Yes, "hatchery-quality" means that the birds aren't really suitable for showing. They may not be fluffy enough, for example, or they may have other defects (like extra toes, etc). They represent the breed, but not perfectly. Birds from breeders show the characteristics that you want to see when showing. They are "better" if you are going to show, but for most people, hatchery-quality birds are fine, as people just want a bird that has some of the breed characteristics.So by hatchery that means of a lower quality than a breeder? Is that a bad thing? I only wanted them for pets really. Do I not want to let them hatch out eggs? Well actually it might be a moot point because to date I have had them for three months or so and have not seen a single solitary egg. They ffreerange throughout the day, but my husband and I have scoured the yard and nothing. I guess these birds fit right in with my flock . They are all sort of different in their own ways. a crossbeak hen the size of a robin that looks and runs like a roadrunner, a rangy mean older game hen cross, a fat fluffy GL cochin that eats everything in sight, a Polish Crested with the traditional funky hairdo, three GL cochin brothers that mount anything that moves and now these two that croak like bullfrogs. Yep they fit right in, one big happy family. OR a motley crew however you choose to look at it.
You are correct. Hatchery-quality birds are not generally bred for showing, so they can have any number of defects or even disqualifications. For example, hatchery-quality Rhode Island Reds are a brick red color instead of the correct deep mahogany color, and hatchery Wyandottes often have single combs instead of rosecombs (this is a DQ when showing poultry). Other common "problems" with hatchery birds include improper body type (shape), lack of foot feathering, deformed feet, and otherwise wrong coloring. Hatchery birds represent the hatcheries' impression of what a breed of chicken is supposed to look like. Breeder/show quality birds are bred to be competetive at poultry shows and confirm to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection.So by hatchery that means of a lower quality than a breeder? Is that a bad thing? I only wanted them for pets really. Do I not want to let them hatch out eggs? Well actually it might be a moot point because to date I have had them for three months or so and have not seen a single solitary egg. They ffreerange throughout the day, but my husband and I have scoured the yard and nothing. I guess these birds fit right in with my flock . They are all sort of different in their own ways. a crossbeak hen the size of a robin that looks and runs like a roadrunner, a rangy mean older game hen cross, a fat fluffy GL cochin that eats everything in sight, a Polish Crested with the traditional funky hairdo, three GL cochin brothers that mount anything that moves and now these two that croak like bullfrogs. Yep they fit right in, one big happy family. OR a motley crew however you choose to look at it.
