The answer to the question about getting decent birds from hatchery stock is maybe if you are an expert in selecting type and color. This is going to sound a bit harsh but the mere fact that you are asking the question indicates that it is unlikely that you possess the critical eye and expertise to select the best from the worried up birds that you are selecting from. It will be much more costly and take you years.
I understand the question. Hatchery birds are readily available and breeder quality can be a like finding a needle in a haystack. I suggest that you make the search for the breeder that you connect with part of the fun of the search and you will have a lot more sucess and enjoy yourself more as well.
I looked for a few breeds myself, and thought that since the breed I was looking for was available through the large hatcheries it might be a kick to breed from there. The real truth is, and you will find your answer from the experts not from those who aspire to be experts, that it will take you a long long time, a lot of feed and a lot of culls to get anywhere close to where you would be if you purchased your first generation that at least starts from known stock.
I don't pretend to be a great breeder, but have asked a lot of questions and in the long run have learned a lot through patience and polite curiosity in speaking to those that have spent a lifetime breeding for the quality that you can purchase for just a few more dollars per bird.
In my opinion and this is only my view of it, believing that a novice poultry enthusiast has the ability to select breeder quality birds from average quality stock is somewhat insulting to those that have spent a lifetime selecting breeder birds.
IMO buy the best birds you can buy no matter the cost,( just buy fewer of them) and be proud of the birds you spend precious dollars feeding.
You will have much earlier success and in the long run you will have a lot more fun.
I understand the question. Hatchery birds are readily available and breeder quality can be a like finding a needle in a haystack. I suggest that you make the search for the breeder that you connect with part of the fun of the search and you will have a lot more sucess and enjoy yourself more as well.
I looked for a few breeds myself, and thought that since the breed I was looking for was available through the large hatcheries it might be a kick to breed from there. The real truth is, and you will find your answer from the experts not from those who aspire to be experts, that it will take you a long long time, a lot of feed and a lot of culls to get anywhere close to where you would be if you purchased your first generation that at least starts from known stock.
I don't pretend to be a great breeder, but have asked a lot of questions and in the long run have learned a lot through patience and polite curiosity in speaking to those that have spent a lifetime breeding for the quality that you can purchase for just a few more dollars per bird.
In my opinion and this is only my view of it, believing that a novice poultry enthusiast has the ability to select breeder quality birds from average quality stock is somewhat insulting to those that have spent a lifetime selecting breeder birds.
IMO buy the best birds you can buy no matter the cost,( just buy fewer of them) and be proud of the birds you spend precious dollars feeding.
You will have much earlier success and in the long run you will have a lot more fun.
