Want to expand my flock...hatchery? backyard breeder?

[erin09]

I currently have 6 RSL pullets, they were/are my introduction to chicken owning.

We will be moving to an 11 acre (soon to be)farm. I would like to expand my flock to a few different pure breeds.(good egg layers and some my kids can show in 4-h) After navigating BYC daily for the last few months I am still not sure where is best to get chicks from. I see "hatchery quality" a lot. Also stories of backyard breeders who don't have the best lines or quality.

I would like to start out with a few pairs and go from there. Allowing the hens to raise their babies, or incubate if nessasary.

Any tips or reputable breeder reccomendations would be great!

Oh, still not sure what breeds I want yet, still doing research on that one!

 

[sherrydeanne]

If you post where you're located, it may be easier to find some local breeders

Whether you want breeder, show or hatchery stock is totally dependent upon your wants/needs.

 

[erin09]

I'm in N.Central Pa. Not many chicken people around here, that I know of anyway. More more people *are* getting involved though.

Are hatchery quality birds good enough to allow reproduction? I wouldn't want to further a breed with poor quality, KWIM. Or doesn't that logic apply to chicken breeding?

I would like some dependable(cold hardy) egg layers and some meat birds.

 

[musson]

What is RSL? On a more general note is there a list of the abbreviations people use on this forum?

 

[BigPeep]

I would look at the heritage breeds. I am doing that exclusively. If you go on the website: www.americanlivestockbreedsconservancy.com
you will find a list of breeds that are considered endangered to some extent or another along with excellent descriptions of their history and vintage drawings of the birds.

Eggs from the heritage breeds command a premium. A dozen eggs from heritage, free range, organic chickens sells around here for up to $5.00.

You may also want to look at egg color, so you can have "rainbow" boxes with various shades of brown, blue, green and white. You will have to use organic feed if you call them "organic". This has to extend to the day that you receive them at two or three days old. Only the Ameruana's have the blue/green. eggs. Coco Marans lay a very dark chocolate color, but they can be hard to candle.

You will have to decide if you want to get straight runs or just hens. You will have to kill all but one or two of the cocks per 25 bird order when they come of age, which will leave you with about ten or so hens and two roos. per breed if you do it that way.

I have gotten one set of Australorps from a local heritage animal breeder and just got in a set of Buff Orpington chicks from "Nature's Hatchery", which is nearby. They are only a week old but are doing well so far. I will be getting about ten hens apiece per breed, with Dominiques, Rocks, Wyandottes, Reds, and Ameruanas on the list. I plan to keep each breed separate and keep a couple of cocks per breed and breed my own for the future.

It doesn't really matter where the hatchery is located as the chicks are mailed regardless. They do just fine with that.

Good luck with your venture. It sounds great.

 

[cybercat]

You might want to post on the PA thread in whereare you whare am I section. Also look in the for sale section for those selling in PA. There are many chicken people up there. Try looking in the paper under farm animals and contct you local 4H club they will point you to a good person.