Murray McMurray Order - 25 min - Raise and sell Pullets?

[JoshFig]

I'd like to add 6 chicks from this spring and retire my 2 year olds. Murray McMurray seems like it has a good reputation - but I need to get 25 chicks. Around Atlanta - the only place i'm aware of that sells live chicks is tractor supply - with them, I have an hour drive and its a crap shoot as to whether you get there when they have chicks as well as whether they will have the breeds you want.

Has anyone ordered 25 (to get the cheap shipping) and sold off the birds as 12 to 16 week pullets? Any success with this? Is it worth the hassle?

I'd love to hear others experiences.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I have, I don't usually have a problem finding them new homes, but have gotten "stuck" with some on occasion (which isn't a big deal, and they almost always end up as favorites). Anyway, there are other options out there. Ideal, for example, has a $25 minimum instead of a 25 chick minimum and there are other hatcheries that sell in small quantities of 3-5 (mypetchicken, Meyer).
Or, you can go the the Where Am I? Where Are You? section of the forum, find your states thread and see if any BYC members have what you're looking for close by. BYC has a buy, sell, trade section as well.

Good luck

 

[donrae]

When I order from Ideal I always pad my order with extra pullets, I sure don't want them sending me extra cockerels. I have no problems selling the extras, either at day old or point of lay. Dual purpose breeds seem to do best, but sometimes I'll shake things up with some ornamental type birds and they move okay also.

I've also put an ad on CL to split a chick order and had good luck with that. The benefit is you know the birds are paid for and have a home already.

 

[HTChick]

I have gotten great chicks from McMurray. I seldom want to keep all of them. Have never had a problem selling off chicks day old, a few weeks, etc. I have never kept them past 4-5 weeks. Usually I am wanting to wait until I see which are roos. If you don't know folks already in your area, try craigslist or facebook (look for a backyard type chicken group your area) or local 4-H club or a homeschool support group.