Reasons for choosing, changing, or avoiding a hatchery.

[Michael OShay]

I'm a little concerned about Dunlap's statement that they have Araucanas, otherwise known as Easter Eggers. Am I misinformed? I thought EE's were mix and Araucanas were a specific type. I keep reading that Easter Eggers are often inaccurately sold as Ameracaunas and Araucanas.

Frem Dunlap's Website: "Araucanas, or the Easter Egg Chicken as they are commonly referred to, lay eggs in many shades of blue, green and pink. With the array of color these birds bring, in their feathering as well as their eggs, they make a favorite to add to any flock"

I dunno, I could be wrong...been known to happen.

While I love the hatchery (and know what I am getting when I order their EEs), Dunlap is guilty of the same marketing error that so many other hatcheries are guilty of; marketing EEs as either Araucanas or Ameraucanas (often misspelled Americana or Americauna). Dunlap has some nice EEs that give lots of nice colored eggs, but they are still just hybrids produced by crossing blue egg layers with brown egg layers and not true Araucanas (or Ameraucanas).

 

[ImNotYogi]

I know what Im getting with an EE. As long as Im not being charged for a purebred show bird quality bird then Im good.

 

[Blooie]

I know what Im getting with an EE. As long as Im not being charged for a purebred show bird quality bird then Im good.

Absolutely! I have some EEs and they are my very favorites of the flock!

 

[Areolyn]

I order from Ideal and have had no problems with them. Of course I hear all the time of horror stories, but that's with any hatchery and breeder. If I want something that is show quality and has a true breeding line, I go to a breeder. The only reason I wouldn't order from a hatchery is if I wanted to show a bird I would have more luck getting show quality from a good breeder than I would a hatchery.