Hen or Rooster?

[RhodeRunner]

I paid $20 per chick! Why is it you all think they are hatchery chicks? And what does that mean exactly?

Hatchery birds vs. breeder stock have a very different appearance. Most of your fowl do appear to come from a hatchery, their body type and coloration is lacking. However, don't worry, they will make great pets, and layers!

For example, here is a photo of a Non-Hatchery Stock Silver Laced Wyandotte
http://www.foleyswaterfowl.com/slwyandottes.htm

If you purchased chicks that where day olds, then your birds where overpriced if they where hatchery stock. Hatchery stock pullets average $2.00 - $5.00 each.
Now, if you purchased sexed pullets from a private breeder with breeder/show quality fowl, then the price is understandable

 

[Ariel188]

Hatchery birds vs. breeder stock have a very different appearance. Most of your fowl do appear to come from a hatchery, their body type and coloration is lacking. However, don't worry, they will make great pets, and layers!

For example, here is a photo of a Non-Hatchery Stock Silver Laced Wyandotte
http://www.foleyswaterfowl.com/slwyandottes.htm

If you purchased chicks that where day olds, then your birds where overpriced if they where hatchery stock. Hatchery stock pullets average $2.00 - $5.00 each.
Now, if you purchased sexed pullets from a private breeder with breeder/show quality fowl, then the price is understandable

Is Hatchery a lesser quality egg? Or make a less nutrient egg? I am REALLY strict about organic, healthy, etc. I spend more than I should on organic grains to feed and mix them myself. I drove OVER an hr to get these birds because they were suppost to be backyard breed from an organic breeder. In the photo of the real SLW she look more big with more feathers. Mine are only 5 months old, are they maybe just young and havent gotten all the puffy feathers yet? Probably not I am just reaching because I trusted this breeder. How can you be sure the chicks you get are from a REAL BREEDER? Thank you for the help.

I got all the chicks between 1-3 weeks old.

PS Do any of my birds look like real non hatchery birds?

 

[RhodeRunner]

Is Hatchery a lesser quality egg? Or make a less nutrient egg? I am REALLY strict about organic, healthy, etc. I spend more than I should on organic grains to feed and mix them myself. I drove OVER an hr to get these birds because they were suppost to be backyard breed from an organic breeder. In the photo of the real SLW she look more big with more feathers. Mine are only 5 months old, are they maybe just young and havent gotten all the puffy feathers yet? Probably not I am just reaching because I trusted this breeder. How can you be sure the chicks you get are from a REAL BREEDER? Thank you for the help.

I got all the chicks between 1-3 weeks old.

PS Do any of my birds look like real non hatchery birds?

Does hatchery Stock produce a lesser quality egg? Absolutely not! The quality of an egg is purely reflected on the current owner of the birds, and your birds health. As longs as your birds are feed a nutritious diet, are healthy, and their eggs are gathered fresh, then their eggs are perfectly fine! Considering how you keep/feed your birds, I would say you have little to fear

How can you be sure your birds are from a real breeder? First, there isn't anything wrong with hatchery fowl! The only difference is hatchery birds are not pedigreed birds, that where breed for the show ring. If you want birds as pets, layers, and backyard fowl, then you are fine with hatchery stock. If you want birds from a breeder, you purchase them directly from the breeder.

Do any of your birds appear to be non-hatchery stock? The black Ameraucana, if that is indeed what it is? It could also be a black Easter Egger.

 

[aoxa]

I paid $20 per chick!  Why is it you all think they are hatchery chicks?  And what does that mean exactly?

Is Hatchery a lesser quality egg?  Or make a less nutrient egg?  I am REALLY strict about organic, healthy, etc.  I spend more than I should on organic grains to feed and mix them myself. I drove OVER an hr to get these birds because they were suppost to be backyard breed from an organic breeder.  In the photo of the real SLW she look more big with more feathers.  Mine are only 5 months old, are they maybe just young and havent gotten all the puffy feathers yet?  Probably not I am just reaching because I trusted this breeder.  How can you be sure the chicks you get are from a REAL BREEDER?  Thank you for the help. 

I got all the chicks between 1-3 weeks old.

PS Do any of my birds look like real non hatchery birds?

None of these birds is worth $20 even at the age they are now, even if they are raised on organic feed. There would be no way of guaranteeing they were on it either

Chicks should never cost more than $10 at that age.. Breeders who are serious about the quality of their flock, would not sell their top quality birds. They would grow them out and sell their culls. These here are all hatchery quality, with the black Ameraucana (possibly) being your best quality bird.

I'm so sorry this lady sold you birds that were purchased from a hatchery. I do not buy chicks unless I see their parents. Maybe that is something you want to consider if you get more.

And I agree with above. Hatchery quality only means that they do not meet the standard of perfection for show birds. They lay perfectly fine. However, a lot of hatchery birds have the natural mothering instinct bred out of them. They go for quantity over quality. That's all that is.

