[gsc]

When buying eggs would you take any notice of those marked 'Show' or 'Exhibition' stock?

In the dog world I would take it with a pinch of salt as it means nothing unless they are winning but with poultry would it give a better chance of getting correctly marked birds etc?

[joyfull]

It does matter if you want to breed and show, study the breed that you are interested in, check out the breed standards, then go and see the person selling and their stock. They should tell you the parentage of their birds and what awards they have won with proof. Until you have been showing for a while and built up a network of friends from that breeds club you cannot trust who is telling the truth. You will still get some rejects in every brood - I have some rejects that a top award winning breeder considered too small, extra toes, too brassy, missing nails etc so she gave them to me - doesn't bother me  .
My parents used to breed and show black silver fox rabbits and in their time were considered on of the best so they could also rent out their top bucks - a bit like people do with horses and cows.

[Casey76]

I would, but unless it was someone I knew I would be wanting to quiz the seller: photos of parents, possible photos of other hatchings, details of shows entered and any prizes won.

For some breeds you would need to know if they are cock breeding or pullet breeding as often exhibition strains are quite different to pet/utility strains.

[gsc]

That makes sense but at the moment I am just looking at eggs on eBay so not much chance to see and talk.

I am sort of taking the route that for a little while everything is a learning curve so apart from my Incy set-up, everything is cheap till I learn better. :blink:

[joyfull]

you can always google the different breed clubs and get in touch with them to find a reputable breeder. With ebay you have no guarrentee that the eggs will be what they say they are (I bought some from ebay although it was a local breeder so I collected them. They should have been french copper blue marans and when hatched they were french copper blacks not what I wanted  ).

[gsc]

I guess that's always a possibility Joyfull.  I have collected mine so far and I am lucky enough to have a couple of keen Wyandotte breeders with interests in colours close enough.

My local lady did her best for me at short notice (wanted to fill my Incy before I went away) but I ended up with only 2 of what I had asked for out of 12.  She wouldn't take any money though which was nice. The lady I had the chocolate/cream wyandottes from charged me £5 for all 6 even though they were selling on eBay for more like £5 each and added 3 extra silvers carrying cream for free - they are all fertile whereas my local ladies are 4 clear and 4 unknown at present.

mmm not sure if it's question of getting what you pay for or not. :blink: