Getting Two 3-Month Old - Hatchery vs Backyard Breeder

[My Three Chicks]

I currently have (2) 3-month old pullets and will be adding (2) more of the same age this weekend . I have the option of purchasing from a reputable hatchery (where I got my current 2 girls) or from some backyard breeders (through Craigslist or BYC). The most importing qualities I am looking for are friendly (to flock & humans), easily handled, docile birds. I know breeds and individual birds are a big influence on those qualities. But my question is whether I should get the pullets from a backyard breeder where they have had regular human interaction instead of a hatchery (where human interaction has been limited). I'm just concerned about the quality and health of the pullets if they are just a backyard breeder. You're thoughts would be helpful!

 

[getaclue]

There are many great breeders, but there are also some poor ones. It's a matter of researching the breeders with the stock you want, and weeding out the bad ones. Either way, set up your quarantine area BEFORE you get the new stock. When you get there, be sure to be freshly bathed, with clean clothes, and shoes, so you don't bring anything in from your own chickens. In my experience, when a breeder knows this, they will let you look around. Good breeders tend to be proud of their stock. If their environment is pretty clean, well kept, and their stock appears to be healthy, happy, and thriving, then it's usually safe to buy from them.

IF things don't look quite right, they are hesitant to let you look around a bit, the stock seems a bit on the small side, they don't seem to be thriving, they're a bit on the scruffy side, then don't buy from them.

Availability would be the only other consideration that I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I can say that hatchery pullets will not be easily tamed. They're not handled besides the minimum, where the backyard ones may or may not be friendlier

 

[Mrs. K]

A little patience and you can tame almost any bird, regardless how it was raised or lived before. It might take a week. However, there are some chickens also regardless how they were raised, that do not become real pet like.

Mrs K

 

[JustBabyMargo]

I would say hatchery chicks are best! You are ensured healthy chicks! All of my hatchery chicks are sweet as can be and only some of the more skittish breeds are actually skittish! Whereas chicks from backyard breeders can have bad diseases that can spread to your others! My sister got a bunch of chicks from a backyard breeder only to discover that they were carrying the disease mycoplasma! In the end they all had to be culled because they were suffering and dying! My most favorite hen was from a hatchery and she would even respond to her name being called and love being held!

 

[Tonyroo]

Since your birds are 3 months old, you should consider getting birds similar in age. Integration would be easier, because of the size of the bird.

You would still need to quarantine any new birds whether there chicks or adults.

For me, I only buy from backyard breeders, I don't do hatcheries, but there hatching eggs so that's not helpful to you.

I can say that backyard breeders, do have quality in there breed. And I always check the background and the birds themselves in pictures to clue me in too how sanitary and well kept the birds are.

 

[My Three Chicks]

I would say hatchery chicks are best! You are ensured healthy chicks! All of my hatchery chicks are sweet as can be and only some of the more skittish breeds are actually skittish! Whereas chicks from backyard breeders can have bad diseases that can spread to your others! My sister got a bunch of chicks from a backyard breeder only to discover that they were carrying the disease mycoplasma! In the end they all had to be culled because they were suffering and dying! My most favorite hen was from a hatchery and she would even respond to her name being called and love being held!

Hi JustBabyMargo - have you purchased older chickens from hatcheries before? I got my 2 girls when they were days old. But now my next 2 girls will be 3+ months. I'm worried about taming them and getting used to me and being handled, etc.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Hi JustBabyMargo - have you purchased older chickens from hatcheries before? I got my 2 girls when they were days old. But now my next 2 girls will be 3+ months. I'm worried about taming them and getting used to me and being handled, etc.

Oh no I haven’t gotten any that were older than day olds! I thought you were just talking about if it’s better to get day old chicks from hatcheries or breeders! In that case I would vote breeders! We have gotten older pullets from breeders and even though they started out skittish they are now super sweet and trusting of us! So if you can find pullets/hens to go with your 2 girls I would say do it as long as you do look into how they are being handled and make sure that they are healthy!