I'm thinking about ordering some chicks from a hatchery.. any advice?

[lamNervousNellie]

Or suggestions on which hatchery to use? I don't want to spend a ton of money so I'm thinking of getting an assortment of brown egg layers. When is the best time to order, and what kind of prices are fair? Who did you order from and what was your overall experience?

 

[kagedgoddess]

Order catalogs from everyone and see what you like. Minimum orders are 25 so you might be better off finding a local breedr, but at least youll know what you want. Order as early as possible. Certain breeds sell out quick. I put in an order end of jan and it will be shipping may 16. To give you an idea, but i have a bunch of different breeds coming. Pick a shipping date of late march at the earliest. Cold weather will kill chicks in shipment. Ive ordered from murray mcmurray 2xs lost 4 chicks first time 8 the next time. Ordered online with efowl 10 chicks one came with spraddle legs and a twisted chest, we got no reposnse from company, chick died day of arrival. Most hat heries give you your $ back for dead chicks. My may order is with meyers so we ll see how that goes. Good luck. Oh amd you can now order chicks thru tractor supply company stores. Theyre cheap amd theres no shipping.

 

[vjbakke]

I placed 2 orders with Meyer hatchery, they have low minimums as low as 3 chicks. They gave tracking numbers when the orders shipped on their website to track. I am very please with them.

 

[epeloquin]

I ordered 3 RIRs and 3 BPRs from www.mypetchicken.com. They were less than $4 a piece and they also have a 3 chick minimum order. I'm happy.

 

[ginormous chicken]

MPC is Meyers. MPC gets their chickens from Meyers. I would go with either.