Thanks for the explanation Mike. So, if someone takes the time to make a cross and then breed the line back to the correct color conformation over a few generations, then I take it that it would be acceptable to show this line, though maybe not to sell to another show person? There can be serious long-term problems with inbreeding animals if out-crosses never occur. I gather that with chickens the opposite has occurred and that they have seldom been linebred for any length of time.
Sorry for the basic questions, but I\'m not too familiar with the goals of the ABC. Is this primarily a Show organization or is it also interested in promoting other attributes of chickens? There are so many things you can breed towards - egg size, egg color, laying frequency, meat, behavior, longevity, health, temperature tolerance, etc. I know with some animals the show aspect so dominates, that the show animal is no longer suitable for it\'s original purpose. A good example would be many show dogs. I\'m not saying this is the case with chickens, just that it can happen.
Anyway, just trying to become more familiar with the direction being taken by the ABC.