Buying Live Birds From Rural King Inline

[NameIwish]

Is Anyone familiar with buying chicks ONLINE at Rural King?
We have a local store - well close to local - but calling there one can't get a consistent answer/information. I've three written inquiries pending but thought to try here to see if anyone had a good experience ordering live chicks from Rural King

 

[Pyxis]

I can't speak to Rural King specifically, but if it's like ordering with other feed stores, you're actually just going through them to have them order for you from a hatchery, which will then send the chicks to you. So you're kind of just using a middle man to order from a hatchery.

Tractor Supply dropships the chicks from Hoover Hatchery. Since RK is also selling in lots of 10 and is using chick pictures from Hoover's website, I would assume they are also dropshipping from Hoover.

So it's basically like you're ordering chicks from Hoover Hatchery for yourself. The chicks won't arrive in the store, they'll ship them directly to you.

 

[NameIwish]

Thanks for the feedback.

I understood the RK isn't actually raising poultry - same as we know Walmart "Great Value" branded beans aren't grown on the Walton Family Farm or necessarily a 'great' value at all.

I spoke to the local RK to discover that they aren't accepting orders any sooner than the other available vendors; had been expecting shipments that were canceled (ostensibly due to MidWest Winter Storm(s)).

It took a while to get to a Manager that knew the situation - most of the help in the local RK is likely worth at $7.50 Fed Min Wage.

 

[Iluveggers]

Might I suggest a few small-order hatcheries?

Ideal you can usually get around 8 chicks ($40 min order) for $20 small order fee.
Mt Healthy you can get 10 chicks for $15 small order fee.
I believe those are the two cheapest small order fees from any hatchery if you want 10 or less birds. I love that you can get one of each breed you want!

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Might I suggest a few small-order hatcheries?

Ideal you can usually get around 8 chicks ($40 min order) for $20 small order fee.
Mt Healthy you can get 10 chicks for $15 small order fee.
I believe those are the two cheapest small order fees from any hatchery if you want 10 or less birds. I love that you can get one of each breed you want!

Just wanted to add My Pet Chicken. I think you can order as few as 3 and they don't charge much extra for a small order like that.

 

[NameIwish]

Might I suggest a few small-order hatcheries?
Ideal
Mt Healthy

Well, how about links?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Well, how about links?

It pops up right away with a quick internet search. If you search for hatcheries near you, you might find places closes enough to do pick ups and save money on shipping!

 

[Iluveggers]

Well, how about links?

idealpoultry.com
Mthealthy.com

 

[NameIwish]

idealpoultry.com
Mthealthy.com

thanks found 'em
But they aren't shipping much sooner than Tractor Supply says they will have stock in stores e.g. 05-08-2023 and no one has Golden Comets listed:

https://www.mypetchicken.com/collections/baby-chicks
https://www.idealpoultry.com/cart/shipping_date
https://www.mthealthy.com/shipping
The one sells "pullets' but not the 1 week old birds we were used to buying locally.

We can buy 25 chicks or so - and the first two (118.75 & $109.00) came pretty close to the same price - w/o actually checking out, so maybe they would add some other fee at that point.

 

[Iluveggers]

thanks found 'em
But they aren't shipping much sooner than Tractor Supply says they will have stock in stores e.g. 05-08-2023 and no one has Golden Comets listed:

https://www.mypetchicken.com/collections/baby-chicks
https://www.idealpoultry.com/cart/shipping_date
https://www.mthealthy.com/shipping
The one sells "pullets' but not the 1 week old birds we were used to buying locally.

We can buy 25 chicks or so - and the first two (118.75 & $109.00) came pretty close to the same price - w/o actually checking out, so maybe they would add some other fee at that point.

There are some other high-production or sex-links available, like Amberlink and Production Red at Mt Healthy the first week of March. In case you are flexible with breeds & want them earlier.