getting ready to order chicks- Best hatchery? McMurrays?

[Cats Critters]

I like Ideal, the only one I ever lost was at 17wks and she just went missing, also got 6 extras and 2 where hens.

 

[Capone]

i always buy my chicks either from mcmurry or a breeder, youll do fine but like some have said most hatcheries are either sold out of there stock or low avalability. but mcmurry still has some great egg layers if thats what your after. they still have some nice pretty birds like silver laced wyandottes. mail me if you have any questiond

 

[briesberrypatch]

I've ordered from McMurray several times, and the chicks always thrived (never lost one) and their customer service was top notch. Sexing accuracy was 100%.

I placed one order from Meyer, and for some reason the chicks were delayed an extra day in the mail. They became sick and started dying within hours of their arrival. Meyer wouldn't even talk to me about how to treat them. They told me they were too busy. I called McMurray and they took the time to advise me, even though the chicks had come from a different hatchery.

I would never do business with Meyer again just because of their customer service.

I'm planning on ordering from Sand Hill Preservation next spring because McMurray doesn't have the breed I want.

 

[CHIC]

Hey everybody thanks for the advise... Overall McMurrays seems to be a good idea.

 

[ShaggysGirl]

Ive ordered from Cackle twice, 16 the 1st time and 27 the 2nd time and all chicks arrived in great condition.

 

[BeccaOH]

I like the service I've gotten through Meyers, but I picked up both of my orders. I also did one Cackle order that went pretty well, though they said they had what I wanted online, but half my order didn't come because they were really out of the breeds. I now have a McMurray order due Wednesday. We'll see how that all goes.

 

[anngili]

I think Ideal is pretty good, too, but it's been SO hot here in Texas this summer (hottest May through now on record) that that may be causing the problem in chicks arriving in poor condition or dead.

I don't think I've had a single day since late May when the temperature hasn't been in the triple digits, and I'm not exaggerating. It's currently 99 and climbing where I'm at now and this is going to one of the coolest days so far this summer. The temperature (in the shade on my elevated front porch) has been up to at least 108 on some days and it's been quite humid some of the time, too. I long ago quit counting the number of days where the heat index was 110 or over in the shade!

I don't want to think how fast the inside of a P.O. truck would get when it's out at the loading dock in the sun. It could well get way above 100 degrees just during the time it takes them to unload the chicks, so I'd be very surprised if some didn't die! My car will get up to 120 degrees within 10 minutes if parked in the sun with the windows down an inch!

In short, I'd definitely go with McMurray Hatchery if you're going to order anytime before November.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

My three local feed stores in Olympia, Washington area order from Privet, New Mexico.

I got my 10 pullets from my local feed store Feb 21, 09 because they had ordered the dual-purpose chicks I was wanting AND I was too chicken to order myself.

Of the 100 they ordered, one 1 was DOA.

My two EE's ended up being roos, as did most of the 25 EE's in that order (someone wasn't good at sexing that day). Rehomed them to a no-kill farm near by).

My eight hens (2 RIR, 3 BO, 3 BR) started laying at 20 wks old. They are fluffy, friendly, and healthy.

 

[bigchickenman]

I order all my birds from Mt.Healthy they are excellent and you always get what you order plus some.If you have any questions they will help you 100% and are the nicest people you will find.Hope this helps you.

 

[CHIC]

where is Mt. Healthy?