Chicks from McMurray???

[DuckiesGarden]

Has anyone gotten chicks from Mcmurray hatchery recently? I'm expecting chicks from them Monday and I've noticed some posts about hatchery chicks not being quite up to snuff. Now I'm a bit worried. I chose some of the breeds not just for their production, but because of their unique looks. I ordered salmon favs, mottled houdans, light brahmas, speckled sussex, and some RIRs. Are the hatchery birds way off the mark or are they going to be at least in the right ballpark? I also saw that a lot of the RIR's are actually production reds? I chose McMurray because they're close and have been in business for so long. Has anyone gotten any of these breeds from McMurray? Do you have any pictures of them? I'll be happy with my new chicks whether they look right or not just because I LOVE chickens, but I was hoping to eventually breed some of these. Should I hold off and try to find some better quality for breeding? Maybe I'm just being a nervous nellie because my babies are almost here!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have repeatedly ordered from McMurray and been pleased with the quality of chicks from them, in terms of looks. I have not ordered the breeds/colors you mentioned.

I would suggest you try out your breeds that you are interested in and then look around for a breeder if you want to specialize in a certain breed and breed for show quality. You can also start breeding to the standard starting with hatchery chicks and infusing new blood in from a breeder. I am not a breeder and don't show, but have read a lot of posts here on BYC.

One thing you can do is start subscribing to the threads of the breeds you are interested in. They are all in the breeds, genetics, and showing section of BYC. You will find breeders hang out on there too, sometimes, and can get contacts from these threads on occasion.

Here is one example:

I have Egyptian Fayoumis from McMurray - they look like the ones that I have seen on the internet of them. They represent the breed well in my opinion(there is no APA standard for them). That has been my experience with hatcheries (not just McMurray, but MyPetChicken and Welp, as well, with other breeds- also the feed store, who gets them from hatcheries).

There are certain breeds where it REALLY matters though, like silkies and English-style Orpingtons, if you get them from a breeder. I did see a hatchery offering Heritage RIRs...don't remember which one.

Take what I say with a grain of salt since I am not a breeder, but this backyard enthusiast is quite happy with McMurray (and other hatcheries)!

 

[DuckiesGarden]

Glad to hear you've had good experiences with mcmurray! i found some reviews of them and there were more good than bad so i don't feel so nervous now! Thanks for the advice on getting with the breeder pages! I'll do that! I'm not wanting to breed them for show but I'd like to keep them as close to standard as I can just so I've got good examples of the breed to continue with for the years to come. I've seen some of the egyptian fayoumis on the internet by the way and they are beautiful!!