mail versus feed store chicks

Depends what you are looking for. Do you have a specific breed in mind? Feed store chicks will be a hatchery version. Mass produced. Depending on who you are looking at on BYC, for example, you might end up getting something pure or even showable. But you have to do your homework and ask a lot of questions. Just because they are selling on BYC (or EBay or Craigslist) doesn't mean they are selling anything better than you might get from your local TSC. Buyer beware!!

 

We mail ordered our five chicks from Meyers. All arrived in great shape, sexed correctly, and are doing great. We decided on mail order because we couldn't find the breeds we wanted locally. I had also heard too many horror stories about feed store chicks..."I got 3 chicks from the leghorn pullet bin and now I've got two BO and a RSL that are all roos"... At least with the mail order hatcheries there are guarantees and reimbursements for errors, so that's why we went that route.

 

When I was getting started again a couple of years ago after a few years without chickens, I got mail order chicks because it was August and none of the feed stores would have them again until the following Spring - I didn't want to wait that long. The pros are that you can choose what breeds you want, and you have a high chance of getting the gender you want too. The con is that shipping a small order can be very expensive, and very stressful and risky for the chicks.

After placing my order I learned of a lady selling chicks locally and that's when I learned of another con to mail ordering. The cancellation fee to cancel my order was almost as much as the cost of the chicks! I couldn't see paying NOT as much NOT to receive chicks as I would to receive them (the hatchery said they had to charge the fee because now they would have to "rehome" my chicks - this was 6 weeks before delivery, so the chicks did not even exist yet. Grrr).

Since then I have got chicks either from feed stores, or by buying hatching eggs of a breed I want.

 

Quote:I am so happy to hear they all arrived alive and well. I just placed an order through Meyers (3 Barred Rocks) and they were Expressed Monday. Well, Tuesday has come and gone and no chicks. I'm a little worried they will arrive tommorow in not so good shape. How long did it take yours to arrive?

Also I was in the same boat as HEchicken, wanted chicks in Fall and the local feed stores only had them in April. I'm a little ticked at myself that I didn't look a little harder for a local hatchery. I will definetly be bummed if I lose one in the mail. Hoping they come first thing tommorow so I can get them in the brooder pronto!

 

We got ours from a locally, family owned feed store.
The order from Ideal and MM hatchery. They were told
all were female, and as far as I know right now at 12-13
weeks, we only have one roo. And that's ok, as long as
it's one. My husband is a mail carrier, whether you get
them from a feed store or by mail order, they still come by
mail. Either way, make sure they are drinking plenty of water
when you get them home

 

I don't know about tsc but the feed store here mail orders them from ideal hatchery.

 

When possible it is better to get them from a local person less stress to the chicks if you can find the breed you want. Feed store they still come a hatchery but most of the stress they have either survived or not. I have had good luck with mail order from Ideal all arriving healthy got a new batch coming in a week. Broilers this time.
Mainly just figure out what is going to work for you. Most hatcheries offer replacements or recredit your credit card. Every option has it ups & downs.

 

Are their any certain places (mail order) to avoid or that anyone can recommend? I have seen several ppl mention Meyers so I figure that is possibly a good place to look at. I don't know that I see mail order any worse than local feed stores, plus I'd have to wait till spring w/them. If I can find a local person that has a breed I want I'd def. do that rather than mail order, I'm sure.

 

I went with My Pet Chicken since they were the only hatchery that had all the breeds I wanted and could ship at the same time. The local feed stores only had one or two of the breeds and no guarantee as to when they would have them. I ordered 6 pullets express mail. They were hatched on a Sunday or Monday and I got them that Tuesday morning. One was a little weak but was fine after 3-4 days. We thought for sure one was a rooster due to wing feathering and attitude....nope, we were wrong. So I got 6 pullets out of 6. They are 24 weeks and all have started laying. I got Easter Eggers, Silver-laced Wyandottes, and Speckled Sussex. I've been extremely happy with them. I would definately order from MPC again if I can't the breeds locally.

I think they are about 17 weeks here:




Edited for spelling