Chicken hatcheries

[theskiingchicke]

I'm going to order baby chicks for the first time and i don't know which hatchery to use. i would prefer one that has fare pricing and that will also vaccinate the hens. if anyone recommends me a good hatchery, that's great. thanks for all your help.

 

[Ben Rogers]

I'm very, very new.

I've ordered all of mine from www.cacklehatchery.com

In my first batch, I lost one chick to "crusty butt"--but they sent me an extra chick, so I was still at the number I ordered. (Until my dog got to them... *sigh*) (I ordered 25.)

My second batch just arrived last week. I have lost one due to a leg problem. And I have one other one that seems to be "failing to thrive". (I ordered 35.)

I'm also going ot get 50 Pharoah Coturnix from them next week.

The first batch I ordered on the web. The second batch I ordered on the phone. The quail I ordered on the phone.

I prefer phoning in my order--they're great to deal with.

I also get my chicks the next day--because I'm only 200 miles away from Cackle.

This is my second batch:
15 Easter Eggers
5 Cinnamon Queens
5 Welsummer
5 Gold Laced Wyandotte
5 Dominique



I've lost one of the Dominque and the "failure to thrive" chick that I expect to die today or tomorrow is a Gold Laced Wyandotte.

 

[sdsmowen]

I had a great experience with Murray McMurray all my chick came in great shape and they have remained healthy they are almost 6 weeks old now.

 

[normanack]

One way to pick a hatchery ie by distance. Closer usually means less time in transit. Shipping is hard on chicks.

You may also find lots of chicks within driving distance on Craigslist or the equivalent.

 

[Oregon Blues]

None of them vary hugely in price. They are all selling pretty much the same quality of bird. All of them (as far as I can tell) will vaccinate chicks for a small additional fee.

Cost of vaccinating seems to vary and shipping costs get more expensive the further the chicks are shipped.

Quality of customer service seems to vary with the hatchery.

 

[Stephanie739]

I had good luck with My Pet Chicken, great customer service too. 7 chicks ordered, 7 thrived and still living. 1 was an accidental rooster, but oh well I also had them vaccinated. That is my only experience with hatcheries. Check here for reviews from BYC members https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/hatcheries-day-old-chicks