I think it depends on the hatchery and the breeder. There are good and bad on both sides, you have to do your research. Many show breeders do focus on The whole package- longevity, disease resistant and egg production because you can’t hatch from stock that your always treating, dieing , or doesn’t lay eggs if that was the case you would be out if the game quickly. Then again you have people that call themselves breeders but they are the chicken equivalent to a puppy mill.
From what I understand most hatchery are focused on quantity and hatch all they can for the season then cull those breeders and start fresh in the spring with a new group. So your losing out on longevity and disease resistance because the parent stock aren’t around long enough. Again similar to a puppy mill philosophy pump out and sell all you can not paying attention to what’s being produced. Then some hatcheries contract farms to manage breeder flocks.
I personally have had the best luck with breeders that are just have a breed or 2 that they focus on and put health and temperament in their breeding plan.
From what I understand most hatchery are focused on quantity and hatch all they can for the season then cull those breeders and start fresh in the spring with a new group. So your losing out on longevity and disease resistance because the parent stock aren’t around long enough. Again similar to a puppy mill philosophy pump out and sell all you can not paying attention to what’s being produced. Then some hatcheries contract farms to manage breeder flocks.
I personally have had the best luck with breeders that are just have a breed or 2 that they focus on and put health and temperament in their breeding plan.
