Experience with Meyer Hatchery?

[aliciaFarmer]

I'm also careful about timing for shipping chicks. Only in April through mid-May here.
Mary

I'm in Oregon so only order late April through July. I could order to October temperament wise but I'd rather have them laying by winter.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I'm also careful about timing for shipping chicks. Only in April through mid-May here.
Mary

Me too -- though I'm in Oregon so done order any before late April.

 

[Chickassan]

Used them once with a small order this July and it worked out perfectly. No deaths,everyone sexed correctly and I got my requested breeds. Order was only four chicks though.

 

[Alexandra33]

Sad to hear you had such a bad experience with Meyer. Mistakes can happen anywhere, but they really should've made it right.

I've always loved their birds, and don't have one bad thing to say at this point. As a matter of fact, I stopped by on the way back from vacation a week ago, and pillaged the overhatch bin (we live a little over an hour away from Meyer)! My orders have always been completed correctly, chicks arrive healthy/active, and the best part? Only one "oops" cockerel out of MANY!

However, if you're looking to try another great hatchery, I'd suggest Cackle. My 27 I received in February are by FAR the most insanely hyper, into everything, in-your-face, friendly, almost to the point of being over-the-top! And I ordered several breeds, some of which aren't known for being personable OR particularly energetic! Honestly, as much as I adore the way they smother me, it's not everybody's cup of tea. Some would absolutely hate the inability to walk anywhere in the yard without tripping over birds. Not to mention their ravenous appetites like no other. I suggest steering away from Cackle unless you're financially stable and able to buy extra feed.

~Alex

 

[Aleelupton]

I ordered from Meyer for the first time this year. Our hatch date was June 25th. I live about an hour and a half away so I picked them up. All 11 chicks were healthy and active. I received all the breeds I asked for and as of right now I believe they are all pullets. They are only 5 weeks old so I'm going to give them a few more weeks before determining their sex. The only disappointment I had was that the blue laced red wyandotte I ordered turned out to be the black laced variation. It is clearly stated that a black or splash chick is possible so I'm not upset with Meyer by any means, but I was looking forward to a true blue laced chick. The day of hatching they called me because one breed I ordered didn't have enough chicks hatch. They were very helpful in picking a replacement breed. I will definitely order from Meyer again.

 

[mzhof]

My first 8 chicks were from MPC and all are thriving now as 6 week olds (each a different breed, correct and almost positive all pullets). I asked several questions regarding which one was which and received timely friendly responses. I decided to get 6 from Meyer mainly bc MPC didn't have the Mille Fleur bantams I wanted until Sept. One of my Mille Fleur was dead on arrival and one passed yesterday. I emailed right away for the DOA chick and they took 4 days to respond. I decided on a replacement Mille Fleur and 2 Polish. I never received any confirmation of whether I would get the replacement then noticed a charge to my card on Sunday. I emailed but no answer. Monday I got an email saying my order had shipped, very inconvenient since I don't have anyone to pick up. Got the call from my post office at 730 today went to pick them up and received 2 Mille Fleur (1 was dead) and a mottled cochin. Don't think I'll be ordering again from them.

 

[BlackHackle]

I received an order from Meyer this week and I'm extremely disappointed. I'm wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and if I should order from them again in the spring with my store credit or just ask for a refund...

I ordered 16 chicks and received 15. I called and they said the Blue Ameraucanas were oversold and someone called me to see if I wanted a replacement. No, no one called AND they hadn't provided me a credit ($22). I ordered 2 Rhode Island Reds for my neighbor and received 4 (one was the Meyer meal maker as it turns out but the other? No clue.). I ordered 3 Barnevelder females and a Barnevelder male, but received 2 females and a male. I also ordered the same number of Welsummers but it looks like I have only 3. Then there is a mystery girl (?) with a red head/back and white wings and chest.

View attachment 1484082

I emailed them that morning and received no response. I chatted with someone the next morning on their live chat feature and she said "email photos and we'll get right back to you." No response. I finally called on the afternoon of the third day and was able to at least receive a credit for the missing Barnevelder.

I'm hoping this is just a fluke and would love to hear other people's experiences, good or not good.

I get that with a lot of actually breeders as well as hatcheries. No one is perfect. A breeder (and this guy was one of the best in Canada) I once bought around 6 Light Sussex from gave me 3 males and one female and the rest were Bresse and Ixworth

 

[Chickassan]

You have to call them with issues, you get much better results than with email.

My first 8 chicks were from MPC and all are thriving now as 6 week olds (each a different breed, correct and almost positive all pullets). I asked several questions regarding which one was which and received timely friendly responses. I decided to get 6 from Meyer mainly bc MPC didn't have the Mille Fleur bantams I wanted until Sept. One of my Mille Fleur was dead on arrival and one passed yesterday. I emailed right away for the DOA chick and they took 4 days to respond. I decided on a replacement Mille Fleur and 2 Polish. I never received any confirmation of whether I would get the replacement then noticed a charge to my card on Sunday. I emailed but no answer. Monday I got an email saying my order had shipped, very inconvenient since I don't have anyone to pick up. Got the call from my post office at 730 today went to pick them up and received 2 Mille Fleur (1 was dead) and a mottled cochin. Don't think I'll be ordering again from them.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree that a phone call to a living breathing human being is always the best plan, especially if you have issues.
Mary

 

[aliciaFarmer]

My first 8 chicks were from MPC and all are thriving now as 6 week olds (each a different breed, correct and almost positive all pullets). I asked several questions regarding which one was which and received timely friendly responses. I decided to get 6 from Meyer mainly bc MPC didn't have the Mille Fleur bantams I wanted until Sept. One of my Mille Fleur was dead on arrival and one passed yesterday. I emailed right away for the DOA chick and they took 4 days to respond. I decided on a replacement Mille Fleur and 2 Polish. I never received any confirmation of whether I would get the replacement then noticed a charge to my card on Sunday. I emailed but no answer. Monday I got an email saying my order had shipped, very inconvenient since I don't have anyone to pick up. Got the call from my post office at 730 today went to pick them up and received 2 Mille Fleur (1 was dead) and a mottled cochin. Don't think I'll be ordering again from them.

I'm so sorry you've had such a difficult time with them! My first three orders were amazing -- great communication, all around wonderful. This last order was my first bad experience and I'm hoping their just over-busy because I have around a $50 credit with them.

They royally screwed up this order and I'm going to have to call them again and don't look forward to it. Now that they're a week and a half old, I'm realizing I'm missing three of my ordered chicks and have three I didn't want/order.

I wish you the best with the rest of your girls.