Why don't you like hatchery chickens?

[chubbydog811]

To Illia,

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THAT!!!
I am writing a speech on why breeder's stock is so much better than hatchery stock, and you just covered exactly what I have been trying to say for the past 2 hours!!!

That just made the wheels start rolling again!

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Thanks. I always love talking about hatchery vs breeder stock. . . It's not about just whether someone wants to show their chickens or not.

 

[rancher hicks]

I ordered from Ideal and the CM's don't lay dark eggs, the SIW's have single combs and shouldn't, they just are true to the breeds.

However if you don't mind, they are friendly and nice to look at. They still lay eggs ok. It's also safer to order from hatcheries as far as disease is concerned.

Lot's of people get from so called breeders and still get yuk birds, or birds that are sick. Hens that are roos.

Some say Sandhill is the best hatchery. Or you may find a reputable breeder.

 

[chubbydog811]

I do too...but when your trying to actually put all your thoughts together, it makes life so much harder!!


rancher hicks said

It's also safer to order from hatcheries as far as disease is concerned

I will have to disagree with this. I consider myself a "breeder". I breed for the best quality white leghorn that I can possibly get. I also am working on a small flock of true Ameraucanas. I am not a reputable breeder so to say(since this is only my 2nd year doing this, though I have made quite a name for myself in the area!), but all my birds leave healthy, guaranteed. Although I'm not a hatchery, my chicks are very healthy (and loved/cared for!). I have also bought many eggs/chicks from other small breeders, and have found their chicks very healthy also. It seems to me that the "bad breeders" kind of ruin it for all the good breeders who work hard at good quality and healthy stock, sending people to think hatcheries are better to get chicks from.

I would much rather buy chicks from down the road (so to speak) than from a hatchery...

Just my opinion BTW.​

 

[Illia]

Quote:
The diseases part - Not true. Ever heard of NPIP? The whole point is to go for healthy, disease free birds.

And as for the "so-called breeders" part, yes, there are a lot of people who just plain get chickens, especially from hatcheries, and start breeding them.

When I talk about breeders, I mean reputable people who know what they're dealing with, and are most likely NPIP certified.

Because otherwise yes, there are people who claim to be breeders who sell "Americanas"

 

[jackrooster]

I ordered some silkies from ideal. The buff silkies were probly the worst quality silkies i have ever seen in my life. The white and blue are okay ishh i would call them show quality but there a heck of alot better then the buff!!

 

[Chicken Jack]

Quote:
I agree UF. I am a backyard flock guy and I have only ordered from McMurray Hatchery (over the last 10 years) and with each order I received healthy, disease free birds who have consistently produced. Each of my orders from McMurray always included more birds than I requested which was always a nice surprise. And if I ever had a problem, which was only once, McMurray quickly sent out replacements (ordered them to arrive mid Feb and they got held up in the post office

). My McMurray "mutts" are beautiful and they taste good too

My hats off to you breeders and I am glad you all are keeping the lines pure and strong--that is GREAT. I love seeing the pictures of the purebreds; they are gorgeous. I also believe my pullets, hens and cocks are just as beautiful. For me, I don't want to show chickens as I have too many other things which have greater priority. Maybe someday! For now, I want an economically priced bird who I can use to help teach my kids good work ethics, life lessons and provide me with quality eggs and meat. My birds have done that for me over the last ten years and for that I am very thankful.

Interesting comments!

CJ

 

[greathorse]

I have no issue or even dislike for hatchery stock. In general I think if egg production is your goal it is probably the place to go for chickens.

I choose to buy the best I can find from breeders because it intersts me. I like to see the birds that best represent what the old breeders from years ago aspired to produce.

I do get impatient when folks post photo's of hatchery stock and ask for input about them being show quality or can they breed to the standard of perfection from the very compromised genetics they get from hatcheries. I find it insulting to a quality breeder that began with the best they could find and spent a lifetime breeding for quality and someone with no experience expects to breed to somekind of reasonable standard with inferior (from a standard perspective) stock.

I also like the idea of preserving the old heritage breeds and the hatchery stuff simply does not do that. A hatchery Rhode Island Red is not really a heritage bird in my opinion.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Amen!

 

[Chicken Jack]

Well said greathorse. Thank you for the post.