Where to buy my chicks?

[browndrake]

I have had a small mixed flock for the past few years. We recently moved and now have more space. I want to grow a flock of dual purpose birds that will provide all the eggs and meat we want. I like heirloom tomatoes and heritage fowl...
My plan is to raise a mixed flock of buff orpingtons, salmon favs, and speckled Sussex.
I want my birds to free range...We have plenty of space for that.
I have no desire to show them.
What I want: to find birds that are decent layers which will grow largest/fastest for their breed. I would love breeder stock from 100 years ago.lol...
I'm looking to get a dozen or so of each.
So, am I better off just ordering them from an hatchery? Or trying to find a reputable breeder who has what I am looking for? My initial impression is that breeders mostly breed for show traits, which may or may not be what I am looking for..also that hatchery chicks are generally good layers but run in the small size.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[JedJackson]

It depends somewhat on where you are located and who you are buying from. Hatchery birds can be on the small side, but with a good hatchery they do not have to be. Whereas birds from a reputable breeder will usually be close to the standard weight but may not be the best layers because size and appearance are their first concerns. You will pay more from a reputable breeder and it's unlikely you will find all three of your breeds from one breeder, whereas you probably could do that from a hatchery.

My advice is to look around and gather information before buying. If you use the search function on here, you can look up all the hatcheries and get thoughts and ratings from BYC members. You can also narrow it down and look for, say, Meyer's hatchery Sussex and you might find specific ratings there. And if you can't find that specific information, you can make your own post about it.

There are also breeders who sell on here, so you may want to do a search for, say, Faverolles breeders, etc.

Good luck!

 

[Folly's place]

You and Jed are so right, and it is difficult to breed for both good egg production (tend to be smaller birds) and faster growth to larger size. My forays into show breeder stock weren't what I was hoping for, and I'm back to hatchery stock myself.
Buy a goodly number of chicks of your favored breeds, and cull down to the ones you like best as breeders. I can't do 100+ at a time, but I did get 20 Chantecler chicks at once from Cackle, and am happy with my 'keepers'. Not interested in showing, but I want nice big healthy birds, and it worked for me.
I have a few SS hens also from Cackle, and they are big enough, and good layers. Love their friendliness too!
Good luck,
Mary