IMO, you are more likely to get a good layer from a hatchery. But, if you buy your birds from a breeder, you are more likely to get SOP. As for ordering from a hatchery vs. picking up your chicks from a feed store: 99% of the time, those chicks at the feed store are shipped in from a hatchery. Only difference being that shipping to the feed store might be faster, and the feed store manager removes the dead chicks from the box, and gets the rest of them started on heat and feed/water before they are offered for sale to the public. In my experience, I'd rather take my chances by ordering direct. I've seen some deplorable, totally ignorant handling of chicks at feed stores. However, there is one feed store near by that manages their chicks very well. Buyer beware. Usually if you buy from a feed store, there is no guarantee on survivability. But if you order direct you get a 48 - 72 hour guarantee, as well as a pittance refund on any accidental roos greater than 90% of your order.
