Hatchery Question

[ToledoClucker]

True...Meyer et al do low minimum orders, however they all require that you order 5 minimum per breed. I was looking for 4 total with 1 of 4 different breeds (everyone in my family wanted a different one, lol). Purely Poultry was the only sourcer that I could find that allowed me to mix and match individual chicks. As far as them being an actual hatchery, I am not sure, but either way they were able to offer what I was looking for so thats what I went for. Hopefully I made the right decision!

 

[Adenium]

Just keep in mind that some places account for the higher risk of cold stress with small orders by putting in male "packing peanuts". This was why I ordered from MyPetChicken as they use a heat pack. We also ordered for June, so they shouldn't get too cold.

Some folks are happy to have the extra roos for food or to sell...or don't mind culling them, but I would have been horrified by that surprise. I wouldn't have known about the packing peanut thing if it weren't for BYC.

I'd love to hatch, but same problem with the potential roos.

ETA: Oops I see you placed your order already. I wish you luck with your chicks!

 

[CarolJ]

Meyer only requires 3 chicks - and you can mix and match any breeds. Last year I ordered 4 chicks from Meyer - 2 EEs, a Welsummer and a light brown leghorn. They arrived in great shape and are doing great now.

 

[nickie]

True...Meyer et al do low minimum orders, however they all require that you order 5 minimum per breed. I was looking for 4 total with 1 of 4 different breeds (everyone in my family wanted a different one, lol). Purely Poultry was the only sourcer that I could find that allowed me to mix and match individual chicks. As far as them being an actual hatchery, I am not sure, but either way they were able to offer what I was looking for so thats what I went for. Hopefully I made the right decision! :/

Just an FYI, last year I ordered 10 birds 7 breeds. Meyer allows any combo as long as you meet the minimum. I think (but not totally sure) Meyer supplies my pet chicken.

 

[kappelmd]

For a small number of chicks you may be better off going to "Chick Days" that begin at Tractor Supply in 4 more days or Orscheln Farm and home.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/
http://www.orschelnfarmhome.com/

I ordered 50 Pheasant from Purely Poultry, but they haven't been shipped yet either.

 

[kappelmd]

We ordered 25 chicks from Meyer in December and all of the early ship dates were taken. We couldn't get a ship date until April, We placed our order before that around Thanksgiving and was able to get a March delivery date. As others stated, I wouldn't mail order such a small number. We lost 3 last year within a few hours of picking them up at the post office, even though we had our brooder ready and warm and put them in it as soon as they came out of the box.

 

[ToledoClucker]

Hmm...certainly alot of food for thought! I have NOT placed my order yet as I decided to hold off and see what comments you fine folks had, and I might hold off a bit longer and check out what TSC has to offer. I was just in there the other day getting some supplies for my brooder, so might be worth stopping back to see what they have.

The reason I didnt go with Meyer is because the various breeds that I would like were available at all different ship times, with the latest being in June, thus, I was looking for a place that had the breeds I wanted with an earlier ship date, thus PurelyPoultry. Thanks for the advice though, really gives me alot to think about!

 

[georgiagail]

Ideal Poultry only requires a $25 order; there is a small box fee for orders under a certain size but this is minimal....as is their shipping (I noticed PurelyPoultry has a $40 shipping charge for small orders). You can also mix and match and there is no minimum number required of any one breed.

Last order I got from them was for 10 bantams and the total cost (with small box fee and shipping) wasn't much over $40.

Gail

 

[ToledoClucker]

Thanks for the tip on Ideal Poultry. Just checked them out and they are sold out of the breeds that I would like (Plymouth Barred Rock, Silver-Laced Wyandotte, Buff Orpington, and Light Brahma) until May. I didn't realize there was such a demand for chicks! I might have to check out what TSC has and hope they at least have a few of the breeds I am after!

 

[ToledoClucker]

UPDATE:

I took a closer look at Meyer and realized they are in Ohio, which is the same state as myself. So I went ahead and placed an order tonight for - 1 - Silver-Laced Wyandotte, 1 - Buff Orpington, and 4 - Random Egg-Layers. I am crossing my fingers hoping to get a Plymouth Barred Rock and a Light Brahma in that mix! Thanks for the help everyone and I will take pics of the chicks when they get here (2/28-3/1). Thanks again! Ooh...that reminds me....coop size.... 2 sq. ft/bird and 10 sq. ft/bird in the run, correct?