Most Reputable Hatchery?

[chickentrains]

Whats the most reputable hatchery?

I've heard lots about bad hatcheries, but what are the good ones?

(show quality hatcheries?)

Thanks

 

[MGG]

Whats the most reputable hatchery?

I've heard lots about bad hatcheries, but what are the good ones?

(show quality hatcheries?)

Thanks

I would say Cackle Hatchery is one of the better ones.

 

[MGG]

Unless you go with somewhere like Foxfire Farms or Greenfire Farms.

 

[Acre4Me]

In general, hatcheries don’t provide show quality chickens. You can take a good hatchery chick and begin working with it to get a show quality bird eventually via breeding. But even breeders that show their birds hatch A LOT to them keep only 5-10% of what hatched from their show quality lines.

 

[chickentrains]

In general, hatcheries don’t provide show quality chickens. You can take a good hatchery chick and begin working with it to get a show quality bird eventually via breeding. But even breeders that show their birds hatch A LOT to them keep only 5-10% of what hatched from their show quality lines.

I know. Only a few birds produced will be show quality, I don't want to show, I just want a quality bird.

 

[Acre4Me]

I know. Only a few birds produced will be show quality, I don't want to show, I just want a quality bird.

So what is “quality” to you? A show bird must conform to certain standards. But, egg laying and personality might be terrible. We bought “Exhibition quality” birds once. They were AMAZINGLY gorgeous, beautiful and conformed to standard very well. Females were terrible layers. Males were aggressive (but also young and hormonal, so might have improved if we kept them). I mentioned the terrible egg laying to the breeder and they agreed that that particular breed was a great layer. FWIW they were a type of Leghorn, usually awesome layers. But were bred for show.

what are the important qualities to you?

most hatcheries sell good chicks.

 

[chickentrains]

So what is “quality” to you? A show bird must conform to certain standards. But, egg laying and personality might be terrible. We bought “Exhibition quality” birds once. They were AMAZINGLY gorgeous, beautiful and conformed to standard very well. Females were terrible layers. Males were aggressive (but also young and hormonal, so might have improved if we kept them). I mentioned the terrible egg laying to the breeder and they agreed that that particular breed was a great layer. FWIW they were a type of Leghorn, usually awesome layers. But were bred for show.

what are the important qualities to you?

most hatcheries sell good chicks.

I dont care about eggs. I don't even like eggs. I think they are just good pets (chickens)

I want a friendly bird who is also pretty.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I dont care about eggs. I don't even like eggs. I think they are just good pets (chickens)

I want a friendly bird who is also pretty.

I'd personally go with a breeder that raises them as pets then, not for show since they're more likely to keep only good roosters

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Breeders are great, but there are also unknowns. You just have to find a reputable one, but I’m sure you already knew that.

However with a breeder it may be hard to find the breed you want, and if you want vaccinated chicks that can be hard to come by.

Hatcheries are great because the have so many options and most vaccinate if you would like it.

Cackle is supposed to be one of the best in terms of quality, Meyers isn’t bad either. There are also place like Greenfire farms who have rare quality birds but they are extremely pricey.

If you want quality I would stay away from Hoover’s and Ideal. I have yet to see a good quality bird from either.

McMurray and MtHeathy aren’t as bad but they don’t have amazing quality either.

 

[chickentrains]

Breeders are great, but there are also unknowns. You just have to find a reputable one, but I’m sure you already knew that.

However with a breeder it may be hard to find the breed you want, and if you want vaccinated chicks that can be hard to come by.

Hatcheries are great because the have so many options and most vaccinate if you would like it.

Cackle is supposed to be one of the best in terms of quality, Meyers isn’t bad either. There are also place like Greenfire farms who have rare quality birds but they are extremely pricey.

If you want quality I would stay away from Hoover’s and Ideal. I have yet to see a good quality bird from either.

McMurray and MtHeathy aren’t as bad but they don’t have amazing quality either.

okay