It's almost that time of year where everyone in America is ordering chicks. You probably don't know this but hatcheries can barely keep up with the orders- indeed most can't. Nevertheless, their management of breeding flocks is not always what it should be. Indeed, it's often untenable and ironically counter-productive to the hatcheries.
If you've ever purchased adult stock from a hatchery you may know what I'm getting at. The birds will often arrive in a horrific state. It's not the hatcheries doing naturally- it's those they contract with to hatch that stock.
1. Demand to know what the breeding stock is being fed. Chicks hatched from nutrient deficient eggs are born craving feathers. Have you ever ordered chicks that arrived already picking at down and then went on to feather picking?
Demand that breeding stock receive ample animal protein and fat in their diet- not just soy derivatives.
2. Nutrient deficient breeding pairs produce weakling chicks even if they are not feather pickers and this effects their survivability.
Some hatcheries are in major need of a management over-hall.
Cal-Cruz Hatcheries is a rubbish heap of trouble.
Backyard Poultry Enthusiasts -let's not enable chick-mills.
Better food= better birds.
Better management = ethical consideration
If you've ever purchased adult stock from a hatchery you may know what I'm getting at. The birds will often arrive in a horrific state. It's not the hatcheries doing naturally- it's those they contract with to hatch that stock.
1. Demand to know what the breeding stock is being fed. Chicks hatched from nutrient deficient eggs are born craving feathers. Have you ever ordered chicks that arrived already picking at down and then went on to feather picking?
Demand that breeding stock receive ample animal protein and fat in their diet- not just soy derivatives.
2. Nutrient deficient breeding pairs produce weakling chicks even if they are not feather pickers and this effects their survivability.
Some hatcheries are in major need of a management over-hall.
Cal-Cruz Hatcheries is a rubbish heap of trouble.
Backyard Poultry Enthusiasts -let's not enable chick-mills.
Better food= better birds.
Better management = ethical consideration
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