Started Pullets - Hatcheries

Fletch83

Chirping
6 Years
Jan 27, 2013
263
15
93
Texas
Can anyone share experiences with ordering started pullets from hatcheries, and which hatcheries you bought from/which have the best track record? I am located in Texas, if this helps. I was browsing some hatchery websites just to get an idea of what's out there, and I saw that Meyer Hatcheries trims their birds' beaks - that seemed somewhat concerning to me.
 
Last edited:
I think most hatcheries debeak their started birds. Isn't shipping pretty expensive ordering them that way? Have you tried looking on CL or other classifieds, or the thread here on byc for your state?
 
I think most hatcheries debeak their started birds. Isn't shipping pretty expensive ordering them that way? Have you tried looking on CL or other classifieds, or the thread here on byc for your state?

X2 Twice we got pullets at point of lay from a nearby hatchery and both times they were what I would consider debeaked. The top half of their upper beak was removed. I would call it more than a trimming. I would never get older chicks from a hatchery again.
Later on I did get some that were 6-8 weeks old from a private breeder and they were fine.
 
Thank you. I thought as much, and it seems cruel to me. I mentioned in another thread - sadly I lost one of my EE hens recently, leaving my other EE hen on her own and I don't want her to be lonely. Donrae, I actually didn't k know that there was a thread here on byc for individual states, I'll have a look.
 
I just ordered some started pullets from Meyer. I am not happy about the beak trimming, but they won't be scarred for life right? How long does it take for the beak to look normal again?
 
Last edited:
Not to be silly, but can someone point me in the right direction of the forum? I'm in DFW TX. :)
 
I just ordered some started pullets from Meyer. I am not happy about the beak trimming, but they won't be scarred for life right? How long does it take for the beak to look normal again?

If the debeaking was done at a hatchery it never grows back and will never look normal. And that is one reason why I would never get pullets over a day old from a hatchery.
 
  If the debeaking was done at a hatchery it never grows back and will never look normal.  And that is one reason why I would never get pullets over a day old from a hatchery.


Darnit! I guess I might cancel my order. Does anyone have a pic of what their started pullets looked like with a trimmed beak? I'm okay if it is square instead of pointed, but not if it looks gross. All the kids in my family love to come to see the chickens, and I don't want them freaking out. I thought people bought started pullets all the time for backyard flocks, but I guess not.
 
Last edited:

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom