You get it from the American Poultry Association or from a bookseller. Use the link I gave you or go to Amazon and get yourself a copy.
Quote:
Is this broad generalization for a reason? My naturally suspicious nature says you're angling for a sale, but it's possible you really do have a good reason. If so, what is it?
I don't think anyone is trying to sell you anything.
Hatchery birds are massed produced and the Standards for the breed are often compromised in the process.
If you want to raise and breed Buckeyes then you need to find the best birds you can afford - even if it means hatching your eggs or searching out a breeding pair and start from there.
Let's start at the very beginning. That's a very good place to start!
No one is going to hand these birds to you without either some real effort on your part or some cold hard cash.
Perhaps you didn't mean to come across this way but your responses here to good advise has been somewhat rude. People who can help you will be inclined not to help you any further.
If you're hesitant to spend money, go here: http://www.albc-usa.org/ and click on their FREE downloads tab that is on the menu to the left of the screen. The ALBC has some great information on breeding chickens, selecting for certain qualities, etc... and guess what, they used the Buckeye's as their example.
The best thing for you to do is find a breeder and get on their list to acquire hatching eggs or chicks, they might even sell you a bird or two. Go to shows, sometimes breeders will sell stock at them. If you insisit on hatchery birds you will have a long way to go before you get anything that compares to what breeders already have out there.
Most serious breeders have a copy of the APA standard of perfection, because this is going to give you a list of how the birds should conform to the breed standard. It will help you know what to look for in your birds and what you should cull/remove from your breeding stock.
Like Miss Prissy said, no one is trying to sell you anything or make you do anything. We're giving you advice on how to start. It's up to you to either take the advice or not.
Quote:
I gotta admit, I felt the same way about her response. Having said that, is it possible to get "show" quality birds from a major hatchery ? Do you think/know if they offer a line of better quality birds for those that would like to try their hand at showing birds ? Thanks !
Quote:
Yes, now that I know what I'm looking for, I see it. Thank you. I thought you were pointing me to a page with the information, so was unable to find it.
I don't think anyone is trying to sell you anything.
Hatchery birds are massed produced and the Standards for the breed are often compromised in the process.
That is what I wanted to know. Is this a generalization about all breeders that people are just assuming or is this something yo can go into more detail on? You know, like, "Meyer hatchery's birds are inferior because X Y Z" rather than "big places are always better than small places"
If you want to raise and breed Buckeyes then you need to find the best birds you can afford - even if it means hatching your eggs or searching out a breeding pair and start from there.
I'm willing, I already said I'm aware that this first batch may turn out to be unusable since I bought the only birds I was able to find.
Perhaps you didn't mean to come across this way but your responses here to good advise has been somewhat rude. People who can help you will be inclined not to help you any further.
No, I was not intending to be rude, just straight forward. I'm good, come look at *MY* web page where I talk about selling them, they're bad, and no supporting reasons? That one reply sounded like a sales pitch.
Quote:
Nope, not worried about spending money. I just asked where to find the standards, thinking it would be online, was given a URL and couldn't find anything. I wasn't objecting to buying a book and once I figre out what's wrong with my paypal, I will order it.
If you insisit on hatchery birds you will have a long way to go before you get anything that compares to what breeders already have out there.
No, no, I don't INSIST on hatchery birds. I bought them from there because that was all I could find. As I stated in the original post, I am well aware that I may have to rehome this batch and upgrade to higher quality birds *WHEN I FIND THEM*.
is it possible to get "show" quality birds from a major hatchery ? Do you think/know if they offer a line of better quality birds for those that would like to try their hand at showing birds ? Thanks !
Stromburg Hatchery advertises showable stock, I don't know that they do it online but they do in their catalog. They are definitely more expensive than their regular hatchery stock. I believe they act as a go between with breeders.
I do not have any chickens for sale. Having worked with 4-H kids four years I have seen lots of chickens from hatcheries in our county fair and they never match the standard. The ones who win have birds from breeders. I have six Delwares from Meyers(never plained to breed) not one has the correct color for the breed.
You may get some that don'nt have any disqualifications but, If you want to help the breed you need some top of the line show birds for breeding. If you don'nt want to show you still need good show birds. I would not pay $5 for a buckeye who does not match the standard but, I am will to pay $100 or more for a pair that does.
Quote:
Stromburg Hatchery advertises showable stock, I don't know that they do it online but they do in their catalog. They are definitely more expensive than their regular hatchery stock. I believe they act as a go between with breeders.