BABY CHICK HOW-TO... In case you wondered.

[walkswithdog]

It is always useful to see what works for someone else. There are tools, opportunities and things you'll miss learning otherwise.

But there is no one way.

When pure or heritage breeds or hybrid breeds come from a hatchery, they are all just hatchery quality birds. While you might get good or decent quality you're unlikely to get best.

Hybrid or heritage or show birds from small private breeders vary in quality dependent on breeder but if someone's focus is for quality not purely production and specific goals related to type and temperament you stand a good chance of getting better. Do your homework.

Besides the error of trying to make a dual purpose bird (heritage breed) substitute as a commercial style meat bird(cornish cross), there is also the middle ground of the colored rangers. Which for slightly more time than the cornishx, produce more meat than the average dual purpose heritage bird will and yet are far easier keepers.

We have threads so we can learn from each other. And the many ways to do it right. I certainly welcome everyone's input but I'm pretty sure there are a good many ways to do it right and more choices than those presented.

I deal with gruff old poultry men pretty much exclusively but most of them allow as how I've figured a few things out as well. Now they actually ask about breed standards, and they teach me a great deal in exchange.

They're not all shiny or very PC but they don't in general dictate.

 

[Davaroo]

Im always intrigued by the creativity people exhibit. Give five people the same basic information and the same basic tools... and they will come up with five ways to do a thing.

But the basics MUST be taught, first. You walk before you run, so to speak. Someone has to take the lead, instilling you with the basic concepts and placing the basic tools before you. Otherwise, you make more mistakes than progress.

Being really danged old now, I learned something a long time ago: I prefer someone tell and show me what works, first. It may not be the only way, but it's a place to start. I can "do my own thing," later.

Contrary to popular belief, I've found that experience is the worst sort of teacher. Why? Because she always gives the test... before she's given the lesson.

 

[NakedNeck]

Thank you for the great info!

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I appreciate this as it is a good overview. Yes, opinions may differ, and those differences can be researched if someone really wants a different opinion. This is a good "cheat sheet," so thanks, Davaroo!