How does ordering work?

[Seaecho]

I've read a lot of posts on how hard it is to get your chicks sometimes. How early should I put in my order if I want chicks in say, March? Do I put it in in January? Also, this is going to sound stupid, but I've never ordered chicks before. If I go through MPC it says +$10 to get sexed chicks. Is this PER chick, or per order of a certain breed? Thanks so much.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Since I only use My Pet Chicken I can share what I know about ordering from them.

Sexed bantams generally cost the 10 dollars extra to order per chick. So sexed females will cost about 12-13 dollars each in total. Some of the more common standard breeds are more reasonable. Pick the sex in the drop down menu on the breed of you choice page and the total for a single chick will appear. Check your cart for the total amount of chicks order. When you check out the shipping will be added in.

As far as when to order can depend on what breeds you are hoping to get. Some more rare or popular breeds should be ordered as early as possible. Other breeds are available later in the season. If I really want to get a certain breed I order as soon as they allow, usually in January. I personally would check their availability dates every few days to see when they start taking orders for the dates you are wanting. Last year I ordered in December for May delivery.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I ordered in January for April chicks. Meyer's hatchery. I have my order for next spring in my cart and will hit the button likely right after the first of the year.

Gary

 

[venymae]

I will be honest, I find my pet chicken VERY expensive compared to most other hatcheries. We have used Meyer Hatcheries because it's close to us or just bought at the feed store.

 

[Seaecho]

Thanks everyone! The reason I decided to go with My Pet Chicken is because they are the only ones who sex the chicks. With my luck, if I went straight run, I'd get mostly males. So, with shipping, this could get quite expensive!

 

[venymae]

Thanks everyone! The reason I decided to go with My Pet Chicken is because they are the only ones who sex the chicks. With my luck, if I went straight run, I'd get mostly males. So, with shipping, this could get quite expensive!

What? I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Most hatcheries offer sexed chicks. In fact I don't know of any that DONT.

 

[venymae]

At Meyers (again it's where I've been, so I'm using it as example) you can order either, straight run (mixed), females, or males. And there is no $10 fee involved to get just girls!

https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=AMAS

 

[BYC910]

What Venymae said . Your shipping a long way I would try to order for any hatcheries early shipments . But maybe you can find a bycer near you with chicks for sale. Lots of horror stories about chicks shipping long distance . Hot weather cold weather . Three days from hatch is cutting it close at long distances .Make sure you get a live chick guarantee in writing .Pay with credit card so you can have a way to get your money back should things go wrong.

 

[Seaecho]

Just looked again at the Meyers hatchery, and it states that bantams are straight run. I'm very leery now of ordering chicks by mail, but it seems no one in my area raises bantams.

 

[venymae]

Ah, it appears you are correct, I suppose bantams are harder to vent sex. Though with $10 you could just order two more birds and then if you had roos you can just give them away and if not, more hens!....it's just an idea I have nothing against mypetchicken. Lots of people like them and use them and return to use them again. I just cant swallow the pricing! lol