New here - have a few questions...

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17 chickens said:
I have never have had a problem with hatchery's and I think private breeders charge way to much. I have 53 hens all laying and have not been sick or infested with lice or mites. In fact I have 4 speckled Sussex that climb on my lap every time I am sitting down. I even have a comet who think she is a parrot and has to be on my shoulder no matter what I am doing outside.
Really the big key for you to enjoy your first flock of chickens, so there is really no bad choice with what you make. Just don't over spend on your first chickens, give them lots of attention, talk to them, hold them and you will be just fine!
I am ordering another 50 chicks in February 2018 to go with my other 53 girls.
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I didn't mean to infer that there is a problem with hatchery birds, I was simply advising that hatchery birds are unlikely to be of SOP standard, whereas breeders will aim for that and charge top dollar for appropriate specimens. I guess it's a bit like some people wanting a pedigree dog, and others not really caring if it has its pedigree papers or not. I agree that not spending a lot of money when first starting out with a flock is the best way to go - that's for further down the line if someone wishes to breed.

The OP asked for confirmation if hatchery birds are "better" - hence my response.
 
17 chickens said:
I have never have had a problem with hatchery's and I think private breeders charge way to much. I have 53 hens all laying and have not been sick or infested with lice or mites. In fact I have 4 speckled Sussex that climb on my lap every time I am sitting down. I even have a comet who think she is a parrot and has to be on my shoulder no matter what I am doing outside.
Really the big key for you to enjoy your first flock of chickens, so there is really no bad choice with what you make. Just don't over spend on your first chickens, give them lots of attention, talk to them, hold them and you will be just fine!
I am ordering another 50 chicks in February 2018 to go with my other 53 girls.
Click to expand...

Wow! That's an incredible number of chickens! :) I think i'll be sticking with a pretty small flock - and don't worry, I won't be able to help giving them attention... :D
 
Pork Pie Ken said:
I didn't mean to infer that there is a problem with hatchery birds, I was simply advising that hatchery birds are unlikely to be of SOP standard, whereas breeders will aim for that and charge top dollar for appropriate specimens. I guess it's a bit like some people wanting a pedigree dog, and others not really caring if it has its pedigree papers or not. I agree that not spending a lot of money when first starting out with a flock is the best way to go - that's for further down the line if someone wishes to breed.

The OP asked for confirmation if hatchery birds are "better" - hence my response.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying that... I don't really see myself as becoming a breeder, or worrying too much about pedigrees... I really just want friendly chickens. I've been warned against RIR in particular as being aggressive, regardless of upbringing, but I THINK that's the only one.
 
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