Hatcheries

[Mamaorpington]

I have never purchased from a mail order Hatchery. My girls all come from local place but with the pandemic it is very hard because everyone is sold out. I took to long setting up for my new coop and everyone is selling out. I am considering ordering from Cackles Hatchery. Has anyone had an experience with them? The delivery will be in July is it okay to order then? I am also scared of bringing diseases to my flock. I have read some horror stories. Their are other hatcheries l waned to order from, but they are also sold out. I would love any help or recommendations. Thank you

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most hatcheries are clean, and chick disease free. It's their business. Most places are selling out quickly this year.

 

[viennaproto]

I just placed my first online order too-I have only raised chicks/ducks from local hatcheries. I ordered six duckling from purely poultry I can be sure to let you know how everything goes when they arrive!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Cackle is a good one and I’ve always wanted to order from them but never have because of the fairly high small order fee but maybe one day. They do seem to have good stock and I like that they have so many pictures and videos of both their stock/facilities and of birds purchased from them. That’s a huge plus for me.

I have personally ordered from Meyer Hatchery quite a bit and I really love them and all the birds I have gotten from them. They are all healthy, beautiful, friendly, etc. and great layers. They also only have a minimum of 3 chicks which is nice. Their shipping is a bit higher but worth it IMO.

This most recent time I ordered from Ideal because the breeds I wanted were only available from there and I’ve been really happy with them. The birds arrived very active and healthy, alert, etc. and they are all still doing very well 4 weeks later and very beautiful and friendly.

So all this to say there are lots of good hatcheries and I think you would be happy with any of them. There are also both good and bad stories about almost any hatchery out there.

 

[MROO]

I have never purchased from a mail order Hatchery. My girls all come from local place but with the pandemic it is very hard because everyone is sold out. I took to long setting up for my new coop and everyone is selling out. I am considering ordering from Cackles Hatchery. Has anyone had an experience with them? The delivery will be in July is it okay to order then? I am also scared of bringing diseases to my flock. I have read some horror stories. Their are other hatcheries l waned to order from, but they are also sold out. I would love any help or recommendations. Thank you

Where are you located? If you join your local State thread, here on BYC, you may be able to find birds closer to home.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/find-your-states-thread.270925/

 

[keesmom]

Chicks from any of the major hatcheries are the safest chicks you can get. I've had chicks from Cackle, McMurray, Ideal and Meyer and have been happy with all of them.

 

[Mamaorpington]

Thank you guys for all the help. I just ordered from tractor supply they just got the black Australorps. I set them up in a nice shade spot away from my other girls, but now I am afraid it is to shady for the cooler months. I welcome any thought you may have on them. I have researched for the last year trying to have everything just right. Before I make it there permanent home does anyone who is educated with the breed think that a shady area is okay for them? My other girls have a very large run that is 75% in the sun, but they are Isa chickens and they love sitting in the sun on cold days. I live in NJ it gets really cold some winters. Thank you all again

 

[MROO]

Thank you guys for all the help. I just ordered from tractor supply they just got the black Australorps. I set them up in a nice shade spot away from my other girls, but now I am afraid it is to shady for the cooler months. I welcome any thought you may have on them. I have researched for the last year trying to have everything just right. Before I make it there permanent home does anyone who is educated with the breed think that a shady area is okay for them? My other girls have a very large run that is 75% in the sun, but they are Isa chickens and they love sitting in the sun on cold days. I live in NJ it gets really cold some winters. Thank you all again

Since they're still little, they'll do better separated for now, like you have them. Once they're grown, you should be able to combine the two flocks pretty easily. By then, they'll not only have formed their own social structure, but they will have built up immunity to anything in your soil. Adding two groups together is usually a lot easier than adding just a few birds at once ... or worse, just one. If you don't plan on breeding purebreds, a mixed flock of ISAs and Aussies should do just fine. As a bonus, it's often easier (and much cheaper) to add onto an existing run and coop than it is to make a second one ... and it's certainly easier to feed and maintain one flock than two!

 

[FathertoFeathers]

Ive ordered from Cackle and I highly recommend them. The small order fee is annoying but the chicks almost always come healthy and strong. Its not uncommon for them to give you some extra chicks with your order too.