Hatchery RIRs vs. private breeder RIRs?

[rooster-red]

Quote:
So true. We'd have to ask rooster-red how well she lays since she had just started laying when I sold her. I have her siblings in the nursery coop and they are 9 weeks old now so it will be awhile till I can say how they lay, but Julie said the mothers of my chicks are some of the best layers she's ever had.

Scarlett lays almost everyday, just like my hatchery RIR.

The hatchery birds are shorter and lighter colored, but they do lay well and have great personalities.

 

[speckledhen]

Shh, that's just an excuse to get more breeder quality RIRs, Lee! LOL. Glad to hear Scarlett is a productive young lady. I love my hatchery RIRs, too, but Scarlett and others like her are just so gorgeous, a bit more like eye candy.

 

[Nichole77]

I prefer breeders, even just hobby breeders because I want to support the little guy rather than the bigger hatcheries. I saw the how it's made with the baby chicks and would rather have the chicks made with love. But my RIR is from a hatchery and is much lighter than the show quality ones shown on this thread. But she's a great layer and a cool girl.

 

[geareduplyn]

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
Nice birds!

 

[speckledhen]

Awesome, Lyn!

 

[Timmo]

Thanks for the information!

A few more questions...

1) If there's a standard, how do the hatcheries get away with selling birds that don't really measure up?

2) Are the hatchery RIRs some kind of production red hybrid, or will they actually breed true?

3) How would you rate the hatchery birds on personality, versus the breeder birds?

I hope I'm not being a pain in the vent...

 

[seriousbill]

Quote:
1) Hatcheries don't claim to sell birds that are up to the Standard of Perfection, just birds that are (or are really close to) the breed they say they are.
2) Hatchery RIRs are generally RIRs and not hybrids; they're just not up to the SOP b/c they're bred mostly for production.
3) Hatchery stock is usually more unpredictable in temperament because they are bred for production rather than show, handling, etc.

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
No, a pain in the vent is a VERY large egg...

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
1) Hatcheries don't claim to sell birds that are up to the Standard of Perfection, just birds that are (or are really close to) the breed they say they are.
2) Hatchery RIRs are generally RIRs and not hybrids; they're just not up to the SOP b/c they're bred mostly for production.
3) Hatchery stock is usually more unpredictable in temperament because they are bred for production rather than show, handling, etc.

I agree with what seriousbill said.