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Has anyone purchased chicks from eFowl?

post #1 of 9
8/19/12 at 8:12pm
Thread Starter 

I'm looking for some different types of cochins such as silver laced, and barred as well as a few others and eFowl seems to have them all, but are they trust worthy? Can I expect quality birds or will they be run of the mill, nothing special.  I want these for showing in 4-H and I don't want birds that aren't quality, but some of what I'm looking for is difficult to find.

 

Thanks,

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post #2 of 9
8/20/12 at 11:20pm
I'm wondering this myself..... Please someone share there experiences
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post #3 of 9
8/21/12 at 1:25am

Who knows. Efowl is a middleman, and they take your order to who carries those birds. Efowl doesn't have their own birds.

 

I got suspicious when I saw how many varieties they had. Even African Cranes! No way they have a poultry/fowl warehouse full of neat birds. Did some research, and they're nothing but a middleman taking the orders elsewhere.

 

The quality of the birds will be determined by where ever they're finding them. My question is, will they tell you where they come from?

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post #4 of 9
8/21/12 at 9:11am
I know you're looking for superb quality birds, and Ideal is just another hatchery, but I got some relatively nice Cochins from them (nicer than the ones I had ordered from McMurray). I got blue, barred and reds from Ideal. The blues and barreds were fantastic, the red not so much. I had blacks, whites, partridge and a splash from McMurray. Same deal, some of the colors were very nice, some not so great (the partridge from McMurray were terrible IMO, all of my other colors weren't too bad). Why not search craigslist or google to see if you can find a breeder near you (or go find the thread for your state and see if anyone here on BYC has what you're looking for). I've been much happier with the chickens I've purchased from breeders than the ones I've gotten from hatcheries (though I can't say my wallets been happier). Good luck!
Nikki
*C'mon, get flappy!*
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Nikki
*C'mon, get flappy!*
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post #5 of 9
8/21/12 at 10:27am
I'm not trying to get show quality, just good decent birds... And efowl prices are half what locals charge.
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post #6 of 9
8/21/12 at 2:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by theemon View Post

I'm not trying to get show quality, just good decent birds... And efowl prices are half what locals charge.


Thats what i wanted as well-- I ordered from a local hatchery before realizing that they specialize in ducklings not chicks and all chicks ordered come from third parties (they are 6 weeks old now and healthy)-- my only comfort in this is that, well I guess since they are coming from 3rd parties does that mean that they are not necessarily hatchery birds? Who are these 3rd parties anyway....?

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post #7 of 9
8/21/12 at 6:54pm
Thread Starter 

I agree about the whole third party thing, where could they be getting their chicks? And I check craigslist all the time, I've seen 2 in the past but one works with silkies and the other works with mille fluer cochins and I can't find either of them at the moment.  I think I will purchase hatching eggs from breeders here on BYC where I can see the quality of the parents.  I'm just worried about paying $40 on eggs and ending up with no chicks because of rough handling during shipping... I hatch mine all the time but I've heard many stories of how postal men seem to treat the eggs.  I know I'm mainly doing this for 4-H and that I'm only in the 11th grade, but I plan on taking this very seriously improving them generation to generation so I'd like to start with quality birds.  I just love my chickens. I want to focus on the silver laced cochins. Thanks for the comments guys!

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post #8 of 9
8/21/12 at 7:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cochins1088 View Post

I agree about the whole third party thing, where could they be getting their chicks? And I check craigslist all the time, I've seen 2 in the past but one works with silkies and the other works with mille fluer cochins and I can't find either of them at the moment.  I think I will purchase hatching eggs from breeders here on BYC where I can see the quality of the parents.  I'm just worried about paying $40 on eggs and ending up with no chicks because of rough handling during shipping... I hatch mine all the time but I've heard many stories of how postal men seem to treat the eggs.  I know I'm mainly doing this for 4-H and that I'm only in the 11th grade, but I plan on taking this very seriously improving them generation to generation so I'd like to start with quality birds.  I just love my chickens. I want to focus on the silver laced cochins. Thanks for the comments guys!


If you are serious about breeding for 4-H then spend the money and get birds from a breeder, not a hatchery. Quality is WAY better from breeders. Less color leakage in feathers and you can usually see the breeders birds so you see what you will probably end up with.

Married to wife of 18yrs, 19yo and 17yo boys(One EOD in Army, other in HS), Australian Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog mix, 2 dumb cats that hate each other(at least the fighting stopped), 28 chickens

 

Jesus is Lord, I am not!!!!

 

ASBC member

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Married to wife of 18yrs, 19yo and 17yo boys(One EOD in Army, other in HS), Australian Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog mix, 2 dumb cats that hate each other(at least the fighting stopped), 28 chickens

 

Jesus is Lord, I am not!!!!

 

ASBC member

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post #9 of 9
8/21/12 at 7:17pm

My order from Ideal is supposed to ship tomorrow. I am getting some silver laced cochins and blues too, among several other breeds. How long were your (Ideal) babies in the mail? 

Stephanie in VA  3 kids, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 14 chickens- hens: 2 leghorns, 2 golden comets,         2 australorps, 2 barred rocks, 1 NH Red, 1 LF buff brahma. Roosters: LF light brahma, 2 bantam cochins (1 black/multi colored frizzle, and one buff/red colored) blue orpington. My neighbors RIR rooster has recently moved in. I guess he is staying too 

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Stephanie in VA  3 kids, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 14 chickens- hens: 2 leghorns, 2 golden comets,         2 australorps, 2 barred rocks, 1 NH Red, 1 LF buff brahma. Roosters: LF light brahma, 2 bantam cochins (1 black/multi colored frizzle, and one buff/red colored) blue orpington. My neighbors RIR rooster has recently moved in. I guess he is staying too 

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