Can You Get A "Mutt" From A Hatchery?

[billfields]

Just a word or two folks about the hatchery bashing...

It seems to me any question about hatcheries here pretty much gets the same response as saying the word Americana. The fact is that chickens being chickens are not out to maintain their own breed standards and no rooster is going to say "Oh no...that hen has legs two shades too light. I couldn't possibly...." He's not even going to say "Gosh, she's a Plymouth Rock and I'm a Dominique, it would never work out...what would our families say!" He is going to do what chickens do. Which means that in any operation from a huge hatchery to a private breeder where there are more than two breeds there is the possibility some rooster visited the wrong hen house. Remember the line from Jurassic Park, "Life will find a way"? So will a rooster.

I understand there are serious breeders here and they are dedicated to maintaining high quality lines that meet exacting standards. I respect that and respect them for their dedication. But.... There's also a whole lot of us who just want some chickens in nice colors. And who get those chickens from hatcheries. Would be nice if the respect went both ways. As we speak there are 18 eggs in incubators at Meyer that, come May 2 or so, are going to be my chickens. (Three of them are going to be Americanas---let's time it, how long before someone just has to tell me, even before they hatch that they are really just mutt EEs?

) It does bug me to be told over and over that my still in the egg chickens are inferior. Inferior to show, breed standard chickens maybe but I don't want show standard chickens. Why would a serious breeder even want their chickens to go to me when I just plan to cross them all up and purposely make "mutt's"? I just want backyard standard chickens. The only place I'll ever show 'em in their coop in my yard where I can tell you they will all take first in show.

. And if I did show them at a local fair and they won then for goodness sake, let me enjoy that and don't tell me that the show they won is as inferior as them. People need to understand that not everyone is a breeder but not everyone wants to be told over and over that hatcheries and hatchery chicks are inferior. Kinda like being told over and over your kid is ugly, has no friends and goes to a bad school.

Sorry to rant but like I would do for my ugly kid, unpopular kid, I gotta stand up for off color, multi-toed, too tall chickens. I now await my proper correction about the true nature of my yet-to-hatch Americans

Bill

 

[speckledhen]

There's also a whole lot of us who just want some chickens in nice colors

'Tis what I said. No one is bashing hatcheries, just stating facts about their products. Some are better for certain breeds than others.​

 

[PepsNick]

Nevermind...

 

[Illia]

It is a little sad how discussion of hatcheries always ends up with someone complaining with the word "bashing" - No one is bashing them, just stating facts.

 

[BrahmaMama]

There are many excellent points made here-what a wonderful discussion! I myself have had beautiful (in my opinion, of course) birds from hatcheries. Now I'm not saying they meet the SOP, but I am so happy when I look out and see such a colorful, diverse, healthy and Happy flock. I don't show chickens-to be honest, I wouldn't even know where to start; county fairs, which I thought was just for 4-H members...? It's something that would be interesting to get my kids into, someday. But for now, I'm happy with my hatchery birds, and I agree that hatcheries are a good starting point for new chicken owners.

 

[billfields]

Quote:
Not everyone's "facts" are the same because not every one's perspective is the same. I'm not "complaining" I am presenting a view that differs from yours. Perhaps "bashing" may not be the best word but what would you call it? Personally, I find it sad that people can't do a little bragging about winning a show without being told the show was not up to someone else's standard.

As I said, I have great respect for people who expend the time energy and money to perfect and maintain breed standards. All I'm saying is that most of us who use hatcheries know the "facts" about them and have made our own choice as to the quality of chickens we want and where we want get them from. And that everyone's choice be given equal respect. It should be possible to have a conversation from differing perspectives and still recognise the validity of all sides.

 

[Chickenrandomness]

i got a mix with resold hatchery chicks. obviosuly standard White Rock X some sort of bantam

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Not everyone's "facts" are the same because not every one's perspective is the same. I'm not "complaining" I am presenting a view that differs from yours. Perhaps "bashing" may not be the best word but what would you call it? Personally, I find it sad that people can't do a little bragging about winning a show without being told the show was not up to someone else's standard.

As I said, I have great respect for people who expend the time energy and money to perfect and maintain breed standards. All I'm saying is that most of us who use hatcheries know the "facts" about them and have made our own choice as to the quality of chickens we want and where we want get them from. And that everyone's choice be given equal respect. It should be possible to have a conversation from differing perspectives and still recognise the validity of all sides.

Have you been to the hatcheries you buy from, Have you seen the way they set up there breeding pens, Have you seen there breeders?
If not, it is going to be hard convince me that there not selling at least some cross bred/ cross variety chicks.

I have seen some hatcheries and seen allot of hatcheries "breeding stock" when they sell them as culls. Actions around here are loaded with Ohio Hatcheries "breeding stock" and from what I saw I wasn't impressed)

Chris

 

[Fred's Hens]

Understand, getting fowl from a hatchery that didn't meet the standards of SOP by a country mile is one thing, and something that doesn't particularly upset the customer base of hatchery/re-sold hatchery chicks.

What I have seen this year, up close and personal, is the selling of a mix/mutt that in no way approximates anything known. Obviously, there are mix ups hatchery orders and mix ups in breeding at hatcheries. There also seems to be some selling of these obvious mutts by placing them in orders as body warmers and re-selling in bins with "creative labeling", shall we say.

 

[hippiehen]

Quote:
This. Most of my hatchery girls always look so skinny!

People come over and look at me like I abuse them or something. They get all-you-can-eat buffet plus dessert every day and still look like beanpoles. Plus, once they hit their second birthday it seems like it's all down hill from there. I've had some exceptions, like my gold and blr wyandottes, they are fat and happy at 3+.

And I think they sell mutts all the time - I have a leghorn with slate legs! Funny (ok ugly) little thing!

Live and Learn!

edit* - BTW, I'm not anti-mutt by any means. I have around 20 mutt chicks running around right now and I <3 them