Meyer Meal Maker mysteries!

[danceswithronin]

This is my second year ordering day-old chicks from Meyer Hatchery after being super, super happy with their customer service last chick-raising season in 2018. I got a silkie bantam assortment of four birds that turned out to be all beautiful pullets, and a Meyer Meal Maker added on for free.

The Meyer Meal Maker is supposed to be a "like" bird of the type you've already ordered, thrown in for free in exchange for the promise that you'll donate some of the eggs or meat to a person in need. So if you buy meat birds, they give you an extra meat bird, if you buy layers, they give you a layer.

Since I ordered all female ornamental types, I expected to get a female laying type (maybe even bantam) as my Meal Maker. I ended up with Mayflower, a huge Plymouth White Rock rooster that I ended up having to rehome even though he was my favorite of the bunch and very gentle with his little silkie harem. I believe he was supposed to be female, but White Rocks seem pretty difficult to sex so I wasn't too upset.

This year the silkies are sold to another flock and I have a mixed flock of six. I have four more chicks coming, three Orps of three different colors and another Meal Maker added in with them. Crossing my fingers that this year it's a pullet! I'm hoping for a Barred Rock or a White Leghorn since I have no barred or white birds in my flock now.

Has anyone else gotten a Meal Maker chick with their Meyer order? What did you end up with?

 

[Bamabexchicks]

This is my second year ordering day-old chicks from Meyer Hatchery after being super, super happy with their customer service last chick-raising season in 2018. I got a silkie bantam assortment of four birds that turned out to be all beautiful pullets, and a Meyer Meal Maker added on for free.

The Meyer Meal Maker is supposed to be a "like" bird of the type you've already ordered, thrown in for free in exchange for the promise that you'll donate some of the eggs or meat to a person in need. So if you buy meat birds, they give you an extra meat bird, if you buy layers, they give you a layer.

Since I ordered all female ornamental types, I expected to get a female laying type (maybe even bantam) as my Meal Maker. I ended up with Mayflower, a huge Plymouth White Rock rooster that I ended up having to rehome even though he was my favorite of the bunch and very gentle with his little silkie harem. I believe he was supposed to be female, but White Rocks seem pretty difficult to sex so I wasn't too upset.

This year the silkies are sold to another flock and I have a mixed flock of six. I have four more chicks coming, three Orps of three different colors and another Meal Maker added in with them. Crossing my fingers that this year it's a pullet! I'm hoping for a Barred Rock or a White Leghorn since I have no barred or white birds in my flock now.

Has anyone else gotten a Meal Maker chick with their Meyer order? What did you end up with?

We got a RIR pullet, we wouldn't have ordered 6 if we had known they would send us a free chick, our goal was to have 6 total. We love her though, and wouldn't change a thing. She lays large to extra large eggs every day, and is a sweet hen.

 

[chkva]

I'm ordering from them next year so this really helps me understand the ordering process and additional options!

 

[danceswithronin]

We got a RIR pullet, we wouldn't have ordered 6 if we had known they would send us a free chick, our goal was to have 6 total. We love her though, and wouldn't change a thing. She lays large to extra large eggs every day, and is a sweet hen.

Is she nice to other chickens? I have always liked the look of Rhode Island Reds/New Hampshire Reds and kind of wanted one in my flock, but I've heard some people say they are a bit aggressive compared to other breeds, and since I have some docile submissive breeds I didn't want a flock conflict.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Is she nice to other chickens? I have always liked the look of Rhode Island Reds/New Hampshire Reds and kind of wanted one in my flock, but I've heard some people say they are a bit aggressive compared to other breeds, and since I have some docile submissive breeds I didn't want a flock conflict.

I actually have 3 RIRs that are all easy going and pretty much in the middle of the pecking order. I have 2 really mellow Golden Comets that dont get picked on, an Andalusian and a Dominique that are top of the order and they all do great together.

 

[LilyD]

I ordered 2 Blue orpingtons, 1 Lavender, 2 Assorted Cochins, and 2 Buff Orps and one Gold Laced Wyandotte. I was sent two extra chicks not sure what they are but they both act female so far they are 3 weeks. Both have fairly small combs. If they are boys that's cool too I currently don't have any boys in my crew since they are all young ones. Thinking that the white one might be a white rock not sure what the other chick is yet though.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I ended up with a white leghorn pullet. She was alright, but died inexplicably when she was about 9 months.

 

[green_thumb]

Pretty sure this was my meal maker freebie. No idea what she might be but I’m excited to find out since she is the only light yellow one in my bunch!