Another thread on here has brought up the topic of different types of breeders.
Obviously, I have many different breeds. I have them because I enjoy something about each breed. I have sought out the best stock possible in each breed I have, and have been very selective about which birds make it into the breeding pen. However, I do sell chicks and eggs to people who also enjoy the breeds that I have. I will soon be downsizing as I can't continue with all the chores when I begin 12 hour shifts through the summer for my practicum at school, which is sad, but what can I do? I will concentrate on a few of my absolute favourite birds and that's it.
I guess what is bothering me is how I am lumped into a category of people who have "too many breeds to have anything of quality", not only because of the breeds but also because I sell eggs and chicks. I work darn hard to have the very best quality of chickens I can have, I have raised many, many chicks to pick a few to make it into breeding pens. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars building my flocks. Yet regardless of all this, I am lumped in with people who breed anything that looks somewhat like the breed it's supposed to be, regardless of quality. I do not breed hatchery stock, all my breeding birds have been hand reared and chosen specifically.
I realize I am not selling 100% show quality birds, and I never would say that I am, but in my situation (as with many others) selling adult birds so that I can claim all I sell is show quality, is not possible for me. I feel that by offering chicks and hatching eggs, I am able to share my birds with a huge amount of people that I wouldn't be able to otherwise. I feel this is one of the reasons that heritage breeds are becoming extinct.
Obviously, I have many different breeds. I have them because I enjoy something about each breed. I have sought out the best stock possible in each breed I have, and have been very selective about which birds make it into the breeding pen. However, I do sell chicks and eggs to people who also enjoy the breeds that I have. I will soon be downsizing as I can't continue with all the chores when I begin 12 hour shifts through the summer for my practicum at school, which is sad, but what can I do? I will concentrate on a few of my absolute favourite birds and that's it.
I guess what is bothering me is how I am lumped into a category of people who have "too many breeds to have anything of quality", not only because of the breeds but also because I sell eggs and chicks. I work darn hard to have the very best quality of chickens I can have, I have raised many, many chicks to pick a few to make it into breeding pens. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars building my flocks. Yet regardless of all this, I am lumped in with people who breed anything that looks somewhat like the breed it's supposed to be, regardless of quality. I do not breed hatchery stock, all my breeding birds have been hand reared and chosen specifically.
I realize I am not selling 100% show quality birds, and I never would say that I am, but in my situation (as with many others) selling adult birds so that I can claim all I sell is show quality, is not possible for me. I feel that by offering chicks and hatching eggs, I am able to share my birds with a huge amount of people that I wouldn't be able to otherwise. I feel this is one of the reasons that heritage breeds are becoming extinct.