Hatchery Poll

[Acre4Me]

The hatchery that is closest to you is your best bet for shipping birds.

Not always. I think it depends more on how USPS routes your packages. I ordered from Meyer, who packs then ships the chicks, which go through Cleveland distribution center first (as expected). I'm in OH, about 3 hours from Meyer, and I live in a city. USPS took 2 days to transport the chicks - 36 hours without any updates!! But other people, many states away, have gotten their Meyer chicks very quickly - even without paying for faster shipping.

Thanks for the info. I really don't want males, even if they are "extra" because I'll have to find a way to get rid of them.

We were able to sell extras at a livestock auction. We googled "livestock auction" to find the nearest. The experience was good. Otherwise, I was going to post it on the neighborhood board in the local farm store, whereas you could post on the board in a pet store most likely.

The problem for me is that none are very close..

So, you can peruse the NPIP list of hatcheries by state. These are large and small breeders and hatcheries that have gone through the screening to be able to sell and ship chicks and indicate that they have been tested (and are free from) certain avian issues/illnesses. Pretty sure some states require NPIP status to ship chicks, but not 100% sure on that fact.

Here is the link: Maybe one is near to you. Also, scroll all the way through the listings as some of the pages are not full of info, and so the page is only half full, looking like you've reached the end. Looks like there are 8 pages of hatcheries/breeders listed for CA. In addition, they list breed codes. These codes are listed in another link (attached). But, you are not looking for a specific breed, so I wouldn't worry about that - you might interested if there is a breeder/hatchery near to you, so you could pick chicks up in person possibly.

http://www.poultryimprovement.org/statesContent.cfm

http://www.poultryimprovement.org/documents/StockCodesNumerical12-19-2018.pdf

Good Luck!

 

[DobieLover]

Tagging people who mentioned buying from hatcheries--please weigh in with short and long term health of chicks that you've gotten!

@ChooksNQuilts @WhoDatChick @Farmgirl1878 @paintedChix @DobieLover @N F C @HuffleClaw

I purchased my original flock from Meyer with a hatch date of 4/29/18. They were the closest well known hatchery to me. I received the 12 chicks I ordered in 3 days. One with a pecked beak. A little extra support for her and she was fine.
Last year they only had a 90% sex guarantee. 90% of my pullets were correctly sexed. The oops cockerel was successfully rehomed.
One of my pullets developed a weird cancer and was euthanized at around 5 months old:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/facial-comb-swelling-in-21-week-old-pullet.1273710/
Ironically, this little girl has pasty butt a lot as a chick.

Everyone else has been very healthy.

I just placed another order from Meyer for 16 chicks. As mentioned, they now offer 100% sexing guarantee.

I have all different breeds because I want lots of color in my flock and egg basket. Don't care about SOP and will ultimately breed my subsequent generations.

I intentionally wait until milder weather to have my order shipped to increase the odds of survival in the chicks. No one knows how many of the day old chicks the farms stores lose because of shipping stress. It may be less due to the larger numbers of chicks they order.

Meyer is not in the habit of including males as heat packs. They include actual heat packs. At least they did with my order and the orders of the few others I am aware ordered from them.

 

[WunnySharbit]

OK, so I've never ordered chicks, but my brother has and has loved MMcm, so I put in a vote for them. They also vaccinate their chicks.

However,...I am also in an urban/suburban setting. I searched out all of the feed stores in the area (30 mile radius) that sold chicks and visited each one. You will be on a first name basis with your feed store, so check them all out. Some of them were immediately eliminated: one had rude salesman, one wouldn't tell me who they ordered from and got quite testy, one would only recommend the most expensive food and put down all the others (at almost $40/25#bag, not an option), one I just didn't like-don't know why.
I picked out 3 and had a talk with the "chick" manager about suppliers, feed, supplies, vaccinations, etc. One seemed more interested in "properly outfitting" me with $30 chick feeders, $30 waterers, $30 heat lamps, .....Down to 2. I tried both (different years). The one I started with got their orders from mmcm and would add on a special order (with limitations). I've had brahmans, ees, sex links, orpingtons, Cornishx etc from them (and mmcm) over the years that have been happy, healthy, productive hens for many years. Last year I tried the second place (not mmcm) and picked up 8 chicks-they had sooooo many breeds to choose from! 3 were rehomed in someone's stew pot when they started to crow-prettiest ones, too. Talked to the manager--he was thinking of getting a different supplier after the #of complaints on their sexed chicks. Vaccinated? "umm..I'd have to check."

