Adventures in Incubating Shipped Eggs

[Cerise1924]

Link to web-site:

http://www.jenkshatchery.com/chicks.htm

They have a 25 chick minumum, though.

 

[Cerise1924]

Bother... had me all excited for a hatchery I hadn't heard of, but nothing they carry looks like something I'd want!

However, that's only... fifteen miles or so? From Willamette Valley. Might be a great option!

Can't do the 25 chick minimum, but I did find one that will ship as few as 2 chicks, with a $5 charge for a heat pack: http://www.peteshatchery.com/

 

[Zinjifrah]

Can't do the 25 chick minimum, but I did find one that will ship as few as 2 chicks, with a $5 charge for a heat pack: http://www.peteshatchery.com/

Drat - I thought it was a five chick minimum. Didn't look closely enough.

 

[Cerise1924]

I wouldn't put her under a non-broody hen, even if she has been a good mother before. It's not impossible she'd accept the chick, but I'd say odds are pretty low.

How close are you to Tangent, Oregon? I know Jenx hatchery is there and they allow people to stop by and pick up orders at their hatchery. I have only used them for shipped meat chickens (cornish cross), but have always been pleased with the quality and service. I wouldn't buy a cornish cross for a companion bird, but I believe they sell laying chickens as well. I think they have a minimum of 5 for in-hathery pickups, but even if you paid for 5, but only took home 2, it would probably be cheaper and safer than mail ordering birds in the summer heat. Or maybe you know a neighbor or someone who would split the order with you. They sell ducks and turkeys too.

Oh, just saw this - sorry. And thank you. Yes, picking up would really open up my options, and it's good to know that you've had a good experience with Jenx.

I don't drive anymore, though, and it's too far to walk. That's why I'm always on this shipped egg thread, haha! Shipping is pretty much the only way I can get hatching eggs.

 

[Cerise1924]

Here's another thought... what if I put a 5 1/2 week old Sebright back in the brooder with the new chick, when it's a few days old? Sebrights are pretty small, and Leghorns are big. That might reduce bullying. Could that work?

Oh, never mind. I think that's a bad idea. The Sebright would hate being stuck in there after having had all that room and fresh air in the huge run with lots of friends, and I would have to keep her in the brooder for several weeks.

 

[Morrigan]

Here's another thought... what if I put a 5 1/2 week old Sebright back in the brooder with the new chick, when it's a few days old? Sebrights are pretty small, and Leghorns are big. That might reduce bullying. Could that work?

That might work, particularly if the Sebrights are easy-going.

I also saw this in the Jenx site:

Shipping, Delivery & Box Fees
To guarantee the quality of the chicks and poults you receive, all shipped orders are mailed USPS Priority and include free shipping. Express Mail is also available, upon request. We also offer delivery to customers within the Willamette Valley. To choose this option, select "Delivery-Yes" under Order Options and Add-Ons when you place your order. To save on shipping or delivery, we welcome pick-ups on the day of hatch. For this option, choose "Local Pickup" for your zone when placing your order. You will then be asked to select a pickup time for each variety you choose. We no longer charge a box fee

I don't know what the minimum is for the delivery option.

 

[Zinjifrah]

Here's another thought... what if I put a 5 1/2 week old Sebright back in the brooder with the new chick, when it's a few days old? Sebrights are pretty small, and Leghorns are big. That might reduce bullying. Could that work?

Oh, never mind. I think that's a bad idea. The Sebright would hate being stuck in there after having had all that room and fresh air in the huge run with lots of friends, and I would have to keep her in the brooder for several weeks.

I wouldn't. They might be about the same size after a few days... but the Sebright would still be much more mature and coordinated, and would regard the new chick as a stranger. My smallest Serama, at six weeks old - Deuce, the tiny black one - is smaller than my one-week-old LF chicks. I wouldn't trust him with them, though. He's way too much more mature than they are, and experienced in dealing with the larger chicks. It's still funny seeing the three six-week-old Seramas running around under the three LF EE's... it looks like one of the EE's has newly hatched chicks, with the size difference.

 

[Cerise1924]

I wouldn't. They might be about the same size after a few days... but the Sebright would still be much more mature and coordinated, and would regard the new chick as a stranger. My smallest Serama, at six weeks old - Deuce, the tiny black one - is smaller than my one-week-old LF chicks. I wouldn't trust him with them, though. He's way too much more mature than they are, and experienced in dealing with the larger chicks. It's still funny seeing the three six-week-old Seramas running around under the three LF EE's... it looks like one of the EE's has newly hatched chicks, with the size difference.

Haha, how cute!

 

[Cerise1924]

That might work, particularly if the Sebrights are easy-going.

I also saw this in the Jenx site:

Shipping, Delivery & Box Fees
To guarantee the quality of the chicks and poults you receive, all shipped orders are mailed USPS Priority and include free shipping. Express Mail is also available, upon request. We also offer delivery to customers within the Willamette Valley. To choose this option, select "Delivery-Yes" under Order Options and Add-Ons when you place your order. To save on shipping or delivery, we welcome pick-ups on the day of hatch. For this option, choose "Local Pickup" for your zone when placing your order. You will then be asked to select a pickup time for each variety you choose. We no longer charge a box fee

I don't know what the minimum is for the delivery option.

This is what they say: "Minimum order quantity: 5 chicks, per variety, adding up to a minimum order of 25 chicks to ship, per hatch date."

 

[Zinjifrah]

This is what they say: "Minimum order quantity: 5 chicks, per variety, adding up to a minimum order of 25 chicks to ship, per hatch date."

But if it's not being shipped... it might at least be worth giving them a call. The worst that can happen is they say no!