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

[Chicklette 1]

Since I have 5 dogs, this reminds me of buying the "purebred" puppy from a pet store or buying the pure bred puppy from a conscientious breeder who has real concern for bettering the breed!! Thats what it boils down to but many people don't take chickens as seriously so we need those breeders who really care.

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
Wow, I'm with you on this one Chicklette! I have rescued and fostered..and have seen so many different breeds. It was good to see a pure bred dog from a breeder that had dogs bred to another line of the same breed that goes back quite a ways. Pet stores, usually get the ones that didn't sell from back yard breeders.
Now having said that...soo glad to have seen many a mutt go to good homes..they need a good home too.

So having said that.....hoping that all the mutt chickens go to a good home too, because they deserve it too..since they are here by someones choice.

 

[Kelly's Chickens]

If I buy eggs/chicks from a breeder will the chickens be more resistant to disease than the ones I bought from a hatchery? Mine aren't even two years old yet and some of them are getting diseases and dying! I would like chickens that have good disease resistance.
Also will breeder chickens live longer than hatchery chickens, which I was told was 2 to 4 years?

 

[RasTinny]

This is so very useful. Thank you very much!