Ordering chicks

[amaliayosa]

I recently ordered 27 chicks from MM, lost 3 in the first 48 hours. I have two friends that want to take half of them and I am now thinking I should have ordered more. I am however a bit nervous about ordering from MM again because of the stories I have been hearing on this forum and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on another hatchery. I really dont want to buy from the local feed store for fear of ending up with mostly roos, I would really like to order hens only. Also being that the chicks would be at least a month apart, would that be a problem?
Anyone order chicks from MM recently and have something positive to say to put my mind at ease? Is it unusual to lose 3 chicks initially due to shipping stress?
Thanks

Amy

 

[tororider]

You could try cackle, I have heard good things about them, or Mt. Healthy.

Depending on your feed store, many times they have a bin with just pullets in it as well.

I got mine locally, but I don't think that losing three is necessarily a suprise, definitely a bummer, but not unheard of.