"Small order fee"

[black_cat]

I guess I'll skip the beak trimming. Do you know if the feed stores pre-vaccinate the chicks?

Many feed stores do, but most feed stores also manage their chicks poorly. My chickens (bought as adults) all came with clipped beaks, and they really struggled to eat for a while. I"m not sure if I have a good pic, as they've grown back a lot now.

 

[Alex S]

Many feed stores do, but most feed stores also manage their chicks poorly. My chickens (bought as adults) all came with clipped beaks, and they really struggled to eat for a while. I"m not sure if I have a good pic, as they've grown back a lot now.
View attachment 2420553
View attachment 2420554

I guess I've started a debate between online and in-store!

 

[black_cat]

I guess I've started a debate between online and in-store!

I will always advocate for online chick buying, but I understand that it can be expensive and not everyone can afford to ship. Personally, I think that the breed and gender garuntees (or almost garuntees) are worth it.

 

[Pullet Press]

I will always advocate for online chick buying, but I understand that it can be expensive and not everyone can afford to ship. Personally, I think that the breed and gender garuntees (or almost garuntees) are worth it.

You also have a larger selection.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I guess I've started a debate between online and in-store!

There really isn't a "right way" to do it, both options have pros and cons, so as long as you're aware of that, you should be fine. Me - I don't want to deal with shipping losses and fees, don't want more than 3-4 chicks at a time, don't care about meeting some sort of breed standard, and do want to be able to say no to birds that look "off" to me for any reason, so feed store is fine for me.

 

[Pullet Press]

There really isn't a "right way" to do it, both options have pros and cons, so as long as you're aware of that, you should be fine. Me - I don't want to deal with shipping losses and fees, don't want more than 3-4 chicks at a time, don't care about meeting some sort of breed standard, and do want to be able to say no to birds that look "off" to me for any reason, so feed store is fine for me.

Completely understandable!

 

[Alex S]

Wow Shipping tax is never your friend

 

[black_cat]

View attachment 2420566Wow Shipping tax is never your friend

Yeah, shipping is quite expensive for live animals, especially because they have to go quickly.

 

[Pullet Press]

View attachment 2420566Wow Shipping tax is never your friend

Yeesh!
McMurray has free standard shipping for day old chicks, but they do have a $35 fee if you get 14 or less chicks.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So at Mt. Healthy Hatcheries, I was looking at the cost of chicks. I liked the prices until they told me about their "small" order fee. Does anybody know any good hatcheries that have fewer order fees? View attachment 2420301

Meyer hatchery has Zero, small order fees.