Murray McMurray?

[orpingtonbabies]

I am looking to order my first chicks!!! I'm looking for a few specific breeds, EE, Buff Orpingtons, Silver Laced Wyandottes and Silkies.

I've been looking around and of the few hatcheries online that even have all the breeds right now or at least soon (mcmurray, cackle, mypetchicken), I had decided on Mcmurray for being cheaper than the others and also seeming very reliable, but after reading a few reviews online, I'm not so sure anymore? Although i accept the chance of a few chicks not surviving, I don't want boxes of dead chicks upon arrival like some people said they had gotten from McMurray. Have any of you ordered from them? Any other good hatcheries that might have what I'm looking for?

Thank you all so much!

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I will not order from McMurry, every time i get chicks from them they are DOA, I prefer Ideal

 

[Illia]

Dead on Arrive chicks is only a matter of how far away you are from the hatchery and what time of year it is.


I never got DOA from them, but when my chicks grew to adult birds, I had the most rate of genetic defects from them than any other hatchery. My Easter Eggers especially. We're talking bent spines, curled toes, crossed beaks, internal laying at an age below 3 years, eggbound hens at 1 year, etc.

Their Wyandottes are the ugliest I've seen of hatchery quality Wyandottes, but good hardy layers. They're not friendly though unless you get 3 or less. They have a reputation for being very "gang-like" and avoidant of people.

Personally I'm not a fan of hatcheries, but McMurray would be my last choice if I got some. And, far as I recall, their EE's are the most expensive when comparing to other hatcheries. The fact that they get away with calling them Araucanas somehow raises the price.

 

[al6517]

MM has had some very troublesome issues this year & last yr, they have changed their shipping schedules and it has caused some problems and they haven't got it quite figured out yet. WTS IMO any hatchery order is a crap shoot as to what you get and what condition they will be in upon arrival, not to mention mortality rates and a miriad of other issue that comes with ordering hatchery birds. Good luck on whatever you decide.

AL

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
No, I had 2 orders sent at the same time, one from McMurry and Ideal, MM is closer to me than ideal, I'm WI, ideal is TX, my order from Idea came no DOA, my Order from MM all dead, it took 3 shipments to get me my chicks from MM, I never want that again

 

[kipepeo]

This is my 3rd year ordering from MM last year I had one bantam chick that was not thriving and didn't make but all others have been fine. I got my order in mid March last year and the end of April the first year. This year they are to come at the beginning of April.
I am in KS so I usually get a call on Sunday from the big PO 90 miles away and go pick them there instead of waiting I think I would have lost more bantams last year if I had waited I had a mix of batams and LF dont' know if that makes a difference

Also I have ordered from MPC 2 years ago received them in October all were fine. Last year my order came in the end of June and I wasn't worried about losing any because it wasn't cold boy was I wrong the Post Office AC was so cold one died right after I picked them up it was so cold in the building couldn't believe it.

 

[grammypam]

I ordered 27 chicks from MM last spring. They all arrived safely and healthy. All grew up. Same with my nephews chicks. They had a short trip though from Iowa to SE MN. I guess I was more fortunate than the other posters. But I have discovered BYC and now order hatching eggs from BYC private breeders.

 

[Nodaksnakelover]

I got an order from them last year and yes, they are just hatchery quality birds. And the one hen had curled toes and stubby wings and doesn't seem to be laying so she'll be hitting the stew pot shortly. But the rest of the group I got look fine. Good layers. But I wouldn't vouch for show quality. Just for the most part they are good birds. I'm happy. And I'm ordering again this year. I got last years group in early March when temps were still very low and none arrived dead. And I live here in the sticks in North Dakota. So I give them a thumbs up. I didn't buy show quality chickens, not at the price I paid! I got sent what I paid for. Period.

 

[orpingtonbabies]

Seems like lots of peeps have had good experiences with Ideal. Maybe I'll just wait until they have some silkies in stock

 

[10 point]

I ordered 6 through my pet chicken. they all survied and are of good quality.