Chicken Hatchery Suggetsions?

[awyman]

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!

I might have to consider them. I live in WV so I’d like something relatively close so it doesn’t take long.

 

[Acre4Me]

Any large hatchery should be able to provide you with what you want. Your biggest consideration will likely be shipping costs and minimums for shipping. Meyer now has a 3 chick minimum (minimums are higher in winter). Ship cost - depends on number ordered and location.

To get truly "Rare" breeds, you can check out:
https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/poultry-breeds

I've ordered some rare breeds from Sandhill preservation (should ship next week), but the downside is that they only ship straight run - so that more people can breed and care for the rare breeds (and they don't have to deal with all the extra males). They sell an assortment for pretty cheap. I went with them to experience more breeds, and their prices were pretty reasonable, but cant speak to the birds themselves, as I don't have them yet.

You can order "Rare Breeds" from a hatchery like Meyer. Some people argue that some of the "rare" breeds that hatcheries sell are really not "rare". Hatcheries also sell assortments, but will sell sexed assortments, so that could be an avenue for you.

Good Luck.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

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.

I really like Meyer Hatchery, they have great customer service and their website is really easy to navigate. They have a huge assortment of day old chicks. I really want silkies too! And Meyer Hatchery does not sex their silkies, but my pet chicken does.

 

[Acre4Me]

I live in WV so I’d like something relatively close so it doesn’t take long.

You can look up what is near to you on the NPIP website:
http://www.poultryimprovement.org/statesContent.cfm

Looks like WV has a decent number of NPIP listed breeders/hatcheries. They use stock codes, and the "R" is for regular size to large size chicken breeds and "W" is for bantam sized. Stock codes are on the left of the above link.

 

[MandaH]

I highly recommend Meyer Hatchery I purchased 25 Assorted Rare Pullets back in early March. I received a huge variety of colors! I was especially tickled to get Two Black copper Marans and a Lavendar Orpington and two White Marans as part of the shipment

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I highly recommend Meyer Hatchery I purchased 25 Assorted Rare Pullets back in early March. I received a huge variety of colors! I was especially tickled to get Two Black copper Marans and a Lavendar Orpington and two White Marans as part of the shipment

Yes, I love Meyer Hatchery!