OK, new question.. Are all hatcheries created equal?

[CHIC]

I have had a lot of positive feedback on McMurrays but recently was told that I might not be too impressed since I picked several birds because I love the way the look. Someone recommended I look at MPC and they have a really good deal on there but I want to know if it will be the same story there. I just don't wanna end up with an ugly flock of birds destined to die young. Any advise?

 

[canada-goose]

Some hatcheries are better than others. I like Cackle Hatchery. I have heard bad stuff about McMurray, not as much bad stuff about Cackle.
I hope you find a good hatchery!

 

[Wynette]

Yes, good luck with your research. There are lots of good hatcheries, and for everyone saying MM is a bad one, you'll get an equal number (or greater) of folks saying it's not.

I've only ordered one time from a hatchery, and I chose a small one, knowing they'd pay close attention to their hatches. I chose Mt. Healthy Hatchery, and my birds were very pretty, healthy, never had any issues with them.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Sandhill has a great birds, but every time I wanted to order through them they were back-ordered. So, place an order early for them! I wish we did! I ordered mine through Welp, which drop ships via Privett (but I have heard Privett has poor customer service hence I chose Welp). Our original 6 are from a the feed store, which orders form Privett as well. For hatchery stock, I am pleased.

 

[jbfarms]

I have the same kind of thoughts as most, once you find one you like stick with them. I always loved McKinney's but they are gone. So I've tried a few different ones and haven't found my ideal one just yet for layers. I got a group from Mcmurray this year and they were a disaster but then I get a group of layers and broilers from Hoover's and lost 1 out of 150 total.

 

[CHIC]

Well, I just placed an order with my pet chicken. I got a rainbow assortment for 41.50 with no shipping fees! We will see how it goes.. I will keep you posted

 

[faykokoWV]

Are you asking who has the best quality of chicken or which hatchery has the best customer service, selection and healthiest chicks?


for what its worth, I ordered from Ideal. I like their large selection, they had excellent customer service before and after delivery. They allow smaller orders ($25 minimum, not number of chicks minimum).
I've ordered from them twice for a total of 26 chicks and I haven't lost any of them due to illness.

the other reason I used them is that they are the hatchery of choice for our local feed store. If i want to place an even smaller order, the feed store will let me piggy back on one of their larger orders.

 

[CHIC]

Well, I think I was trying to get in a little deeper than I can afford right now. I really wanted to breed before and have found that it doesn't seem like the best idea for me right now. I am just going to use this as a practice run and probably stock up on some better quality birds one by one. I'm really hoping that I don't get disappointed but it will be a learning experience I guess.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Quote:
One nice thing is that if you happen to get a hatchery bird that goes broody (not too common, but not uncommon either), then in the future you can buy eggs from a breeder and stick them under your broody! Then you don't have to spend the money on an incubator either!

At least, that's what we're hoping with work out.

 

[CHIC]

Well, these chicks come out to be like 1.66 with no shipping! So I don't really have much to lose. I'm sure I will love them! See thats another reason that I don't want to get too far into breeding them. When I raise a chicken, I love it as I love my dog, I don't want to "rehome" or cull it just because it doesn't reach some standard.