Comparing hatcheries

[RoboDuck]

I am looking around at different hatcheries for different types of birds, comparing prices, comparing guarantees, and general policies.

The differences are startling and frankly a little overwhelming. But just a couple of questions maybe someone here can answer.

1. I am trying to find some Pilgrim geese. I only want a pair. (or a trio if that makes them happier so this is a question within a question) Some places limit orders to 2 birds. Some say they can only ship the same number of males and females. Some are out of stock with no pre order date. Straight run is cheaper than sexed birds. One hatchery has no limit but sell straight run only with a 5 bird minimum. This is frustrating because Pilgrims are easily sexed by site at birth. What is the issue with just sending the number of males and females you want? I sent one hatchery a question to their customer service section and have yet to hear from them. Does anyone know the best place to get Pilgrims? I don't mind a minimum because I can sell the extra birds. I just don't want to end up with 4 males and 1 female out of a straight run. I would also prefer to get eggs and hatch them but that doesn't seem to be possible with Pilgrims. At least I haven't seen any Pilgrim hatching eggs. I realize I do then take my chances with straight run, but then I would order many more eggs and sell the goslings. HELP!

2. The other thing that has daunted me is Eastern wild turkeys. I found someone here that's selling them and I hope that deal will come to fruition. But as I was searching, I found hatcheries that listed a number of states to which they could not ship. Mine was one of them. Other places were just out with no projected sale date which is, of course, just a seasonal thing. But why can some places ship to states that others can't?


Thanks.

 

[popsicle]

I think some states require more/different paperwork for incoming poultry--and some hatcheries don't want to deal with the extra work. Other states probably have certain restrictions against owning certain species of game birds.

 

[dickhorstman]

eaglenestpoultry.com

 

[RoboDuck]

Ok, thanks. That makes sense. Georgia, Virginia, et al, require additional paper work, probably because they are indigenous to these parts, to ensure they're captive bred back x number of generations and not all hatcheries want to jump through the hoops so they just don't ship to those states.... Did I get that right? There are some other turkeys that look a lot like the Easterns, but I guess I'm just partial to the Eastern after having watched them during the spring and how pretty they are doing their thing impressing the girls.

 

[RoboDuck]

eaglenestpoultry.com

This makes like 10 hatcheries now that I have learned about. And I'm sure there are many many more. You'd think poultry was a popular past time or something.

Edited: I checked out their website and also the BYC thread that was linked to the same search. Everyone had great reviews for their stock but one person seemed to never receive their order. And it's mentioned in the thread in 2011 that the catalog still showed 2010 and it was asked if they were still in business. Someone answered to the affirmative but their site STILL says 2010. I assume since you posted their site, they are just bad at keeping up with updating their online catalog?

 

[rancher hicks]

This makes like 10 hatcheries now that I have learned about. And I'm sure there are many many more. You'd think poultry was a popular past time or something.

Edited: I checked out their website and also the BYC thread that was linked to the same search. Everyone had great reviews for their stock but one person seemed to never receive their order. And it's mentioned in the thread in 2011 that the catalog still showed 2010 and it was asked if they were still in business. Someone answered to the affirmative but their site STILL says 2010. I assume since you posted their site, they are just bad at keeping up with updating their online catalog?

Try the phone number that should tell you if they're still in business. Web sites can be expensive to maintain I think. Some are still in business but their web sites are gone.

Called the number and they are still in business. Didn't ask any detailed questions only if they're still in business.

 

[cockoftherock]

I wanted to start this thread lol. My question is as was pointed out there is such a wide swing and yet a duel purpose bird is still a.bird. After several catalogs and web sites I have settled on Cackle. I was wondering are some hatcheries so much more costly because of bloodline? IM NOT talkingg show birds and you shouldnt be buying show birds at achatchery. So being a newie is there anything I shoulld be looking for or asking before buying? Are there better bloodlines in mass production factories or is a RIR a RIR? Any response is appreciated.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well this is what I did when I started out. I got every book I could from the public library one of which was Storey's. It had most of the breeds there were and I decided on those that best suited my personality and climate.

I liked the leghorns but they were to flighty.

Ideal Hatchery had nearly all of those that I liked. I decided I could handle 25 and they were willing to send me 3 of each of the breeds I liked. So I got 3 Del, 3 BO, 3, SLW's, 3 GLW's, 3 Aussie, 3 Dom, 3 CM pullets and 4 Frizzles. ( those I had to get straight)

I figured I could decided which ones I like best and go from there. I now have only one little Frizzle hen from that group. They all worked out okay except the SLW's, GLW's, and Aussie were getting picked at so I just gave them away. I had a coon attack and lost four. Sold a pair of Frizzles and it just goes on and on.

I'm not into show, but I do work for the best. Utility is important to me. Even hatching from "show quality" means nothing. You might get a nice bird but then you might not. Some I've got are nice looking but don't lay worth a darn. Some haven't laid in months and when they did they weren't that good. It's all a crap shoot.

Anyhow, if you haven't I suggest you research the breeds and pick those you think will work. Order some of each and then whittle it down from there.

I wish you well,

Rancher

 

[cockoftherock]

Heres my question if you want a common dual purpose bird is there a difference in buying a. batch of 4$ Meyers bird or a 97 cent cackle special? Or as you say is it a crap shot? I dont get why the same chicken cost so much more except greed or poor management. uote name="rancher hicks" url="/t/855003/comparing-hatcheries#post_12818296"]Well this is what I did when I started out.  I got every book I could from the public library one of which was Storey's.  It had most of the breeds there were and I decided on those that best suited my personality and climate. 

I liked the leghorns but they were to flighty.   

Ideal Hatchery had nearly all of those that I liked.  I decided I could handle 25 and they were willing to send me 3 of each of the breeds I liked.  So I got 3 Del, 3 BO, 3, SLW's, 3 GLW's, 3 Aussie, 3 Dom, 3 CM pullets and 4 Frizzles. ( those I had to get straight)  

I figured I could decided which ones I like best and go from there.  I now have only one little Frizzle hen from that group.  They all worked out okay except the SLW's, GLW's, and Aussie were getting picked at so I just gave them away.  I had a coon attack and lost four. Sold a pair of Frizzles and it just goes on and on.  

I'm not into show, but I do work for the best.  Utility is important to me.  Even hatching from "show quality" means nothing.  You might get a nice bird but then you might not.  Some I've got are nice looking but don't lay worth a darn.  Some haven't laid in months and when they did they weren't that good.  It's all a crap shoot.  

Anyhow, if you haven't I suggest you research the breeds and pick those you think will work.   Order some of each and then whittle it down from there.  

I wish you well, 

Rancher 
[/quote]

 

[cockoftherock]

A chicken is. a chicken is a chicken right or a I missing something