Views on McMurray

[lorad]

I've ordered twice from McMurray and received the chicks either very late Sat PM or Sunday afternoon (I live in IL)- the post office called me and others who ordered chicks when they arrived at the facility. Meat birds did OK- really have to restrict food to avoid leg problems. The first order of Dark Brahmas was fine, along with Barred Rocks and RIR. Second order of meat chicks and some Buff Brahmas in 2009 arrived fine. The meat chicks grew like they are supposed to, but the Buffs never did. Ultimately of the 5 I ordered, none survived to reach "adulthood". Watching these chicks, they ate, acted normal, but ended up essentially a month behind in size from chicks I hatched at the same time. I called McMurray to let them know I was disappointed, but I did not demand any refund, hoping was a fluke. I will not be ordering Brahmas from them again. I'm trying another hatchery in Iowa this year for my meat chicks, and a couple Americanas- keeping my fingers crossed! I'll be getting any future Brahmas from private breeder from now on.
Lora

 

[Illia]

Quote:
My Brahmas from Murray McMurray turned out quite wrong! One was a Sussex cross, and all of them were at or lower than 5 pounds at a year old. Brahmas should be 9 pounds!! So I too am turning to a real Brahma breeder. The guy I'm waiting on mine from have the nicest, most APA perfect Brahmas I have ever seen.

Sooo fluffy and huge.

Also, just remember - "Americanas" are Easter Eggers, crossbred chickens not the true breed. ( Which is Ameraucana, Murray McMurray adds insult to injury by spelling the name wrong AND getting them confused with Araucanas as well )

 

[Stonerowfarm]

While I haven't used MM (scared off last year by negative posts), I have used My Pet Chicken. I absolutely love them. I've gotten juvinile d'ucles as well as 10 silkies and 10 bantam frizzled red cochins. I ordered sexed birds (yes they sex silkies) and they were 100%. Nine girls and one boy in both breeds. And, no packing peanuts. The chicks were here quickly, my PO called me at 7:00 in the morning and everyone was alive and well. Even with a few mishaps on my part (spilled water) everyone grew up beautifully and are now presenting me with wonderful little eggs. My silkie roo is gorgeous, even if he is a bit protective.

Good luck with your birds, I'm sure all will turn out fine.

 

[MIchickens]

A little info on Murray McMurray. I received my chick a week ago (27 Jan 13). I ordered 47 total chicks of various breeds. I even went as far as to call my main post office hub and ask them to call me and I would pick them up whenever they got there. I received the call at 11:00pm on a Sunday. I drove the 2 hours round trip to get them faster to reduce the stress....if I had waited to get them from my local post office...who knows how many more would have died. 2 of the chicks were DOA in the box when I opened it. Later that day 3 more died. And the next day 3 more died. 1 day after that I only lost 1. Also, I ordered 4 Golden laced Wyandotte's...they didn't ship them to me. Their was a sticker on the inside of the box that said they said they ran out. Now keep in mind I ordered these chicks 3 months in advance. So there's no excuse for not sending them.

OK, now I have 3 chicks with crossed beaks and 1 with an eye problem. I will probably cull them tomorrow.

I would suggest trying to find a local hatchery around you and buy them from there. I am not happy at all with McMurray. Although their people were very nice on the phone each time I called...I believe their chicks are sub-standard. Be prepared to lose a 1/4 of them due to death or sub standard breeding.

I'm just sayin....lol