Got my chicks from McMurray today...

[Nodaksnakelover]

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I do have to point out to you, that normally I don't have much trouble at all with the chicks from McMurray. It's just I could tell this batch had a rough journey. But I'm trying to save what I can. Yes you can just buy local, but they might not have the varieties you want or in such a wide variety like you can pick up from a hatchery. But I can understand what you mean though. I have a bit of a heavy heart today as it hasn't been fun not being able to help them as much as I'd like. There's pros and cons doing it either way. I'll still order from McMurray and other hatcheries in the future. It's just my preference.

 

[chickensinwasillaAK]

Nodak;

you folks had some rough weather over the last few weeks so that may have been part of the problem. Not saying that was the problem, you might have also gotten weak chicks. I spoke with McMurray this morning about my black stars, they look like runts next to the others. They were willing to send me an entire replacement order this week (with roos to reach the 25) but I passed, I want to see how they develop.

I know that they plan on Friday hatches but nature doesn't always work that way, my blacks might have hatched Saturday and thats when they shipped, which would explain why the blacks look smaller.

I can't say enough good about McMurray. I have lost a few in prior shipments but they've always been upfront and cooperative with me in every way. I hope that you allow them to replace your birds, thats what the guarantee is all about.

 

[Nodaksnakelover]

Yes, the rough weather we had no doubt was hard on them. But the other shipments in the past were in weather just as cold and they did just fine. I called in this morning and they refunded me the ones I lost. I feel I've got enough still doing well and don't want two different batches of different age chicks. So I opted for a simple refund which they were glad to give. VERY nice people in my opinion! Will I order from them again? Oh yeah! And oh those black stars, I find they are smaller when you first get them in. But they do very well over the long run and are hardier than you think in spite of their small start! I've noticed this too with black sex links. At least the three bunches I've had over the years. Anyhow, time for me to boil an egg. Yesterday they were having to learn what it all was. Today should be fun, they already know and should come running to my hand. Yay!

 

[Jessiewoodard57]

Last year I ordered chicks from McMurrays and I lost about 6 before I realized I was roasting them with high heat and humidity in Florida Temps during the day where 90 running the heat lamp all day was roasting the chicks. So I put the heat lamp on a timmer and started to have better luck. This year I am raiseing chicks from the New Hamshires I originally got from McMurrys and I have noticed they seem to be much better chicks. Shipping sure takes a toll on chicks.

 

[Nodaksnakelover]

Your definetly right! stuff I hatch out always seems so strong from the get go. But anyhow, today almost all of them were doing their best to pig out on boiled egg. Having some pasty butt issues but that is easily taken care of. just need to make sure I look at everyone's behind to catch it. One Polish chick twice somehow ended up on her back and couldn't right herself. Ate too much? Anyhow, I think I'm now out of the dark woods so to speak with my little group. I'm waiting for a second small group from a breeder of Ameraucana and Chantecler chickens. So when I called today at the post office, I could hear chicks for the local feed store cheeping in the background. Oh I shouldn't do it, but I'm going to go look at them anyway... I'm allowed to replace the ones I lost right?