Hatchery vs. Breeder?

[ChicksMN]

May be OT, but I love it. We are surrounded by leaves, yet, I never have enough and spend weeks gathering them every fall. Hard on the back. But well worth it. We have a bagger for both the ride on and for the push mower. those grass clippings and leaves are simply too valuable to allow them to be mulched back into the lawn! I've also noticed that my lawn is less weedy when we bag the clippings.

Silly question, but are you using them in your coop or just in your compost. We are swimming in leaves right now and I'm wondering if we need to change our approach to them which is blow most of them into the woods and mulch the rest into the lawn with the mower.

 

[Folly's place]

Back to the OP's first question! I'm sorry for your loss, it's hard. Breed selection matters; heritage types might do better, and will definitely do better on average than sex-links or production reds.
I think the hatchery chicks are more likely to arrive without some of those nasty diseases that last forever, like Marek's disease, or Mycoplasma. For a non-show person, they will be fine. My breeder raised birds were closer to breed standard in looks, but not healthier.
Hatcheries and many breeders keep breeding stock only one year, so selecting for longevity mostly doesn't happen. Some of us value our older producing birds, and broody hens, and try to produce long lived healthy individuals. This is not the most economical choice! That's why it's not done most places, but it's important for those of us who want sustainable flocks.
Good food and good husbandry are essential! Then you can enjoy your birds, in spite of those very sad losses. My oldest birds have been ten years old, and were much appreciated. Mary

 

[chickengeorgeto]

.... In fact, my sick girl got hormones to prevent her from laying since laying was killing her...... I have read.... about chicks from breeders vs. hatcheries,.... and that hatchery hens die from reproductive issues.... I am pretty sure they get their chicks from a hatchery in/near AZ... in the future I want hardy chickens.... anyone has educated opinions and experience on the matter, I would appreciate you sharing your perspective. Thank you in advance.

Small and unthrifty hens are usually sick from infections, at any rate overly small chickens usually have disease issues mostly over birth defect issues.

So decide if you want chickens from breeders that are inbred out the vent or do you want chicks from a commercial hatchery who have their reputation on the line with every egg they set?

My opinion comes from 71 years and counting of being around and raising commercial chickens as well as American gamefowl.