Inexpensive Hatcheries?

[Fluffnut]

Does anyone know a good quality, but cheap, hatchery? I'm looking for somewhere to get Barnevelder chickens and/or Silver or Gold Harlequin ducks. Silkies would be nice too. I used MyPetChicken last year, because they're good quality and I wanted that for my first batch, but they're sort of pricey and somewhere that is cheaper and ships to NC would be great! Thanks in advance!

 

[Beer can]

Does anyone know a good quality, but cheap, hatchery? I'm looking for somewhere to get Barnevelder chickens and/or Silver or Gold Harlequin ducks. Silkies would be nice too. I used MyPetChicken last year, because they're good quality and I wanted that for my first batch, but they're sort of pricey and somewhere that is cheaper and ships to NC would be great! Thanks in advance!

MyPetChicken is not a hatchery, they take your order and then ship from actual hatchery's. So you pay extra for a 'middle man'. Not sure about "Silver or Gold Harlequin ducks" but a some hatchery's have Barnevelder's , I got one from Cackle hatchery as a 'packing peanut' extra chick on my order once.

 

[Beer can]

Not saying MPC is a bad place to order from, they have a good website and many are pleased with them. Barnvelders are a premium breed and you will pay a little more no matter where you order from, I imagine the same with those ducks.
I just looked them up , Cackle has both those breeds, not cheap though. Silver Welsh Harlequin, and Barnvelders. I've had great luck with Cackle, and great customer service, most big hatchery's are pretty good, it's what they are in business for.

 

[joydix]

MyPetChicken is not a hatchery, they take your order and then ship from actual hatchery's. So you pay extra for a 'middle man'. Not sure about "Silver or Gold Harlequin ducks" but a some hatchery's have Barnevelder's , I got one from Cackle hatchery as a 'packing peanut' extra chick on my order once.

I know there must be local breeders near you. Check eBay and Craig’s list? But also there are lots of hatcheries on your side of the country.

 

[Alexandra33]

Unfortunately, after all is said and done, an order from a large online hatchery will cost you dearly. Between shipping costs and meeting minimums....ouch. It's easy to burn well over a $100 on adorable fluff butts.

I agree, it's probably most cost effective to buy locally (if possible). One of our local hatcheries provides easy access to exhibition quality birds, for a mere $2 per chick. Pickup at their facility further lowers the bill.

~Alex

 

[drumstick diva]

Alex, what is that beautiful bird in your avatar?

 

[Alexandra33]

Alex, what is that beautiful bird in your avatar?

Thank you, DD! He's my newest pet, a Spice Finch....I think they're also referred to as Scaly-breasted Munia.

~Alex

 

[Acre4Me]

Does anyone know a good quality, but cheap, hatchery? I'm looking for somewhere to get Barnevelder chickens and/or Silver or Gold Harlequin ducks. Silkies would be nice too. I used MyPetChicken last year, because they're good quality and I wanted that for my first batch, but they're sort of pricey and somewhere that is cheaper and ships to NC would be great! Thanks in advance!

You don't indicate where you are located, but you can search by state on NPIP website:

http://www.poultryimprovement.org/statesContent.cfm

Below are the stock codes for what you indicated. "X" indicates Duck, "R" indicates regular/large chickens, and "W" indicates Bantam. If you want to know what any other stock codes are on the NPIP site, the link is on the left side of the webpage linked above.

Good Luck.