Is distance from hatchery a factor when ordering online?

[Brownb56]

Looking at ordering chicks and wondering how much I should be worried about distance. Live in Wyoming, my mom always had good luck with chicks from McMurray hatchery. Was looking at a hatchery in Ohio but wondering if the extra distance increases chances of losing some on shipping?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Extra distance does make for a harder journey and possible delays. But part of that depends on the actual postal route taken. For me, no matter where my birds come from they are on a truck not less than 7 hours from the SF airport. Some routes will include much less truck time. I have received several terrible shipment, causing me to avoid shipping. only 2 out of 28 survived 2 separate shipment from hatcheries. And 50% of my breeder birds survived 4 days in shipping. But my route really is a MAJOR part of the problem.

I would try ordering from a hatchery that has the birds I like instead of worrying too much about distance. Many people get birds shipped across the country and don't experience loss. Many factors are at play.

Good luck!

 

[1TurkenLover]

I Only use Dunlap Hatcheries in Idaho as they are Closest & ship weekly Min of 25 Chicks. you can Mix & match them. with guarantee.. . That said Weather, Distance & Location is a Major issue.

 

[Brownb56]

I Only use Dunlap Hatcheries in Idaho as they are Closest & ship weekly Min of 25 Chicks. you can Mix & match them. with guarantee.. . That said Weather, Distance & Location is a Major issue.

Got my hopes up for a local hatchery when you said Idaho. But see they are already done for the year.

 

[lazy gardener]

A lot depends on your location and the breeds you want. I also factor in price. There are no large hatcheries near me, and I'm pretty much at the end of the mail run to my state. My last shipment was a near disaster, with the chicks crossing the country, missing every possible connection so they sat an extra 12 hours at each and every stop. If i'd not have been pro active at tracking them down, they would have sat an other 24 hours at a sorting facility, 8 miles from my house before being sent to my local PO that is 8 miles in the other direction. they left at midnight on a Tuesday, and I did not get them until Friday morning. Lost 2. I'm an advocate of: when ever possible, hatch your own, and if you can hatch, hatch extra to sell locally.

 

[Kiki]

I personally would never order from a hatchery that wasn't close to me...
A day (1) travel time only.

 

[lazy gardener]

That's great if you happen to not be in New England. That option does not exist for me.

 

[Brownb56]

I personally would never order from a hatchery that wasn't close to me...
A day (1) travel time only.

I would be out of luck or very limited on availability if I followed that rule. Had good luck with hatcheries in Iowa shipping to Wyoming. Wasn't sure if further away would be pushing it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I would be out of luck or very limited on availability if I followed that rule. Had good luck with hatecheries in Iowa shipping to Wyoming. Wasn't if further away would be pushing it.

Me too! But sometimes, coming from farther away means coming by plane instead of by truck. Shorter time on the truck *should* be a smoother ride...

Why not get feed store chicks? Those are shipped from the hatcheries too. DO you have something specific in mind?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

My order from Myers in Ohio was shipped on Monday I got them Tuesday in Southern Ca 26 hours after shipped. I will use them again. Again? chicken math.......

gary