How come people don't know what they have?

[ruth]

I don't know what a lot of mine are because they are so unique and unusual and I've never seen anything like them. I don't know what they are because a couple of times a year I order the large box variety special from SCBirdfarm (a BYC member). You get 5-6 dozen eggs of various rare breeds for not much more than the cost of shipping. And I like to say it's what Forrest Gump's mama would say about a box of chocolates "You never know what you're gonna get." I have to have Terry of SCBirdfarm I.D. some every time. He indentified a couple for me the other day, turns out one was a d'Anver and the other a Crevecouer. I've never heard of either breed before.

 

[JustDawn]

When you order an assortment (like rare breed, brown egg layer, feathered legged, bantams, etc) from a hatchery, they don't send a shipping list!

And when you order 3 hens from a hatchery and they send you 12......

And when you get 3 breeds that all have that chipmunk look and you can't seem to find the right answers to how to tell them apart....

And when you order some chicks and the chicks you get don't like like the pictures you see of the same chicks online....

And when you get a chick that is a mystery chick, and you look up every breed that hatchery has and find pictures of the breeds chicks... and yours doesn't look like any of them!

One day I'll know my breeds much better and will be able to help others, but for now, I so appreciate everyone's help!

 

[Minniechickmama]

lauraleigh-there is no dumb questions when you are researching something like this before taking the plunge and getting your animals. Good for you for bringing it up.
Now, I will say, it gets annoying after a while when people keep posting pictures of obvious breeds and they just want someone to give them a quick answer or to do their research for them instead of just doing a little searching themselves to find the answer.
If you order from a good hatchery who is reliable in their shipping methods and know what birds they have, then you shouldn't be left guessing what you get. However, some hatcheries do not know what they have and you end up with breeds that are nothing like what you are told they are.
My suggestion, go with a reputable breeder or hatchery. If you want to get some breeds off the critical list, contact ALBC to see if they have a list of breeders they can suggest. You can also search on here (BYC) of course, and there are plenty of folks who have stock or eggs to sell.
As for who is a good hatchery, you may get different opinions from different people. I like McMurray and have had great luck with them, but I have also read numerous people say they love Ideal. Those are the two that are top contenders for big hatcheries in the country. That being said, they may not carry the breed you are looking for.
Good luck and keep reading, you can never know too much about poultry or any other animals before you buy your first ones.

 

[shesaredroan]

LauraLeigh,
Oh I'm so excited for you!!!! As a wanna-be peep-keeper, it sounds like before long you'll BE a peep-keeper. There will be good days and not so good days to come, that's just part of the process, but it's ALL worth it!!!
At BYC you've found a super bunch of fowl folks to help.
I started with chickens 10 years ago, 'cause I wanted some and 'cause our countryside was being OVERRUN with grasshoppers. Life hasn't been the same since. My girls and roos have taught me so much, plus given me fresh eggs and chicks. There's nothing like taking a warm egg out of the nest and going into the kitchen to cook breakfast.
Make your plans, get your chicks and be ready for lots of new experiences. : )

 

[lauraleigh]

You guys are awesome! thanks so much for taking the time to write in on this question. Yes, I have seen the big box of chicks at the local feed store, but it never occurred to me that they wouldn't know what they were selling. LOL!

 

[pookiegoldman]

My 21 week old chickens came from cackle hatchery, and was ordered in a "hatchery surprise", which essentially is a mix of the leftover chicks they had. I'm STILL guessing on the breed of a few of em!!

 

[pw30]

I started with a Polish Rooster which was given by a friend who did not want it. Then I started rescusing chickens from people. Then I started hatching my own eggs. Then I built a barn and rescued a few pigs and two donkeys. I have no clue what kind of chickens I have now but I do know this. That one chicken started something great at my house.

 

[peterlund]

Quote:
I second this!!! If you are thinking of getting chickens, then you think too much. It is like a comedy skit all the time.

 

[chickchickgirls]

I always hatch in my classroom and the eggs come from local farms that have an assortment of chickens. I bought some pullets during the winter and they don't exactly match up to what I was told they were, love 'em all though!

 

[krackerkim]

i got my two chickens from a family that couldn't care for them and shouldn't have bought them. we were told one was a rooster and the other a hen..turns out they were both hens..they didn't know anything about them or what breed or anything..i had to go get books from the library and compare pictures to figure out somewhat what mine are, and even now i dont fully know, and am thinking about posting pics to see..cause ive narrowed it down but cant quite come up with any pictures on the internet showing pictures like mine