How do people feel about Ideal Hatchery?

[FrozenChef]

I'm looking into getting some chickens and I have been having a hard time finding the breeds I want. Ideal happens to have one of the Breeds I was Looking for but How close to the American standard of perfection will I be? Like no way besides the same name Or Yes that is that breed.

 

[Kat's Silly Chickens]

First,

IMO, since I've gotten chicks from Ideal, that they are not really close to any of the pictures they show. What I've read about hatchery chickens are they are not often Show Quality.
Also with Ideal you have to know exactly what a day old chick in the breed you want looks like. We ordered 3 different colored silkies and got 2 silkies and 1 unknown breed chick. Tho they refunded the cost of the chick it was still not what we had ordered. If they will be shipped to you you will also receive roosters as packing peanuts. We drove down and picked ours up, but never noticed they had goofed til we got home.
Research the breed you want before you order.

 

[paddock36]

I have ordered from them before and they were great. Everything arrived when it was supposed to and alive. I did have a problem with some bantams dying but I emailed them and they sent a replacement with no problem. I ordered Turkeys, and Japanese bantams. I can't really say about the standard of profection but they were the breeds that I ordered and if they weren't standard they had to be pretty close 'cause they turned out beautiful.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I have 2 points to make;

1. Almost NO hatchery will be close to the Standard of Perfection as written for chickens, they are mass producing them and they are usually a far cry from what the actual breed is, most likely they are geared more towards eggs production, ie. smaller and lighter than the breed should be.

2. I have ordered from Ideal MANY times and have been happy every single time. All birds I get are healthy and have a low death rate, usually from shipping- not anything the hatchery has done. Ideal isn't 100% perfect but no hatchery is, and if they make a mistake they are quick to apologize, refund your money or send you replacements and fix it. I have been very happy with them.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

&

The last time I ordered from Ideal, I ordered Salmon Faverolles, 20 females, 5 males. After they put off my order twice, then sent them before delivery date without contacting me, & sending 14 roos & 11 hens, they'll never do my business again. But,.... I discovered the fine stock of breeders, so I don't use any hatcheries anymore.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
X2

 

[Judy]

Ideal, like any hatchery, does not attempt to meet the breed's standard of perfection. They cross breed to increase egg production. If you want show quality chickens that truly represent the breed, find a good breeder. If you just want pet backyard chickens for eggs and yard candy, Ideal is fine, as are any of the major hatcheries.