When selecting a breeder, make sure you ask the following questions:

[wsmith]

Please list those questions you should have asked, have asked, will ask, or would like to be asked (as a breeder) while in the process of selecting a breeder to purchase fertile hatching eggs, chicks, or older birds.


Thanks for your input

 

[wsmith]

This is my list:

• What is the mature weight of the rooster or parent rooster(s)?
• What is the temperament of the rooster or parent rooster(s)?
• What is the mature weight of the hen or parent hen(s)?
• What is the temperament of the hen or parent hen(s)?
• What are the average weights of your breeding stock?
  • Hens:
  • Roosters:
• What is the average number of eggs per week per hen or parent hens?
• What is the average eggs size laid by the hen or of the parent hens?
• Are the eggs from the hen or parent hens a normal shape, or elongated or pointed?
• At what age do your hens generally start laying eggs?
• What is your average hatch rate for the eggs you are selling or have hatched?
• If you have shipped fertile eggs for hatching, what is the hatch rate of your shipped eggs?
• At what age are your chicks fully feathered?
• Do you breed for APA breed standard?
• What is more important to you in your breeding program: APA standard or other?
• What APA standard faults do you see regularly in your flock?
• Are you NPIP certified?
  • If so, note your NPIP number
  • If not, why?
• How long have you had your flock?
• What is the parent stock of your flock? Where did they come from, what lines, etc…
• What health problems if any do your birds have?
• What are the three things you would like to see change with your flock?