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After spending WAY too much time here on BYC, I've come to the current opinion that I'd prefer not to buy hatchery stock in the future, but I probably will. I think that non-hatchery stock can be better bred and much closer to breed standards. With the three BLRWs we have in quarantine still, even a chicken novice like me can tell that they are much prettier than what you would find in hatchery stock. With hatchery stock, the goal is quantity, not quality and lots of people on here have had problems with them (and I don't think that their life span is in general as long).
That said, I could never part with any chicken that was hatched here and like the fact that hatcheries sex their chicks. I understand some of the nasty aspects that come with that, but we really couldn't end up with a farm full of roos. I don't think hatchery birds are necessarily healthier, one of ours seems to have some pretty serious health issues and she was like that when we took her out of the box. Hatcheries that are NPIP certified only test for pullorum-typhoid. Although they would never admit it, I think some hatcheries have birds with other diseases (such as M.G.). It is nice to get the option for vaccination, simply for the fact that when you vaccinate yourself you have to buy in such large quantities.
I do like the fact of buying locally and supporting the local economy. I think there is an opportunity to buy much better and higher quality birds locally. There is a smaller hatchery in Idaho that we have considered purchasing from, but they have a very limited selection of birds.
Okay, there is my two cents.... what do the rest of you think?
(I've talked to my DH and he's fine with going to the show in March!! I can't wait!! I briefly hinted and the meeting and I can safely say that we won't be going.
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