hatchery vs breeder?

[OkChickens]

I am wanting to eventually have a "small" hatchery business and I would like to sell Production Rhode Island Reds and possibly Buff Orphington, and maybe some others. Hatchery or breeder which would be best for Production Birds?

 

[silkydragon]

i personly like the hatchery rirs better i know some1 may get mad from that statement but i like the lighter color of hatchery rirs and the big single comb. idc about egg or meat production but if i could get something more the shape of breeder rir and the color of hatchery i would be very happy. i seen some rir at local auction that where almost black my dad luaghed and said those arent rir (living on a farm for yrs and having what the amish call rir which are hatchery quality but bigger and jumbo combs) i told him thats how they are supposed to look but i like the lighter 1s better.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
For egg production the "True to standard" breeder birds can't hold a candle to hatchery birds. The thing is hatchery Rhode Island reds aren't truely Rhode Islands anymore but are really "Production reds". As stated above, Heritage Rhode Island Reds have brick shapes, are super dark red (look almost black from a distance), and have several other things that define the breed. By breeding for egg production you lose those traits. True heritage Rhode Island reds are ok layers, but could never lay the amount of eggs a production red could. However the heritage birds will live longer, and will lay for longer than production birds.
I know because that's what happened to me. I started about 20 years ago with Rhode Island Reds like you see in the Heritage Breeds threads here on BYC. After all these years of selecting for larger body size, fast feathering, fast growing and higher egg production I wound up with mutt stock that are only nominaly considered production reds.
It's a matter of what YOU want to raise.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
Try New Hampshire reds.

They look more like the common production reds, but breeder stock have more "correct" traits.