Heritage vs Hatchery chickens

[joedie]

I went to the state fair yesterday and went thru the poultry barn. They had a few hatchery hens next to heritage hens for comparison. I was blown away by the size of the heritage hens, They were at least twice the size of the hatchery hens. Unbelievable!

 

[Chris09]

I went to the state fair yesterday and went thru the poultry barn. They had a few hatchery hens next to heritage hens for comparison. I was blown away by the size of the heritage hens, They were at least twice the size of the hatchery hens. Unbelievable

There is quit a bit of difference between hatchery stock and stock that came from a breeder. Its like comparing apples with oranges.

Chris​

 

[Marlinchaser]

I would like to see this display, Heritage is a reference to they breed of chicken, Like barred rock, you can get them from a hatcher, or a breeder, either way they are barred rocks, granted ones from a breeder should be better.

 

[Hoosiermomma]

I'm sure there are differences but I've seen a few hatchery birds (cochins) that rival the breeder ones. I guess it's hit and miss.

 

[becky3086]

Quote:
Not to mention that there is no way of knowing if your so called "breeder" has birds from a hatchery or not. I am sure that breeders at the fair wanted to make sure that people bought from them and not a hatcher so they surely didn't show any good hatchery birds.

 

[cybercat]

Many breeders do sell to hatcheries as they have a contact with one. This is how most hatcheries have enough breeds and can sell so many throught the year. Many breeders also started with hatchery chickens and then bred up. Most hatchery chickens are below their standard for height and weight. It is not that hard to get chickens too look like the heritage chickens all it takes is working with that breed and knowing the SOP and working towards it. It is easy if one is working with one breed or just one or two breeds. Much harder if you have a half dozen or more. You need many of a breed to do selective culling and have to hatch out alot to keep a few.