Always Hatched my own, first time buying live chicks... Your opinions and experiences please!!!

[hollymh]

I was looking at MPC, Meyers and Ideal, what are your thoughts, experiences? I will be getting days olds, primarily for eggs and sticking to my polish, silkie, d'Uccles, Marans and easter eggers...

 

[loveourbirds]

i would look to the hatchery closest to you, shipping is hard on chicks and eggs alike.

different hatcheries will have different qualities within the same breed, order extra if you plan on showing so you can weed out defects.

 

[loveourbirds]

i guess i should have included this, i own a small breeder's farm (i hate the term hatchery as we don't contract out any eggs). when someone contacts me from west of the Mississippi River, i ask them to check locally first. if they cant find the breeds or colors they are looking for, i will ship to them - but the chicks are normally stressed when they get there. since you have experience with chicks you will know what to do to an extent, but why take the risk if you don't have to.

 

[hollymh]

Good advice, I knew it would be stressful for the chicks but I got so consumed in everything else I didn't even consider location; Ideal is very close by.

 

[mamawolf544]

I raise my own, but I buy my meat birds from Ideal twice a year. I am also in Texas. I have always received healthy strong chicks and usually within 12 hours of their hatch time. They are quick.

And if you live close to Cameron Tx you can pick your order up.

 

[hollymh]

I think I will buy from Ideal, Im a little disappointed they are out of a lot of what I wanted but for the sake of the chicks Im going to purchase from them--- I think I will ship bc they are a few hours from me. They definitely have the most affordable shipping though!