Hatchery/farm store vs breeder

[333113]

To go back to the original two questions,
First, I would say directly that there is no reason to avoid a hatchery, if they have good reviews and you order a shipment in temperate weather.
Second, I think this forum (Chicken Breeders and Hatcheries) was originally for breeders and hatcheries to advertise. I don't use this site because it's kind of difficult to find what's for sale, in my opinion. I advertise on poultryshowcentral.com, which shows up in a browser search. I know there are breeders who advertise on Facebook, but I personally don't Facebook. I also know that eBay, Etsy, and Craigslist have ads. If you are interested in a particular breed, you can search for a club and get good results. Feathersite.com has lists of breeder clubs. If a connection is out of date try searching for the name of the club. Most clubs have lists of breeders who are willing to sell stock or hatching eggs. The Livestock Conservancy has a conservation priority list and an online breeder directory. Many poultry magazines have ads for breeders and hatcheries.
I don't think there is any way to guarantee that hatching eggs or birds you buy will be 100 percent good. A lot can happen between the seller's door and yours. A lot can happen in your house or backyard, too, that you don't intend or even necessarily know about.

The best advice I can give is to start with a couple of chicks or chickens and learn from there. If along the way you need advice, you know where to find us!

I have a question, I don't really know how to ask it. I hate Pat answers. You know, pit bulls are vicious, assault rifles kill people, backyard chickens give salmonella. Common, off the cuff, easy answers. Which may be true, may be partially true, or maybe just repeats of things heard and repeated until they seem true.
I am a novice chicken keeper and I have no answers. But. I am a novice chicken keeper and I have a ton of questions. I began my chicken Journey last April. I had done a minimal amount of research. I knew it was an expensive, never break even, do it for the pet Factor Enterprise. And I opted for Easter Eggers, because why not, might as well get interesting eggs out of it. I went to my local Farm Store and bought six pullets. They're sub-adults now, one laying, 1 squatting and exploring nest boxes, and four Moochers. I know EEs are mutts and there's no standard. Subjectively, one is gorgeous, one is really pretty, 3 are so so, and one is homely. One of the so sos has given me 8 eggs in 8 days.
I don't know where the farm store got their chicks, but logic tells me they got them from a hatchery.
I have read SOOOO many times on BYC that if you want attractive Birds and / or attractive eggs ALWAYS buy from a breeder and that we should never buy Hatchery chickens. So, are all pit bulls vicious? I understand the economics behind these claims. Ostensibly, a breeder works on a much smaller scale, with a view toward turning out a quality product versus a hatchery, which has a view toward turning out a profitable product. Kind of like a show dog breeder versus a puppy mill.
BUT.
Nothing personal here, and no direct aspersions, but the overall feel that I get from byc is a kind of snobbery. A few vocal members keep asserting that chicken hatchery chicks should never be purchased. The counter of this never seems to come up. Perhaps because it's true. Perhaps because the rank-and-file don't want to challenge the "experts". Like I said, I'm a newbie and I don't know. I just can't believe that every Nursery out there is just a puppy mill. Nor do I believe that everyone who claims to be a breeder turns out exceptional product. As large as byc is, couldn't somebody establish a directory, with member input, on various breeders and hatcheries, and their experiences with said breeders or hatcheries? And no oh, it's not possible for some of us to visit individual breeders before purchases. If I want to upgrade to Marans, and I happen to find some in my local Farm Store for $2 or I buy from an online breeder for $10, I am still rolling the dice and taking my chances.
I suppose my question is twofold. 1, can someone explain in explicit terms why I should "never" buy Hatchery chicks & 2. Can someone establish a member-driven directory for those of us who want pets and not necessarily the best of the Best of the BEST, but still want quality Birds.

 

[Xerocles]

Hey everybody. The RESPONSES to this thread have been fantastic! I have spent a ton of time reading old posts on byc and nothing concerning this topic has ever been as informative and enlightening as this. Yes, I heard from both sides of discussion, but more importantly YOU HAVE ALL TOLD THE "WHY" of your views. As a novice, I find peace in being able to say I bought my chickens from a (fill in the blank) because (fill in another blank) instead of saying I bought from here because some guy at BYC said so. I hope the replies continue because each person so far is giving new insight into the decision making process.
Now I think an apology of sorts might be in order. After reading my initial post I wish I could delete the word snobbery. That's not exactly what I meant but I just couldn't think of a more apt word. It's just that I felt I was getting a one-sided View of this subject. I think the folks here on byc are some of the friendliest and most helpful that I have ever seen on any website about any subject. THANK YOU EVERYONE.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Standard bred Barred Plymouth Rock, not show quality. Fred's Hens first picture in his thread The Plymouth Rock Breeders Thread. Grand sire to line he created.

