Good Online Hatcheries?

[McChooky]

I ordered 10 pullets from Purely Poultry but 2 months later when it came time to ship they didn't have any so shipping was rescheduled. It was a huge nightmare from the get go. Trust me you don't want to know how screwed up the whole process was. They even sent an email informing me to expect the chicks in 24 hrs (after I had already picked them up.)All our birds were supposed to be the same breeds and sex so you'd think they look alike but they didn't.It took months of waiting before we knew what we had.We discovered they sent 4 barred rocks( pullets and rooster)s and only 6 Dominique pullers.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I have "hatchery quality" from Hoovers, by way of TSC, and no immediate plans to bring in new birds - possibly Spring 2023. BUT I'm already watching the forums for anecdotal reports, and have been for some time. Cackle, McMurray, and Meyers all have good reputations and their supporters, but my impression is that Cackle has turned out some remarkably good birds of the more common lines this year. If you can get what you want from Cackle, that would be my entirely unscientific recommend at present.

I should also note that sometimes the Hatcheries get their birds from the same source, though that's most often the case with rarer breeds, which you don't seem to be seeking. A good keyword search here might help suss that out, if its something you are considering. Actually, a good keyword search for anecdotal impressions over the past year or so is good advice generally.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I used CackleHatchery for my starter flock this year. I was quite impressed with how well everyone made it through the postal system. My only beef was the minimum order of 15 (iirc) to avoid a "small batch charge." I understand why they do it, but I really only wanted to start with eight birds instead of the 17 I have. OTOH, I'm over the minimum order thing, now, & happy with what I have.

Last time I visited their website, they still had a handful of chickens available. Some sexed, some straight run.

I read that MMcM now has a 6 chick minimum order. You will also likely get extra chicks as a heat source and (this year) they gave one exotic breed in the order.
I do not have chicks yet but plan to use MMcM. My only concern is USPS slow down due to pandemic as I am somewhere north of rural.