Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oregon Blues
[[[[.........and decides on a few birds if they aren't SQ then that's their fault. ....]]]]]
While I can't disagree with this, I would never sell a cull to anyone who came to me looking for show quality birds. I am willing to take the time to point out the difference and what they should be looking for. Culls at my house go into the freezer.
It is a good point, though, that anyone who wants to purchase good quality birds should take the time to learn what they are looking at. At least read and learn the breed standard for their breed so they know what colors are required.
The show breeders that I know love to talk about their birds and point out the virtues of their birds. They'll talk your ear off about how to breed quality birds. But, it is always possible that you'll run into someone who is happy to charge you show prices for culls. It is your responsibility to study until you know the difference.
As for buying chicks, chicks are always a gamble. If you want seriously good stock, you buy young adults who already have their adult plumage in.
I wouldn't buy chicks even from the very best breeder and then not go through them and pick out the best to keep and cull the rest. However, the "cull" chicks from a top breeder should be carrying good genetics, so if you decide to breed them, you should get better results than you'd get from breeding Hatchery birds that maybe aren't even purebred to begin with and are very unlikely to carry excellent genetics.
Each breeder is an individual. Each one has his own practices and his own ethics. There is no generalization that you can apply across the board to every breeder
well said Orgegon Blues.
I agree fully. I often try to point out the difference in serious breeders and back yard hobbyist playing around with a breed. Folks so often call, anyone out side hatcheries all BREEDERS. Well this isnt the case. A BREEDER. Is someone who devotes all their time and effort into making the best of the best in just a couple breeds, often times they focus on just one. Folks, these are BREEDERS... dont mix them in with back yard hobbyist.
A breeder will show you the difference, as said above, often to the point in which you wish they'd just shut up about it...well it's cause they are passionate about their birds.
They select the best of the best to work with, so ANYTHING you get from them will have potential. Their versions of culls are 10 x's better than the best hatchery stock's good birds.
If buying adult stock, a breeder will break them down in to cataglories for you, show quality, breeder quality, and pet quality (culls) The price will reflect the difference as well.
Now as in anything, you also need to know what you are looking at. But a decent breeder will always be honest with you. There are some shade folks out there as in all things, but their reputation will tell the tale on them.
As said above by blkpoodles
I have to respectfully disagree with the old 'IT'S ALL THE SAME STUFF" THING. In liquor it may be, but it's a far cry from the same in hatchery verses show birds. Often they dont even look like the same breed.
Folks this is all we are saying.. Yes there is a major difference in the birds.
Do you want just a back yard pet? Nothing at all wrong with that... go hatchery if you like, they are perfect for you
Do you want to breed and show? That's great! But YOU CAN NOT start that project off with hatchery birds and expect to be competitive or have decent breeders. It's just the nature of how this works.
I like NASCAR...here's an example of that is a way that actually works.
A Chevy Impala is a Chevy Impala right. Well now take your street dealer version to a track and compete against the Impalas in NASCAR and see where you finish...after all they are both the same car....
