MCMURRAY

[CHICKEN little 1]

Many of the coolest breeds are only available straight run. I'd cheerfully pay to get a cuckoo maran hen, but they don't offer it. (Though actually I'd avoid their marans -- not only have 3 out of 3 straight run been male, but 2 of the three have had crooked toes and/or bent legs -- validating to see a previous poster notice the same issue.). Of the only four fancy available sexed, one pullet was male. The eleven straight run... I think 7 pullets, so not bad.

I had the same problem when odering the Cuckoo Marans from MM.

I ordered five.Yes their only in straight run. Out of the five.I had 4 roo's and 1 hen. Also had an issue with crooked toes.The hens feet were fine.The Roo's had all crooked feet.I kept only 1 Roo who had all straight toes except the outter ones.

What's up with that?????????

 

[weloveourchicks]

We ordered 25 and received 26 all alive and still doing well except one we lost to ??? we are guessing a copperhead bite but not sure.

--Susan

 

[Yardegg]

We have ordered chicks from MM for about eight years in a row with generally good results. I read all previous posts and feel that I can speak to a few of the issues.

First, I agree that the breed you order makes a big difference. We order Black Stars each year for layers, and couldn't be happier. They are healthy, productive, docile and generally well-made. Show birds are a different story. My kids have won best in show twice in eight years: one with a Buff Brahma Bantam pullet (who didn't even place as a hen the next year), and once with a Quail Antwerp Belgian pullet (who didn't do as well as a hen either). The Quail Antwerp Belgians are usually limited to six birds (straight run) per order. They are tiny, and some get trampled or frozen during shipping, since we order birds to be delivered in January or the first of February. Yet we persist in ordering our six every year.

Second, MM is excellent about crediting our account for DOA birds. True enough, once that box of birds leaves the hatchery, it's all up to the carrier from there. We always have the Post Office call us the minute they come off the truck - even if it is 2:00 in the morning. We drive to the main PO branch and pick them up within 20 minutes of the call.

Lastly, I agree that the "straight run only" policy for some breeds is discouraging. The sooner you order the more likely you are to hit that 50/50 ratio of pullets to cockerels. We have actually done much better that that with Buff Brahma Bantams. I think we ordered 25 and got only five or six roosters. But I guess the bottom line is that if you are ordering layers, their sex links and production RI Reds are hard to beat. For serious show quality birds, find a breeder or attend poultry shows. Cash and carry works well when buying showbirds.

Yardegg

 

[KristaChickenWhisperer]

The only time I have ever had a problem with McMurray's chicks was the year when all the bantams I ordered within one day or arrival. They arrived lethargic and some only lasted a few hours.

All the other years I haven't had a problem. My animal science teacher from high school always put together an annual McMurray order. We always got free exotic breeds!

 

[jasoneflanagan]

Has anyone had experience with the following breeds from MM?

Speckled Sussex
Barred Rock
Delaware

I've been getting together an order with some friends and now I'm having some doubts about them. We're not interested in showing them - we just want healthy birds that lay well.

 

[Blondie]

I ordered my first batch of chicks from MM 1 1/2 years ago. Beautiful birds, got a few extra and I was extremely happy.
This past year I tried just buying chickens from locals - not very good luck, sick birds and I have had a predator problem the past few weeks.

I'm down to only 4 chickens.

I've checked prices on the other hatcheries, and MM has the best.

Last night I just put in my order for 25 brown egg layers and 25 Ornamental layers to be delivered March 2nd! I can't wait!!!

I'm sure I'll get a few extra.

 

[honeyb]

How much is the mm catalog? I want to buy one!

free!