Best hatcheries to order from?

[Thechickenchick2]

Just curious which hatcheries you guys have the best experiences with? I’m looking to add a few more to my flock of roughly 30 chickens. Thanks!

 

[SueT]

I like Cackle Hatchery....(but chose them because they are within driving distance.) Good customer service, lots of variety.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I recommend avoiding Ideal. They're cheap, but the last time we got ducks from them, the "sexed pekin drakes" turned out to be rather small (about the size of one of my smaller Blue Swedish) and female. The silkies my father got from TSC (TSC got them from Ideal) had single combs.

 

[Peeperscreepers]

I also like cackle although I've only ordered from them. They do have good customer service and will answer questions. And happily helped me make a address name change so someone else could pick them up last minute. ALL my chicks were healthy,happy, fluffy and alive on arrival. They were super hungry. They are much more active than chicks I got from somewhere else. I'll order from them again when it's time to get more chicks!

 

[lazy gardener]

Choose a hatchery near you, if that's an option.

Choose a hatchery that has the breeds you want, and has them all available when you want to receive them.

Choose a hatchery that has good reviews. You will have to do some research on this issue.

Do a price comparison, taking shipping rates into account.

Never order chicks to arrive during a mail holiday week. Schedule them for shipping at the beginning of the week.

Contact your local post office, give them a heads up about expected arrival date. Be sure your post master has your phone # and address, and knows to hold chicks, and call you immediately upon arrival, even if it's in the middle of the night.

Have your brooder set up ahead of time. Be sure you have Poultry Nutri Drench on hand, and use it for the first 2 weeks. Make sure your chick starter is fresh. Check out MHP brooding system, brood chicks in your coop if that's at all possible.

 

[Thechickenchick2]

Thanks so much everyone! Time to do some of my own research and take everything you’ve all said into consideration!