Hatchery vs Breeder Thread, Post your pictures and comparisons!

[call ducks]

I have to agree, my Breeder lines are much more resent, then hatchery birds.... i will be breeding blue/black/splash Australorp next year, i have 2 different lines of blues,and 3 of black. That being said the blue lines are realted to each other but both have been crossed with many lines of black from around canada. sorry no pic's right now

 

[greathorse]

Mohawk RIR Cock

RIR Cock # 2

Mohawk RIR Pullet

 

[Rock N' Faverolles]

Quote:
Alot of hatchery's don't bring in new blood any more regularly then breeders. And they have less of a quality control of who should be bred to whom. When I talked to the Mt Healthy owner, he says the will bring in new blood about every 5 years. Many breeders are closer to 4 years. But, even if 5 years, the resistance will not be any better just cause they raise thousands and not hundreds. Or even dozens. The only thing killin my birds this year is Racoons a fox and my own dogs. All seem to know to pick the best quality. Maybe I should run by my entries into the state fair and see if they approve. lololol

I may be missing the point here, but I don't know what everyone is talking about bringing in new blood every few years. Most real breeders bring in blood only when they need it. That being said, some people I know, have a closed strain that hasn't had new blood in 40 or 50 years. Through selection, their birds still lay great and fertility is good. They gradually become disease resistant. They just cull out anything that don't make the grade.

 

[lildinkem]

Rock N' Faverolles :

Quote:
Alot of hatchery's don't bring in new blood any more regularly then breeders. And they have less of a quality control of who should be bred to whom. When I talked to the Mt Healthy owner, he says the will bring in new blood about every 5 years. Many breeders are closer to 4 years. But, even if 5 years, the resistance will not be any better just cause they raise thousands and not hundreds. Or even dozens. The only thing killin my birds this year is Racoons a fox and my own dogs. All seem to know to pick the best quality. Maybe I should run by my entries into the state fair and see if they approve. lololol

I may be missing the point here, but I don't know what everyone is talking about bringing in new blood every few years. Most real breeders bring in blood only when they need it. That being said, some people I know, have a closed strain that hasn't had new blood in 40 or 50 years. Through selection, their birds still lay great and fertility is good. They gradually become disease resistant. They just cull out anything that don't make the grade.​

I may be confusing my point. I mean to try and maintain at least 4 lines within a variety. They will all have a common bloodline mixed with anothers line. Example, being me using Bammachickens line of orps with my 4 other Orp lines. The results will be 4 similar but different enough lines to continue for about 4 or 5 years independantly, then I make the switch to the other lines blood. Still all on my property. Some would say I have a closed flock. But, I have many bloodline options then when you have more then just brother to sis. Or son to mom and visa versa. You can TRY and do it all with one line. I won't. I want the variety. I rather know I have the blood here. I am sure the better breeders have the smarts to do it the way you describe. but, I only had chickens for 2 years. And I do things different then most anyway. Just to warn ya. lolol

 

[Chickanmanfromarkansas]

I like my hatchery chickens. Mostly because price wise. I have recieved some very good hatchery stock and then some not so good.
I have never bought from a breeder because I really don't know any close to me. All in all the hatchery birds are most all excellant layers. Maybe if I knew some breeders and saw their stock I would chgange my mind.
My main concern though is to have fun with my chickens, I don't show altough I do go to the county fair in September to have a look at others chickens.

 

[gootziecat]

Right on Rock N Faverolles.

 

[NotAFarm]

I may have misunderstood the OP's objective for this thread, but I think we are suppose to post pics of our breeder and hatchery birds for comparison, not argue about which is better, why ours is better, etc. I do understand that breeders do not want misinformation out there about the laying qualities, fertility problems, inbreeding or lack thereof, etc. about their birds so care should be taken to not misinform. If you have specific, personal experience with one of these, I think it would be helpful to post it here or if you can site where the information you are quoting comes from.

Okay, now for my pic. I cannot take any credit for my breeder birds, these pics were taken last fall after I got a trio of LF Silver Laced Wyandottes from a show breeder in Wisconsin. I did not and do not plan to show but my interest is in preserving heritage breeds. Also in the pic are hatchery SLW that I got earlier in the year to become my laying flock. I have hens for eggs and did not intend eat my breeder eggs, those were for hatching. Can you tell which are the breeder birds and which are the hatchery? Of course, the roo doesn't count, he's the only one.

 

[lildinkem]

Quote:
He asks for other pro's & con's. Not just pics. And I think for those who have yet to get a bird they should hear from others experiances. Not just take one's word as the truth.

 

[serendipityfarm]

I got my initial birds from a hatchery. They are only pets here. They are less than 6 months old and are very friendly and so far very healthy. Can't say about the laying yet. I have compared them to the breeder quality pics of their breeds and can say that the colors may be off in some... my Light Brahma is very mottled with black which I believe is considered a fault (but everyone who sees her thinks she is beautiful!). My STD Cochin's foot feathering is not as good as the bantams I got later from a breeder, and their type is not nearly what I've seen in the pics of the desired standard. My Buff Orp is also my smallest, lightest built of the 4 big girls, and I expected a much fuller body, but like I said they are pets. They aren't going to shows and so they are what they are and that is fine with me.
I would post some pics so you could see what I mean if only I could find my camera. My advice though, if you are only looking for a backyard flock and aren't interested in showing or breeding, you can't beat hatchery birds for the price. If you are going to be breeding or showing, go with a breeder, then you don't have to start out trying to fix what faults they may have from a hatchery.
Good Luck!

Oh, and one more thing... just because a bird comes from a "breeder" doesn't mean it's quality. Do your research so you know the breeder is reputable and knows their breed(s), and is not just a chicken version of a "Puppy mill"!

 

[kla37]

kathyinmo, that is a handsome rooster you have there! Nice that he's got a good temper too. I want a rooster so bad, but I can't have them where we live! Great pictures!