Has anyone worked with Welp Hatchery or Urch/Turnlund poultry?

[ncgnance]

I ordered 25 chicks from Welp Hatchery. They are about 6 weeks old now. I ordered 5 different breeds, 5 rirs, 10 brs, 5 red sex links, and 5 cochins. All were supposed to be pullets, except for buff cochin male. I got 2 br roosters and, I believe, 2 buff cochin males. One of the rirs has developed crooked beak, but she's still eating and drinking. All the chicks are healthy otherwise, and I am pleased with the quality so far.

 

[NYREDS]

You're asking an apples & oranges kind of question.
If you just want chickens then Welp will do. If you want better bred birds that represent the respective breed better & may even win at shows then Urch/Turnland is the place for you.

 

[NS2A]

I'm in Minnesota and I ordered from Welp just a few weeks ago.

I changed my order/mind a few times and they were always helpful and polite.

When they arrived, my wife poured them out of the box and all except 2 were healthy and ready to go, strong and healthy! Two were weak and had to be put down. This is normal of course. I called Welp and they gave me my money back no questions asked.

The birds are growing like crazy and look to be good birds.

But, I want a variety of chickens for eggs, nothing for show. So, so far, so good.

Time permitting, I will order Cornish X's later in the year and will definitely order from them again.

 

[hevmando]

We have gotten chicks from Duane Urch many times and have had excellent success with them. He is a very knowledgeable man, with many breeds of poultry. As far as some of the other hatcheries are concerned, some buy many of their chicks from people like Urch or other private breeders. That is why occasionally your orders are back ordered or otherwise, we are dealing with Mother nature, and birds typically do not mate at the time we need chicks to mature for the county fair. As far as the vaccinations are concerned, I have done it both ways and it seems like it has not made a difference with survival or disease. Some batches survive wonderfully, others not so well.

 

[cnmfarm]

I've tried the e-mail addy [email protected] and it keeps bouncing, anyone know if they have a new one? Thanks

Cindy

 

[knox_co]

I exchanged emails with Duane early in July and his email was still [email protected] at that time.

 

[Engteacher]

I bought my chicks from Duane last spring and then bumped into him at the state fair this summer. Ditto what everyone else said. His birds are top notch and his experience and care with his stock is just the best. You will need patience in working with him since he's a one-man show and not so technology oriented (no web site, for example), but our backyard flock is just what we were looking to own. These small breeders, especially ones that have been in the business for 50+ years, are treasures.