Thinking about becoming a breeder

[lauranickerson]

Where do you start?

It wouldn't be until I have a different place with enough land to keep several coops, but I'm very interested, especially to restore the threatened and critical breeds that are in dire need of breeders.

Where do you get quality chicks from that are considered pure breed?

I'm just not really sure where to start, and I'm also not sure if this is the right place to post this.

Thanks in advance for any info!

PS: What is better, a hatchery or breeder? I read a breeder is more dedicated to chickens, but I'm not 100% sure of the difference.

 

[buttercup95]

Hatcheries tend to be more quantity vs quality. That's not to say you can't get excellent birds from a hatchery it's just not likely. Breeders are more quality oriented. For example they breed for less comb defects and to keep colors more true to the breed. I'm not a breeder, but I hope this helps.

Edit-
it's also good to find more than one breeder so you don't have inbreeding in your flock.

 

[Fred's Hens]

We have a couple of threads you might be interested in. Just jump in and read the last dozen pages. You don't have to read two or three years worth. LOL

Heritage Large Fowl Thread

Heritage Bantam Thread

BTW, we go through Kingsley quite often on our way to Menards on the south side of TC. Good to have you here at BYC. A great place to learn.

BTW-II The best to start is with a mentor.

 

[lauranickerson]

Hatcheries tend to be more quantity vs quality. That's not to say you can't get excellent birds from a hatchery it's just not likely. Breeders are more quality oriented. For example they breed for less comb defects and to keep colors more true to the breed. I'm not a breeder, but I hope this helps.

Edit-
it's also good to find more than one breeder so you don't have inbreeding in your flock.

That's what I figured. I'm kind of more in it for quantity. I know it's kind of contradictory, but I could have a business in restoring breeds, then also creating great layers.

We have a couple of threads you might be interested in. Just jump in and read the last dozen pages. You don't have to read two or three years worth. LOL

Heritage Large Fowl Thread

Heritage Bantam Thread

BTW, we go through Kingsley quite often on our way to Menards on the south side of TC. Good to have you here at BYC. A great place to learn.

BTW-II The best to start is with a mentor.

Wow really? That's awesome! I love this little town. That's mainly why I'm interested in this. There isn't crap for breeders and hatcheries around here, or at least none that I have found. I want so many breeds, but I hate paying for the shipping cost from hatcheries/breeders. I also can't justify driving to the closest one, which seems to be Townline.

I just love chickens so much. My boyfriend is actually saying at this moment that I'm a chicken hoarder/plant genome hoarder (I love buying seeds!), doomsday prepper! LOL!

 

[lauranickerson]

Okay, so I just read over my last reply, and I totally meant to say quality. I'd hate to sell "ok" chicks. I think restoring breeds would be very rewarding for me.

I'm just kind of lost on where to get really good stock. The thought of ordering from places like Meyer or McMurray haven't even really crossed my mind for this because I know they probably aren't show or breeder quality.


Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Tuhmu]

The best place would probably be either through this site or through the association for the breed you are looking at. I would make a list of what breeds you are interested in and find their respective thread on this forum. The folks in each thread will have knowledge of which breeders carry that breed or they might be breeders themselves. It would be a good place to start anyway. Hope this helps

 

[lauranickerson]

The best place would probably be either through this site or through the association for the breed you are looking at. I would make a list of what breeds you are interested in and find their respective thread on this forum. The folks in each thread will have knowledge of which breeders carry that breed or they might be breeders themselves. It would be a good place to start anyway. Hope this helps

Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

You could always try ordering eggs of whatever breed you are interested in and hatch then yourself. That way you don't have to limit yourself to just local breeders.