Random photo from Google images of a hatchery stock "Barred Plymouth Rock"

I wouldn't call it snobbery as there is definite superiority of birds. When attempting to introduce or educate those that are ignorant of Standards of Perfection it will come across as complete arrogance if one isn't careful. I'm very guilty of this. If one speaks true and straightforward about another's bird they get offended even if they asked for the critic. It's a tricky thing to critic, especially hatchery stock.

edit to add- OK, I did pick an incredibly poor quality google pic but you get the idea. There is no comparison and when you see in person a flock of good quality breed it takes your breath away. The width and poise not to mention the good temper

edit- I'll admit I picked a particularly ugly google image

 

[cmom]

I breed to show my birds. Breeders selectively breed birds and take their best for breeding, a hatchery does not, they flock breed. Hatchery birds are fine if you are just looking for egg production and not planning on showing your birds. Most fairs do not strictly follow the APA SOP and you can show utility birds.
Here is an example of hatchery breeding Easter Eggers.

 

[cmom]

This is one of my Rhode Island Red female champions from a show.

My White Leghorn male who was a reserve champion. Sorry for the blurry.

 

[cmom]

Standard bred Barred Plymouth Rock, not show quality. Fred's Hens first picture in his thread The Plymouth Rock Breeders Thread. Grand sire to line he created.

Random photo from Google images of a hatchery stock "Barred Plymouth Rock"

I wouldn't call it snobbery as there is definite superiority of birds. When attempting to introduce or educate those that are ignorant of Standards of Perfection it will come across as complete arrogance if one isn't careful. I'm very guilty of this. If one speaks true and straightforward about another's bird they get offended even if they asked for the critic. It's a tricky thing to critic, especially hatchery stock.

edit to add- OK, I did pick an incredibly poor quality google pic but you get the idea. There is no comparison and when you see in person a flock of good quality breed it takes your breath away. The width and poise not to mention the good temper

edit- I'll admit I picked a particularly ugly google image

They are a good comparison for the Barred Rocks. Especially notice the backs and tails shapes and coloration. I always suggest people go to a poultry show and look at the different breeds.

 

[cmom]

To go back to the original two questions,
First, I would say directly that there is no reason to avoid a hatchery, if they have good reviews and you order a shipment in temperate weather.
Second, I think this forum (Chicken Breeders and Hatcheries) was originally for breeders and hatcheries to advertise. I don't use this site because it's kind of difficult to find what's for sale, in my opinion. I advertise on poultryshowcentral.com, which shows up in a browser search. I know there are breeders who advertise on Facebook, but I personally don't Facebook. I also know that eBay, Etsy, and Craigslist have ads. If you are interested in a particular breed, you can search for a club and get good results. Feathersite.com has lists of breeder clubs. If a connection is out of date try searching for the name of the club. Most clubs have lists of breeders who are willing to sell stock or hatching eggs. The Livestock Conservancy has a conservation priority list and an online breeder directory. Many poultry magazines have ads for breeders and hatcheries.
I don't think there is any way to guarantee that hatching eggs or birds you buy will be 100 percent good. A lot can happen between the seller's door and yours. A lot can happen in your house or backyard, too, that you don't intend or even necessarily know about.

The best advice I can give is to start with a couple of chicks or chickens and learn from there. If along the way you need advice, you know where to find us!

On Feathersite a couple of my Rhode Island White males are featured.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Reds/BRKRIW.html (Hilltop Farm)

 

[333113]

On Feathersite a couple of my Rhode Island White males are featured.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Reds/BRKRIW.html (Hilltop Farm)

How can I double-like this?!!!!

 

[Kiki]

I believe it is safest for a newbie chicken owner to buy directly from a major hatchery.
Less chance of buying diseased birds from a fake wanna be breeder.

 

[Kiki]

Also I should mention there is a huge difference in people who call themselves breeders.

There are many real chicken breeders out there but there are also many people who claim to be breeders that have no clue what they're doing.
It takes a lot of research to figure out who's who.