Hatchery chicks are akin to getting a "german shepherd" from the pound vs. a German Shepherd from a reputable AKC breeder that shows German Shepherd in working dog trials. (If that analogy makes sense). Sure, your pound puppy could be purebred, but it probably won't be conformationally PERFECT like the one purchased from a breeder who concentrates on planning breedings to produce proper conformation, color, temperament, etc.
The folks who breed heritage stock (or heritage quality) chickens are using birds that meet standards for size, shape, feather pattern/color, etc. Hatcheries are mass producing birds that may or may not look and act like the foundation stock of that breed.
See below in a thread I posted, a poster replies to me with photos of hatchery BR and heritage BR, there is quite a difference in just the feathering.
And don't get people started on Ameraucanas from hatcheries. Those are definitely NOT Ameraucanas, those are mutts ("Easter Eggers") for sure. True Ameraucanas are not that easy to obtain because there aren't many out there (compared to, say, BR), and I would assume have a price to reflect that.
This is not to say that there is anything wrong with hatchery chicks. But they are inexpensive, easy to come by and not well-regulated when it comes to breeding for the standards set for each breed. They still turn out stinkin' cute, lay well, taste great and do everything a chicken should (and shouldn't) do.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/749992/another-gender-question-w-photos-br-and-ba#post_10596989
I'm in the same boat as you, with the questionable Barred Rock. He's 5 wks old tomorrow and although I'm leaning towards cockerel, I'm not 100% convinced because he just hasn't developed as much as some other 5 wk photos I've seen on BYC.
The folks who breed heritage stock (or heritage quality) chickens are using birds that meet standards for size, shape, feather pattern/color, etc. Hatcheries are mass producing birds that may or may not look and act like the foundation stock of that breed.
See below in a thread I posted, a poster replies to me with photos of hatchery BR and heritage BR, there is quite a difference in just the feathering.
And don't get people started on Ameraucanas from hatcheries. Those are definitely NOT Ameraucanas, those are mutts ("Easter Eggers") for sure. True Ameraucanas are not that easy to obtain because there aren't many out there (compared to, say, BR), and I would assume have a price to reflect that.
This is not to say that there is anything wrong with hatchery chicks. But they are inexpensive, easy to come by and not well-regulated when it comes to breeding for the standards set for each breed. They still turn out stinkin' cute, lay well, taste great and do everything a chicken should (and shouldn't) do.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/749992/another-gender-question-w-photos-br-and-ba#post_10596989
I'm in the same boat as you, with the questionable Barred Rock. He's 5 wks old tomorrow and although I'm leaning towards cockerel, I'm not 100% convinced because he just hasn't developed as much as some other 5 wk photos I've seen on BYC.