Long, llooonnnggg story short (too late, I know), I prefer to get my animals, feed, supplies, and meds/supps closer to home. I can visually inspect each animal, handle the supplies (some of the stuff out there is just flimsy junk), make an early AM med/supply run, pick up bandaging, return funky feed, inspect the bedding/straw. I don't worry too much about the staff's knowledge on the whole--Safeway's bag boy/girl won't know how to pick and process a pineapple, but I don't hold that against the store. I like a rainbow flock so I can name each one and enjoy the rainbow nest, too! Have fun and good luck!

PS I never go to auctions, swap meets, etc (my apologies if I offend those who do or who participate) because I personally know some of the sellers in my area and wouldn't breathe the air around their animals, let alone buy one. A local 4-H club might be an option--but because of stress, be careful buying at the fair/livestock show. We have purchased pullets and pairs that didn't perform well at the show for next to nothing and had no problems (until the new neighbors' cats who also fed the raccoons).

 

[pennyJo1960]

Where do you live with prices like that @WunnySharbit

 

[Kacey Elle]

Mine fall in the same gray area, not necessarily food, but occasionally an extra rooster gets eaten.

Longevity for me has ranged. Most live 4-8 years, some shorter, some longer.

Last fall I finally lost the remaining buff Orpington hen from my original MPC order in 2008. I very seldom lose birds under a year. Occasionally a 1-2 year old bird will just die one day, not sure why but it doesn't happen often.

In my experiences higher production sex links live shorter lives on average. Many heritage breeds live longer.

I've heard that about sex links. I currently have one and she does have weird issues that someone on here identified as reproductive in nature. She's super sweet but, yeah, I'm probably steering clear of them in the future....

I ordered from McMurray my whole life. The birds are healthy but they have messed up so many times with sexing. Also they have sent me unwanted roosters without asking. View attachment 1655962
View attachment 1655965
Over half of these pullets ended up being cockerels. They do refund if their sexing is under 90% but still, biggggg waste of time and food raising him so many skinny and worthless cockerels this summer. And they just refund with a discount on your next order so I did not actually get any money back, I don't think I want another order either.

I tried to order from Stromberg's hatchery once, never got my birds. We called multiple times and were told "the hens haven't started laying yet" funny that they were saying this all the way up into August when we are talking about Peafowl. Ended up being refunded with actual money this time. Not planning on ordering from any hatchery again in the near future. All of this combined with the PO just makes for a big stressful mess.

Wow. That is very good information to have. Since I'm buying for a school, the reimbursement/refund thing would be a huge pain. I think I'm scratching them from my list. Thanks!

Not always. I think it depends more on how USPS routes your packages. I ordered from Meyer, who packs then ships the chicks, which go through Cleveland distribution center first (as expected). I'm in OH, about 3 hours from Meyer, and I live in a city. USPS took 2 days to transport the chicks - 36 hours without any updates!! But other people, many states away, have gotten their Meyer chicks very quickly - even without paying for faster shipping.



We were able to sell extras at a livestock auction. We googled "livestock auction" to find the nearest. The experience was good. Otherwise, I was going to post it on the neighborhood board in the local farm store, whereas you could post on the board in a pet store most likely.



So, you can peruse the NPIP list of hatcheries by state. These are large and small breeders and hatcheries that have gone through the screening to be able to sell and ship chicks and indicate that they have been tested (and are free from) certain avian issues/illnesses. Pretty sure some states require NPIP status to ship chicks, but not 100% sure on that fact.

Here is the link: Maybe one is near to you. Also, scroll all the way through the listings as some of the pages are not full of info, and so the page is only half full, looking like you've reached the end. Looks like there are 8 pages of hatcheries/breeders listed for CA. In addition, they list breed codes. These codes are listed in another link (attached). But, you are not looking for a specific breed, so I wouldn't worry about that - you might interested if there is a breeder/hatchery near to you, so you could pick chicks up in person possibly.

http://www.poultryimprovement.org/statesContent.cfm

http://www.poultryimprovement.org/documents/StockCodesNumerical12-19-2018.pdf

Good Luck!

Thanks! How did you find out about the USPS routes? Is this a complicated thing or a Google thing?

Those links are incredibly helpful. I really appreciate that you shared those!

I purchased my original flock from Meyer with a hatch date of 4/29/18. They were the closest well known hatchery to me. I received the 12 chicks I ordered in 3 days. One with a pecked beak. A little extra support for her and she was fine.
Last year they only had a 90% sex guarantee. 90% of my pullets were correctly sexed. The oops cockerel was successfully rehomed.
One of my pullets developed a weird cancer and was euthanized at around 5 months old:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/facial-comb-swelling-in-21-week-old-pullet.1273710/
Ironically, this little girl has pasty butt a lot as a chick.

Everyone else has been very healthy.

I just placed another order from Meyer for 16 chicks. As mentioned, they now offer 100% sexing guarantee.

