Famous Hatchery 'Pure Bred' Appearances

[cmom]

Breeding to the SOP doesn't mean you ever actually achieve it, in actual fact there are no perfect birds! There are just some that are a lot closer than a whole lot of the rest, and that is why there is only one "Best in Show" winner! Even with parents that are very close to the standard, off spring will not consistently ever necessarily be as good. It is way easier to improve average quality birds than it is those that are closer to perfect. None of them will consistently produce all winners in every hatch, that is just an unrealistic expectation. Not only that, breeding to the standard of perfection is all about appearance and presentation, so if the bird is an egg layer, most likely production aspects have been back-burnered in favor of appearance, also, things like health and longevity may also have suffered. It is fine to go to the shows and admire a well-presented and carefully bred champion and nice that many enjoy showing and breeding for those particular qualities. But yes, there are take aways when the focus is solely on appearance. And in-breeding and line-breeding can reduce genetic diversity which can affect health and longevity and even intelligence in a line of birds. Frankly, I think many of the hatcheries do alright producing a relatively typey bird for the masses with adequate health and performance aspects also taken into consideration and the price is quite affordable. I personally don't wish to show and don't want to expose my birds to disease and parasites at shows, but I do enjoy looking. If I want better quality, I can breed them up myself to the SOP, although having been around for a lot of years, I notice that there are trends that happen and a certain trait might become "more important" to certain judges and all of a sudden, all exhibitors want that "one thing" and the birds can actually change in appearance over the years (sometimes, not for the better). Go back and find some old pics of champions from 30 years ago and you will find they look quite different from those winners of today. Go back even further and you will see even more differences. Is it really because they are better? Maybe, but also, maybe not. It is important to maintain some perspective. Especially when talking about hatcheries that sell day old chicks that it is impossible to evaluate to the SOP anyway, because they are just too young to do that. And no, I have never worked for any of them, but I have bought birds from several of them over the years and think they do a fairly good job, really. No, the birds aren't all perfect, and yeah, some of those color patterns (lacing and what have you) are not going to be perfect in every bird (but breeders don't get them perfect with every bird either). This is a great thread and useful to help those interested in showing what qualities they should have before taking their bird to the show so they aren't embarrassed and as such is very educational. But I am hoping it does not give people a lot of unrealistic expectations or cause them to feel badly about the birds they have that have not been bred or conditioned for shows.

I love to show my birds and I agree selective breeding won't necessarily make all champions. Not all judges are the same. One judge may judge a bird and give it say Best of Breed and another judge may not at all. I don't think there is anything wrong for people to have hatchery birds or birds they have hatched from their own flocks whether they are mixed or not and you don't have to sacrifice egg production over beauty or longevity. Everyone is different that's what makes life so exciting. I have some pure breeds that are laying machines. I know that not all that hatch out will be show quality and breeding for show quality isn't for everyone, just those of us who enjoy the challenges.
This is my Gladys. She is a pure Rhode Island Red. She is handicapped but does well. She is almost 3 years old. She should have been culled but wasn't and now she is my best buddy. She will not go into my breeding coops and pens. She has her own.

 

[BlackHackle]

Black Australorps:

What they should look like:

 

[bobbi-j]

It seems, just from my observations, that the hatchery birds are leaner. Not as fluffy as the heritage ones. Or am I imagining that?

 

[BlackHackle]

It seems, just from my observations, that the hatchery birds are leaner. Not as fluffy as the heritage ones. Or am I imagining that?

The heritage ones are far heavier than the hatchery ones. But I'd agree that some hatchery versions are leaner looking.

For example, a hatchery Plymouth Rock roo is about 6-7 pounds while a heritage Plymouth Rock may get up to 9-10 pounds on average

 

[cmom]

Most hatchery birds are leaner than pure heritage birds generally. My Leghorns are larger than ones I have seen from hatcheries.

 

[BlackHackle]

Most hatchery birds are leaner than pure heritage birds generally. My Leghorns are larger than ones I seen from hatcheries.

I used to breed Leghorns. I just stopped breeding them 3 years ago. But mine were always almost twice the size of the hatchery ones. It seems the hatchery birds have less mussel and feathers

 

[ShellyBlanco]

Red Pyle Old English Games:
View attachment 1519756

What they should look like:
View attachment 1519757

Oh my, what a beautiful bird!!

 

[cmom]

During the molt when the other birds have slowed way down or stopped laying, my Leghorns are going strong.

 

[RodNTN]

I'll get to those

I shall include Polish as well

Will do

I sure could

Thank you so much! Sorry if we're overwhelming you with questions and requests!

 

[cmom]

This male was Reserve champion at a show.