Keeping backyard chickens has become an increasingly popular hobby throughout the United States. According to the American Pet Products Association, 15 percent of American homeowners state they own backyard chickens, while almost 25 percent of those who own condos state they keep backyard flocks. Even those who lease are getting in the swing of things, with approximately 10 percent of renters stating they keep chickens.

The numbers continue to trend upwards, with more and more people rearing backyard birds as pets and for eggs.

Despite the increase in chicken ownership, several breeds of chickens are not faring well. Sixteen breeds have been rated by the Livestock Conservancy as Critically Endangered. In other words:

• These 16 have fewer than 500 breeding birds in the U.S.
• They each have only five or fewer primary breeding flocks throughout the country.
• Their estimated global population is less than 1,000 chickens total.

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.

In addition to those breeds rated as critically endangered, the Livestock Conservancy also features these classifications on its Priority List:

• Threatened: Fewer than 1,000 breeding birds in the U.S., with seven or fewer primary breeding flocks, and an estimated global population of less than 5,000 chickens total
• Watch: Fewer than 5,000 breeding birds in the U.S., with 10 or fewer primary breeding flocks, and estimated global population of less than 10,000 (breeds with genetic or numerical concerns or limited geographic distribution are also included in this classification)
• Recovering: Breeds that were once classified in another category and have now exceeded the parameters for Watch but still need monitoring
• Study: Breeds that are of interest but lack definition or documentation

In total, the current Priority List features 51 breeds of chicken. In addition to the 16 that rate as Critical, 19 breeds are considered Threatened. Eight are rated as Watch, six are listed as Recovering, and two rate the Study classification.

Some inclusions may be surprising. Such backyard-flock favorites as Australorps, Plymouth Rocks, Jersey Giants, Polish and Cochins are on the list. When my husband and I started our heritage poultry farm years ago, we chose to raise only breeds included on the Priority List to aid with their conservation. In the time that has passed, only Cochins (Recovering) and Polish (Watch) remain listed from our original 10 breeds.

The rest have not only recovered. They now thrive thanks to conservation efforts from small-flock and hobby farmers.

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

Keeping a Conservation Flock

While many municipalities prohibit rooster ownership, other towns and cities allow home owners (and renters) to breed backyard poultry flocks. Should you wish to aid these 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.

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. Conservation flock 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. Our Dolly Ameraucana is a perfect example of this: She will turn 10 this coming June and still happily scratches and chases insects with the rest of her flock.

Over the next few weeks, we will introduce both the Critical and Threatened breeds on the Priority List. You just might find yourself motivated to help restore one—or more—of these endangered chicken breeds to a healthy, thriving population.