originated in your area and that many breeders are bringing back to heritage standards:

http://www.americanbuckeyeclub.org/

I don't know what you mean by genetically modified....most breeds have been genetically manipulated to produce certain traits but that has not been done in a science lab. It has been the result of selective breeding of certain strains of the breeds. Even the Cornish Cross, those most frequently referred to as Frankenchickens, are merely the result of intensive breeding programs that have taken traits for fast growth and muscling and promoted them as they select breeding strains.

There are many, many breeds out there who aren't far from their original traits and dedicated breeders out there who are preserving those traits....by selective breeding for them. No genetic modification in sight.
 
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