Feed store vs. breeder birds

[possumhunter]

As I am thinking about getting a few more birds this season I was considering the pros & cons of getting my birds from the feed store or getting them from a breeder. I know that visually, what I get from a breeder will look much closer to the actually "breed". But I'm not planning on showing and of these birds, just want some more egg layers. So is there any other reason why it would make sense for me to spend the money to buy a bird from a breeder vs a hatchery or feed store?

 

[prov31gal]

nope, unless you are looking for birds that meet a certain standard of visual perfection, then just get the regular birds, my buff orpingtons, although good looking, would probably not win much more than a 4-h award, but even so, they are super super layers, an egg almost everyday, sometimes everyday for a week from each chicken, so if you want some good layers and tastey birds, just get them at the feed store or a hatchery. i recommend cackle personally.

 

[Crunchie]

If you're not planning on breeding, there's no reason not to get chicks from the feed store (in my opinion), except for the fact that supporting a breeder is like supporting a small business over supporting a large corporation. But, from the backyard flock standpoint, if you just want layers--nothing wrong with hatchery birds. And like you said, it might not be worth it to you to spend the extra $$.

Now, if you're planning on breeding, even just for backyard layers, I'd probably go with a breeder's birds. But again, that's just my opinion. Sure, they won't need to be show quality, but you still would want quality if you planned on multiplying them. And I think you'd have a better chance of getting quality, healthy birds from a breeder.

My very first 4 chickens were someone's McMurray extras--a silver laced wyandotte, an easter egger, a brahma, and a speckled sussex. Not one of them was anything other than pet quality, but they were well-loved nonetheless.

 

[TimG]

Quote:
It may depend upon what qualities you are looking for. If you want to meet a standard, you will likely do better with a breeder. But, if you are looking for egg production qualities, you may do better with a hatchery.