Buying chickens

[Poultryrgreat]

Is it a good idea to buy 1 year old breeder birds from Hatcheries as I am thinking about but they might be in rough shape.

 

[Chickassan]

I wouldn't, they'll be unsocialized so hard to deal with.
The price and shipping are also so much more than say chicks would be.
Totally up to you though.

 

[Poultryrgreat]

I wouldn't, they'll be unsocialized so hard to deal with.
The price and shipping are also so much more than say chicks would be.
Totally up to you though.

Ok thanks I might not then

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

If you wanted to do something like that, you could rescue used factory layers.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'd be much more inclined to buy breed stock from Breeders recognized for the breed you have in mind as chicks, raise them to adult size. Yes, it delays your plans, but then you can honestly say how the were before they were productive, how long it took them to lay, etc. Its likely cheaper that way too, which allows the possibility of a larger starting flock, and potential selective culling to improve your breed stock at the beginning of whatever project you are embarking on.

So, I've got to ask? What are you planning on breeding, and for what purpose??

 

[Poultryrgreat]

I'd be much more inclined to buy breed stock from Breeders recognized for the breed you have in mind as chicks, raise them to adult size. Yes, it delays your plans, but then you can honestly say how the were before they were productive, how long it took them to lay, etc. Its likely cheaper that way too, which allows the possibility of a larger starting flock, and potential selective culling to improve your breed stock at the beginning of whatever project you are embarking on.

So, I've got to ask? What are you planning on breeding, and for what purpose??

Ya I am planning on breeding but I want them to have good breed standards according to apa

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Ya I am planning on breeding but I want them to have good breed standards according to apa

In other circumstances, I might suggest making the run of county fairs and buying there, based on visual inspection and measured performance - if you wanted to start with adult birds. But at least in my area, the fairs are on hold.

 

[Poultryrgreat]

In other circumstances, I might suggest making the run of county fairs and buying there, based on visual inspection and measured performance - if you wanted to start with adult birds. But at least in my area, the fairs are on hold.

Right now we aren’t having fairs either so I will just look around and see what I can find

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I use hatchery birds for production (and am now raising my own mutts, culling to eliminate qualities not desirous on my land), but BYC has some posters here who breed to standards, and know of breeders producing high quality examples of the various breeds.

If you have specific breeds in mind, you can ask and likely get some good recommends. I'd offer, but its well outside my sphere of knowledge.

Good luck to you in your efforts

 

[Poultryrgreat]

I use hatchery birds for production (and am now raising my own mutts, culling to eliminate qualities not desirous on my land), but BYC has some posters here who breed to standards, and know of breeders producing high quality examples of the various breeds.

If you have specific breeds in mind, you can ask and likely get some good recommends. I'd offer, but its well outside my sphere of knowledge.

Good luck to you in your efforts

Thanks