Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Sweetlilbaby]

I started with hatchery birds and they were great for egg layers. There isn't anything wrong with them, just when you pick them out make sure you get the most active chicks. When you get them home they need heat and you need to make sure they eat.

The ones i have i ordered they didn't go to the feedstores or anything like that. They came to my post office from the hatchery. I didn't get to pick them out or anything.

 

[CoopDeDoo]

are hatchery birds cross breeds that just resemble the breeds or something?

Funny story: My GD and I were looking through some poultry magazines and she saw a picture of Siler Laced Wyandottes.

GD: Ooooh, Grandma we need to get some of these!
Me: We have one - that's what the black & white hen is.
GD heads out to the chicken run to check this out - comes back inside a few minutes later
GD: No, I said we need to get one of these (points to picture of SLW again)
Me: Yeah - that's what she is
GD: You're kidding right?

She is 4 years old and can already see how much hatchery birds "resemble" or not the actual breed

 

[BGMatt]

Funny story: My GD and I were looking through some poultry magazines and she saw a picture of Siler Laced Wyandottes.

GD: Ooooh, Grandma we need to get some of these!
Me: We have one - that's what the black & white hen is.
GD heads out to the chicken run to check this out - comes back inside a few minutes later
GD: No, I said we need to get one of these (points to picture of SLW again)
Me: Yeah - that's what she is
GD: You're kidding right?

She is 4 years old and can already see how much hatchery birds "resemble" or not the actual breed

That's an awesome story. Teach them to recognize quality at a young age. Can't stand the pale imitation of the real thing hatchery junk.

 

[Lutefisk]

are hatchery birds cross breeds that just resemble the breeds or something?

I'm under the impression that "hatchery" birds are bred for their production values (thriftiness, egg laying, meat production) as opposed to show birds which are bred primarily for their looks.

 

[DeltaBluezTess]

I'm under the impression that "hatchery" birds are bred for their production values (thriftiness, egg laying, meat production) as opposed to show birds which are bred primarily for their looks.

Well, I got White rock and white leghorns from one hatchery a few years ago and so-so at egg laying...the vet did an autopsy and found that two of them had messed up egg areas...put the rest of the layers in the freezer for dog food......so that probably explained why the rest were poor payers or didn't lay...we think it was over breeding......but I got leghorns from Ideal and breeders and they are laying machines....so I steer away from the big names and get from Ideal or breeders.

Not all show birds are bred just for looks.

 

[BGMatt]

I'm under the impression that "hatchery" birds are bred for their production values (thriftiness, egg laying, meat production) as opposed to show birds which are bred primarily for their looks.

Common misconception. There are some breeders who breed for looks only (but that makes them just as bad as the hatchery, just the other end of the spectrum), but the vast majority of true breeders keep the original production aspects of the birds intact. Just like with buying any other animal, do your research on your source before you buy.

 

[elizmartin]

Well, I got White rock and white leghorns from one hatchery a few years ago and so-so at egg laying...the vet did an autopsy and found that two of them had messed up egg areas...put the rest of the layers in the freezer for dog food......so that probably explained why the rest were poor payers or didn't lay...we think it was over breeding......but I got leghorns from Ideal and breeders and they are laying machines....so I steer away from the big names and get from Ideal or breeders.

Not all show birds are bred just for looks.

My first Faverolles were from Ideal and they were good layers and true to color unlike many seen today. Wonder if it would be nice to send notes letting hatcheries know when they do good or if the poultry isn't even close to standard?????

 

[elizmartin]

Remember someone here was wondering about showing her Barnevelders but it was hard when it was a 2 day show…….The Monroe show can be a coop in and out the same day if you are not too far away…..I apologize i couldn't find your post to PM.

 

[DiamondDust]

Really? Can you coop in and coop out all on Saturday in Monroe? If you can I might just get up the nerve to take a couple (or three, or four) of my Barnevelders up to that show! I really want to get started showing them and if they don't get too ratty between now and the show I've got a couple of really nice pullets. It is several hours for me to drive all the way to Monroe but I don't want to have to stay overnight.

Anyway, I'd love to find out if I can coop in and out on Saturday...

DD

 

[BGMatt]

Really? Can you coop in and coop out all on Saturday in Monroe? If you can I might just get up the nerve to take a couple (or three, or four) of my Barnevelders up to that show! I really want to get started showing them and if they don't get too ratty between now and the show I've got a couple of really nice pullets. It is several hours for me to drive all the way to Monroe but I don't want to have to stay overnight.

Anyway, I'd love to find out if I can coop in and out on Saturday...

DD

Coop in time Saturday morning is between 7-9 AM. Coop out is approx 4 PM according to the catalog.

http://washingtonfeatherfanciers.webs.com/Website Files/Spring 2014/Spring Catalog 2014.pdf