Are all hatchery birds pet quality?

[oldchickenman]

hey CHIC i think you made the rigth choice have fun and keep us informed .

 

[McSpin]

Quote:
With the statement you made above, I think you made a good decision. Shows do not judge for egglaying qualities or personality. Most hatchery birds comes from stock where egglaying is very important and even disposition is likely often taken into consideration.

My own personal experience has shown that not all "breeder quality" are actually quality birds and that not all hatchery birds are unsuitable for showing. In fact, my one hatchery breed (delawares) is actually turning out more true to type and with better dispositions than my many of my so-called "breeder and show quality" breeds. Just because someone is raising them in their backyard, does not mean there is anything special or even good about their stock. In fact, I would be willing to bet that a relatively small percentage of "backyard breeders", know much about proper breeding techniques, no matter what their goals are.

 

[CHIC]

They are probably just like me. I googled hatcheries, found McMurrays and planned on breeding them thinking I was getting what the picture looked like. I'd say that a lot of people go no further than that. I am definately not saying that I think its wrong to breed them that way, but it is a shame when backyard breeders don't know what they have and don't know to tell people what they are getting. If I had not found this site, I would not have known any difference either- especially on breeds like the Araucana. I had no idea about EEs or any of that. So, anyways thanks everyone for the advise. I got my rainbow layers today, 26 alive and well and lots of peeping. I just went ahead and got all girls so that I wouldn't have to worry about all this. They are so cute and I am very please with my decision.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Quote:
Chic you can always get a rooster down the road, when you are ready. And there are nothing wrong with mutts. I have several people begging for 6 mutts I have. My BRH gamefowl got to my red laced cornish bantams before I got my roosters for them. I ended up with 3 gray, 1 charcoal, 1 white bantam hens with tight sculpted feathers and one charcoal rooster that looks like a flame paint job with orange hackles and saddle feathers. I'll try to take some pics and get them posted tomorrow.

 

[silkieluver_07]

My blue standard cochin pullet came from a hatchery and she won reserve asiatic in the youth poultry show at our fair this year.

So a hatchery bird can win in some cases.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
First, please don't take offense, but often times county and youth fairs are not judged by APA standards. I know the kinds of birds that are shown at our local county & 4-H fair would not for the most part rank very well at a sanctioned show.

 

[southerngamebirds1]

look guys, you are all correct but coming from different angles. i have american games that are strong, disease resistant and eye candy. but they dont lay great but this a darn good bird. i also have hatchery sumatras, and when my kids and i go feed them, they dont look at them and say - dang it, they are are hatchery birds! no, we just watch and enjoy them. that is enough for us and dont care if they are "standard" or not. And as long as we dont hatch them and sell them as sq birds, who is hurt by this? I am just as happy with my hatchery sumatras as my pure games, even though the game bird is a more quality bird

 

[CHIC]

Got my chicks! Totally satisfied! I'm glad I posted this topic. It brought me to the realization that I'm not ready to breed chickens. Thanks everyone, sorry for toes being stepped on!

 

[granites2001]

I bought Blue Laced Red Wyandottes from McMurray.....I kept two Roos and 5 hens last year......My hens are not only beautiful, they are great layers and 4 out of my 5 hens hatched me lots of eggs this year.....Just my experience..... I have also brought Brahmas from them that I have been thrilled with....They are known to go broody......Mine lay, but not one has tried to sit......

Lisa

 

[silkieluver_07]

Quote:
First, please don't take offense, but often times county and youth fairs are not judged by APA standards. I know the kinds of birds that are shown at our local county & 4-H fair would not for the most part rank very well at a sanctioned show.

No offense taken, but our show was judged by two APA judges. Reverend Romig judged the youth show and Rick Poor judged the open show so they were judged by the SOP.