Substituted order-questions about Delaware breed

[carriehelene]

So I ordered from MPC, 1 each-Columbian Wyandotte, Gold Laced Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex, blue Cochin, Buff Orpington, Jersey Giant.

MPC Substituted the Columbian with a Silver Laced Wyandotte, and the Speckled Sussex with a Delaware.

I know the SLW will fit in fine, but I don't know anything about the Delaware's. Will she fit in with the other hens? And what are the Meyer's (MPC's) Delaware's like, good temperamate, layers, looks?

My other question is, I keep seeing that Breeders birds are different than Hatchery birds. What is the difference, and why would buying from one be better than buying from the other? This is a serious question btw, not a sarcastic one. Don't the hatcheries carry/sell good quality birds? I'm sure they don't carry show birds, but for regular backyard chickens, they should be pretty good shouldn't they?

Carrie

 

[speckledhen]

Hatchery Delawares vary widely. Some have even crossed Columbian Rock into the lines, which messes up the entire breed, IMO. Being a highly endangered breed, that isn't the way to go. I have had McMurray Delawares and breeder Delawares. I would not even keep the hatchery ones that I had because they were extremely flighty and aggressive. The breeder quality ones are better body type and temperament, overall. There are exceptions in everything of course. If you just want a layer, hatchery birds are fine. IF you want to preserve the breed, I'm not sure that's the way I would go. MPC does not breed their own birds, they drop ship.

 

[carriehelene]

Cynthia,

I wondered if you would respond to this post. I have been following your hatching Delaware post ever since I did a search on Delaware's, it is fascinating, and your babies are so adorable. I was so happy for you, especially when your late baby hatched. Thanks for the answers. At this time, just getting started, and having to fight for that, I think I would be better off just sticking with my MPC order. Hopefully that will go well, and I can get into getting breeder eggs for my girls to hatch when they go broody. That will be another nag session on my part, but I'm relentless

and usually after some time, end up getting my way lol.

I figure chickens are like roses, you get the walmart body-bag type to reel the nay-sayers (otherwise known as my family) in, and then after you convince them that having roses (or chickens!) doesn't completely suck and can actually be fun, then you get the good quality ones.

 

[speckledhen]

Hopefully, you'll get some sweet ones and enjoy them alot. They are a beautiful breed.

 

[shortcake1806]

I agree with Cyn. Delaware's that come from good lines are some of the best birds around. On the other hand I've seen some that I wouldn't take if given to me.

I hope yours are great. I've heard some good things about Meyer's birds. Though I can't speak for them personally.