Rhode Island Reds

[punky rooster]

well maybe not 250 but I am sure they will end up out producing hatchery's production reds

 

[Cowgirl71]

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I highly doubt it. If you keep a hen until she's two and a half years old (the normal age an old backyard laying hen will be put in the stew pot), I guarantee you that you'll get more eggs from an average hatchery RIR than an average breeder RIR, and the hatchery RIRs will be much more feed efficient. Hatchery birds also mature and beging laying sooner.

I don't want to get into an argument about who's birds are better, but if we're talking efficient egg production, then hatchery birds are better, no question.

 

[punky rooster]

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I highly doubt it. If you keep a hen until she's two and a half years old (the normal age an old backyard laying hen will be put in the stew pot), I guarantee you that you'll get more eggs from an average hatchery RIR than an average breeder RIR, and the hatchery RIRs will be much more feed efficient. Hatchery birds also mature and beging laying sooner. they also stop faster tooI don't want to get into an argument about who's birds are better, but if we're talking efficient egg production, then hatchery birds are better, no question.

how about this my reds (feed store) 6 of em NO eggs for months. they have been out of there molt for months and no eggs I don't like them and I am getting rid of them

 

[punky rooster]

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I highly doubt it. If you keep a hen until she's two and a half years old (the normal age an old backyard laying hen will be put in the stew pot), I guarantee you that you'll get more eggs from an average hatchery RIR than an average breeder RIR, and the hatchery RIRs will be much more feed efficient.

Yes but if you keep them longer then they will endup out producing them

 

[Illia]

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I highly doubt it. If you keep a hen until she's two and a half years old (the normal age an old backyard laying hen will be put in the stew pot), I guarantee you that you'll get more eggs from an average hatchery RIR than an average breeder RIR, and the hatchery RIRs will be much more feed efficient. Hatchery birds also mature and beging laying sooner.

I don't want to get into an argument about who's birds are better, but if we're talking efficient egg production, then hatchery birds are better, no question.

Do you have PROOF of this?

A lot of people try and make claims that show quality birds lay later and less than hatchery quality birds, but as it turns and and to no surprise, the people who say this in almost every case are hatchery quality owners who have no experience beyond such.

No offense and no argument intended, I'd just like to see a little more proof. Hatcheries, as a fact, are known to breed birds that lay VERY well for their first year or two, then burn out. This is both a natural trait bred in as consequence of such high production AND a trait bred in to keep the customer coming back to the hatchery for more chicks the following years.

If hatcheries bred for long lived, productive hens that last beyond 3-4 years, they'd sell a lot less. The point in show quality and heritage breeders is to keep the original trait of high production, but also to keep in mind the meat and physical qualities. They want a self sufficient, dual purpose breed that lasts and is able to continuously supply more from within the flock. Production Layers (hatchery birds) are and were originally meant only for a productive hen for a backyard owner. This way, no one cares of the qualities of the meat or rooster because that's what Cornish X are for, and the owner can just get a new couple of chicks a few years later. Keeps the hatchery business going.

If you disagree, I'd love to see proof.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I don't know about PROOF. But testimony?
Robert Blosl, the famous RIR expert, past president of the RIR Club, breeder, and a frequent poster here at BYC states that this is so.
He says that APA SOP RIR will produce only 200 eggs a year, in his experience. Yes, they are much larger birds and will require more food, thus their conversion rate just isn't there when put up against a RIR or production type RIR from the hatcheries, many of which produce 250-300 during their pullet year and 220-260 the following year, with a substantial drop the following years.

Breeders of SOP RIR have other interests. Breed preservation being the main focus. There programs are admirable and I tip my hat to them.

But Robert himself has posted that if his neighbor wants 300 eggs a year and needs to make end meet financially, that they should buy production reds or Red sex links. No less a voice than his has posted that opinion here on BYC.

Shrug. I dunno.

The original poster was simply asking which hatchery had the cheapest prices. That's all.

 

[Tony O]

Last spring, I ordered 200 pullets from Estes Hatchery in Mo. By ordering that many, I got free shipping. They sent me 208 chicks. Out of them, only 3 turned out to be roosters. That's the best sexing I've ever got. Of the hens, over 75% had the nice dark feathering like RIRs used to have. A few didn't gain the large size that they should have, but the rest more than made up for it. I'm sure I'll be ordering from them again.
If you're interested, you can call them at: 1-800-345-1420 for any more information.

 

[Illia]

Oh, I know, and honestly I do apologize in joining the sort of debate a simple question has turned into. . . And yes, I know of Robert Blosl, I'm just making a point that not ALL breeds are that way, and Rhode Island Reds originally were supposed to be dual purpose, not production layers. I put respect out for both, but I do also find it sad that the dual purposes of a breed are dying out because of the high demand for commercial type chickens anymore.

Still though, hatchery birds do not lay sooner, and the only maturity they reach sooner is their maximum weight, which is actually severely under the weight of true type Rhode Island Reds anyway, so it doesn't matter. That was what I was responding to. There's no doubt that hatchery birds lay a lot more on their first few years.

After those years though, there's no doubt that show/heritage types will out-lay the hatchery birds.

 

[Michigan Transplant]

Tony O

I live in MO and got my 25 RIR from Estes as well. I had ONE rooster out of the 26 chicks I got at one day old. They had the best prices as well. They are pretty good about not sending you any sick or unhealthy chicks, I would recommend them to anyone that is interested in chickens.

 

[punky rooster]

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