Small Orders WITHOUT the million dollar shipping?

[44Wolves]

Does anyone know of a hatchery that you can order just a few chicks and not have to pay a million dollars for shipping? I mean, I WILL be getting chicks that I am going to pick up on Monday, but for future reference, I would like to know where I can order 6 chicks and not need to pay a ton for shipping.

 

[K R 2709]

I would like to know about a place like that to!

 

[Blue]

Ideal doesn't charge a small shipment fee from what I remember; your order just has to total $25 before shipping. However, they will include males for warmth if you don't make sure to tell them not to. I ordered 11 chicks from them, and they added 7 chicks for warmth.

 

[angel8035]

The post office determines the shipping so all of the hatcheries are pretty much the same. They have to mail the chicks express and it is costly.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Have you looked around your area for local breeders? If you only want a few it might be the best way to go. I have found people around me on craigslist for all of my chickens. Sometimes I have to drive a little far but it is nice to get to see where the birds have been living and get to ask questions and you do not have to deal with the "packing peanuts" or loss due to shipping stress.

 

[song of joy]

You might want to try Ideal Poultry. They have a minimum order requirement of $25 (for the birds themselves), which would be about 8-10 chicks depending on the per-chick cost. For small orders, they also include a small-order fee of $7, plus $1 per breed ordered, plus $0.15/bird shipping. So, for a mixed order of 8 different breeds, you'd pay about $25 plus $7 plus $8 plus $1.2 = approx. $41. Essentially, the shipping and handling amounts to about $15 for a small order that includes a variety of different breeds. Pretty reasonable, considering many hatcheries charge $40 just for shipping.

 

[K R 2709]

Does anyone know anywhere in Canada?