which hatchery should I order from?

I used meyer last time. But, i would use Ideal Poultry.

 

I just ordered from Ideal so far they seem good, I will know when the ducks come on the 27th

 

ive ordered from ideal and mcmurray. they are both great.

 

McMurray and Ideal are both fine, I got chicks from both. They are still hatchery birds, so not top of the line for conformation. So if you are looking for a big variety of looks/breeds, or good layers (ie sexlinks, white leghorns ect, commerical types)- order from a hatchery like those. If you are looking more for conformation +/- eggs, find a good breeder of the type you want...

 

Not to steal the link or anything, but I just went to the ideal poultry site and it says the site is down for maintanance. Anyone have a clue as to when it might be back up?

 

www.townlinehatchery.com

 

Now I don't want to be a party crasher - But if you're looking for rare breeds, I'd seriously recommend NOT getting them from a hatchery, but instead research what breeds you want and get them from a breeder. Hatcheries that do carry rare breeds carry such bad quality that they really don't look like what you are expecting. Most people who get from hatcheries want certain genders, good numbers of chicks/eggs, and good prices - You get the same from breeders, and more - Including proper quality/looks, better genes, less susceptibility to sickness, and often a locality that is easier to ship the chicks or eggs from.

Otherwise, if you truly don't care as to the quality and looks of the breed - Murray McMurray has just about every breed most people can think of.

 

I am ordering from Purely Poultry.

1) They have the breeds I want (most are rather rare - including Black Copper Marans, Welsummers, and I can actually choose blue or green laying Americaunas)
2) They will let me mix and match my order all I want! Including mixing LF and Bantams!
3) They have a very nice 15 chick minimum (more if getting just Bannies though).
4) They ship to VA! (Cackle for instance does not).
5) I have been impressed by their customer service thus far.
6) I can choose sexed birds for all LF. (Straight run only for bantams)
7) Competetive pricing.

Granted... they are in reality just a clearing house that gets their birds from different sourses... but that means little for hatchery birds, many hatcheries do. And quite frankly... I would rather have them get my birds from 5 different places than to breed all of them theirselves anyway as I think that might actually assure BETTER stock, not worse!


I do agree that getting them from private breeders would be best if looking to breed or for certain characteristics. But for us newbies... I do not think it is the ONLY option.