I hope you don't feel like anyone is trying to tell you your birds are inferior because they are hatchery birds, I don't think that's the intention at all--it's just that they aren't going to be suitable for showing and they aren't going to be suitable for breeding if you want to breed with the goal of breeding birds that meet the standard/for showing. The best way to get started is find one of the old-timers & buy a started pair or trio in the variety you'd most like to work with. Most of the bigger breeders won't sell you eggs, and honestly, you're better off shelling out some bucks right at the get-go and getting a few nice breeding birds. You can end up spending more on eggs in the long run (with poor hatches from shipped eggs and whatnot) than if you just bought a pair at the start. Also, with started birds, you'll know what you're working with right from the start. You could hatch dozens of chicks from the best breeder's eggs and still not end up with any birds you would want to use for breeding. It takes hatching a lot of birds just to get a few good quality ones, even if the parent stock is top quality. Just the way it works.
Where are you located and which variety(ies) are you looking for? I might be able to help you find a breeder in your area. Of course, if you're willing to spend the money to have birds shipped, that will open up your options, too.
Of course, like someone already said earlier in the thread, find the poultry shows near you! That's the best place to find information.
Where are you located and which variety(ies) are you looking for? I might be able to help you find a breeder in your area. Of course, if you're willing to spend the money to have birds shipped, that will open up your options, too.
Of course, like someone already said earlier in the thread, find the poultry shows near you! That's the best place to find information.
