What are differences between buying from a hatchery versus a breeder?

[Illia]

Exactly as said by Katy and speckledhen - To them, no matter what they advertise, it is not about quality or preservation of the breed or its standards or anything like that - It's just about getting the most production, so they get the most chicks, to sell the most chicks. And with that comes a short production lifespan, which means as a buyer, you keep going right back to them. Makes a perfect cycle for them. . . Instead of someone having a long lasting hen, or even one that's broody so you can hatch your own, you have to make do with a couple years of a bunch of eggs, then keep coming back to the hatchery to buy more, again and again.

 

[Ema]

I was so lookign forward to getting some chicks/ducklings from a breeder this spring, breeder quality is much better from everything I have seen and read on here, specially after seeing my hatchery RIR's and then seeing the breeder RIR's in my area.

But.....yesterday I found out that the three breeders in my town are all fighting serious infections, ranging from respiratory infections to Cocci....one breeder even has all of her animals infected, chickens, ducks and even her rabbits and dog.....

so I am at a loss, and I cannot drive out of town to go pick some up because the closest I can find a breeder outside of here is 4 hours away and they will not ship. so...I am going with hatchery this year, again...thinking it might be time for an incubator....

BYC gives people chick fever....

 

[punky rooster]

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X2

 

[chickenannie]

So, is there a way to tell a reputable breeder? Do they have to get bonded, or tested or anything? I ask, because at least with a hatchery you have some kind of long-term establishment and performance, but how can you tell a "true breeder" other than just word of mouth? I get the feeling there's a fair amount of non-reputable 'breeders' around. It seems that every breeder raves about his/her own stock -- that its' the superior one.

What about all the heritage genetics out there that hatcheries sell people who buy thinking they are keeping breed genetics alive? Is that NOT the case if the birds are not "breeder-quality?" If so, it seems like a major issue...

Please nobody be offended by my questions.... i'm just trying to understand it all...!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
In this, you ask a tough question. You must "guard" yourself. You can purchase the "American Standard of Perfection" by the American Poultry Association. This book gives the ideal standard version and description of each breed and most varieties. By following the description and what most people use, the illustrations, you will be able to tell "good" stock from stock that has not been bred according to the standards.

What about all the heritage genetics out there that hatcheries sell people who buy thinking they are keeping breed genetics alive? Is that NOT the case if the birds are not "breeder-quality?" If so, it seems like a major issue...

Oh the genetics are there, they are just embedded into a bird that has been bred for production purposes. If bred towards the standard long and hard enough, the original "blueprints" for the intended purpose of the breed will show up again, but it will take a very long time. But, most of the time, the term "heritage" is thrown around loosely by hatcheries in order to goad people into purchasing those birds under the pretenses that they are "saving" a genetic link to the past.​

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Always ask to see pictures of the parent stock.

If you're wanting birds that meet or at least close to the SOP get an APA Standard and read up on the breeds you're interested in so you'll know what to look for.

Join the breed clubs.....most of the time you can find reputable breeders thru them.

Hatcheries aren't selling heritage genetics.

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
In this, you ask a tough question. You must "guard" yourself. You can purchase the "American Standard of Perfection" by the American Poultry Association. This book gives the ideal standard version and description of each breed and most varieties. By following the description and what most people use, the illustrations, you will be able to tell "good" stock from stock that has not been bred according to the standards.

What about all the heritage genetics out there that hatcheries sell people who buy thinking they are keeping breed genetics alive? Is that NOT the case if the birds are not "breeder-quality?" If so, it seems like a major issue...

Oh the genetics are there, they are just embedded into a bird that has been bred for production purposes. If bred towards the standard long and hard enough, the original "blueprints" for the intended purpose of the breed will show up again, but it will take a very long time. But, most of the time, the term "heritage" is thrown around loosely by hatcheries in order to goad people into purchasing those birds under the pretenses that they are "saving" a genetic link to the past.​

OK, this is really depressing, because I think the general chicken-buying public has a specific definition for "heritage". I mean, if you bought a Jersey Giant from a hatchery, why wouldn't that be considered heritage? Because the ALBC has Jersey Giant on their rare list, and there's no commercial use for them, so they wouldn't have been commercialized per se, right?

 

[Illia]

In response to Katy and rodriguezpoultry -

Yep, for example if a hatchery claims to have "heritage" Plymouth Barred Rocks, well, they're not. They're the same barred chickens everyone else has that are just for egg laying. Now, if you actually find some true heritage breeders, you'll find that these are people who've bred to the standard, showed, and kept the SAME lines and same methods from decades ago, back even before the 60's. . . And that there is heritage. It for one is not common or easy to find someone who is breeding their birds like such, but finding it is indeed obtaining and preserving true heritage birds. They're what the Rocks were supposed to be. . . To the standard, dual purpose, large, good in type and color, and originating back to the same lines long ago when a heritage chicken is what kept families alive and eating, not what kept hatcheries in business and profit.

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
Always ask to see pictures of the parent stock.

If you're wanting birds that meet or at least close to the SOP get an APA Standard and read up on the breeds you're interested in so you'll know what to look for.

Join the breed clubs.....most of the time you can find reputable breeders thru them.

Hatcheries aren't selling heritage genetics.

I believe "heritage" as ALBC defines it, is a bird that measures up to its standard characteristics, that can reproduce naturally, that can live a long life. What are you defining as heritage that is different from this ... that a breeder would have, but not a hatchery?

 

[chickenannie]

Quote:
It sounds like many of you are saying that hatchery birds are small. Whereas a breeder of heritage birds are meatier, I'm guessing for the purpose of butchering?

I for one, am not concerned about showing. It's not part of my goal or mission. I had always looked at show birds as the poorer quality (uh oh now I'm gonna get flack!) just because I assumed they were being bred for appearance over character, hardiness and performance.

for example, silkies, though I like them, seem like they've been bred purely for show, not for meat or eggs or mothering -- all needed qualities for what I'd want in a heritage livestock flock.

Are show birds bred by breeders to be good for meat?

Am I getting myself MORE confused?