Hatchery vs. Local Feed Store

[GentFarmer]

I like supporting locally owned business, even though I might not have the opportunity to get exactly what I'm wanting in the way of chicks. All my chickens were from two local feed stores. And I am fortunate enough to live an hour and a half away from Metzer's, so I was able to go down there today and pick up my ducklings. They were, however, pre-selected for me, so that feed-store experience definitely was missing.

 

[mtn2mama]

Look at the pros and cons. Being a first time chicken mom, I started out wanting a variety of breeds but only wanted a small flock of maybe 6 or 7 hens. If you order from a hatchery, you can get a variety but a minimum of 15. We opted to get our chicks from Tractor Supply, however in Virginia there is a law that you must buy 6 chicks minimum. We came home with 6 red stars. The following week they had amberlinks, so........we ended up with 12 babies. At 5 months they were all laying. We got them the first week of March. Have fun.

 

[bub374]

I totally agree always buy your chickens from a local store that way you can see what you're getting

 

[davedavey]

I've ordered several times from Murray Mcmurray hatchery with very good success

 

[JFreeman]

I have an order placed to Meyer Hatchery that is set to arrive the first week of June. The hatchery is about 530 mile north of where I live. However, there is a feed store near my house (Orschelns Farm and Home). I don't remember what breeds they have carried in the past. Should I cancel my hatchery order and buy from the feedstore, or stick with the hatchery? The Orschelns is in Murrya, KY if that helps. Any idea what breeds they might carry?

I ordered from Meyer earlier this year and had no cassualties with shipping. We ordered several different breeds, and our order totaled 27. They are a little over three weeks old and holding strong. It is a personal opinion on what you want to do, but I live a lot farther from Meyer then you do (951 miles). You won't get a huge variety of breeds with the local feedstore, but if you don't care what breeds you get, then that's what I would do. I am personally addicted to chicks and support both choices.

 

[rcjjt55]

Just buy shaving that have bigger size shavings. At my feed store they have two kinds. finer and bigger size. Mine don't eat the shavings.

 

[HS Pye]

Here's my opinion. There might be a few hurt/dead chicks if you order from a hatchery, but they will most likely replace them for you. The good thing about a hatchery is that you will know what you are getting. As for the feed store, you can choose your preference of chicks and they probably won't die, but unless you're a breed expert, you probably won't know what you're getting. I guess it's a preference issue

. Happy chick raising either way though

.

 

[clankeyes]

My local feed store let me put in a special order . The two I wanted at the same time are Maran and Americana.. She said both are popular so she had no problem ordering them for me. ALSO I did not have to have a minimum order. Just ask you local feed store if they are willing to work with you. Mine did . For those of you in the Whatcom County are of WA State : http://www.elenbaasco.com/index.html

 

[Izzygreenbird]

Hope I'm not opening a can of worms here, because it's not my intention to start a controversy.

I tend to stay away from hatcheries because of the inhumane way they treat newly hatched male chicks. I made the mistake of viewing a video about chicken reproduction and it was really about how the hatcheries 'dispose' of males. I can't tell you how sick it made me. So, I will hatch my own or go to breeders to get my birds. When I get cockerels I will put an ad in Craigslist or the local farm/chicken groups online and I'll get someone who is interested in taking him. I haven't gotten to the point where I can harvest them (when older) myself.

I feel that at least I would have given them a good life with good food, fresh air and grass to run around in before they are dispatched to my frig!

 

[BatonRougeChick]

I accidentally got a rooster last year so I an hatching my own now. Totally did not plan to but it's been so surprisingly easy.