Famous Hatchery 'Pure Bred' Appearances

Alexandra33 · Aug 31, 2018

Wyorp Rock said:
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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You hit on a point I neglected to make in my post. :thumbsup

Generally speaking, I've not come across a large-scale hatchery that claimed to offer EQ birds, thus charging big bucks for them.

If any given business doesn't specify that they breed to the SOP, then it's borderline unfair to assume you'll receive something perfect (or, at least, close to it). Anyone who's interested in showing should go the breeder route.

Fellow Meyer fan here....all your girls are STUNNING in their own, individual way. :love

Though I must say, that GL NHR is unbelievably striking.

~Alex

BlackHackle · Aug 31, 2018

@Mosey2003 , you should check these boys tails out. I really think they'd be a good fit for your pullets

cmom · Aug 31, 2018

I would love to stay here on the computer, this is so interesting but must get back to work and fill the feeders. It only takes about an hour.

Mosey2003 · Aug 31, 2018

@BlackHackle - Jeremy Woeppel got his birds from Frank Reese, too. I had some from someone that bought from Jeremy a couple years ago, I like these much better. I really like my current cock, he's extremely wide, has a nice back, good head and comb. I think there will be some nice chicks for me to work with next year

If anything, I will be keeping my eyes open for a Stukel cock.

BlackHackle · Aug 31, 2018

Mosey2003 said:
@BlackHackle - Jeremy Woeppel got his birds from Frank Reese, too. I had some from someone that bought from Jeremy a couple years ago, I like these much better. I really like my current cock, he's extremely wide, has a nice back, good head and comb. I think there will be some nice chicks for me to work with next year If anything, I will be keeping my eyes open for a Stukel cock.

That explains why they look so alike. Both are from the E.B Thompson line then?

Mosey2003 · Aug 31, 2018

BlackHackle said:
That explains why they look so alike. Both are from the E.B Thompson line then?

Right!

BantyChooks · Aug 31, 2018

White Chantecler

This bird belongs to Jim Fegan, and is so great in silhouette that he almost exactly lines up with an illustration of ideal type.

Mosey2003 · Aug 31, 2018

"My people" just got some Duckworth lines too, so I should be good to go next year too if I want to change some stuff up. I did contact Kraig Shafer about getting a pullet this fall, but seeing how what I have has grown out, I don't think I'll need to really. Plus "real life" has hit me pretty hard lately, so don't think I could work in the traveling now.