How to tell if I am getting good birds?

[Karenin]

Hi,
I’m thinking of getting seramas and was wondering how to tell if I’m getting a good line or not.
~ Karenin

 

[Karenin]

Also I have a faverolles and she has some black in her feathers does that mean she isn’t a good line?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, Karenin. What do you mean by "good"? Good for what? What are your goals? Are you planning to breed for show, or to sell? Do you want to breed to the SOP, or do you just want eggs for your family table?

 

[Karenin]

Hi, Karenin. What do you mean by "good"? Good for what? What are your goals? Are you planning to breed for show, or to sell? Do you want to breed to the SOP, or do you just want eggs for your family table?

I just want to get eggs for the table but I also want to have birds from a good line because I’m interested in certain breeds and when I get them I want them to be From a fairly good line

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you want really good birds for breeding, you probably need to get them from a reputable breeder. They will probably cost more than getting them from a hatchery. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Karenin]

Thanks I have been getting birds from a breeder I am just not sure if it’s a good one.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think @ChickenCanoe breeds a specialty breed. Perhaps he can advise you what to look for in a reputable breeder.

 

[Karenin]

Ok thanks I have already chosen a breeder that I think might be good but I’m not sure

 

[BigBlueHen53]

There's a Standard of Perfection (SOP) for every breed. Get familiar with that for the breed of your choice. Compare the birds you are getting to that standard. Also compare your breeder's birds to that standard. Tell your breeder what you want to do and that you want to buy breeders and are willing to pay for quality birds. Tell her you want to learn. At this point she may be selling you her culls at a low price point, but if you want to improve your stock you may have to pay for better quality. You may also have to be willing to cull inferior birds one way or another. Be willing to learn from her. It can be a fascinating journey.

 

[Karenin]

There's a Standard of Perfection (SOP) for every breed. Get familiar with that for the breed of your choice. Compare the birds you are getting to that standard. Also compare your breeder's birds to that standard. Tell your breeder what you want to do and that you want to buy breeders and are willing to pay for quality birds. Tell her you want to learn. At this point she may be selling you her culls at a low price point, but if you want to improve your stock you may have to pay for better quality. You may also have to be willing to cull inferior birds one way or another. Be willing to learn from her. It can be a fascinating journey.

Ok I will. thanks for all your help!