I have been reading about everybody hatching eggs they get from other people. Is this better than getting hatchery chicks?? Someday I would like to breed buff orps and after reading missprissy's posts and seeing the pics, maybe blue orps... I am wondering if I would be better off starting with buying eggs from someone or with hatchery chicks???
If you go with a reputable breeder, you can get better quality chicks but if you aren't planning on showing them hatchery chicks are fine, too. In all honesty, if you are just starting out I would recommend hatchery chicks (or chicks from a breeder) while you learn and before you invest in an incubator. Just my opinion...
I would prefer breeder after watching this video http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...art=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0&hl=en
To get the best example of the breed, your best bet is to buy them from a reputable breeder. Hatchery chicks sometimes dont get the best quality of the breed and they mostly use them for egg laying, and fun projects for kids. Expect to pay more from a breeder than a hatchery.
No doubt in my mind here. Go to a good breeder. They select carefully for the best characteristics of the breed. Thus less issues with sick or less than thrifty chicks and tend to be truer examples of the breed. Yes you pay more but if you plan on breeding that initial investment pays off in big ways in the end.
I was given some hatchery chicks a week ago. They are RIR and I put them in with my Wyndotte and Lorp chicks of the same age. This week my chicks I breed myself are almost twice the size of the hatchery chicks. I also lost 2 of them and none of mine.