Yup - nasty enough to survive as true free-rangers!
I'm really considering breeding them in the future. I like birds with fire
)
He has the eyes
Do you guys think this chicken meets the SOP? I think she is going to be a future world champ.
Not to be mean or anything but the top hen's tail looks like a drumstick, very big difference between the two. Both are still lovely birds, just found that kinda funny.Great thread!
I do agree there is a marked difference in feathering and even body type. But to be fair, I don't really see many hatcheries claiming that their birds are SOP. I have seen some of the large hatcheries, if you dig through their descriptions, they tell you if birds are "show quality" or not.
Now, Meyer Hatchery has photos of their birds online and some of the photos they use are from customers submission. I have birds from them and have been overall happy with them. I wish some had lived a bit longer, but...that's another subject.
I pulled Meyer's Barred Plymouth Rock photo and their hen looks very similar to mine (my avatar). No deceit there. My New Hampshires from Meyers look pretty close to their photos too (I added a photo of my girls). In fact, all my Meyer birds have looked similar to what they have posted online and in their catalog.
I did source some German Line New Hampshires earlier this year and they are vastly different from hatchery birds, They both are lovely (to me) and I look forward to seeing them grow old with me (hopefully). (last photo
As for personality...only time will tell how these compare to my hatchery girls. I adore my hatchery girls, so even if their feathers or their body type aren't quite just right, they are mine, they bring me joy and that's all that matters.
Meyer Hatchery Barred Plymouth Rock
Photo reference https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=BARS
My Meyer Hatchery New Hampshires (along with Black Australorp and White Plymouth Rock)
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My "German Line" New Hampshire at 24weeks.
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Yep, I am thinking that alone might win her the medal, she is a very good looking chicken, can't wait to see what her kids turn out to look like, hopefully they take after mom.He has the eyes
