What is it like in a hatchery?

[Mutt Farm]

Hi! I ordered chicks from Meyer last spring. They were shipped from a small sub- contractor hatchery. They came packed with melon and zuchinni and a heat pac. Also, a hand written note from the supplier asking if I wouldn't mind letting them know how the babies did during shipping and how much food was left. The chicks were fat and sassy, true to breed type. I was thrilled. I have the # from their note if you want to give them a call...

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Hi! I ordered chicks from Meyer last spring. They were shipped from a small sub- contractor hatchery. They came packed with melon and zuchinni and a heat pac. Also, a hand written note from the supplier asking if I wouldn't mind letting them know how the babies did during shipping and how much food was left. The chicks were fat and sassy, true to breed type. I was thrilled. I have the # from their note if you want to give them a call...

Meyer! Yes! Bwa ha ha! That was on the list, I remember that now! I was gonna order from there one time but they were out of Polish

I'm prety sure they're the family owned one??? I've looked at several, but they were definitely one of the ones because I almost ordered from there!

 

[Mutt Farm]

I struggled with this whole deal as I started raising chickens so I didn't support inhumane treatment of battery hens. Re: vent sexing, my friend spent a day in a hatchery to see how it's done. They gently squeeze out the poop so they can see whether there is a bump or not. She's like me, a bit on what I call the humaniac side and had no problem with the process.
It's a tough call. If you buy locally and don't vent sex, you're apt to end up with 50% males unless you only buy breeds that can be identified M/F otherwise. Then what to do?

 

[Mutt Farm]

Meyer! Yes! Bwa ha ha! That was on the list, I remember that now! I was gonna order from there one time but they were out of Polish

I'm prety sure they're the family owned one??? I've looked at several, but they were definitely one of the ones because I almost ordered from there!

Yes, but they must also sub-contract with small family breeders for some "specialty" breeds. I don't want to say too much here in case it would cause an issue for whoever actually shipped me these beautiful hens. I got 2 SLW, a white and a splash Marans and a Lav Orpington from them. I can PM their phone #.

 

[TBirdsTheWord33]

I've ordered from Meyer 4 times and have nothing but good to say about them. I LOVE the chicks I've ordered...always beautiful and healthy. I'm so pleased to hear that they are one of the humane hatcheries.

 

[dheltzel]

Thank you so much! I have been having difficulty finding out about that. Please tell me, where is that list?

I'm a small time breeder and all my chicks are cared for as if I were going to keep them myself (as the ones that do not sell are). I'm prejudiced in my agreement that local breeders are ideal, if you can find them and if they have what you want. It helps to not be too stuck on a particular breed, but general characteristics (blue eggs or black and white plumage, for ex).

Where are you located? Go ask for recommendations on your state thread (or nearby states if you are near a border). If you mention some breed you're looking for on my state thread, a half-dozen people start looking for you and giving you advice. Extra friendly bunch of people that want to help you be successful.

All that said, I sometimes buy from hatcheries. Bought a box this summer in fact. Lost 1 (of 26) early on. If they were traumatized at the hatchery, I can assure you they are over it now. I really can't tell that they were not hatched in my basement. So hatcheries might be a second choice (that breed was not available anywhere else), but it's not a terrible thing to buy there.

 

[allosaurusrock]

I'm new to BYC, but all of you have been so helpful! I'll ask my feed store where they get their chicks. Thanks for all of the help!

 

[TBirdsTheWord33]

You are very welcome.

 

[SIERRAS MOM]

I'm sorry but what your discibing sounds like what happens in the food industry where they process hundreds of thousands at a time , not the family owned hatcheries that supply most of the feed stores accross the country. Like Meyers, Ideal, Privet, Cackle, Welp---most of these guys are still run by original family members and do Not treat or have the kind of equipment that is so abbusive. They also market the extra cockerels in their meat bird packages. i dont know about all the hatcheries but I'm in MIssouri and i know Cackle has a walkin store front full of chicks most of the time.

 

[allosaurusrock]

A few are good, but I really don't want to support inhumane hatcheries.