Meyer Hatchery

[TOMTE]

I have chosen not to go with Meyer Hatchery because they beak trim their older chicks.

Meant to reply to @Greg Zeigler

 

[Greg Zeigler]

Meant to reply to @Greg Zeigler

 

[TOMTE]

Yes, but they originally stated "older chicks". It's good to know that they don't do it to their day old chicks. The point was that it might be an issue for some people that they do it on all of their older chicks, whether you request it or not.

 

[Greg Zeigler]

Yes, but they originally stated "older chicks". It's good to know that they don't do it to their day old chicks. The point was that it might be an issue for some people that they do it on all of their older chicks, whether you request it or not.

True that. However most folks buy day old chicks, since started pullets are a bit pricey. I knew a woman once bought 4 chickens and paid more for those 4, than I did for 25 chicks. In fact, I don't consider started pullets to be chicks since they are already near laying age.

 

[greylee]

They beak trim at 5 days old
https://meyerhatchery.com/products/started-pullets

Like I said, some people may find that a non-issue.
And then there's some people who may not want to support a company that practices beak trimming.

 

[Ponyiqandhens2]

I can't speak to Swedish flower hens, but I have had probably ten orders in the last 3 years from them, 4 from cackle and 2 from ideal..Meyers has always been great.my chicks arrive healthy and well with a couple of exceptions..ive had trouble with my jersey chicks from meyers and my Egyptian fayoumis..but fayoumis are small as chicks..the ones that made it are very nice had better luck with fayoumis from cackle and jersey giants from cackle..my ameraucauna , Miller flour d'uccles, exchequer leghorns, legbars , deleware and Dominique have been excellent..the deaths i have had within 48 hours were promptly refunded,




my maran roo and deleware roo also refunded when they were roos..but I've ordered over 150 birds for myself and a neighbors farm( I blooded them the first week due to their set up) anyway, always well packaged have appropriate heating packs and holes for the chicks their packaging is my favorite with cackle a close second.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have had had SFH before, not from Meyers but a local friend. If you like that look but do not want to pay so much, my advice is to get Speckled sussex hens from Meyer. They are friendly smart, and look similar if your SFH was that reddish brown color.

I have ordered during cold months, I recently had a bad batch- early Dec. (snow storm delayed one day) and one bad batch late Oct. but I also had ordered in Jan. where all was fine. Other times of the year were fine. I order extra roosters as packing peanuts.

 

[Ebz5003]

I’ve seen a few posts here discussing chicks received from Meyer Hatchery. I’m looking at getting some Swedish flower hen chicks from them next spring, and was wondering what everyone’s experience with them has been thus far? I’ve never purchased chicks from them before and am always a little nervous when I buy from new hatcheries.

I ordered 2 female Swedish Flower chicks from Meyer, which are around 13 wks old now. They are gorgeous, not too skittish like some other breeds I ordered, and they've been handling the extremely cold weather really well compared to some of my other breeds.

I’ve seen a few posts here discussing chicks received from Meyer Hatchery. I’m looking at getting some Swedish flower hen chicks from them next spring, and was wondering what everyone’s experience with them has been thus far? I’ve never purchased chicks from them before and am always a little nervous when I buy from new hatcheries.

 

[countryladyNH]

FIRST TIME ORDERING FROM MEYER HATCHERY...
I am so gutted. We have been members here since 2016 when we first got chicks. Over the years we have ordered chicks by mail many times. We ordered only 3 or 4. We ordered from a couple different hatcheries---Murray McMurray, Chickens for Backyards...They always came just fine. Never a dead chick. They always contained a heat pack and gel food. For the first time we placed an order for 3 chicks from Meyers. We ordered in Feb. 2025 for shipping date of June 2. Our order was shipped Monday, June 2, and arrived at our little PO yesterday. They called me as soon as they arrived and I picked them up immediately. (We live around the corner). I was very concerned the minute she brought the box out. There was no chirping and no movement. As soon as I got home and opened the box, sure enough the 3 little things were dead and stiff. They had only been shipped less than 24 hours earlier. It was obvious they had been dead for hours. The box was in perfect condition---no damage at all. I burst into tears. I called Meyers, and they are sending 3 new chicks next Monday, the 9th. They didn't have every breed we had ordered, but were very helpful in finding a substitute that would be just as nice. Here is my issue; They sent these chicks with NO heat pack and NO gel food. In all the years we ordered chicks elsewhere, they ALWAYS had these items in the box, and all arrived safely. It is chilly here in New Hampshire in the mornings still, but I have NO idea why these chicks didn't make it. When I called yesterday after picking up the dead chicks, they told me they do not need a heat pack, and that they do not put gel food in the box because "the chicks survive on their yolk sac for the trip". Now I am freaking because I am afraid the new chicks may arrive dead as well. Coming in ONE DAY, I see no reason why these first birds did not arrive alive. I had heard Meyers was very good, but I never had anyone else ship chicks with no food, etc. (IF this second shipment arrives dead, I want my money back and will order from some other hatchery). This has been emotional to go through because our chicks/hens have always been our 'buddies' and all have names etc. WARNING: Here is a photo of the birds taken as soon as we opened the box. We didn't touch anything. I am sorry for this long ramble. I am just sad and worried...Guess I am just hoping for some info and reassurance.

 

[Ebz5003]

FIRST TIME ORDERING FROM MEYER HATCHERY...
I am so gutted. We have been members here since 2016 when we first got chicks. Over the years we have ordered chicks by mail many times. We ordered only 3 or 4. We ordered from a couple different hatcheries---Murray McMurray, Chickens for Backyards...They always came just fine. Never a dead chick. They always contained a heat pack and gel food. For the first time we placed an order for 3 chicks from Meyers. We ordered in Feb. 2025 for shipping date of June 2. Our order was shipped Monday, June 2, and arrived at our little PO yesterday. They called me as soon as they arrived and I picked them up immediately. (We live around the corner). I was very concerned the minute she brought the box out. There was no chirping and no movement. As soon as I got home and opened the box, sure enough the 3 little things were dead and stiff. They had only been shipped less than 24 hours earlier. It was obvious they had been dead for hours. The box was in perfect condition---no damage at all. I burst into tears. I called Meyers, and they are sending 3 new chicks next Monday, the 9th. They didn't have every breed we had ordered, but were very helpful in finding a substitute that would be just as nice. Here is my issue; They sent these chicks with NO heat pack and NO gel food. In all the years we ordered chicks elsewhere, they ALWAYS had these items in the box, and all arrived safely. It is chilly here in New Hampshire in the mornings still, but I have NO idea why these chicks didn't make it. When I called yesterday after picking up the dead chicks, they told me they do not need a heat pack, and that they do not put gel food in the box because "the chicks survive on their yolk sac for the trip". Now I am freaking because I am afraid the new chicks may arrive dead as well. Coming in ONE DAY, I see no reason why these first birds did not arrive alive. I had heard Meyers was very good, but I never had anyone else ship chicks with no food, etc. (IF this second shipment arrives dead, I want my money back and will order from some other hatchery). This has been emotional to go through because our chicks/hens have always been our 'buddies' and all have names etc. WARNING: Here is a photo of the birds taken as soon as we opened the box. We didn't touch anything. I am sorry for this long ramble. I am just sad and worried...Guess I am just hoping for some info and reassurance.View attachment 4140568

I'm sorry, that's terrible. My 3 orders of chicks this past year from Meyer all contained grogel, I believe? I could have sworn there was also a heat pad in each, under the shavings. There is no reason why they shouldn't have included those.