Are Murray Mcmurray's birds show quaility? Is this a good hatchery?

[NinjaGamer2022]

I would be in the future possible interested in the sebrights (both gold and silver) and

Egyptian Fayoumis along with other bantam breeds and possibly their French Black Copper Marans. Are their birds show quality and what are your experiences with this hatchery? Good or not? Thx,​

 

[JustBabyMargo]

I have ordered from Murray McMurray 3 times now, and I have only had good experiences! I think they are an excellent hatchery. I have an Egyptian Fayoumi from them. I’m not sure if she’s show quality or not, though.

 

[007Sean]

McMurray is probably as good as any other hatchery in that respect.

If you are buying day-old chicks from any source, be prepared to buy quite a few and select carefully. You will find more culls than birds worth taking to a show. (You can butcher the extras, or sell them, or keep them as layers & pets, or whatever else suits you.)

Even people specifically trying to raise show-quality chickens produce more culls than birds actually good enough to show. The rate from a hatchery (any hatchery) is going to be a bit worse than from a show breeder.

If you buy a bunch of chicks, you can check early for some traits, and will have to raise them longer to check other traits. (Examples: single vs. rose comb is obvious at hatch, foot/shank color is obvious within a few weeks, exact body shape is not clear untli the bird is fully grown.)

Even people specifically trying to raise show-quality chickens produce more culls than birds actually good enough to show. The rate from a hatchery (any hatchery) is going to be a bit worse than from a show breeder.
Absolutely correct! I use to show Blacktailed White Japanese....I'd cull about 60%.
Even with getting show quality birds to begin with, is no guarantee that you will get show quality offspring from those birds....but it helps to begin with the best SOP type birds you can get.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

They have 5. White Langshan, White Polish, Partridge Plymouth Rock, Buff Plymouth Rock, and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rock are their APA certified breeds. I have a White Langshan from them as well-

 

[NatJ]

Are their birds show quality

McMurray is probably as good as any other hatchery in that respect.

If you are buying day-old chicks from any source, be prepared to buy quite a few and select carefully. You will find more culls than birds worth taking to a show. (You can butcher the extras, or sell them, or keep them as layers & pets, or whatever else suits you.)

Even people specifically trying to raise show-quality chickens produce more culls than birds actually good enough to show. The rate from a hatchery (any hatchery) is going to be a bit worse than from a show breeder.

If you buy a bunch of chicks, you can check early for some traits, and will have to raise them longer to check other traits. (Examples: single vs. rose comb is obvious at hatch, foot/shank color is obvious within a few weeks, exact body shape is not clear untli the bird is fully grown.)

 

[JustBabyMargo]

What does that even mean, APA certified? All that should matter is if the APA recognizes the breed, right?

While pretty, I do not think she is very type-y for a Langshan. Obviously, males will be much taller, but she's not much bigger than the EEs behind her.
View attachment 3274440View attachment 3274441View attachment 3274442

I never said that mine is APA certified, just that I have one from their APA certified stock. She’s a big girl, though. Both her and her (black Langshan) sister are over 6 pounds.

 

[NatJ]

What does that even mean, APA certified? All that should matter is if the APA recognizes the breed, right?

Probably should be APA recognized. Not certified.

Thanks to google, here is the answer:

Yes, the word is certified. The American Poultry Association has a "flock certification" program.

They have a web page about it:
https://amerpoultryassn.com/flock-certification/

 

[JacinLarkwell]

No hatchery can guarantee show quality chicks. They may have some really nice birds, and they may have some subpar birds. They're not bred for show, they're bred for eggs and chicks

 

[007Sean]

I have ordered from Murray McMurray 3 times now, and I have only had good experiences! I think they are an excellent hatchery. I have an Egyptian Fayoumi from them. I’m not sure if she’s show quality or not, though.View attachment 3271577View attachment 3271578

Typical of what you will get from M&Mc, not quite show quality but good quality.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Murray McMurray has several APA Certified breeds. I remember seeing them in the paper catalog but can't easily find them on the website.

What does that even mean, APA certified? All that should matter is if the APA recognizes the breed, right?

They have 5. White Langshan, White Polish, Partridge Plymouth Rock, Buff Plymouth Rock, and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rock are their APA certified breeds. I have a White Langshan from them as well-View attachment 3273712

While pretty, I do not think she is very type-y for a Langshan. Obviously, males will be much taller, but she's not much bigger than the EEs behind her.