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

[muddyhorse]

Cackle Hatchery sub contracts out for their eggs. I know one of the people that supplies their "Delawares"

 

[jmc]

Actually, the OP should be nuanced: In both cases, the individual is buying from a breeder.

It is one class of breeder who is in it more as a business of gainful employment perhaps, and there may not be anything wrong with that.

There is another class of breeder who has breeding chickens more as a quasi-religion: the Temple is the chicken area, the Holy Place is the Breeding Pen, the Holy of Holies is the nest box. The Holy Book--perhaps read on the knees, with great devotion--is the Standard of Perfection.

There is another class of breeder who may breed whatever he/she has around, but just for fun. Such a one may give or sell birds to pals, family, etc. These breeders may be the principal patrons of for-profit breeders. Such may keep chickens not as a religion-of-sorts, but as a pleasant hobby.

These latter people, in mixed company with religious breeders, may find themselves politely looked down upon by them for their 'trash birds'. The religious breeders want to talk about the Holy Book and the meditations, which may very likely leave the 'mere pleasure keeper' out of the conversation, or better, in the position of the pauperish plebian.

-------------------------------

If it were not for 'breeders' of long ago, willing to spread the fancy, hatcheries would never have come into being. So we have 'breeders' of yesteryear to thank for the hatcheries of yesteryear and today. Apparently, alot of breeders have been very willing and able to 'sell out' for profit. There may not be anything wrong with that.

It is to be commended that some of you have recognized that breeders who sell to hatcheries may not be all bad, but may fulfill a very real place in the furthering of the fancy and the happiness of people.

Religious breeders should recall that if it were not for business breeders, places like the BYC of today would very likely be non-existent. Moreover, the chicken keeping fancy which is taking off, would very likely not be...................

There are business breeders
There are religious breeders and
There are 'laid back' breeders.

It is a fact that some are looked upon with scorn by others.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Not all "hatcheries" are bad. Several exhibition hatcheries do exist.

Urch-Turnland Hatchery - a Master Exhibitor, APA/ABA judge and APA District Director


Autry's Friendship Farm - an exhibition breeder with a degree in poultry science. President, Java Breeders Club.


Feather Hill Farms Hatchery - The owner is a master breeder and exhibitor and hall of fame poultry man. His name is Tony Albritton.
phone 509-465-9405 email: [email protected]


among others.....

 

[FarmGirl01]

Here is a hatchery quality.

This is a breeder quality.
I wanted a crele OEGB. The quality is in the size, color, and barring.

 

[Chicklette 1]

I think a lot of this boils down to "controlled breeding and gene pools" and non controlled breeding within a given breed.

 

[faykokoWV]

Quote:
Loved that!

 

[WallTenters]

Quote:
LMAO at this post.... Great!

in all seriousness, though, a great post... but I can't help picturing my friend and I checking the Holy of Holies with such reverence... some day!

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
Very well stated, but you forgot one more chicken keeper:
The simple American family that makes up probably 80% of the Nation's baby chick business, and they just want pretty chickens.
They get their kids and stop by the feed stores and the kids pick out this or that baby chick, with little to no knowledge of the breed or personality.
These folks are why the big hatcheries exist.
It is ever so tempting and oh so easy to just stop and get a few babies, the kids delighted !
It is ever so difficult to not just scoop up handfuls of the fuzzy butts and bring them home!!
(even to me !!

)
These people have little care about feather quality, nor coloration, not size or SOP 'type'...they just get chicks for their backyard, and hopefully the chicks survive and the kids are oh so happy when an egg is found.
That, is the big majority of chicken keepers.
They breed, alot do breed.
And they a ferociously proud of 'their' baby chicks that they hatched from hacthery stock.
And they are perfectly happy with any "pretty" chicken.
And that is all they ever want.
A pet, a small 'hobby', and breakfast...

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
LMAO at this post.... Great!

in all seriousness, though, a great post... but I can't help picturing my friend and I checking the Holy of Holies with such reverence... some day!

So very very true !!...and so very funny as well, great post.
I cannot waite to see Punky down on his knees worshipping the nest box !!

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
LMAO at this post.... Great!

in all seriousness, though, a great post... but I can't help picturing my friend and I checking the Holy of Holies with such reverence... some day!

So very very true !!...and so very funny as well, great post.
I cannot waite to see Punky down on his knees worshipping the nest box !!

I bet you would!