Order or Not to Order?!?! That is the question I need help with...

[chickenlil3]

So back in early July my husband found an add on Craigslist for baby chicks. The location was VERY close to us so we went down and picked 8 baby chicks at $4.00 a piece. They were a mixed breed so had no idea what I got. This was my first experience with chicks period. Well with research, trial & error we have now a HUGE coop, free range, happy & healthy chicks.

Out of the 8 I can only figure out 5 breeds (we have 3 NH Red, 1 Barred Rock & 1 Dark Cornish) waiting on the others to get more defined. My husband liked them so much we went back the next day to get more. So we can home with 7 more chickens at 7 weeks old this time. My dog got a few so we are down to 2 NH Reds and 1 Barred Rock.

Now that we have more experience we wanted to get more. My husband found a site called mypetchicken.com and we are ordering more today. Has anyone had experience ordering from a place? Just nervous that they won't be alive (for some strange reason) when they arrive and the boys will be devastated.

We sat down and each picked a breed trying to make it a family affair. My oldest picked a Easter Egger, my middle son picked a Blue Silkie and my youngest picked a Speckled Sussex, my husband picked 10 white leghorns and I picked 10 silver spangled hamburg.

My husband made 2 sets of broody boxes to keep in the big coop so everyone can hear each other, smell each other and when they get big enough to send into the flock they will hopefully know each other. We are sooooo excited!!!


Thanks for all the help and information you can provide

 

[TeaChick]

My first advice to you is to search this site for "my pet chicken" b/c you can more easily find information about a place and make a determination about ordering from them based on that, whereas, you're unlikely to get many responses to a whole new post.

Second, I would search online (google or ixquick or whatever you use) "chicken hatchery" and look at the locations of the hatcheries that you think you'd feel comfortable ordering from.
From what I've gathered, mostly on here, but also from talking to a few chicken ppl in person, the "big three" are Murray McMurray, Cackle, and Meyer. I have personal experience with Meyer; I have ordered from them three times and I'm very happy with them and their chicks; I would order from them again and again. They're the only one of those three that I would order from, b/c they're the closest to me (that's pretty much the main thing is distance that the chicks would have to travel through USPS).
From what I understand, McMurray's quality has gone down a bit in recent history, but they had a really good reputation at one time. The bottom line is that they are a commercial/industrial hatchery, so you're getting what you get from that. From what I understand, Cackle is also (and always has been) an industrial hatchery.
Meyer is more like a really big breeder. They have all their own breeding stock on property, hatch right there and ship from right there. Some other hatcheries (IDK about any in particular) will get eggs in from elsewhere to hatch and then sell the chicks.
There are other hatcheries. I can't think of any of their names off the top of my head. Oh, a word of warning, avoid Mt. Healthy, they've had bad health ratings several years running last I heard (last year some time).

Chickens don't smell.

It sounds like you're well on your way and have a great start! I hope that BYC can be of great help to you in your chicken-ing. Mostly, I've found very kind helpful ppl here.
Take care! =)

 

[Mutt Farm]

X2 what @TeaChick said. I ordered (5) day olds from Meyer shipped to Ca. They were very healthy on arrival and grew into beautiful 3 mo old pullets now. I DID pay for the vaccines and Vital Pac for them. I ordered 4 "started" (4 week old) from Murray McMurray. They also arrived very healthy. Best of luck to you!

 

[MeepBeep]

Mypetchicken is popular with people that want to order in small numbers as they are one of the few hatcheries that cater to small orders...

 

[TeaChick]

I, too, got my chicks vaccinated and ordered a vital pack, which lasted me through all three shipments (about 2 dozen each order) plus I use it whenever we have a predator scare, sick chickens, and home hatched chicks. It's good stuff!

Meyer also does small orders. I want to say the minimum futon the warm months is something like 6.

I'm so glad you got some responded here! I still suggest you find some reviews/opinions. The best advice I can give you is to order from the hatchery closest to you with a good reputation.

All the best!

 

[Michael OShay]

With rare exceptions, I've almost always ordered from hatcheries. The chicks from hatcheries are relatively inexpensive, I can choose from a large variety of breeds, I can order pullets so I don't end up with an excess of cockerels, and I get the joy of raising and taming my chickens from a very young age. I've ordered from four different hatcheries over the years on multiple occasions; Murray McMurray Hatchery, Cackle Hatchery, Dunlap Hatchery, and Ideal Poultry; and I have been happy with the birds and service of all four of them. I've never lost more than a chick or two in shipping, and since they always put 2 or 3 extra in the box, I've always gotten what I paid for. Where ever you end up getting your chicks from, good luck with your flock.

 

[drumstick diva]

I believe Mypetchickens, sells birds they get from Ideal hatchery

 

[MeepBeep]

I believe Mypetchickens,  sells birds they  get from Ideal hatchery

My Pet Chicken is in fact a drop shipper for Meyer as well as likely other hatcheries...

 

[Michael OShay]

My Pet Chicken is in fact a drop shipper for Meyer as well as likely other hatcheries...

They definitely get birds from Meyer Hatchery.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Congratulations on your recent hatchery order!

I ordered from Meyer this spring. It was my first time ordering from a hatchery, and I was very impressed. I recieved three Easter Egger Pullets that were by far the healthiest chicks I have ever seen. They were even healthier than what TSC and the other feedstores around here sell. My three Pullets are nearly 18 weeks old now, and they are doing exceptionally well.
I have heard several times that Meyer supplies the chicks that mypetchicken sells, so if this is true, you should expect some very healthy feathered friends! Enjoy them!