Is there a HUMANE hatchery where I can order chicks from?

[CompassionateFarmer]

The name of our small hatchery is Compassionate Poultry Farmers. Unlike other hatcheries, we do not destroy our unwanted roosters. Every healthy chick that makes it out of their shell is either sold or we raised them out until they are 6 months old and then sold at our local markets. That includes every rooster! No meat grinders or suffocating garbage bags are on our farm. Every chicken on our farm are "Free ranged". It cost more to operate this way, but I believe every life is worth it. Silly me.

 

[artsyrobin]

so, do you have a website? sure want to put you on my 'buy from' list!

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

Very cool! Id like to add your website to my chicken folder as well.

 

[anjaz]

If you live in California you have the option to buy for Dare 2 Dream Farm: http://www.dare2dreamfarms.com/

I have been there in person and seen their farm, it is great. Free roaming chickens everywhere, their barn with chicks is clean an spacious and they do not kill unwanted roosters - they grow them out for meat. The best thing is, they sex their chicks and guarantee hens.

My husband and son went there to pick out 2 chicks, they invited us to go to their barn and pick out 2. It was really fun, my son was able to pick exactly the ones he wanted.

If you live in Southern California or Northern California they do deliveries several times a months in different areas.

These guys really are great! Get your happy chicks here and skip the commercial hatcheries!

 

[Poultryboysdad]

Another no kill hatchery is Valley Hatchery in Niles, Ohio. They also sell some of their breeds sexed and in very small lots, which is what most backyarders are looking for. I can't judge their stock, but they claim to be very selective in their breeding as well.

 

[RodNTN]

I ordered the majority of my flock from Mypetchicken. I recommend this hatchery

 

[Poultryboysdad]

Mypetchicken's website clearly states that they euthanize a portion of unsold chicks.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...ur-hatchery-do-with-extra-males-and-H103.aspx

 

[ShrekDawg]

But it does say they try to adopt them out first and then humanely euthanize them if they can't and that they are also working on a different way to not euthanize for the next year. To me, as long as they at least TRY to treat them decently I am okay with it, though obviously no kill hatcheries are cool. At least they don't out them in a meat grinder or a trash bag though. The original post asked for humane not necessarily no kill and to me, they are humane because they try to find other ways first and the euthanasia is a last resort.

 

[appps]

I'm going to also say go with find a small breeder. I'm always a bit horrified at the posted chicks from hatcheries (and subsequent dead chick stories) so really any hatchery doing that doesn't fit in that humane business thing for me. (I'm not actually sure if it's even legal in Australia but never heard of anyone doing it here)

 

[realsis]

I ordered the majority of my flock from Mypetchicken. I recommend this hatchery :cd

From my Understanding, My Pet Chicken isn't a hatchery but has close working relationships with hatcheries such as Meyer.SO from what I understand they get the birds from Meyer but have their own breeding programs there. in fact, I believe they share a building with Meyer hatchery. when they refer to hatching they usually say "our hatching physicality" From what I understand IS Meyer hatchery. I've looked on hatching dates for M.P.C and Meyers along with the availability and it always seems the same. However they do create there own breeding programs there. I'm pretty sure they are also shipped out of Meyers for M.P.C. orders. Both Meyers AND M.P.C allow as little as 3 chicks shipped after April and BOTH decide your minimum order by zip code. if you look on both sites you will see familiar policy and shipping practices. from what I know BOTH PLACES have excellent customer service. However, neither place has a no kill policy for unsold Roos. Most no kill hatcheries offer straight run ONLY and this way they sell all the Roosters and don't have them left over like hatcherit's that sell sexed females. it passes the rooster problem on to the customer to decide what to do with several males in a order. it's quite difficult to keep more than one or two males in a flock because they fight each other fiercely and can harm the females with over breeding. They are also extremely difficult to Re/home and will be quite loud. if your in the country the noise will be no problem but if your closer to the city it can be a huge issue. What are you planning to do with the Roosters you will get from the no kill hatchery you choose?? For some, this could create a problem unless where you live your neighbors will take the extras and home them?