ideal or MPC?

[chkinut]

hi guys! i ordered from MPC last year, and i was very satisfied. However, i was looking at Ideal's website and i MAY order from them cuz they may offer other breeds that MPC does not offer. but i was wondering if anyone has any advice as to which hatchery was better? one of my new girls will be a welsummer, and i'm wondering if MPC's welsummers have darker eggs than Ideal (or vise versa). but i also just want to know if people have had positive experiences with Ideal? Thanks!!!

 

[StevenW.]

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Just to let you know MPC drop ships from Meyer Hatchery and Ideal Hatchery I'm not sure about never bought from them I've always bought from Cackle Hatchery

 

[SpringChickens]

I've used Ideal, and been VERY, VERY happy with them. That said, you should use the place which is closest to you - shipping is very stressful for chicks. Most of the big hatcheries are comparable in quality, the biggest difference is the location.

 

[gritsar]

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Agreed about the distance.
I've ordered from Ideal twice. My big birds are going on 3 years old, my juveniles are nearly 6 months old. Been very satisfied with Ideal's birds both times. Healthy hardy chicks that grow up to be healthy hardy adults.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

I ordered form Ideal 3 times the first 2 times they were great, but I had ordered popular breeds (Reds, Barred Rocks...) the 3rd time I ordered I got 15 Cuckoo Marans and they all died!!! so I ordered from MPC and I got a total of 100 chicks from them (sold some for 3x!) out of 100 about 5 died and about 6 were males.

The shipping is killer but if you buy 25 they ship priority and it is cheaper.

Good luck!

 

[shelleyd2008]

I don't know where my MPC chicks came from, but they all arrived happy and healthy. I had trouble with only 1 leghorn pullet that just never 'grew', but the other 25 chicks were great. The first time I ever ordered chicks from Ideal I lost half of them within the first week and half of the rest of them within another week. That left me with I think 5? All of which died before they were 2 months old.

 

[chkinut]

Hmmm, Ideal is in TX, which is pretty good, i think....since i'm in NC....both pretty warm places. MPC....i cant remember where they ship from, and if they drop ship from another place, that has to be more stressful for the babies (someone correct me if i'm wrong). also, i think i read on Ideals site that there's no minumum order? i'm going in half with a friend of mine, she wants 6 RIR and i want 5 chicks (all different)....so could i order 11 chicks from Ideal? I have a Cuckoo Marans from MPC and she's 8 mo. old now and is doing well, her eggs are a pretty dark brown, but not TOO dark.....i was looking for another dark egg layer this spring, that's why i'm trying a Welsummer. i know that anytime u order from a hatchery, the eggs won't be that super rich dark brown. although i would LOVE to have that, i do understand, and i AM happy that the eggs can just be a couple shades darker than my other girls eggs. (i like color!)

 

[shelleyd2008]

Drop shipping just means that they send your order to a hatchery to be filled

So the chicks would still come from whichever hatchery can fill it first.

 

[8ROYALS]

I have ordered from both. My Ideal chicks seems to be getting bigger faster. With that said both have great customer service. I also live in Texas where Ideal is. If you are ordering an assortment Ideal will tell you how many of each..MPC does not...which I found helpful and cool. I have also gotten hatching eggs that are alot healthier and bigger than my hatchery stock. but that is probaly with all. Ideal you can also call and see if they have something that is not listed on-line. Sometimes they do. MPC will do the same but they deal with several hatcheries...so where are your chicks coming from. I didn't ask and wish I had. My asst from MPC had five whites, five yellows and one-three of the other 15. Ideal was 5,6,5,4,5 so only five breeds. I got layers because that is what I needed before I start breeding one or two breeds that will be seperate or only have a roo from that breed. Hope this helps

 

[chkinut]

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yeah, my babies arrived safe and healthy from MPC last year, and they're doing great now! no complaints.