I might be ordering a few chicks from Meyer... Help!

[americana-chick]

I might be ordering 6 chicks from meyer hatchery sometime soon and scedual them to come sometime in April (figured that would be good since it would be near my birthday). Is Meyer Hatchery a good hatchery to order from? I would love to hear costumer reviews and hear about birds from them. Also The chicks i have in my cart right now are
2 Turken Pullets
2 Exchequer Leghorn Pullets
and 2 Blue Laced Red Wyandotte pullets
I know Hatchery birds arent usually show qualitie but surely the breeds i am thinking about ordering are at least somewhat like them?
I just have so many questions because i have never ordered from a hatchery before. Always have either bought birds from others or from the store.
Thanks!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have ordered from Meyer for the past 4 years along with several others.
Meyer has my order again this year!
They have always sent me quality layers and I still have some of the original birds from them and they are still going strong. I sold some in the last few years as well because people absolutely loved them and thought they were very healthy looking. Not so much from the other hatcheries I ordered from in the past years.
I keep trying new breeds for my layer flock and have about 45 chicks already ordered and am thinking of adding some other breeds in. DH keeps wanting more. Ugh.....

But so far, with my experience, Meyer has had really nice birds for layers and they don't live a few weeks then die like my other hatchery chicks have done.

 

[mrkpero]

I always get my chicks from Meyer. I only want a few at a time and I am able to drive down and pick them up. Have never lost any as chicks. They are a very clean hatchery with a great, friendly staff. I don't have any experience with the breeds you have selected but have always been very happy with what I have gotten in the past (red and black sex links, buff orpingtons, new hampshires, and barred rock). Good Luck!

 

[TerriLaChicks]

Been happy with mine & like Nadine, I have layers going on 3-4 years & still going strong & healthy. I already placed my order for this year from Meyer & if you want some of the "rare" breeds, I suggest you get your order in ASAP as they are going fast!
I don't show & never intend to, just have a small flock for fun & family.

 

[michickenwrangler]

My original birds were barred rocks and dominiques from Meyer. And while neither one was show quality, the two breeds were indeed distinctive from one another as they should be. The Doms were smaller with jauntier tails and rose combs and the barred rocks were bigger, friendlier with single combs.

 

[americana-chick]

Thanks everyone! this is making me really want to get my order in.

I have one more question, how does shipping work? Do i have to go and pick the chicks up from the postoffice? And any tips for shipped chicks?
Thanks again

 

[michickenwrangler]

The chicks hatched Sunday. We received them Tues. morning. The post office called early in the morning and DH went and picked them up and put them in the brooder. All live and happy.

 

[AlixS]

My girls came from Meyer. They are all very beautiful! They were very efficient with shipping and their customer service is great! I would highly recommend ordering from Meyer!

 

[chicknduck]

I ordered from Meyer last feb. and I was so pleased with them. They even helped me pick out a good breed for a first time chicken lady. : ) I like them alot. Good luck on your order.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Once I know the date they are coming I call my PO and let them know that as soon as the peepers arrive to call me, no matter what time of day or night! Most of the time the truck has brought them in early, about 6 am but I have had a call in the afternoon.
Before I left for the PO (18 mile round trip) I would fill the water container (Quail drinker), scatter some chick starter on the floor and turn on the light to start the brooder warming.
When I bring them home I take them out, count and put them in the brooder. I give them time to stretch and peck for themselves and then tap on the water container near the water level and if they haven't already drank they come then and check it out. They find the food by themselves and usually take long naps. I wait until the next day to check for any curled toes or other problems but they are usually near perfect to me!

With 300 hatched chicks down in my brooder room now I am still excited about the new ones coming from Meyer!