Recommended hatcheries?

[klsmith0807]

Our first hatch went ok but we’ve ended up with mostly cockerels. So, I’m planning on ordering some pullets from a hatchery. What would be a good one to order from? Not 100 percent sure which breed we want yet, but a more docile one would be great.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I use: Ideal, Cackle, Stromberg, Murray McMurray and Meyers. Ideal doesnt habe limits but they're out of a lot often times.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

I recommend Ideal hatchery. The chicks I ordered all arrived healthy with no losses. There is no min-max amount for chicks, you just have to buy $30 worth of chicks. They also have free shipping, and a very large variety of breeds. They do send a few extra roosters for warmth, but many other hatcheries do that too.

For friendly breeds: Easter egger, orpington, cochin, brahma, red sex link (also called golden comet, red star, or ISA brown), most bantam breeds

 

[TwoShepherds]

I've ordered from Meyer's twice and had really good luck. Last year I ordered 13--all arrived alive and well in 24 hours or less; they all ended up being pullets as ordered. This year, I ordered 9 chick, all arrived quickly and were healthy, just one accidental cockerel. If all else looks equal, you might want to pick the hatchery that is closest to you so that they arrive as quickly as possible.

 

[Arielle2]

Not all hatcheries gave every breed or variety of that breed.

Find a breed that gets along with what you have. Some brerds too docile to cope with more aggressive types.


Also, most are pretty much sold out so be flexible, have a list of 4-5 breeds.

If you are new to chickens, start with the cheaper ones. 3-5$ each rather than $25+

Use MyPetChicken breed selector to understand how breeds vary. Not just feathering but ability to handle cold or heat, cooped all the time? or is free ranging everyday possible, how many eggs can u realistically cope with? Temperment: some standoffish, others climb into llap..

The big hatcheries are about the same. Expect some losses, shipping is tough on chicks. Buy the gro gel etc.

 

[Ryguy3684]

Our Buff Orpingtons came from Mount Healthy hatchery. They were great to deal with. There are currently a few breeds on backorder, but several are available within two weeks. Our Orpingtons have been great. They are generally very friendly, making them great with my kids.

 

[eggspecto_patronum]

Just got my order from meyer hatchery.
All 30 chicks arrived healthy and alive.
Ordered the rare assortment and rainbow chick mix.
They have a 3 chick minimum.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

MyPetChicken buys from other hatcheries and resells them, sometimes with an added sexing offered. They're more expensive but I think they have a 6 minimum instead of 15 like most

 

[FuzzyCritters]

I actually didnt get a single extra egg or chick for over 80 birds from several seperate orders this year. XD

Did you order 25 or more each time? I think they only send extras for less than 25 chicks. For my order of 7 bantams, they sent 5 male large fowls. Maybe they send more "packing peanut" chicks for bantam orders?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Did you order 25 or more each time? I think they only send extras for less than 25 chicks. For my order of 7 bantams, they sent 5 male large fowls. Maybe they send more "packing peanut" chicks for bantam orders?

I had 21 bantams from Ideal and we had to order 25 standards from Stromburg (their minimum when we ordered)