favorite hatchery?

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I have ordered at least 3 times from McMurray. The chicks arrived healthy, and once in the brooder started eating, drinking and pooping. I love them and will order from them again next year. I also have friends in Kentucky that order from McMurray and have only good things to say about them. Also, their customer service is very good.

 

[wahmommy]

I got my chicks from a feed store, who ordered from Privett. Chicks are healthy, but I ordered a welsummer and got an EE. It looks like a welsummer, but its got slate legs, welsummers have yellow legs, so I know its a cross. Still happy with my chicks, but have to get my welsummer from a breeder and not a hatchery.

 

[zDoc]

I got 15 healthy chicks from Meyer last spring and they are still very healthy. Getting 14 to 15 eggs a day from my girls. Would never shop elsewhere.

 

[JRJ]

I ordered from Ideal Poultry. I ordered 5 varities for a total of 12 chicks.They shipped from Texas this morning and the Post Office called at 6 p.m. for me to come pick them up. All are well and look great. I`m amazed they made it all the way to northeast ohio the same day. Ideal will definately get my next order.

 

[Lbrad7]

I have ordered from McMurray, Ideal, and Meyer and have had mixed luck with the last two in mortality rates and Ideal thought it would be cute to add 13 extra White Leghorn Roos to my last order from them. I didn't find that amusing in the least. With Ideal and Meyer I usually had a few dead chics in the box when they arrived but they always seemed to put a few extra birds in the box so I guess it kind of made up for it.


Over the last 30 years, I always ended up back with McMurray. They have always given me excellent service and survival rate has been exceptional. The chics always seem to be more lively and strong. This past spring I ordered 86 birds from them and only lost one chick. They even were able to accomadate my ordering additional birds on hatch day! I thought they were going to think I was nuts to call on such short notice but the ladies are always happy to help in anyway the can. She even took the time to find out and tell me how many of each Sebright breed they had left in the hatchery. I don't think I have ever had a bad experience with them and there have been a LOT of orders over the last 30 years.

I think most of the hatcheries are pretty reliable but have their quirky eccentries. (like Ideal and those freaking roos!!!) If you are unhappy with your current hatchery you can't really go wrong with any of the three I mentioned.

Good luck to you!!!

 

[bigoakhunter]

I see that everybody mentions the same 2 or 3 big name hatcheries. Don't neglect to use the small guys. I used Estes Hatchery this last year and have used several hatcheries in the past. Their customer service was excellent. I could talk to a knowledgable person who helped out.

I am sure their are other small hatcheries around, besides the BIG 3, that you might have good experiences with and that would treat you more than fairly.

Just my 2 cents.... Dave

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

I got an order of Dorkings from Ideal and although they messed the order up, the chickens are super good quality!

Dave

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
As long as they're close. The problem with many small outfits is that they aren't used to shipping. If I had my druthers, I'd prefer to pick up my chicks but there is nothing close that has what I'm looking for and I won't buy chickens from a hobbyist or farmer--hatching eggs yes, birds, no.

 

[SweetTea]

I ordered from Meyer Hatchery. I was actually trying to find a smaller maybe even heirloom breeder to order from, but none that I contacted would ship to my area or wanted larger orders than I required - five female chicks.

I had no problems with Meyer at all. They arrived on time, they were clean and seemingly in good health.

 

[little brown hen]

I ordered 25 pullets from Townline Poultry Farm out of Michigan. I ordered them on tues and received them today I was very pleased with that fast of service Oh btw I got 27. I will keep them in mind for future order's.