Hatcheries/breeders around Iowa?

[Noraaaaa]

McMurray does have a few APA certified breeds now. However, if you are looking at showing your birds your best bet is to find breeders for the specific birds you are wanting to show because they will breed for quality instead of quantity.

i agree with this and this is what I do, but if you are just starting and doing small shows such as 4H you really don't need quality birds. Also, some hatchery birds do quite well. I have won at 4H fair 2x in a row with hatchery blue orpingtons. If you have a simple breed such as those you are fine doing hatchery to start. Some harder breeds such as polish or silkies you will want to find a breeder.

 

[Poultry Showman]

Usually there are a good amount avalible. You will need to filter by week but there are 12 breeds available March 17! I would recommend the polish, cochin or deleware from that week.
https://meyerhatchery.com/products/chickens

I will definitely take a look! Thanks so much for the information!

 

[Poultry Showman]

Well I am interested in finding show quality birds because I have been showing for a few years now in 4H and I have experienced a quality judge at our county and I know that he comes looking for very good birds. There is also quite a few good competitors at our county so poultry has been stepped up in the last few years.

i agree with this and this is what I do, but if you are just starting and doing small shows such as 4H you really don't need quality birds. Also, some hatchery birds do quite well. I have won at 4H fair 2x in a row with hatchery blue orpingtons. If you have a simple breed such as those you are fine doing hatchery to start. Some harder breeds such as polish or silkies you will want to find a breeder.

 

[Poultry Showman]

I've heard good things about Uncle Bills but never found a good time to order from them as I always just seem to miss their silkies. Thoughts?

 

[aimee750]

Does Zeb Skow or Bart Pals do your judging?

 

[nuthatched]

McMurray does have a few APA certified breeds now. However, if you are looking at showing your birds your best bet is to find breeders for the specific birds you are wanting to show because they will breed for quality instead of quantity.

Cackle had some very nice show quality birds, as well.

 

[Poultry Showman]

I did not catch his name but most likely he is not well known. I just mean he doesn't use 4H as an excuse to do a lousy job. He judges the bird for how it is and not the age of the exhibitor or the experience level. In a sense, its hard to explain

 

[cubalaya]

sandhill preservation is in iowa. many breeds. some that you cant find anywhere else. some show quality. i ordered my original cubalayas from them many years ago and placed an order this year. black ameraucanas that are show quality. red pyle cubalayas a color that i let get away but trying to put back. and white iberians which are the erminette version of white empordanesa

 

[nuthatched]

sandhill preservation is in iowa. many breeds. some that you cant find anywhere else. some show quality. i ordered my original cubalayas from them many years ago and placed an order this year. black ameraucanas that are show quality. red pyle cubalayas a color that i let get away but trying to put back. and white iberians which are the erminette version of white empordanesa

Don't hold your breath on getting the birds you ordered or of good quality.
Sandhills quality control has drastically reduced in recent years.

 

[cubalaya]

Don't hold your breath on getting the birds you ordered or of good quality.
Sandhills quality control has drastically reduced in recent years.

i am not, lol. i already got into it with glenn on the shipping dates but hey, they do the best they can. it took me years to breed up the cubalayas and i added bloodlines from 2 other breeders but i am pretty pleased with them now. they also have heirloom seeds which i buy from them occasionally. one strain of tomato i kept going for at least 12 generations. i cross pollinated from another gardeners same type and i ordered new seeds this year. hopefully i can save seeds for decades to come