Starting a conservation flock is a rewarding way to support rare and endangered poultry breeds while enjoying the benefits of backyard chicken keeping. Whether you’re a seasoned homesteader or new to raising chickens, starting a conservation flock allows you to contribute to biodiversity and sustainable farming practices. By choosing heritage breeds recognized by organizations like The Livestock Conservancy, you help preserve genetic diversity and traditional farming history. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of starting a conservation flock—from selecting the right breeds to creating a suitable environment for long-term success.

What is an Endangered Breed Classification?

When compiling its annual Conservation Priority List, the Livestock Conservancy evaluates whether the founding stock for a pure breed still exists, whether the breed is being raised in different locations throughout the United States, and whether the global population for that breed is threatened.

The list is divided into five categories that reflect a breed’s level of endangerment:

1. Critical – Breeds with fewer than 200 annual registrations in the U.S. and estimated global populations of less than 2,000. These are the most vulnerable and at highest risk of extinction.

2. Threatened – Breeds with fewer than 1,000 annual U.S. registrations and global populations less than 5,000. While slightly more stable than critical breeds, they still require immediate attention.

3. Watch – Breeds with fewer than 2,500 annual U.S. registrations and a global population under 10,000. These breeds are recovering but still need support to ensure long-term viability.

4. Recovering – Breeds previously on the list that have shown substantial improvement in population numbers and conservation efforts. These breeds no longer meet the criteria for inclusion on the more urgent parts of the list but are still monitored.

5. Study – Breeds that are of conservation interest but require more information to determine their status. This may include recently imported breeds or those with unclear genetic backgrounds.

Conservation Priority Successes

Several chicken breeds once listed on The Livestock Conservancy’s Priority List have made remarkable recoveries thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. Breeds like the Plymouth Rock, Orpington, and Wyandotte were once on the brink of disappearing but have gradually regained numbers through small-scale farming, breeder networks, and public awareness. These recovered chickens now serve as shining examples of how strategic breeding, education, and community involvement can reverse decline and ensure genetic diversity for future generations. Their resurgence highlights the impact hobby farmers and backyard keepers can have in preserving America’s agricultural heritage.

Read more: Consider adding these 5 critically endangered chicken breeds to your flock.

Starting a Conservation Flock

While many municipalities prohibit rooster ownership, other towns and cities allow homeowners (and renters) to breed backyard poultry flocks. Should you wish to aid endangered breeds by keeping a flock of your own, check with your local ordinance director to make sure your town’s regulations allow for chicken breeding. Then contact the national breeders association for the chicken breed of your choice to learn how to get chicks or adult birds to start your own conservation breeding flock.

When starting a conservation flock, bear in mind that raising a heritage flock involves a little more work than your basic backyard flock. Egg production, for instance, is a wonderful bonus from your birds, not their main purpose.

Using artificial lighting to extend layers’ production is frowned upon, as the shorter daylight months are crucial to a hen’s natural recovery from the taxing laying season. Know that when starting a conservation flock and keeping it successfully, owners are also encouraged to allow their birds to live their natural lifespan. In other words, hens are not sold off once they reach two or three years of age. Instead, they remain with their flocks, guiding younger birds and helping rule the roost.

Final Thoughts for Starting a Conservation Flock

Starting a conservation flock is more than a hobby—it’s a meaningful way to safeguard rare poultry breeds and contribute to agricultural biodiversity. By choosing heritage chickens, supporting recovery efforts, and practicing mindful breeding, you play a vital role in preserving valuable genetics and farming history. Whether you raise a few birds in your backyard or manage a small homestead flock, your efforts help ensure these unique breeds thrive for generations to come. With the right knowledge and commitment, your conservation flock can be both a personal joy and a powerful legacy.

This article about starting a conservation flock was written for Hobby Farms and Chickens magazines. Click here to subscribe.