Any good hatcheries?

[afre13]

I have been all over the internet looking for good hatcheries, but I have always come to at least one of the following problems
1. out of stock of female chicks
2. require a high minimal order for a backyard flock
3. have a small selection of breeds to choose from
4. wont restock until May

i just want to start with a small, backyard flock of maximum of 10-12 chickens (not bantams). I was looking at either Meyer's, or Ideal since they have a good minimal order number, but they are out of stock until later.

I looked at McMurray, and they have every bird I want, but they require a 15 bird minimum, and wont arrive until mid April.

Cackle has almost no breed I want.

I have been looking at thepoultryhatchery.com they ship 3 chicks after march, and they have a wide selection.

 

[Kevin565]

Have you tried My Pet Chicken?

 

[DaddyBird]

What breeds are you looking for? Here are some thoughts...

• You may be able to find a breed association that can help you identify a breeder in your area.
• If they are heritage breeds, you can go to www.albc-usa.org and look by zip for breeders around you.
• See if there is a thread on here for your area and post what you are looking for. Although I have worked with poultry for years, my wife and I are new to owning chickens but have found people more than willing to help others get started.
• Either combine an order with others in your town to get the minimum or order the minimum and offer the extras via a post to classifieds, craigslist, etc.
  

I hope this helps.

 

[DaddyBird]

Have you tried My Pet Chicken?

Don't they just drop ship from Meyer?

 

[Kevin565]

I'm pretty sure they drop ship from a few different places depending on the breeds ordered.

 

[Mehjr10]

Do you have a feed store or TSC in your area? http://www.tractorsupply.com/StoreLocator , Look there and see if one is close to you they get a couple of shipments a week I think, at least one but my local ones sell out quick so you have to be there early.

 

[afre13]

Do you have a feed store or TSC in your area? http://www.tractorsupply.com/StoreLocator , Look there and see if one is close to you they get a couple of shipments a week I think, at least one but my local ones sell out quick so you have to be there early.

Yeah, the one in my area only has Brahmas, white leghorns, comets, and cornish.

 

[Mehjr10]

The Leghorns are laying machines, just get white eggs. Mine do a great job. Comets are I think the same a the red sex links that they have in my area also great layers of brown eggs.