I understand; I guess it truly depends on what your goal is. If it's to preserve a beautiful, heritage-type breed or to show (which you've already stated you have no interest in), then hatchery quality will not help you. If you're just wanting a large bird that will lay nicely and be a good table bird as well, then hatchery quality will be just fine. But, I'm hearing mixed messages when you state you have a heritage line of blacks and are interested in "semi" show quality. There's nothing wrong with hatchery birds, they're just not heritage bred, nor are they exhibition quality. They do serve a purpose, though.
Tell us what your goals are, and maybe we can come up with more suggestions on how to proceed. Also, just to add, I would certainly not be afraid to buy some hatching eggs; of course, as you say, you'll never get as good a hatch as you would from eggs right off a farm and not shipped, but they are SO worth it.
Which reminds me...I've held back a nice looking young male from my hatch of Black Giants from Cliff Calhoun of Ohio; this male is a bit of a conundrum for me. He's growing out differently from what I am used to seeing in my line, but I am very much liking what I am seeing. I'll get some pics soon & get them posted here. I think he may just end up being quite a boy!
Tell us what your goals are, and maybe we can come up with more suggestions on how to proceed. Also, just to add, I would certainly not be afraid to buy some hatching eggs; of course, as you say, you'll never get as good a hatch as you would from eggs right off a farm and not shipped, but they are SO worth it.
Which reminds me...I've held back a nice looking young male from my hatch of Black Giants from Cliff Calhoun of Ohio; this male is a bit of a conundrum for me. He's growing out differently from what I am used to seeing in my line, but I am very much liking what I am seeing. I'll get some pics soon & get them posted here. I think he may just end up being quite a boy!