I had tried to order chicks from Privett this past December. I wanted to have the birds grown and ready to lay eggs for me when the local Farmer's Markets open in May. I had placed the ordered 2 weeks before the available hatch date. Three days after the chicks were to arrive, I called Privett to find out where my order was. They never shipped them. They claimed there was a problem with my phone and my credit card. And they never followed up. Well, I turned around the same day (with the same credit card) and ordered from another hatchery. This mistake set me back about by about 2 - 3 weeks, and I will not have those extra eggs available until the middle of May. The local feed store gets there stock from Privett, so that is where I found out about the hatchery. I cannot vouch for the "health" of the chicks, cause the ones at the feed store always seem to be doing well.
Now, I have ordered from 'McMurray', and I have received stock from another local feed store, and they get theirs from 'Ideal'. But, the last batch I got from Mt Healthy in Ohio. I cant begin to tell you how happy I am with this group of chicks! Hatched on a Tuesday, shipped from Ohio on Wednesday, and getting them to California via the PO on Thursday - we got 51 Buff Orpington pullets (ordered 50). Very healthy, active, happy chicks all doing well - didn't lose a one - I have a feeling they will start laying early. I am planning on ordering Black Australorps, Dixie Rainbows and Ameraucanas from them as soon as I can get a few more eggs sold. Oh, and I checked prices from Mt Healthy vs the other hatcheries, and they are very comparable. I would highly recommend them a look see when you are getting more chicks.
Just my 2 cents worth ........
