Unofficial BYC Poll: Where do you get your chicks from?

[PioneerChicks]

I used to get them from D&B Supply (which get them from Dunlap) but within the past couple of years I have ordered directly from Dunlap Hatchery. Then I decided to get fancier and had chicks shipped to me from Cackle Hatchery.

Now I have roosters and hatch eggs from my own flock, and I have got some from friends.

 

[azure_]

I usually get my chicks from a local feed store... but this year because of covid they sold out, so went through Murray Mcmurray

 

[Wenwye]

why?

are you looking to purchase chicks? If so, the closest hatchery you can drive to is best. Less stress on the chicks. We’ve mail ordered a few times. On batch all DOA - likely mishandling in transit. Another time a few died within first few days. Most recent shipment, all healthy, continuing to grow.

if you buy at TSC, or similar farm store, they take the dead/sick chick losses.

just google “chick hatchery near me” or in x state, and you might be surprised at what is close to you.

are you looking for a specific breed?

We ordered our first ever chicks from Meyer Hatchery and all 3 arrived dead. Our son was gutted. It was awful. I know they are a great hatchery and it isn't reflective of them (their customer service was awesome and refunded my money immediately). But, I NEVER will order chicks again. We went to TSC - had to drive about an hour to find one with chicks still and ended up with 4 healthy chicks. My only complaint is that one appears to be a rooster despite our buying all pullets.

 

[Acre4Me]

We ordered our first ever chicks from Meyer Hatchery and all 3 arrived dead. Our son was gutted. It was awful. I know they are a great hatchery and it isn't reflective of them (their customer service was awesome and refunded my money immediately). But, I NEVER will order chicks again. We went to TSC - had to drive about an hour to find one with chicks still and ended up with 4 healthy chicks. My only complaint is that one appears to be a rooster despite our buying all pullets.

Sexing errors happen, sometimes it’s a happy mistake. But, many cannot have roosters. We recently bought an all-male order from a hatchery. It is looking like we might have 2 females out of 15 males!!

 

[Wenwye]

Sexing errors happen, sometimes it’s a happy mistake. But, many cannot have roosters. We recently bought an all-male order from a hatchery. It is looking like we might have 2 females out of 15 males!!

I am hopeful that maybe the people who are telling me he is a rooster are wrong!! Ha. Or, he will be a reasonable rooster and our neighbors won't kill us. I hope we can keep him. Our son is very attached to all of them and they really love him too. One (the one in my profile picture - Pepper) flies on his head whenever he bends down near her.

 

[BantammChick]

I get mine from Cackle Hatchery and some from the feed store.

 

[Folly's place]

We've bought from TSC, who gets them from Townline here usually. Most of the time we order from Cackle, who has the breeds we are interested in having. Also have ordered from MMcM, and The Freedom Rangers from JM. All good experiences.
Mary

 

[BleuSaphir]

In the past, it was through local feed stores. First time I had my dad drove an hour away from home to score a pair of Sebright Bantam. The clerk at that time did not knew the breed at all. But kept on insisting it was right for our home since all she knew they will stay small. I’m just glad I listen! LOL

Second batch, my local feed store was promoting they had baby chickens outside. I scored 2 Easter Eggers. all them are form long ago when I was younger.

I am more likely to order online through MPT or Hoover.

 

[GemmaGA]

Got ours from TSC, as others have stated. We went into two different locations and picked out our birds. A note to potential buyers though - what you buy may not be what you actually end up with (as you will likely see from other members posting throughout these forums...)

As an example, we thought we got 2 SLW pullets, but they ended up being black and white Hamburgs - not even a breed they were offering when we bought the chicks. Also, we got what we thought were 2 Jersey Giant pullets, but I am pretty sure that one of them is a Black Australorp instead.

A confession though, this was our first time getting chickens, and I had not researched what each type of baby chick should look like before hand so we picked ones that we liked out of the various 'tubs'stating what breed they were. I suppose it may not necessarily be TSC's fault, but I guess the moral of the story is....well I don't know what the moral is, but just know that you may not always get what you think you are getting! For us they were happy accidents, because the birds are beautiful and we have an 'ecclectic' mixed flock!

 

[HappyClucker7]