Heritage Breeds Hatchery Stock

[WildernessLofts]

I'm wanting to get into raising two or three heritage breeds. Orloffs, Faverolles, and maybe also Langshans. However, the upstart of buying from "big time" breeders is just too much for me to consider. Is hatchery stock even a viable option? Show quality isn't as important as breed purity, but it IS a consideration.

Can anyone recommend a hatchery with at least somewhat decent quality heritage stock? If not, what would you suggest?

Buying eggs is out of the question. I've gone that route and I'll never be that ignorant again. Seems the POs around me just can't handle eggs properly and I'll end up with only one or two hatching out of a dozen.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

First off it is a big effort to breed more than two heritage breeds if you plan on doing it well. It's even better to stick with one if first starting out. Costs of egg is not that bad but I myself have horrid luck with shipped eggs and think it's due to my region postal system.

If you want quality (purity comes with that) it's worth it to get a trio or pay the extra upfront for shipped chicks from a breeder. It seems like a ton of money but in reality will save you in the long run both money and time. Many rounds of poor hatches of shipped eggs, not liking the quailty and upgrading birds later, etc. adds up.

You could look for local poultry shows. Breeders sell birds at shows so your not paying shipping and see in person what your getting.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/268082/faverolles-thread

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/297764/russian-orloffs/2230

Above are the links to active threads for both Favorelles and Orloff. You could ask around there, likely a breeder or two in Texas.

 

[WildernessLofts]

I also contacted the Orloff Club of America, but have yet to hear back.

The orloffs are my idea. The faverolles are my fiancee's. Figured we can both do our own part. If I want a second breed of my own, it'll be langshans. That's why I added them as a "maybe" on the list.