So after doing my research, I decided to order from MPC because I could mix & match and I could get the different varieties I was looking for. I ordered thirty yes 30 chicks. If you're going to do something - hey go big! We anxiously awaited the arrival, which came earlier this week. They hatched on Monday? (so I was told) & arrived on Wednesday morning. At the post office, I was a little surprised to see just one box for all 30, but hey I'm the newbie at this so they must know what they're doing. (So now I will cut with the dramatic writing and get right to it)
Opened the box & there were 6 dead with many others not looking good. Within the next two hours 3 more died and by 3 pm another had died. I had ordered 2 buff Orpingtons, 1 had died so I did what I could overnight to try and save the 2nd. Brought her to the house in her own brooder, cleaned her pasty butt which was pretty significant,and tried to feed her sugar water with a dropper. She made it through the night, but died before noon the next day. So now I had 11 of 30 dead and with MPC you have 48 hrs for refunds which meant I still had another day. Lost another one yesterday so brings total to 12. I was in contact with MPC daily and at length about what was going on, they were very helpful, we reviewed my setup, the surrounding conditions etc. I had read in a thread here that MPC used another hatchery however the truth is that they rent space in a hatchery in Ohio, but the chicken lines and personnel are all MPC!
On the supply side, they do a real good job at getting items shipped out quickly, have some good sales and are extremely helpful. Iwould bet that their springtime shipments turn out better than mine did. My intent here is not to bash MPC and their chicken lines. It is to offer clarification where others had suggested that they use a 3rd party hatchery and a word of caution on ordering this time of year.
Interestingly, I had ordered 2 bufforpingtons (dead), 2 blue ameraucana (dead), 3 black Australorp (dead)' 3 golden laced Wyandotte (dead) the last two were singles 1 Dominique, and 1 Welsummer. I don't know if it has anything to do with the breeds or not, but I find it interesting that most were all from the same breeds.
Any recommendations on hatcheries for future purchases?
