What hatcheries do YOU recommend?

[topeka]

Past 2 years I have ordered from Cackle and have received extra birds none DOA. Also got some Welsh Harlequin ducks from Estes Hatchery. Very content with both transactions!

 

[The Wolf Queen]

IDEAL IDEAL IDEAL!!! When I get chicks from them Ive had a 100% live rate and my friend only lost one. The only thing I don't like is that they changed the dates on my orders. But maybe that was just because it was later in the season. I love the birds I get from there as well.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I thought this thread was educational. I heard of a few new hatcheries to look at. Although Sandhill wouldn't be my pick right off the bat because they don't sex birds. I am looking for new pullets only. If I ordered from Sandhill, with my luck, I would get all roos.

 

[Miss Sebright]

Sorry, last year I had some bad luck with Ideal, part of my order didn't hatch, that was okay. But the six banties that did hatch were trampled by the standard chicks put in to keep them warm, and half my order died from getting trampled. But that's just my experiance.

 

[poultryhaven]

I havent read through the pages but my FFA chapter ordered through McMurray last year. We only had about 2 or 3 die out of 25 but they sent 2 extras =].
They were actually decent quality too. I got 2 frizzles, a Birchen Cochin, EE, and a red cochin. They were all good quality except the EE because its a mix but he was still gorgeous.

 

[cybercat]

My Pet Chicken gets there chickens from Myers Hatchery in OH. Whelp drops ships from Privette. McMurray is a hit and miss and is know for some mean lines. Ideal is known for chickens that will not breed true in many large breeds. Mt Healthy is recomened by some top breeders. Privette uses many top breeders to supply their egg for hatching and chicks to be shipped. All of these send chickens out to TSC for their chick days. How is that for information. There is a hatchery rate sheet at the top of this section. Not all are listed and much is biased. The best thing to do is buy close to you order early have shipped later than Feb. Late March is good or later to get live chicks for it will be warm enough.

 

[MudPie]

Quote:
I'm new to chickens. What do you mean by "mean lines"? Are you referring to the temperment of the birds?

Thanks, Joe

 

[cybercat]

Yes, Joe I am. If you read up on breed thread here you will see that MM in some breed are consistant with mean roosters and hens that peck owners. This goes for breeds that are not known for that.

 

[jaboo81]

Ideal!