I have all different breeds because I want lots of color in my flock and egg basket. Don't care about SOP and will ultimately breed my subsequent generations.

I intentionally wait until milder weather to have my order shipped to increase the odds of survival in the chicks. No one knows how many of the day old chicks the farms stores lose because of shipping stress. It may be less due to the larger numbers of chicks they order.

Meyer is not in the habit of including males as heat packs. They include actual heat packs. At least they did with my order and the orders of the few others I am aware ordered from them.

Glad to know I'm not the only one with no desire for "quality" chickens! I'm planning to get the chicks at the end of March/beginning of April. Do you think that will be mild enough transport weather?

OK, so I've never ordered chicks, but my brother has and has loved MMcm, so I put in a vote for them. They also vaccinate their chicks.

However,...I am also in an urban/suburban setting. I searched out all of the feed stores in the area (30 mile radius) that sold chicks and visited each one. You will be on a first name basis with your feed store, so check them all out. Some of them were immediately eliminated: one had rude salesman, one wouldn't tell me who they ordered from and got quite testy, one would only recommend the most expensive food and put down all the others (at almost $40/25#bag, not an option), one I just didn't like-don't know why.
I picked out 3 and had a talk with the "chick" manager about suppliers, feed, supplies, vaccinations, etc. One seemed more interested in "properly outfitting" me with $30 chick feeders, $30 waterers, $30 heat lamps, .....Down to 2. I tried both (different years). The one I started with got their orders from mmcm and would add on a special order (with limitations). I've had brahmans, ees, sex links, orpingtons, Cornishx etc from them (and mmcm) over the years that have been happy, healthy, productive hens for many years. Last year I tried the second place (not mmcm) and picked up 8 chicks-they had sooooo many breeds to choose from! 3 were rehomed in someone's stew pot when they started to crow-prettiest ones, too. Talked to the manager--he was thinking of getting a different supplier after the #of complaints on their sexed chicks. Vaccinated? "umm..I'd have to check."

Long, llooonnnggg story short (too late, I know), I prefer to get my animals, feed, supplies, and meds/supps closer to home. I can visually inspect each animal, handle the supplies (some of the stuff out there is just flimsy junk), make an early AM med/supply run, pick up bandaging, return funky feed, inspect the bedding/straw. I don't worry too much about the staff's knowledge on the whole--Safeway's bag boy/girl won't know how to pick and process a pineapple, but I don't hold that against the store. I like a rainbow flock so I can name each one and enjoy the rainbow nest, too! Have fun and good luck!

PS I never go to auctions, swap meets, etc (my apologies if I offend those who do or who participate) because I personally know some of the sellers in my area and wouldn't breathe the air around their animals, let alone buy one. A local 4-H club might be an option--but because of stress, be careful buying at the fair/livestock show. We have purchased pullets and pairs that didn't perform well at the show for next to nothing and had no problems (until the new neighbors' cats who also fed the raccoons).

I love that you did this! People always say I do too much research but going to every store and evaluating them? Yeah, that's me.

Do you know if your brother had sexing issues? An earlier post said that MMcM had major problems sexing a chick order.

If the hatchery thing doesn't work out, that's probably what I'll do. But I can only find about three feed stores near me that regularly stock chicks. So I have a smaller pool of candidates. And I know at least one feed store that my friend bought from and every single chick turned out to be a rooster. That makes me really really nervous.

Craigslist has chicks/chickens but I've been leery of buying them for exactly what you say about auctions/swap meets.

Thanks for all the information!

 

[Folly's place]

Feed stores can be a good place to buy a few chicks, but you will need to know what you are doing first. Be able to ID breed types, at least, and realize that those inexpensive chicks will not be vaccinated against Marek's disease. That's done buy special order only, or when you have it done by the hatchery that you order from directly.
I'm not so concerned about getting some cockerels, and usually order straight run, because I know that my boys will have nice lives, even if short. Do you ever wonder what some hatcheries do with all those extra cockerels?
Be reasonable about ordering chicks so they are shipped during reasonable weather!!! If it's winter in the north, or super hot summers in the south, things won't go well.
Mary

 

[Acre4Me]

Thanks! How did you find out about the USPS routes? Is this a complicated thing or a Google thing?

Yup, can't really find out. MY PO office employees are generally quite unhelpful. Their first response includes a blank face combined with shrugged shoulders to most questions. And I'm there a lot, several times a week to pick up mail, so its a pretty standard response by several of them. However, because I mail and track many items going short and long domestic distances, I can say some routes are quick, and others oddly.....very oddly extremely long. In the case of the chicks, It was very odd that there were no updates. It was Jan, and temps were pretty mild for Jan (not bad at all), no bad weather anywhere near OH, and they just.didnt.go.anywhere.for.36.hours. Meyer Hatchery was also stumped - they were genuinely surprised at the time it took as they ship all over and indicated that the vast majority of OH shipments arrive more quickly (like the next day).

