Hatchery vs. Local Feed Store

[Mello-Bee]

I have bought chicks tractor supply 100% chick to chicken, I just received 26 Chicks from Murray McMurray hatchery 2 did in transport another within 2 hours one other is weak and may not make it. The advantage Hatchery is I did get the bread I wanted. Local breeders is another option, but small farms often cross bread chickens so you may not know what you are really getting.

 

[drinnenm]

I too have an order from Meyer Hatchery that is due this May. I can get the sex I want ordering on line but I always get about 3 or 4 from the co op because I cant resist. BUT the coop always has good info and help for raising your chicks. AND if you get a sex (rooster) you dont want the coop can usually helo you find a home for it.

 

[clankeyes]

OK I'm dumb !!!! and NEW.... can you hatch your own and have more success NOT having Roosters.. Don't laugh anyone ...

 

[BatonRougeChick]

No. I just hatched 5 and it looks like 3 are roosters . I have 11 more hatching Friday. We shall see.

 

[LTygress]

I see a lot of people giving absolutes with pretty strong feelings here. Cancel your order now or don't ever go with feed store!

Truth is, its more about what you want, how soon you want it, and which is more important to you.

Where do feed stores get their chicks? HATCHERIES!

If you are dead set on a specific breed or set of breeds, a hatchery is best. If you want them as soon as possible and don't care about specific breed, go with the feed store. If you don't mind a minimum order amount (typically 25), go with a hatchery. If you have limited space and not enough friends to take the extras, go with the feed store.

All of these chicks are coming from the same type of place - a hatchery. Feed stores merely resell them in smaller quantities. So base your decision off of what you think is most important out of the options available.

 

[clickclackmoo]

That's so interesting. We are about 450 miles from Meyer and I've had 3 bad experiences. I'll not order there again as it was a depressing way to start our flock losing so many.

 

[mumofsix]

First timer with baby chicks . Tractor Supply didn't get the chicks they told Me they were going . They had Cornish Rocks and Speckled Sussex Straight Run . My grandmother use to pick up her chick by the wings and if they kicked she said they were Roosters

. Okay after Everyone has had a Good Laugh

,tell Me if there is a way to pick pullets out of a straight run bunch. The lady at TC told Me several people have ask and Nobody at the store had no clue. Someone said maybe a slight color .

 

[hatchingman]

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?   

 

[hatchingman]

My favorite breed the Rhode Island Red I got from orcelens and 1 is still alive at 9 years of age

 

[hatchingman]

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?