Ideal Poultry v.s. Meyer Hatchery

[loftkeeper]

ideal is largest whole sale in the u.s.

 

[Areolyn]

Actually, I ordered some Black Silkies from Ideal several years ago, and they were very nice birds. I'm sure not show quality (although I'm no expert), but they had very nice hairlike feathers and nice walnut combs.

Well I mean he is cute and he is really nice, but his crest is very little, and he has quite a bit of hard feathering, and his toes are standard. This was before I ever researched hatchery quality birds.

 

[Michael OShay]

Well I mean he is cute and he is really nice, but his crest is very little, and he has quite a bit of hard feathering, and his toes are standard. This was before I ever researched hatchery quality birds.

I could just be the particular bird you got. The Black Silkies I had from Ideal did not have any hard feathering, but hen again, that was about two decades ago, and it's possible that the quality of their Silkies is not as good any longer. What color is your Silkie? Perhaps their Black Silkies tend to be better quality than whatever color variety that your Silkie is.

 

[Areolyn]

I could just be the particular bird you got. The Black Silkies I had from Ideal did not have any hard feathering, but hen again, that was about two decades ago, and it's possible that the quality of their Silkies is not as good any longer. What color is your Silkie? Perhaps their Black Silkies tend to be better quality than whatever color variety that your Silkie is.

The one I have right now is black, the other 4 before they died were 2 white and 2 partridge looking ones. They had the same thing, a lot of hard feathering.

 

[Areolyn]

Like you said though the quality might've changed or its just the colors I got. Ah well. just as long as they're friendly!

 

[Michael OShay]

The one I have right now is black, the other 4 before they died were 2 white and 2 partridge looking ones. They had the same thing, a lot of hard feathering.

That's too bad. But they should still have the sweet, gentle, friendly, good brooding characteristics of Silkies. )

 

[Areolyn]

ideal is largest whole sale in the u.s.

That is what they say on their website, and it is true that they have a wide variety. But they can only really 'operate' 52 weeks a year, meaning they only hatch really in the spring, summer, and then sometimes the fall. Getting chicks from them during the winter is hard and they usually rely on specials like what I ordered to sell at this time of year.

 

[Areolyn]

That's too bad. But they should still have the sweet, gentle, friendly, good brooding characteristics of Silkies. )

Oh yes! He is such a sweetie! I can pick him and sit him on my lap, give him food out of my hand without my palm being torn off, and he never fights with any of the others. I don't know about brooding as a rooster lol, but he is a very docile little guy.

 

[loftkeeper]

what about privett hatchery in n.m.

 

[draye]

I get more for my money from Cackle Hatchery. Shipping charges are cheaper. Ideal doesn't have shipping per se. But they charge you a fee for a small order. I think that it is anything under 100 chicks and last I knew it was $7.00.
I get better quality chicks from them(Cackle) than I have any where else. I've ordered from McMurray, Ideal, (seen chicks from Meyer) none ordered personally but family did.