Feed Store vs McMurrays Hatchery chicks

[rmonge00]

Hey everyone,

I am about to buy about 25 chicks (probably a straight run) and I have two questions:

What are the pro's and con's of buying from a feed store or hatchery?

Are there any breeds of meat birds that have quiet roosters (my coop is right next to my neighbors house!)?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Tlammy]

I think buying from a feed store the chicks could get diseases.. but its more cheaper..

 

[journey11]

I always order from MMH and they have done well by me. One benefit to ordering from a hatchery (MMH in particular) is that they can vaccinate them for cocci and merek's for you. Those vaccinations need to be given on the first day or two of life.

Be sure to pick a hatchery in a state close to you and you'll likely have less trouble with shipping fatigue (which is what kills most shipped chicks). If you buy your chicks at the feed store, just pick out the most lively ones. I would buy from a place that has kept their brooder clean and made sure they had fresh water/food. I've seen stores that did not and I wouldn't buy from them.

 

[dutchhollow]

Well, probably 98 percent of feed store chicks come from hatcheries, not much. You are going to pay more for feed store (In some cases, as they have paid shipping on them) if you are getting 25 you can order yourself, and get what you want, just have to pay the shipping.

 

[ChooksChick]

I agree with the others: feed store chicks come from the same hatcheries, and the difference is they get handled by customers who have birds, which could put you in a danger zone.

Just order them yourself, or at least find out when they get in, so you can limit the number of folks who handle them.

 

[greatchicken]

I just got my 30 chicks from McMurray and they all arrived alive and well. I decided to get them from the hatchery because they allowed me to get what I wanted. These are my first chicks and I did not want a bunch of other people touching my chicks.

 

[gumbii]

a local feedstore gets all their chicks from mcmurray... that's where my silver sebrights came from...

 

[pkw]

I order directly from McMurray Hatchery myself

 

[newchickmom]

I buy my meat birds at the feed store. Its a lot cheaper than ordering them by the time you figure in shipping. I don't think you have to worry about meat birds crowing. They probably won't be crowing yet by the time to start processing them. Mine wern't.

 

[Sassafras]

I'm going the feed store route. At least you know they will be alive when you pick them up. I am going to go the day they get them though and I am only getting 12.