Concerned: Has anyone ordered from Hoover's Hatchery?

[Leahs Coop]

Hey guys
I've decided to get back into chickens again this spring, and I've just placed an order with Hoover's Hatchery. (They had the earliest available ship date and were a little more reasonable.)
Anyway, after placing my order, I went through their Google reviews and saw a lot of negativaty regarding chicks being dead upon arrival, or dying within a 48 hour time window. So now I'm a little nervous and skeptical. So I was hoping to hear some good feedback from any of you guys who may have ordered from them. Have a lot of you had the same bad experiences?

 

[Yardmom]

Hoovers supplies many of the chicks that are sold at TSC and other chain stores. They are known for producing large quantities of chicks, not necessarily the best at keeping breed standards.
As far as chicks surviving in the mail, that has a lot to do with the journey they have. Weather and treatment by the postal service. Hatcheries can add heat packs ect. , If they for see a weather issue in route, but all hatcheries have a risk when mailing. Most of the time it works out. Occasionally (and the ones who you hear from in reviews) chicks don't survive the trip. Hatcheries have different refund methods for this. I don't know what Hoovers refund policy is.

 

[WaterfowlsPoultry]

My mom ordered 5 chicks and 3 were dead upon arrival, the other 2 were barely alive.

 

[WaterfowlsPoultry]

My mom ordered 5 chicks and 3 were dead upon arrival, the other 2 were barely alive.

the other 2 shortly died after about a week. My mom never ordered from there again, this was a long time ago though.

 

[Leahs Coop]

My mom ordered 5 chicks and 3 were dead upon arrival, the other 2 were barely alive.

That's what I've been hearing
I kind of wish I had read the reviews before placing the order

 

[WaterfowlsPoultry]

That's what I've been hearing
I kind of wish I had read the reviews before placing the order

If you can refund do it, Get in contact with them to cancel your order and get your money back if you can. Sure the prices are good... If you want some dead chicks. But it is not worth the risk.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I have never had chicks shipped to me before, but I hear that Murray McMurray is a good one, as well as My Pet Chicken and Meyer Hatchery, if you decide not to go with Hoover's.

 

[nuthatched]

I have never had chicks shipped to me before, but I hear that Murray McMurray is a good one, as well as My Pet Chicken and Meyer Hatchery, if you decide not to go with Hoover's.

My pet chicken gets their birds from Meyers.

Cackle hatchery one of the best, Mt Healthy is also great.

 

[FrostRanger]

I HAVE ORDERED SEVERAL YEARS IN A ROW FROM HOOVER. ON THE WHOLE I WAS PLEASED, THE CHICKENS ALL WERE HEALTHY , AT MY LAST ORDER THEY SENT ME THE WRONG BREED. HOWEVER THEY HAVE NO CHICKENS THIS SEASON. ARE THEY OUT OF BUSINESS?

No, chicks are just in high demand rn because in addition to the usual high demand in spring, people are wanting to get into chickens because of high egg prices rn. I would check with some of the other hatcheries such as Meyer, ideal poultry, cackle, McMurray or mt healthy in the meantime. I can't speak to their availability but they should have some chicks

 

[Crazy4Peepers]

Hey guys
I've decided to get back into chickens again this spring, and I've just placed an order with Hoover's Hatchery. (They had the earliest available ship date and were a little more reasonable.)
Anyway, after placing my order, I went through their Google reviews and saw a lot of negativaty regarding chicks being dead upon arrival, or dying within a 48 hour time window. So now I'm a little nervous and skeptical. So I was hoping to hear some good feedback from any of you guys who may have ordered from them. Have a lot of you had the same bad experiences?

Good evening. I have been ordering from Hoovers for about five years or more. The chicks are shipped at a day old so I imagine that could be stressful on the little girls. I’m in Cali and they usually get to me in two days sometimes three. I have had a few arrive dead but Hoovers is great on giving you a refund. I usually order 30 plus chicks. I order from them every year and would not hesitate to order chicks from them. Their customer service is great also. The key is when your. Chicks arrive give them water with electrolytes and make sure each one gets water. Wait a few hours to introduce food. Hope this helps.
Kathy