 

[RhodeRunner]

None of these birds is worth $20 even at the age they are now, even if they are raised on organic feed. There would be no way of guaranteeing they were on it either

Chicks should never cost more than $10 at that age.. Breeders who are serious about the quality of their flock, would not sell their top quality birds. They would grow them out and sell their culls. These here are all hatchery quality, with the black Ameraucana (possibly) being your best quality bird.
I'm so sorry this lady sold you birds that were purchased from a hatchery. I do not buy chicks unless I see their parents. Maybe that is something you want to consider if you get more.

Those birds are worth $20.00. If you can't get $20.00 for them, then you would be taking a financial loss. I do not understand why people expect poultry to be cheap, they aren't cheap to raise!

I have nothing against chicks that are $10.00+, but they have to be worth it! And, I have to agree that Ariel's birds where not. This being said, there are many serious breeders that sell day-old chicks from their quality flocks. (Examples- John Blehm & Dick Horstman), and many people have to sell poultry a higher costs as they are raising imports.

Most locals that sell random chicks, purchase from hatcheries. Unless, they state they are a breeder, then one shouldn't expect any more then hatchery stock.

 

[aoxa]

Those birds are absolutely worth $20.00!  If you can't get $20.00 for them, then you would be taking a financial loss.  I do not understand why people expect poultry to be cheap, they aren't cheap to raise!

I have nothing against chicks that are $10.00+, but they have to be worth it!  There are many serious breeders that sell day old top quality chicks. (Examples- John Blehm & Dick Horstman), and many people have to sell poultry a higher costs as they are raising imports. 

Most of the locals that sell random chicks, purchase from hatcheries. Unless, they state they are a breeder, then one shouldn't expect any more then hatchery stock.

No one will buy hatchery birds for $20 a head. Yes they are expensive to raise, but that doesn't make them worth that kind of money. And let alone at a day old. These girls are definitely worth at least $15, but $20 is pushing it.

What breeds are we talking here? There are very few breeders in my area that will sell anything less than started birds. They could be selling a show winning bird for $10. They would rather not risk that. I understand it.

 

[RhodeRunner]

No one will buy hatchery birds for $20 a head. Yes they are expensive to raise, but that doesn't make them worth that kind of money. And let alone at a day old. These girls are definitely worth at least $15, but $20 is pushing it.
What breeds are we talking here? There are very few breeders in my area that will sell anything less than started birds. They could be selling a show winning bird for $10. They would rather not risk that. I understand it.

I don't live in rural Canada, but a urban/citied area in the USA. Chances are, everything is more pricey where I live. But, yes a hatchery hen in her prime will sell for $20.00 or more, and a show quality bird for more then $10.00. I have not observed the breed to be that relevant.

What is worth? A quality that renders something desirable, useful, or valuable. A material value. Worth is judged by each individual.

 

[chateau poulet]

I live in the DC area, very high cost of living, and I got two purebreds from known lines, a Barnevelder and Black Copper Maran. I asked him to hold them until they were 3 months old, because I was travelling. When I finally got them, fully feathered, almost full sized (and beautiful!) they were $20 each. That gives you a reference...

 

[goldfinches]

and why she also guaranteed them to be girls

I am pretty sure marans have white/pink legs. That wouldn't make her legs darker.

Yep, that's a pretty big clue too. The breeder I bought my birds from, who has been breeding hers for 10+ years didn't sex her chicks until they were a few weeks old. She may have been able to sex day olds, not sure...

I agree about the pink legs, that's what I've learned in my research, but I have some marans or olive eggers, (don't really know, they're roosters), with dark legs. That's why I think hers may be an olive egger, it's real similar to mine.

This black bird's legs are way darker than my blue wheaten ameraucana's legs. Guess there are many variations on slate, though?

$20 per chick is very expensive, imho. I guess if you're looking at them now, a started pullet, it's not that bad. I think the hatcheries that sell them list them about that price. But the chick, hatchery quality, should have been what, maybe $3? The fact that you're feeding them all organic makes them pricier, but if you're not selling them, it doesn't matter.

 

[aoxa]

I don't live in rural Canada, but a urban/citied area in the USA. Chances are, everything is more pricey where I live.  But, yes a hatchery hen in her prime will sell for $20.00 or more, and a show quality bird for more then $10.00.  I have not observed the breed to be that relevant.

What is worth?  A quality that renders something desirable, useful, or valuable.  A material value.  Worth is judged by each individual.

Breeds are definitely priced higher for showy breeds like silkies. I've seen show hens go for $100 or more. I mean, it's worth what you put the value on them I guess. I would not pay $20 for a hatchery bird.. POL pullets (hatchery) go for less than $10 here from the feedstore. Any laying hen at point of lay is worth $10-$15, regardless of breed or quality. But hatchery chicks at two weeks old.. No.. they are not worth $20 each..

They are probably close to that value now. The Black Ameraucana being worth more than that IMO. I would pay more for her than that.