Where to buy my chicks

[ebeagle35]

Where do you buy your chicks. I have gone through cackle hatcheries in the past. I am ordering cochin and silkie bantams straight run. I wish i could find them sexed, but thats another matter.
So where do you buy? I heard that mcmurray will give a few extra chicks.

 

[Alexandra33]

I guess it all depends on where you are. Buying chicks from local hatcheries gives you greater assurance that they will arrive healthy and safe. Our local hatchery is Meyer Hatchery, and we have bought 21 chicks and 6 ducklings from them, with great results! Not only have they been delivered alive and healthy, but 95% of the birds we have ordered from them have wonderful personalities and they are stunningly beautiful. Also, I have 3 ducklings being shipped from Murray McMurray Hatchery in Iowa, and they will be here in about 4 1/2 days, so this is my first experience with them. When I receive my babies, I will let you know what I think of McMurray's quality to give you an idea.

-Alexandra33

 

[Michael OShay]

I've purchased chicks on numerous occasions from four different hatcheries; Murray McMurray, Dunlap Hatchery, Cackle Hatchery, and Ideal Poultry and have been happy with the birds and service of all of them. I always order 25 pullets at a time whether I need that many or not as more chicks ship better. Since I have the order form proving that I ordered pullets, I've never had any trouble selling off the extras and recouping my money. I've lost a few chicks in shipping, but since all four hatcheries have always put 2-3 extra chicks in the boxes to make up for any losses in shipping, I've always gotten what I paid for. My personal favorite of the four is Dunlap. It is a smaller family run hatchery and the folks there are very friendly and helpful. In addition, it is the only one of the four that I've never lost a bird in shipping from. However, my personal advice is to order from the reputable hatchery that is closest to you. That way the chicks will have to travel less distance in the mail.