Why buy from hatcheries

[McSpin]

Quote:
If you're basing your recommendation strictly from your own experience, I think a little research would show that it isn't typical. Most people find that they stand behind their guarantee very well. They are not where you go to buy show stock. They are where you go to find good livestock. So what are you paying for your local chicks? 50 cents a piece, or less? If so, I'll guarantee you they aren't showable. Very few locals will have anything but straight run, where half are of no use.

 

[CountryMom]

After spending a mear fortune on shipped eggs from great breeders ---- and getting birds with major faults or non fertizlied eggs -- and then driving a good distance to pick up so called show lines...or famous name lines and getting shafted, I don't have much faith in breeders personally. Then there was waiting on show quality birds that didn't even lay enough to produce chicks I wanted. What good is a bird that doesn't lay if you advertise chicks and eggs for sale? Maybe a great pet. It is hard to do research on who is a good breeder and who isn't. You go by someone's word when visiting their farm of what stock they have and how great they are. Not many people down my way show anything other than meat birds in 4 H, so there isn't many that have show stock within 5 or more hours from me. I personally don't care to drive that far for chickens when my schedule and ranch work make it necessary I stay close to home. I can honestly say that only one of the sets of shipped eggs I purchased I still like and have. They happen to be MissPrissy's Orpintons. And as far as show quality, I have no idea, but they are good healthy egg layers for me that are awful nice on the eyes.

Now having hatchery stock for me has been wonderful. In all 3 of the shipments I have had, I have only lost one as a chick. Over the course of my 2 year adventure in chickens, I have mainly lost birds to predators as I learned how and where they were getting into my coops. For my purpose, a utility bird is all that I need. I live on a ranch and livestock is what we have. So I will continue to order as I need hatchery stock and have no bones about how high quality or not they are. As long as they do the job I need them to and look close enough to their breed, then so be it.

 

[McSpin]

Quote:
The problem is that many think that high quality is only related to looks. It also entails production, health and temperament. As long as they're high quality in the areas you need, then they are high quality birds, so it sounds like yours qualify.

My experience has been similar to yours. Even though I have had more production success with some show lines, my one hatchery line is distinctly superior in this area. Its my opinion that most people keeping chickens feel the same (though not necessarily the people who frequent this forum) - hatcheries manage to get tons of repeat sales each year. They must be doing something right.

 

[CountryMom]

Thanks McSpin.

And I am sure there are great breeders out there. Unfortunately it isn't that easy for a reputation to be known. And since I do not ever intend to show birds, I really don't have to have the top of the line.

 

[lauralou]

I have hatchery birds and birds I have hatched from eggs I got from breeders. All are good birds, and I love them.

My hatchery birds came from Ideal Poultry and honestly, I've been very pleased with them. I placed a small order for 10 pullets, specified No Males For Warmth! And I got 10 pullets. That was very nice! All have been healthy and productive. Very nice birds. I was able to get a wide variety of breeds to try out, and I didn't have to deal with a lot of extra roos.

It's true that they aren't show birds. But neither are some of the ones I hatched from reputable breeders. One batch was a total disaster, and those birds will never be bred. This was very disappointing to me, as I expected better. I knew when I ordered from a hatchery that I was getting production quality birds. And that's what I got. Excellent production.

So now I'm very careful about ordering eggs from breeders. You have to really do your research. And understand that you will have a lot of roosters to get rid of, one way or another. It's worth it to me, because I'm past the point of just wanting chickens for eggs. I want to breed good quality birds, and have a flock I can be proud of. But when I was just starting out, I wanted to give chickens a try, didn't even know how well it would work out for me, and hatchery birds fit the bill perfectly.

 

[lauralou]

You know, I've thought about it since I last posted, and I would order from Ideal again. Even though I said I'm past the point of ordering from hatcheries...

I have been delighted with the red sex links and easter eggers that I got from Ideal. The sex links are my best egglayers, and when they stop producing, I'll want to replace them. And both of my EE's are drop-dead gorgeous. One lays a blue egg, the other lays a green egg. So both those "breeds" have worked out well for me.

Also, the Blue Andalusians that I got from Ideal were my favorite birds ever. I only have one of the 4 left, and I miss the ones I lost to predation so much!

So, yeah, my laying flock will always include hatchery birds. That's what they are bred for!

 

[seedcorn]

1) from hatchery you get what you pay for. While they may or may not be SQ, they are decent birds.
2) Easier to find, obtain.
3) a few "breeders" sell their "junk" off to unsuspecting newbe's. so see #1.
4) Expense as some breeders think their birds are made of gold. They may be but some of just want decent birds.
5) Commercial hatcheries will have certified healthy birds, say what you will but they do a good job. IF they would ever sell diseased animals, they will be put out of business.
6) Some of us just get tired of the BS from breeders when they try to "build" up their stock while tearing down hatcheries--who bought their stock off of a breeder............
7) Can order several breeds.
8) Hatchery will sex the chicks.

I have no problem w/breeders and am GLAD they exist. But you asked, I gave you some reasons people would buy from hatcheries.