Chicken Hatchery Suggetsions?

[awyman]

So, I only have one chicken now. I just got 11 ducks. After not getting any new chickens in 3 years, I think I’m going to add more chickens to my flock. I want to know everyone’s personal preference when it comes to hatcheries. I’m looking for some variety, cause I think it’d be cool to have some rare breeds. Any suggestions would be awesome! Thank so much.

 

[Got_The_Chick_Itch]

Murray McMurray hatchery they have over 100 different breeds

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Some online hatcheries offer a small quantity order, others require a minimum such as 15 for example. And still others will send a small quantity for a $20 or so fee.
How many are you looking to order? If you're seeking rare breeds check the hatchery availability dates. Also, some hatcheries list a 'rare' breed as one that really isn't....IMO.
Wishing you the best!

 

[awyman]

Some online hatcheries offer a small quantity order, others require a minimum such as 15 for example. And still others will send a small quantity for a $20 or so fee.
How many are you looking to order? If you're seeking rare breeds check the hatchery availability dates. Also, some hatcheries list a 'rare' breed as one that really isn't....IMO.
Wishing you the best!

I’m only looking for about 10-15.

 

[IamRainey]

I've only dealt with My Pet Chicken. I doubt I'd ever deal with anyone else.

They offer a wide range of more conventional and more exotic breeds. They will send a safe minimum number of chicks -- I've been able to buy just 3. When you deal with them you are dealing with a PERSON. They never send you boilerplate anything -- if they've got something to say, someone wrote it to you. They are utterly stand up about their birds. I got a cockerel when I paid for pullets. They refunded the purchase price and hooked me up with resources for rehoming roos.

Most recently, when they had to cancel my order because of a Los Angeles County quarantine for virulent Newcastle Disease they hunted me down until they could make the refund. I had been busy. The first time they contacted me I said I'd get back to them with my new credit card # but I didn't. I had forgotten about the refund 'cause I was fixated on not being able to get my chicks. But they didn't forget -- they made several calls to make sure I got my refund.

I can't recommend My Pet Chicken highly enough.

 

[awyman]

I've only dealt with My Pet Chicken. I doubt I'd ever deal with anyone else.

They offer a wide range of more conventional and more exotic breeds. They will send a safe minimum number of chicks -- I've been able to buy just 3. When you deal with them you are dealing with a PERSON. They never send you boilerplate anything -- if they've got something to say, someone wrote it to you. They are utterly stand up about their birds. I got a cockerel when I paid for pullets. They refunded the purchase price and hooked me up with resources for rehoming roos.

Most recently, when they had to cancel my order because of a Los Angeles County quarantine for virulent Newcastle Disease they hunted me down until they could make the refund. I had been busy. The first time they contacted me I said I'd get back to them with my new credit card # but I didn't. I had forgotten about the refund 'cause I was fixated on not being able to get my chicks. But they didn't forget -- they made several calls to make sure I got my refund.

I can't recommend My Pet Chicken highly enough.

Yeah, they’re the only place I can find that sells silkie pullets. Silkies are one of the breeds I have my heart set on.

 

[Got_The_Chick_Itch]

Murray McMurray hatchery has silkies

 

[Acre4Me]

Where are you located? Mail order or are you willing to drive and pick up chicks?

What are your goals with chickens - eggs? overall looks/colors? Show quality?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I got my first chicks from Meyer Hatchery this year and have been very happy with them (have had chickens for years, just not chicklets!). They have a live on-line chat feature I used MANY times as this was the first time I ordered live chicks and I had lots of questions and was a "Nervous Nellie" over the whole process, lol! I ordered 15 Easter Eggers and 6 Brown Leghorns to arrive in mid-February. Unfortunately our area experienced bitter blizzard conditions that week and none of the chicks survived. Meyer Hatchery sent me a complete replacement of the order the following week, which was still cold but not as bad. All survived but three. Meyer immediately provided a refund to my credit card for the three that were lost. In both cases, the person helping me on chat was comforting, supportive, compassionate, helpful and professional.

I would imagine that just about any hatchery that has been in business any length of time that has the NPIP rating will have similar standards, but I will probably always do business with Meyer. They are located in Ohio, so they are fairly close to me, so that is also a consideration. In the future, I will order later in the year! Good luck to you, and happy cheeping!

 

[awyman]

Where are you located? Mail order or are you willing to drive and pick up chicks?

What are your goals with chickens - eggs? overall looks/colors? Show quality?

I’d like to just mail order them. I’m not worried about show quality. Just want a couple different breeds for my backyard flock. We also eat a good bit of eggs and sell them. I’d love a couple colorful egg layers.