Getting the breeds you want

[gjensen]

With being able to get stock from anywhere in the country, take the time and find the best you can. Everyone's definition for best is different, so know what you want. If the best possible stock is only hatching eggs, so be it. If you can get chicks, great. With what it costs to raise and keep the birds, buying them is irrelevant. Don't settle. Get what you want. You will enjoy the experience more. If you are happy with mixed breeds, there is nothing wrong with that either. If there is something you want though, get it. The cheapest part is buying them.

 

[skunknchatter]

I've had chickens for 5 years now and never knew there was hatchery quality and breeder quality. That's why I'd really like to get some nice quality birds this spring. Unless I can find someone close to me with the breeds I want I may try eggs this year. IF I can nail down my incubating process with my own "mutt" eggs. I appreciate the pros and cons you guys have given me for both eggs and chicks. The ideal thing would be finding chicks that I could pick up but I've looked and looked and I just don't think that is an option. I've settled on Maran (not sure what color though...), Wyandotte, and Delaware. Not sure if I'll get all 3 this year or just 1 or 2 of the breeds but I would like to try all 3 eventually.

 

[Ducks and Banny hens]

With being able to get stock from anywhere in the country, take the time and find the best you can. Everyone's definition for best is different, so know what you want. If the best possible stock is only hatching eggs, so be it. If you can get chicks, great. With what it costs to raise and keep the birds, buying them is irrelevant. Don't settle. Get what you want. You will enjoy the experience more. If you are happy with mixed breeds, there is nothing wrong with that either. If there is something you want though, get it. The cheapest part is buying them.

Agreed. If you are going to buy inferior stock, might as well not buy stock at all. Like gjensen said, find what's best for you. Price and quality don't always go together. I can think of two breeders around here -- 1 has the most standard-abiding birds you ever seen in your life, the other, has much 'poorer' quality birds. The show breeder charges $25 each for his birds, which are very poor in any sort of utility, but they're pretty. The other fellow charges $5-7 for his birds. The best birds in the world (for me). As you can see, the price is in the eye of the beholder. Breeders who have achieved what they think is total perfection will probably charge more.