show quality from HATCHERY

[playswithfowl]

What HATCHERY has had the closest to show quality birds? I know that they don't but who has had the CLOSEST to SHOW quality from a hatchery? I just don't want to deal with a breeder- I don't want anyone to be offended but I just want to order from a hatchery. Ideal, Sandhill, what???

 

[playswithfowl]

anyone?

 

[barg]

You might look at the "post pics of your Wyandottes" thread I started.
People in that thread post pics of their bird and tell what hatchery they came from.

That might give you an idea of who has the best quality.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Are you looking for particular breeds?

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Although some may argue, in my opinion there isn't much difference between what you get from a breeder and from the hatcheries. Any flock, from a hatchery or otherwise, has its variations between birds and you just have to pick the best birds out of many to show. The hatchery birds are not that far removed from the standard. You just need to order a bunch of birds and pick those with the best conformation. More than just conformation goes into the judging too. A bird has to be well groomed and shouldn't be missing any feathers for example.

 

[pipermark]

Not going to argue but go to a large show that is certified by the APA , and you will see the difference. Havening said the , I have heard the Sandhill Preservation, follows good breeding techniques. I also think I have heard that you need to get your spring order in early because they run out of stock fairly quickly.

One last thing, depending on what you are looking for and expecting from your birds, many times production or Industrial breeds or variations of breeds are better than those breed to their original specs. Many Industrial or productions birds are breed to have a better personality, sit longer, not go broody as often , mature quicker, and require less feed.


Just a thought.

 

[Julie in Al]

I Have to agree with piper. After going to a large show where many types of Standard were shown, I was in awe of the RIR's, Orpingtons and several other breeds. There was no comparison in color and size to what you get from most hatcheries. I have ordered hatchery birds in the past and not to say they were not good layers or just nice chickens but looks wise they didn't compare. It all depends on what your goals are and what it is your looking for in your chickens. I have Orpingtons from Sandhill and with most I am very pleased but I am breeding to improve. I have friends that are breeders and they were pleased with some breeds they got from them and not with others.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

I think it's luck of the draw, really. Most hatcheries don't usually breed their own birds, they rely on 3rd party breeders to do that for them, so there really isn't any sort of quality control. I believe that Sandhill breeds their own and probably some of the other smaller hatcheries.

I have 2 beautiful Yokohama's from Ideal, but one is more breeder quality and the other's definitely show quality. All three La Fleche are turning out show quality. I had two SLW from MM, one was near perfect and the other had hardly any lacing..so you never know. You can also have the best show stock from the best breeder and the chicks can turn out terrible.

 

[EweSheep]

I agree with Piper and Julie AND there IS the difference in looks in hatchery vs breeder. Like the Orpingtons, I could see the color differences in them and so are the Silkies.

 

[hinkjc]

I'll jump on the bandwagon and state that hatchery quality is not as good as breeder quality in most cases. Most hatchery RIR aren't even red anymore..they are orange. Really sad for the breed IMO. Everything has been bred down so hard to produce eggs and achieve smaller body conformation and less broodiness that some breeds have basically been destroyed.

Jody