My package to a relative in FL, mailed priority mail (expected 2-day per my receipt...but NOT guaranteed) took 11 days!! Yes, 11 days to a domestic location only a few states away!!! And I mailed a similar package another time (again expected 2-day, not guaranteed) to same relative, same address, and that one took 9-days!! Why? well, I got the same shrugged shoulder response at the PO. Other packages mailed same days as these mentioned made it to East Coast and West coast addresses in the expected 2-day or 3-day time frames stated on my receipt. Another package to same FL relative (mailed regular mail..not priority) took over 2 weeks...it actually stayed in one FL location for 9 days...so long that I thought it was misplaced. In order to get an educated answer I spoke directly with our Postmaster who voluntarily tracked it in their system and said: "No, nothing wrong...you just mailed it regular mail". Hmmm..."WTF" did cross my mind...

So, to summarize...if you are able to find out a way to see or determine USPS routing, I'd love to know!

Those links are incredibly helpful. I really appreciate that you shared those!

You're Welcome!

If one is near you, or sells something you are interested in, don't forget to check Facebook or Craigs List or similar. If they are smaller, they are NPIP to sell most likely, so they will likely have some sort of outlet, like a web page, a FB page, etc. You can always call the county extension office to find out more info if needed.

 

[Folly's place]

In many states, including Michigan , NPIP certification only covers S. pullorum. That's important, but leaves out so many other diseases! And no quarantine will save you from Marek's disease, which is basically forever once on your property.
That's why I never buy from 'random sources' or pretty much anywhere but good hatcheries with serious reputations to care about.
If you are set on getting SQ birds, you will have to take more risks, IMO.
Mary

 

[pitbullmomma]

Mypetchicken.com, awesome sauce IMO!!!!

Started out with them for chooks, ordered two separate batches, they were always ready to answer my (many) newbie questions, chicks were great, sexed 100% correctly both times, awesome customer service...I'm in NJ, they drop shipped from Meyer. Difference between MPC and Meyer chicks, Meyer I believe has a large minimum, also they don't sex bantams. You can only purchase straight run day old chicks from Meyer. MPC has a chicken sexer that sexes those Meyer (and other hatchery) bantams.

That is a skill and worth it for the extra money not to have extra roosters (I am not fond of the idea of extra roos as warm packing peanuts, ugh).

I have enough roos (from hatching my own, lol, not MPC) so if I ever order more it would be from MPC or a local breeder who sexes their birds, or I'd buy started pullets.

Another thing with MPC, like I said they have great CS. On my initial batch, one tiny d'Uccle didn't make it. They gave me so much good advice to try to help that baby pull through (I mean I was a brand-spanking-newbie at that point). They were kind and respectful when she died. They reimbursed my money with no question.

I feel I have the perfect flock now, almost two years out, no regrets. I have ordered non-chicken stuff from them too (just bought a Cozy Coop heater that I have yet to hook up) and would not hesitate to get babies from them again...when mine start dying off I will definitely get some more d'Uccle pullets cuz that breed has my heart.

Good luck!

(Edited for truly crappy typing)

 

[DobieLover]

I've heard that about sex links. I currently have one and she does have weird issues that someone on here identified as reproductive in nature. She's super sweet but, yeah, I'm probably steering clear of them in the future....



Wow. That is very good information to have. Since I'm buying for a school, the reimbursement/refund thing would be a huge pain. I think I'm scratching them from my list. Thanks!



Thanks! How did you find out about the USPS routes? Is this a complicated thing or a Google thing?

Those links are incredibly helpful. I really appreciate that you shared those!



Glad to know I'm not the only one with no desire for "quality" chickens! I'm planning to get the chicks at the end of March/beginning of April. Do you think that will be mild enough transport weather?



I love that you did this! People always say I do too much research but going to every store and evaluating them? Yeah, that's me.

Do you know if your brother had sexing issues? An earlier post said that MMcM had major problems sexing a chick order.

If the hatchery thing doesn't work out, that's probably what I'll do. But I can only find about three feed stores near me that regularly stock chicks. So I have a smaller pool of candidates. And I know at least one feed store that my friend bought from and every single chick turned out to be a rooster. That makes me really really nervous.

Craigslist has chicks/chickens but I've been leery of buying them for exactly what you say about auctions/swap meets.

Thanks for all the information!

If you order a hatch date April 1 or later, the chick minimum drops and you'll have better weather.