*HATCHARIES* Where, who, and dependability.

[KodaBlue]

Hello fellow feather collectors!

So I'm just curious. When the time comes to get my baby chicks next spring I was curious if you guys new dependable, honest, and high quality breeders/hatcherwant that also ship in low quantities because I dont need 15+ birds Haha so I was hoping for some trustworthy names I should go through. I don't want leghorns or Rhodies which is all the farm supply stores around here sell. I have two specific breeds in mind and just want to make sure who I'm going through is trust worthy. Just call me nervous cause I've never bought and shipped live animals before and I worry for the wee ones.

Thank you to anyone who respondes.

 

[Pugsabi]

Welcome to the flock! What breeds do you want? Where are you located? Are you looking to show your birds or just for your own yard? Hatchery birds are of poorer quality in terms of looks so if your looking to breed for quality I'd go local breeder.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Welcome to the flock! What breeds do you want? Where are you located? Are you looking to show your birds or just for your own yard? Hatchery birds are of poorer quality in terms of looks so if your looking to breed for quality I'd go local breeder.

Agreed, this information will allow us to be more specific with our answers and help us help you!

 

[KodaBlue]

Hello! The breeds I want are Barnevelders and Speckled Sussex. And I'm located in Bismarck North Dakota. And no I won't be showing my birds although I of course want striking appreances from my ladies. And unfortunately i can't seem to find a breeder in my area so that's why i was thinking maybe going the hatchery route.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Hello! The breeds I want are Barnevelders and Speckled Sussex. And I'm located in Bismarck North Dakota. And no I won't be showing my birds although I of course want striking appreances from my ladies. And unfortunately i can't seem to find a breeder in my area so that's why i was thinking maybe going the hatchery route.

The closest hatchery that is reputable, as well as carry your preferred breeds is Cackle Hatchery. I hyperlinked the Barnevelder page.
They are only available to offer straight-run on the Barnevelders as they are sold out of sexed. I can look for other hatcheries if you would like. Here is the Speckled Sussex Page

 

[KodaBlue]

Yes please! I'd appreciate all the help i could get finding these breeds. Also do you have any other breed suggestions ones that go broody and are friendly/sociable. And also cold hard these winters are sure wicked here.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Yes please! I'd appreciate all the help i could get finding these breeds. Also do you have any other breed suggestions ones that go broody and are friendly/sociable. And also cold hard these winters are sure wicked here.

Australorps. Not the friendliest, but quiet, calm, great egg layers, and solid as a brick. Temperature tolerant, do go broody, and I have never seen one bullying another chicken.

 

[Pugsabi]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/north-dakota.645650/
Here's your state thread. You can ask them for any recommendations for local breeder's. You might also be able to find someone or more to split an order for chicks if the Hatchery you want only does large orders.
Cackle Hatchery has a great reputation, even though I haven't used them personally. My birds are from Ideal but I don't have either of the breeds you want so I can't comment on their quality. Ideal can be hit or miss, they often include male chicks as packing peanuts during colder months, and charge extra for smaller orders.

 

[Pugsabi]

Yes please! I'd appreciate all the help i could get finding these breeds. Also do you have any other breed suggestions ones that go broody and are friendly/sociable. And also cold hard these winters are sure wicked here.

Orpingtons! Fluffy, friendly, broody!

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Purely Poultry, located in Wisconsin, has sexed day old Barnevelders available, as well as Speckled Sussex. I personally have no experience with Cackle or Purely Poultry, as we have gotten ours from Ideal as well but they are like @Pugsabi said, a hit and miss.
Purely Poultry - Speckled Sussex
Purely Poultry - Barnevelder
All birds will have more influence in which hatchery they are from rather than the breeds themselves.
I know many people like Brahmas and Orpingtons for their broodiness and cold-hardiness.