how far is to far to drive to obtain a bird

[Granny Hatchet]

If the earth was flat I would fall off the edge for the right chicken.

 

[saysfaa]

curious as to why you would rather get chicks from a hatchery over chicks from a reputable backyard breeder?

I didn't know how to tell "reputable" from any other kind of smaller-than-hatchery breeder. Still don't, for that matter. The more I looked, the less sure I got except for the ones I am pretty sure were not reputable.

Complicated by having very different goals than most such smallish breeders have according to any info I could find by them or about them.

 

[Three Stents]

I would not call anyone who sells chickens at chicken events reputable/trustworthy.

that's your opinion, plus you don't know these breeders

 

[StinkyAcres]

that's your opinion, plus you don't know these breeders

You're right. Chicken shows and such scare me a bit. I have bought birds from someone who shows them, but I did not pick them up at a show.

 

[MROO]

You're right. Chicken shows and such scare me a bit. I have bought birds from someone who shows them, but I did not pick them up at a show.

The issue with buying at large events is that, even when you know the person you're buying from is "clean," the birds are exposed to many, many other sellers who may not be nearly as careful - and touched by buyers who have handled other sellers' birds. There is still a high risk associated with bringing birds home.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't, it just means that you have to be extra vigilant about bio-security. Toss the clothes you wore in the wash immediately and take a shower. Disinfect your shoes, your car and your cages - or use cardboard you can burn right away. And NEVER skimp on quarantine. Give them the full month before you introduce them to your flock!

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I said, "reputable" breeder. But if you don't have any, I guess a hatchery is your only choice. I'm lucky to have a bunch of reputable breeders. Plus, I do not want chicks, especially the ones that grow up to be "non" egg layers. Sunday I am picking up 4 pullets from a local chicken event. These will be my first chickens, ever.

I'm not commenting on what breeders you might be going with. (It doesn't really matter to me. We have zero overlap.)
But throwing around the word "reputable" is really bothering me.
In the world of pets and livestock, "reputable" does NOT automatically mean good, ethical, or responsible.
While the definition should mean that, for people who breed and sell animals it really only means their name is well known and might give the illusion of being trustworthy.

As an example, you can find a reputable dog breeder and eventually learn they're a puppy mill.

Chickens and dogs are different, but I personally most often hear "reputable" used with dog breeders.

I also met a vet who was breeding a lot of expensive cats of various breeds and crosses, and not using her real name.
Seriously. Who wouldn't trust a veterinarian? What's more reputable than a veterinarian?
(I didn't know she was doing that at the time. But also didn't get the cats. They had obviously had almost no human interaction, at 4-6 months old.)

 

[Three Stents]

maybe reputable is not the right word,,,,,highly recommended?

 

[MROO]

maybe reputable is not the right word,,,,,highly recommended?

Y'know, when it comes right down to it, it doesn't really matter what words we use - especially when terms have different meanings and connotations to everyone. The important thing is that we do our homework so we know what we're getting into! And if we happen to get in over our heads, we come running to BYC for fixes, treatments and sometimes shoulders to cry on. That's the best part about this community - with so many different perspectives and experience, we're bound to find a solution to whatever problem we're facing!