Best Hatchery?

[Peep boy]

Hi all! This maybe a question with no answer, but I was wondering what hatchery has the best quality of birds. For geese, I am thinking Metzer Farms, ducks I'm thinking Johnson's Waterfowl. As far as chickens? I have no idea. I am looking for birds that are pretty good quality. I have heard many horror stories of shipments gone wrong. I want to get my birds from the best place I can. I think small hatcheries and farms are the best, but I'd love to hear from everyone! As far as big hatcheries, how do MPC and Meyer go? Interested in those two as far as large scale.

 

[Pyxis]

For the best waterfowl, it's Holderread's, hands down. Following them, it would be Metzer. Never heard of Johnson's Waterfowl before so I can't really say there, and they don't have very many pictures of their birds to judge by.

I've ordered from Meyer before, and they are also who MPC dropships their chicks from. They share incubator space, and probably source some of the chicks they sell from the same breeding flocks of birds. The chicks all arrived healthy, aside from one shipment of marans I received in which they were all DOA. As far as show quality, though, definitely not.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Sandhill has some of the crappest birds around. I've gotten better quality then theirs from cackle.
And yes a nightmare to deal with.

Black Orpington from sandhill

Blue cochin from sandhill

 

[Peep boy]

Thank you! I looked at Holderreads a bit, and will continue reading their site. I have heard Sandhill before, what do you mean by hit or miss as far as ordering? Johnson's Waterfowl has a good selection of ducks, as far as I can tell. Thanks!

 

[The Moonshiner]

Hit and miss for me with sandhill was...
Had one order with them that was quickly shipped.
Ordered two more orders waited over a year until one shipped. Recieved a refund for the second after a year and a half.

 

[Peep boy]

Sandhill has some of the crappest birds around. I've gotten better quality then theirs from cackle.
And yes a nightmare to deal with.

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Black Orpington from sandhill

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Blue cochin from sandhill

What?? I can't believe those!

 

[Peep boy]

I am not a fan of dropshipping, but I really like the originals from MPC, like the blue Favaucana. I would love to get my hands on some of those... Any experience with green fire farms? Love their birds, but the prices are out of the roof!

 

[Peep boy]

Another thing, anyone seen white African geese? I have only seen them on purely poultry.

 

[Pyxis]

Favaucanas aren't a real breed, they're just a crossbreed. Like designer dogs. If that doesn't bother you, then go for it

GFF I have ordered from, yes. If you're not picky about what breeds you get you can get birds much cheaper by bidding on one of the auctions they post on rarebreedauctions.com for assorted chicks.

 

[Peep boy]

Thanks! Yeah, I know Favaucanas are a crossbreed. I don't know, but there is something about a faverolle laying blue eggs...
I didn't know gff did that! I have also done some hunting and found small farms selling a couple rare breeds that are pretty nice. I have found chicken scratch poultry, and omega hills farm. Thanks for all your help!