Meyer hatchery reviews???

[Bushmansbliss]

When I got my Meyer birds all were in great shape except one who came around with some TLC, I live in PA so its not to far of a journey for them. I've also ordered from cackle down south and my shipment arrived with mostly dead birds and only 1 made it. When I spoke with cackle hatchery I got good customer service and they immediately refunded my money on the lost birds.

That being said, what I learned from this experience is that it was foolish to order chicks from so far away, the closer the hatchery the better. I did get money refunded from them, but all in all I feel like its my fault for the chicks deaths because of the long journey. I was very new to hatchery birds and should have found the breed I wanted closer.

 

[Nate19]

Bushman,

I think that is a good lesson for all of us to learn from your experience. I think if anyone is close enough to make a short day trip to pick up birds that seems to be the best option. I was able to lay eyes on my birds before ever leaving the hatchery. I was able to watch them for a bit and make sure all seemed to be in good health. I was also the one driving them home and making sure they didn't get bumped all around like I'm sure many do while being shipped.

 

[autumnhearth]

Agreed. Very lucky to live an hour away from Meyer and have nearby breeders. I would probably only mail order fertile eggs of a breed that isn't available locally. But for now we are very happy with Meyer. Still I'm pretty sure they will either reimburse or credit you.

 

[ThatFarmerChick]

Thatfarmerchick your variety of eggs our awesome. I have babies that we're shipped today. I am so worried about them. They were shipped awfully late today and still have to make it all the way to Florida. They called me because my buff brahmas were not ready. Very sad I don't get those, but they were great and had patience while I figured out which way to go with my order. I am satisfied with my picks. Fingers crossed.

These are the eggs that are now in our incubator.

 

[Blackberry18]

Hey, I'm thinking about ordering from Meyer next year, and I was wonder how accurate they are with breed and gender, and how show-quality their birds are. I don't really want to order a straight run or purchase many chicks for verification. I'm hoping for Black Australorps, Light Brown Leghorns, and Buff Brahmas for the 4-H show; obviously hatchery birds aren't always good for shows, but I'd rather show all right birds and get blue ribbons than none at all.

 

[autumnhearth]

Hey, I'm thinking about ordering from Meyer next year, and I was wonder how accurate they are with breed and gender, and how show-quality their birds are. I don't really want to order a straight run or purchase many chicks for verification. I'm hoping for Black Australorps, Light Brown Leghorns, and Buff Brahmas for the 4-H show; obviously hatchery birds aren't always good for shows, but I'd rather show all right birds and get blue ribbons than none at all.

Hi Blackberry, while I do not have personal experience with those exact breeds from Meyer or with showing, I have seen pictures of those breeds on the Meyer Hatchery Chicken Pics thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/738837/meyer-hatchery-chicken-pics-anyone/9950#post_15363362 and it is pretty well established that Meyer's Brahmas have a lot of black leakage on their backs. We have a Light Brahma pullet with lots of black and I've seen Buff Brahmas that look almost laced and one that looked like a calico cat! Great temperament though. The tails and body shape on all hatchery Black Australorps are probably not going to be up to the breed standard. Brown Leghorns should be good quality. Breeds that I have heard specifically of Meyer's stock doing well in shows are Buckeyes and Silver Grey Dorkings. We love our Dorking, she's a beauty!

 

[KurtG]

I ordered ~15 mixed Marans pullets. Got 15 pullets (2 DOA) of exactly the color variety and sex ordered. No roos made the trip.

 

[MysteriaSdrassa]

Meyer has always been good to me. Always friendly and and always ready to replace any lost chicks in shipment.

 

[ImNotYogi]

I received my order from Meyer 24 hours after they were shipped (on 4/28/15). All arrived healthy and are doing great 5 weeks later. 3 GLW, 3 barnevelders, 3 EEs, 2 cream legbars, and a Meyer meal maker that turned out a barred rock. A roo did slip through the gates though. An EE. But I'm not too bothered by it. If I was going to order from an out of state hatchery again then I'd most likely order from Meyer.

 

[Wheeks]

I am new to chickens and went with meyer's as at the time they had many varieties of chickens available. I ordered 18 chickens that arrived on 5/20. Two were missing and four of the six bantams ended up dying. There was also only nesting on the bottom and lots of air holes punched out, so I believe they got cold. Called and they offered to refund/replace the ones that were missing. They arrived 5/28 and none of those died. I have a pending duck order through them for next week, but I'm throwing around maybe canceling it and going with someone else. Next year if I order more chicks I will be going with a different hatchery.