Hatcheries that allow "combinations"

[NCBantam22]

Do any hatcheries allow you to combine ducklings, chicks and poults together into the minimum order. I don't want to have to get 15 ducklings, 15 poults and 15 chicks, but like 10 chicks, 3 ducklings and 2 poults. Any hatcheries that do this?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I’m not going to go through the hatcheries, you can do that, but most will. Different hatcheries are different. The main purpose of minimum orders is so there are enough bodies in the box to generate heat and keep each other warm. It’s usually mentioned somewhere on their website or just pick up the phone and call. They should know what their policies are.

Different hatcheries may still have minimum numbers of breeds or species, some don’t, but these minimums are different for different hatcheries. Some have additional costs if you order small numbers or different breeds or species. All this is so hatchery-specific you can’t generalize. Costs for all this can vary quite a bit hatchery by hatchery.

Another thing to be aware of is packing peanuts. Most hatcheries might add some extra males to the order to provide extra warmth during shipment, say your total number is low or bad weather is forecast. These are practically always extra males they don’t need. If you don’t want packing peanuts this might be worth a phone call.

From what I’ve a seen, it’s hard to just get two poults. Good luck on that one.

 

[NCBantam22]

I’m not going to go through the hatcheries, you can do that, but most will. Different hatcheries are different. The main purpose of minimum orders is so there are enough bodies in the box to generate heat and keep each other warm. It’s usually mentioned somewhere on their website or just pick up the phone and call. They should know what their policies are.

Different hatcheries may still have minimum numbers of breeds or species, some don’t, but these minimums are different for different hatcheries. Some have additional costs if you order small numbers or different breeds or species. All this is so hatchery-specific you can’t generalize. Costs for all this can vary quite a bit hatchery by hatchery.

Another thing to be aware of is packing peanuts. Most hatcheries might add some extra males to the order to provide extra warmth during shipment, say your total number is low or bad weather is forecast. These are practically always extra males they don’t need. If you don’t want packing peanuts this might be worth a phone call.

From what I’ve a seen, it’s hard to just get two poults. Good luck on that one.

Thanks

 

[realsis]

Meyer hatchery will let you mix different breeds of chicks and in April their minimum is only 3 chicks shipped. They don't add packing peanuts (male chicks).for warmth. They don't ship mixed species ducks with chicks for the safty of the hatchling chicks. However because the minimum is so few you might want to check out there site. They have LOTS of breed choices for ducks and chicks check them out soon as it's getting later and breed choices can be picked early. They have a calender that shows hatch dates and availability.I'm not sure you will find ANY place to ship ducks and chicks just because the ducks can hurt the chicks.But you might want to find a hatchery with a low minimum like Meyers or my pet chicken (who gets there birds from Meyers anyway). I hope this helps and keep us posted on what you decide or find out.

 

[donrae]

I think the turkeys are going to be a sticking point. Seems like I remember several hatcheries have different facilities for turkeys for disease control, so they don't combine shipping on them.

I'm not sure how shipping ducklings and chicks would be. As mentioned above, ducklings are more aggressive than chicks. You'll just have to check with hatcheries and see if anyone can get close to what you want. alternatively, check with your local feed stores and see if you can add orders onto one of theirs. Or put wanted ads on CL or similar looking for the turkey and duck breeds you want, someone may be hatching in the next few months.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I got this from Cackle’s site

Cackle has a minimum order of a total of 15 chicks (for warmth purposes). Bantam minimum order is 25 chicks for Feb.- March. Bantam minimum order is 15 chicks for the balance of the year. There is a minimum order per breed/variety of 5 chicks for entire year. Bobwhite Quail and Coturnix Quail have a minimum order of 50 chicks to ship. All Pheasant have a minimum of 15 chicks to ship. The Chukar Partridge has a minimum of 30 chicks to ship. No minimum on turkeys, ducks, or geese if shipped with other birds to make the 15 total minimum chicks ordered


I still suggest you confirm with them.

 

[donrae]

Gee, thanks Ridgerunner, now I have to go check out Cackle's site

. That's one hatchery I don't look at much, but a couple of turkeys would be nice........

 

[realsis]

They usually won't ship chicks and turkey's because the chance of blackhead disease. Are you trying to combine to save shipping cost? you might want to look at your local Tractor Supply store they depending store to store sell chicks, ducks, turkeys, and bantam chicks. Right about now there "chick days" start and it could be a really good alternative for you. This way you can mix and match and not worry about shipping policy. Hope this helps. You might look into this.