Wanting to Combine Order

[myfivegirls]

I have 5 chickens now, and I am looking into getting about 10 replacement chicks in the spring, possibly end of March, early April.
Here's my problem:
I only want 10 chicks, but every place, except MyPetChicken and one other, has a minimum order of 15-25 chicks. I added the types and number of chicks I'd want on MyPetChicken, and it was about $65 for 10 chickens!

I realize that it costs alot to ship them, but at Welp Hatchery, I could get 25 chickens for $65, more or less. There's a big difference between $6.50/chick and $2.50 - $3 per chick. So, I've asked some people I know that have chickens if they're going to get any more. Of course, they either already got some or are planning on ordering from another place. That leads me to where I am know, I'm trying to find someone who's willing to combine an order. Of course, I know that we'll somehow have to meet and distribute the order and somehow keep them all warm and healthy.
Another option is if anyone wanted broilers, that could still contribute to the 25 min. order.

Someone suggested that I buy locally at the TSC, but they only sell straight run chicks, and I don't want/can't have any roosters. So, while that might be a possibility, I wouldn't know what kind I'm getting.

Oh, one more thing, that makes this a little more difficult, is that, I would like to have a couple different breeds/varietys of chickens. I'm thinking of a couple hybrid chicks (such as, Red Star, etc), plus some Barred Rock (Dominique, if available), Easter Eggers, & possibly a Rhode Island Red, Welsummer and/or Golden Laced Wyandotte. I haven't narrowed it down yet, but I like the idea of have a flock of "pretty girls" that are different from one another.

So, long story short, does anyone have any suggestions? Or is there any chicken people on BYC nearby that I could combine an order with?

 

[vicki2x2]

Hi, you can try Ideal, their minimum order is $25, so if chicks are 2.50 each, that would be about 10 chicks.

Also, if you want to split an order with someone, you need to post where you are from, what state and area, your profile just says Delhi, the only Delhi I know is India.

 

[LeBlackbird]

Hey, your 4 hours from me!

 

[myfivegirls]

Quote:
No, I'm not India - it's in New York state, in Delaware County, about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. (depending on the roads, weather, etc) from Albany and Binghamton.

I've considered Ideal and even did a "test" order to see how many chicks I would have to order. It wouldn't tell me how much shipping was, so I e-mailed them about that. In fact, they just replied and said, "It will be 15 cents per chick."
So, I guess, it would end up being $40 or so. If that's correct, that wouldn't be too bad, considering what it would cost throught MyPetChicken.

But, I'll first see if there's any other options before I go with them.

 

[vicki2x2]

If you go to their shipping page, there are a few other charges you might get from Ideal, like you mentioned you wanted a few different breeds. They charge a $1 per breed or sex you have that is under a 1/4 of a box (25 chicks) so if you order 10 chicks and each are a different breed, they will charge you $1 per chick, plus the .15 cents for shipping. Just want you to know about that charge too. I ordered some for some of my 4-H kids.

Good luck, hope you find someone in your area to ship with. Have you tried advertising on Craig's list, see if anyone in your area is looking?

 

[TattooQ27]

Are you in or near Oneonta? My Father in law owns the Cooperstown KOA. Are you anywhere near there? We go out there at least once a month from April to October so if you aren't too far from there I might be able to help you out. I would need to talk to my husband about it but my father in law was thinking about getting some chickens for the KOA for the kids to watch. I am thinking about getting a couple of geese (although I have no idea if you can ship geese with chickens) so we might be able to work something out. Did you say you were ordering from Welp or somewhere else?

 

[myfivegirls]

Here's my reply to the following:

TattooQ27:
Are you in or near Oneonta? My Father in law owns the Cooperstown KOA. Are you anywhere near there? We go out there at least once a month from April to October so if you aren't too far from there I might be able to help you out. I would need to talk to my husband about it but my father in law was thinking about getting some chickens for the KOA for the kids to watch. I am thinking about getting a couple of geese (although I have no idea if you can ship geese with chickens) so we might be able to work something out. Did you say you were ordering from Welp or somewhere else?

Yes, we are about 1/2 hr. from Oneonta, and we're about 45min - 1hr. from Cooperstown. Geese don't contribute to your minimum number of chickens, though. If I was to find someone to combine an order with, I would order from Welp, because they combine the shipping cost in the cost of the chicks. I've made many "test" orders through various hatcheries, and they were the best price, at least, at least if you want less than 5 chicks per breed.

vicki2x2:
If you go to their shipping page, there are a few other charges you might get from Ideal, like you mentioned you wanted a few different breeds. They charge a $1 per breed or sex you have that is under a 1/4 of a box (25 chicks) so if you order 10 chicks and each are a different breed, they will charge you $1 per chick, plus the .15 cents for shipping. Just want you to know about that charge too. I ordered some for some of my 4-H kids.

Good luck, hope you find someone in your area to ship with. Have you tried advertising on Craig's list, see if anyone in your area is looking?

Yes, I realize about the various charges. This is what I estimated for 10 chicks (2 each of EE, Gold & Red Sex Link, Dominique & Golden Laced Wyandotte): $7 small box charge + $1 per breed (5) + $1.50 shipping + $24.24 for the chicks = $37.74 = I called it $40, depending on what breed combinations I would actually order.
But, I'll just have so see what else turns up. I just posted a "wanted ad" on Craig's list with several different options.

One other thing that someone mentioned was to go ahead and order more than you want, then post on Craig's list and BYC that you have chicks you want to sell. So, that's another option.​