Father and daughter's plight to save rare and unique chook breeds

Some rare Australian chook breeds have unique traits including disease resistance, heat tolerance, and a delicious flavour that would be lost without preservation efforts.

Passionate chook defender Jaylin O'Connor, 13 years old, said "it's easy for breeds to fall into the gaps and deteriorate quality wise".

"It's a massive project and something that I'd never thought would come of our interest in rare and exotic chickens," she said.

The Rare Breeds Trust for Australian poultry lists 11 critical breeds of chickens, eight that are considered endangered and 15 breeds that are vulnerable or at risk.

Her father Timothy O'Connor said they would "ultimately love to help preserve all breeds on the rare and critical list but it's a slow process".

The family live on a farm in Yendon, Victoria and plan to run open days to "educate people about a side of poultry that may well fade away".

A fundraiser for the project has been established on GoFundMe and the pair said their community had been supportive with resources and advice.

However, Mr O'Connor said they would "be embarking on this mission no matter what, as it's our passion".