experiences with Ideal and/or Mt Healthy?

[Saltlifexo95]

Hi there -- new to chickens and looking to start a small mixed flock of 8 of the basic backyard birds, and trying to decide where to order from.

I would like only 1-2 of each breed, so this eliminates hatcheries with a minimum requirement like Cackle and Hoover's. McMurray and Meyer do not have availability for my selection until June, which is much later than I would like to start.

My local feed store is ordering this year from Mt Healthy. Their shipment schedule just came out, the numbers are limited and the breeds I'd like are staggered over several weeks, skewing more March than April (March is early, it's usually still frozen here, and we still need to do the coop build!). So I've decided I would rather order myself and have all same-aged chicks arrive together, at a later spring date that better fits our planning.

Ideal also allows one or two birds of each breed, so that would work for me, and as of now they have ship availability that would work for me in late April.

I am in Connecticut. I understand Mt Healthy is in Ohio, so that would obviously be a shorter distance than from Ideal in Texas. I feel like Ideal is more popular, since I've read about them on this forum much more, and only heard of Mt Healthy yesterday. I did see the old news about the salmonella issues back in 2014, and wondered if that had ever recurred since.

What would you recommend? Thanks so much!

We just ordered from Mt.Healthy, first time chicken owners but I do have to say- 10/10 recommend! We just ordered 5 different breeds, 3 each plus 1 Roo of same breed, (Americana, Australorp, Orpington, Wyandotte, & Rhode Island) 16 total. All arrived healthy & VERY active. Ordered Thursday night, supposed to hatch Sunday but then got an email stating they had been SHIPPED Saturday at 11 pm! Just got them this morning at 8 am. From Ohio to Central GA. We were pretty amazed, but overall happy!

 

[Saltlifexo95]

Ok wellllll I just seen someone’s comment saying they ordered 7 & received 8.. we ordered 16 & I just recounted about 5 times.. they sent us 17!!

 

[zenstarling]

We just ordered from Mt.Healthy, first time chicken owners but I do have to say- 10/10 recommend! We just ordered 5 different breeds, 3 each plus 1 Roo of same breed, (Americana, Australorp, Orpington, Wyandotte, & Rhode Island) 16 total. All arrived healthy & VERY active. Ordered Thursday night, supposed to hatch Sunday but then got an email stating they had been SHIPPED Saturday at 11 pm! Just got them this morning at 8 am. From Ohio to Central GA. We were pretty amazed, but overall happy!

Great to know, thank you! Have fun with your chickies!

 

[McChooky]

I've ordered from Ideal several times.

The packing peanuts don't bother me-- either I raise them for meat, or I get out my hatchet the day they arrive and dispatch them right away. (Yes, I can be rather hard-hearted when I feel the need.) For me, Ideal has always sent "packing peanuts" that were visually different than the chicks I ordered, so it was easy to tell which ones they were.

But I agree the extra male chicks could be a big problem for some people!

I ordered a Dominique and a couple Wellsummer roosters to fertilize my eggs but if they send any extras they'll be eaten once they're old enough. It'll be my 1st time.

 

[Bound to Sea]

OOps I meant to say 6 instead of 7.Lol

I am so excited to get my chicks from Ideal. They are being brought in to Canada by a B.C farm. I am buying them from the B.C farm in April. Looking forward to their Welsummer too! Also getting Blue Cukoo Marans and Olive egger.

 

[Iluveggers]

I am so excited to get my chicks from Ideal. They are being brought in to Canada by a B.C farm. I am buying them from the B.C farm in April. Looking forward to their Welsummer too! Also getting Blue Cukoo Marans and Olive egger.

That’s awesome! I have heard wonderful things about the Ideal birds! So Welsummer, Blue Cuckoo Marans (I want one of those!), and OE? What else?

 

[McChooky]

That’s awesome! I have heard wonderful things about the Ideal birds! So Welsummer, Blue Cuckoo Marans (I want one of those!), and OE? What else?

I'd get more if I had a big enough coop .That's a big deterrent.Lol

 

[Iluveggers]

I'd get more if I had a big enough coop .That's a big deterrent.Lol

I understand! Chick decisions are very tough! Lol

 

[McChooky]

I understand! Chick decisions are very tough! Lol

Yeah my runs plenty big enough but the coop isn't. I may make a big raised coop in the run and use the one I have now as a brooder

 

[Bound to Sea]

That’s awesome! I have heard wonderful things about the Ideal birds! So Welsummer, Blue Cuckoo Marans (I want one of those!), and OE? What else?

Wish I had more room for more!