Finding "Good" Breeders

[thegoodstuff77]

I'm new here so if this isn't the right place to ask, please help me to fix it!

I understand that "good" is a very relative idea and very subject to opinions. I am wondering if there is anything that one would look for to denote a quality breeder.

Like there are tons of things to look for in dog breeders, such as condition of animals, and how they are kept, but with bio-security concerns I can completely understand not being welcomed onto someone's property.

I am sure being involved with a breed club and NPIP certified are all pluses, but what else should someone look for?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Pyxis]

As you said, condition of the birds is a big indicator. You want them to have nice living arrangements, not be overcrowded, and to be healthy. Bio-security is also a good indicator that a breeder is dedicated to the health of their birds. Good breeders might not let you on their property, but they should be willing to share pictures of the parent birds or the birds you are buying with you before you buy. If they're not, that's a red flag.

I wouldn't necessarily use NPIP as an indicator of whether a breeder is good or not - for example, in my state they test for nothing but one strain of salmonella, and they don't even test waterfowl, so in my state you can't get NPIP certified if you just breed waterfowl and if you're NPIP for chickens it just means that they are free of one particular strand of salmonella. They don't test for anything else.

Their reputation is also something to go on. Ask others who have bought from them how their experience was, if they're pleased with their new birds, or if they are unhappy. On BYC there are a lot of great breeders so you can ask around here to get opinions. We also have a trader feedback system so you can check if the person has a lot of positive feedback, or if it's negative.

You also want to make sure that the breeder is knowledgeable about their breed. Can they answer the questions you ask about the breed? Do they know the basics about their breed? If they don't know even the basics, how can they be breeding good quality birds?

 

[dheltzel]

Good thoughts from Pyxis - I was going to not the "good" can mean a lot of things. I think some breeders are good at producing show quality stock, and if you mean to breed for that, getting better genetics to start with is well worth the extra money. Other breeders are in it for other reasons, and yet they may be very good also, maybe even better for some customers.

Since you are the "target customer" here, what are you hoping to get by purchasing from a breeder? By knowing your goals, we might be better able to tell you what to look for in a breeder.

 

[thegoodstuff77]

Thank you for the imput!

I am looking to breed show quality ameraucanas and marans. I see so many people say their birds are "pure" but it doesn't mean much if they aren't breeding to the sop for their breed... I see so many people who call easter Eggers ameraucanas and still try to comand a high price for them.

I bought hatching eggs from someone who said they were ameraucanas. When I opened the box, half were very very olive in color. Nothing wrong with olive eggers, just not what I was told I was getting. I contacted the person thinking it was a mistake but she said they were all ameraucanas. Her website also says she breeds olive Eggers as well. I got references, pictures, thought I did my due diligence, but still wound up not getting what I thought. Was trying to do better for next time so I don't waste my money.

 

[Pyxis]

Sorry about that! That's just not right. Check here on BYC, there are lots of good Ameraucana breeders. Check in the Hatching Eggs section if you want eggs. You'll need to get 20 posts before you can do any buying, though, since it's a rule here.

 

[thegoodstuff77]

Thanks so much for the advice. I will definitely be checking out the feedback system before I spend any more money!

 

[dheltzel]

I believe you will have an easier time finding high quality Ams than the Marans. There are 2 national Ameraucana clubs and I know at least one has a list of breeders, perhaps there is someone close to you. If not, some of them ship eggs or chicks.

While I understand your disappointment with getting green eggs, egg color does not factor into the winning birds at shows, so it is possible for a bird to be grand champion Ameraucana at a national show and not even have the blue egg gene! Think about what would be required for them to include egg color in the judging - especially for a cockerel. Do you bring a pic of the egg he hatched from?

I breed Ams, but not to show standards, I like the way they look, and I like their blue eggs. My BBS Ams lay eggs that are very uniform in color, though they might have a small amount of greenish cast. I wouldn't sell them as show quality, but some people might show them.