Which hatchery to choose when shipping chicks...

[wornoutmomto3]

With all the excitement about chicks in full swing many are deciding where to get chicks for starting a new flock or adding to an established flock. I personally hatched a few of my own, purchased from Tractor Supply, and shipped chicks from Meyer Hatchery. I have so many isolated brooders in full swing there is almost no room left to move.

Which is fun for me. In about a months time the weather will have warmed and the chicks will begin integrating and joining the main flock. At that time, hopefully, I will also have a new set of chicks emerging from the incubator. Along with the new hatchlings I am looking at a couple other hatcheries. One that is local with a small selection and another that will need to ship chicks across country. (Striving for some diversity for future bloodlines.)
There are a multitude of hatcheries to choose from: Murray McMurray, Meyer, Ideal, etc. A new one was recently brought to my attention, Valley Hatchery. I have looked over their website and the variety of breeds a good size. I have yet to encounter any reviews for this particular hatchery. If you have worked with them and have some valuable insight I would much appreciate your advice. If you are partial to another hatchery then, I would love to hear about it. Please share.

 

[rides2far]

Where is Valley Hatchery located?

 

[kar0427]

You made me look! I checked out their website and have mixed feelings about them. The positives are a nice website and good selection. But offering only credit and not refunds is a problem for people like me who can't handle the additional chicks to make up another 15-chick order in the case of losing say, 4-5 birds. Free shipping, but it's definitely built into the chick price with an Australorp pullet at $4.60. Most importantly, you have to place the order before you're given a shipping date and I like to make that choice myself. No changes to any order are allowed; they advise you cancel the order ($15 charge) and make another one if you want to make any changes.
They might have wonderful stock and be a great hatchery, but there are too many stipulations in ordering for me to feel comfortable ordering from them. A large order that you're sure of and indifference about shipping date, and knowing that you'll be ordering another 10-12 later (to take advantage of the credit), then it might be ideal.

 

[kar0427]

"Valley Hatchery's headquarters are located in Ohio. We have hatching facilities in both Ohio and Missouri! *Please note: we do not have a storefront and orders cannot be picked up from our location." - from the website

 

[okiemamachick]

I LOVE cackle hatchery I especially love that they are only 4 hours away so shipping isn't as hard on my chick's

 

[wornoutmomto3]

You made me look! I checked out their website and have mixed feelings about them. The positives are a nice website and good selection. But offering only credit and not refunds is a problem for people like me who can't handle the additional chicks to make up another 15-chick order in the case of losing say, 4-5 birds. Free shipping, but it's definitely built into the chick price with an Australorp pullet at $4.60. Most importantly, you have to place the order before you're given a shipping date and I like to make that choice myself. No changes to any order are allowed; they advise you cancel the order ($15 charge) and make another one if you want to make any changes.
They might have wonderful stock and be a great hatchery, but there are too many stipulations in ordering for me to feel comfortable ordering from them. A large order that you're sure of and indifference about shipping date, and knowing that you'll be ordering another 10-12 later (to take advantage of the credit), then it might be ideal.

Thank you for your candid response. I can get a bit chick crazy this time of year and need a level-headed view to calm some of the impulsiveness.

 

[wornoutmomto3]

I was wondering, what factors do you consider when choosing a hatchery? What is most important? What is least important?

 

[ValleyHatchery]

Potential or Current Customers,

I have to say, I frowned reading this! When kar0427 said, "But offering only credit and not refunds is a problem for people like me who can't handle the additional chicks to make up another 15-chick order in the case of losing say, 4-5 birds." I have to admit, I cringed. I have promised myself, family and team of employees that I am in this for the everyday backyard flock owner - this brought to my attention that this policy is not ideal for backyard flock owners.

What have I done? I have CHANGED our policies to help those like you, the small scale chicken keeper! I am proud to say, Valley Hatchery now offers CREDIT & DEBIT CARD CREDITS / REFUNDS. As a small business owner, I try to do my VERY best to listen to potential and current customers!

As for shipping, it is 100% free. This has not been factored into prices, other than our small order specials. The price you are paying, is for high quality poultry - Poultry Grand Champion Ready! We have worked and worked to offer nothing but the best, whether it is a standard bird or fancy bird - these are birds that children and adults will proudly display in their backyard or at the poultry show!

As for hatch dates, unfortunately this is not a feature we have yet added to our site. We do currently have a web developer working on this though! We do not claim to be the largest hatchery, as a smaller company it has been hard to scale up with the commercial hatcheries. But, we are trying our best! If a given hatch date does not work for you, we ALWAYS are willing to rearrange it at no cost!

We pride ourselves in having a great success rate for shipping birds, but for any customers who experience losses will now be credited the money to there bank account. I hope Valley Hatchery earns your future business, and feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions!

Thank You,

Santino
Owner | Valley Hatchery
[email protected]