Which hatchery to get the best silkie from?

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
I agree with this.

I am real amazed with there stock.. I think I am going to have to put a order in with them in the spring just to see what there silkies are like..
I found this the other day

Chris

Im also amazed with there stock, Ive seen some pretty ugly hatchery silkies.

I have some layers comming from them in May, and 2 female pekins.


Is it true that they get their hatching eggs from local breeders/farms?

 

[Shifty Joe]

Start with the hatchery, these are fine birds for getting started. After you have some experiences (and a willing brooder) I would recommend finding a good breeder and pickup a few eggs. You then will be able to know if you need hatchery or breeder quality. However, if your getting silkies, I would think you will enjoy a breeder chick more than a hatchery. Maybe take a look at the auction part of BYC?

 

[Keri78]

When;s your Birthday???

That's how I got my bator!!!

Hubby bought it for me!!!! Brinsea Oct.20 with the cradle for turning!!! It's awesome!!! It was like $200 but now I have it and can hatch out whatever I want!!!

Plus if you get good "name brand" breeder eggs you can easily sell off a few extra chicks and make your money back really fast!!!

Tell Hubby it's an "investment"

That's what I did and for some silly reason he went with it!

He LOVES me!

 

[usschicago1]

Quote:
You Know I hate when Everytime someone asked which hatchery has the best quality everyone says there awful quality. There really good quality unless your showing them. There just not snowbirds that's all. I have breeder cochins and hatchery cochins, and there both friendly, the only diffrence is the breeders i show and they hatchery are my pets

I Like stomburgs hatchery, there really nice people and have good prices.

 

[Silkiefan]

mine are NOT show quality, but gosh darn good looking for hatchery girls. Their "fros" are not so big that they cannot see what they're scratching in front of them, but they do have nice lovely puff-tops. Someone here said that hatchery chickens are not good quality, but I have to say, mine are pretty. Granted, one of my girls has a split toe that turned into six toes (6!!!) on each foot, so that would be a DQ... but for sweet docile pets in my yard that produce cute little eggs, CACKLE hatchery did very well for me.
it's kinda like driving an old car... scratch the paint- eh, who cares... but a $60K car - you'd freak out right? Same with PQ versus SQ... it's up to you. Are you ever gonna show your chickens?

 

[Silkiefan]

PS - want some "eye candy"? check out hattricksilkies.com

 

[newchickmom09]

Quote:
I think it is just a catch 22 with hatcheries since they don't cull to keep that perfect standard like a dedicated breeder will. I agree that hatchery birds can be great don't get me wrong. My BA from a hatchery (MPC) are great layers, very pretty, great temperment, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Plusmy EE are just the best chickens for my kids. They don't care a bit to be carried all over the yard. I am not into showing so that isn't a big deal for me.

I just wanted to see what the people with silkie experience had to say....since this is a great place to learn with great silkie peeps.

 

[newchickmom09]

If I went with Cackle hatchery....does anyone have experience with how many hens you get out of there straight runs. We can't have roos so they would have to be rehomed or freezer camp.

 

[Lil_Miss_Farmer_Chick]

I got some various colored silkies from both Meyer Hatchery and Ideal this year (2010). They are beautiful pet quality and all are stong and healthy. If you like what a particular hatchery has, give it a shot, you can always raise some pet quality to brood your show quality eggs later on

. Go with what works best for you.

I love all of mine already and as I don't plan to show them, they work perfect for me.

Edit: Silkie's roos should be super easy to rehome with an ad on craigslist, or at your local feed store. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
I am real amazed with there stock.. I think I am going to have to put a order in with them in the spring just to see what there silkies are like..
I found this the other day

Chris

Im also amazed with there stock, Ive seen some pretty ugly hatchery silkies.

I have some layers comming from them in May, and 2 female pekins.


Is it true that they get their hatching eggs from local breeders/farms?

This is what I found on them --
There the third largest supplier of chicks to individuals, feed stores and hobby farms.
Member of the Lebanon Missouri Chamber of Commerce
Member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Member of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)
Nancy Smith (Cackle Hatchery) President of Missouri Poultry Industries Association, Inc. Emphasis: Hatcheries Member of the American Poultry Association (APA)
Member of the American Bantam Association (ABA)
Member of Bird Shippers of America
Member of the National Federation Independent Business (NFIB)
Offering E-Commerce since "1999"
Hatching and Shipping since "1936"
Family owned and operated for three generations by the Smith Family
Member of the Society for Preservation of Poultry Antiquities
As of 2000 there breeder flocks are raised and put into production on about 75 different farms through-out the surrounding area of Cackle Hatchery.
This was on there site,
"Our breeder flocks are placed on flock owner farms throughout the surrounding area. Each flock owner specializes in chicks, waterfowl, bantams, turkeys, etc. Before hatching season the flocks are blood tested and culled. Cackle hatchery's goal is to get vigorous healthy chicks to you, our customer. On hatch day, weather conditions are closely monitored so that we pack the shipment to ensure safe arrival through the United States post Office right to your home. We currently ship over 100,000 birds weekly to all of our retail customers and wholesale feed stores customers throughout the United States right here from our 25,000 square foot hatchery facility in Missouri."

Chris