Yep, bought the wrong breed

[syble]

some hatchery breeds can be a scarce version of the breed often times lacking key qualities of the breed. Wyandottes as a general rule for the breed are docile mellow birds, decent foragers, and not overly prone to aggression. I've heard of problems with buff orps too, hatchery stock that turned out mean and flighty!!! an orp! flighty!? You can get hatchery stock from fellow BYC'ers too so sourcing should always be important.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

My Wyandotte became more friendly once she started laying, now she's one of my favorites. The Barred Rock babies I raised were WILD! And freaked out over everything!!!

Australorps rock. Super people friendly, perhaps a bit bossy in the flock, but not trouble makers.

 

[wingsofglory]

I wish people would also add where their birds are from. Strains vary so much, the breed name seems only to mean the color and general laying ability.

I've had Barred Rocks from two different hatcheries - one strain was perfect, the other strain hated people,shrieked and panicked over everything and pecked.

I've had Easter Eggers from two different hatcheries too - the EE (Ideal) are friendly, lay med blue eggs. The other EE (hatchery unknown) were more standoffish and laid extra-large turquoise eggs.

I even read on one thread that lineage doesn't count in bird breeds like in horses or dogs. One can mix birds to get a lookalike of a breed - and if it looks like the breed, even though not containing any of its genes, it IS that breed. Chanteclers are an example.

So, "my Australorps (hatchery name) are wonderful" might be more helpful statement for us researching breeds on BYC.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Quote:
I'll ask my feed store where they order from and get back to you! That is a very valid point!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Agree that hatchery does make a difference and strain as well. The problem, it seems to me, is that there's no consistency or predictability. Got 10 Barred Rocks from the same source this spring. There are obviously two strains involved. Color, size, development and personality. I adore, I mean adore the one strain. The other strain is nowhere near as nice in all aspects.

I may very order more from this source and cull, as in peddle off the inferior birds. I'm not sure there is much alternative if one seeks a full flock of adorable birds. That is a pretty high standard. From backyard breeders to hatcheries, I wish folks wouldn't breed birds that are not what they should be. Sorry for the mini rant.

 

[wingsofglory]

FredsHens - that is a very good point.

I had the same experience with 5 Columbian Wyndottes (Ideal) to get some broody hens. Right from the start they were obviously from two different strains. Four didn't feather out till way way after the one had all its feathers. Going on seven weeks and no feathers, only their original chick down which wasn't adequate, looked like suede, not even wing feathers. But really beautifully shaped healthy dense full bodies. They looked like someone's project birds - heavily selected for appearance. The lone other one feathered out quickly and was flabby and no substance, felt like a feather duster to pick up, and had the ugliest head. Went broody immediately on beginning to lay though and only layed for a month between broody sessions.

From what I understand, hatcheries contract with surrounding private farms to supply eggs for hatching. So several farms may be supplying different strains to the hatchery.

But at least, adding the source after the breed will help narrow where birds are coming from.

Our chick supplier here in Alaska ordered from many hatcheries and would not tell which came from where. And I can't get anymore there anyway as he is out of business now. So it is ordering from the lower 48. No chicken shows here either, only the State Fair which is a micro show of chickens (half pet silkies) compared to any Fair in the lower 48.

Postage alone can be $40 for an order, let alone the chick price. Costs too much to just try chicks from several different hatcheires and breeders.

 

[TeriyakiChicken]

I have a SLW roo that fights everything but me

Guess he loves his mommy