We are in the process of building my chicken enclosure. It will likely be about two more months before I can order chicks. I've learned all about how to treat the chicks when I first get them concerning keeping them warm and feeding them and all that.

But what I need to know is the best place you've found to order chicks. I need to know your best experiences. I've got a catalog from Inman Hatchery and one other.

Please tell me your good stories (and any places you've had bad luck with!) THANKS!

-- Suzy Lowry Geno (slgt@yahoo.com), March 07, 2000

Answers

There are some other hatcherys listed in countryside call them and get there catolog. Then there is HOOVER HATCHERY 1-800-247-7014 I ordered from them last year I had good luck and thought the prices were very good.REICH POULTRY FARM 717-426-3411 ALSO CALLED RED TOP they run a great deal 100 heavy chicks there choice with shipping cost me 29.00.RIDGEWAY 1-800-323-3825.You can also check your local feed stores they often have them on hand in spring or they order them once or twice in spring.Have fun !

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 07, 2000.

Can't argue with Patty's answers. I have also had good luck with Murray McMurray (1-800-456-3280, . But be aware of this: if you order from any mail order co, you will need a minimum of 25 chicks. Not because they want your last dollar, but because there is a minimum number to keep themselves warm as they travel to you. I suggest you check out your local feed stores and see what their plans are. I have one that orders a couple of hundred every 2 weeks in the spring and sells them quite reasonably. Another is even better, they ask for your order (no upfront money unless you look overly shifty or citified) and when the chicks come in on the specified date, you pick them up. Either way, no minimum order. And the second place sells pullet layers for @ $1, depending upon the size of your order, and @ 70 cents for the meat birds. Unless you plan to sell fertile eggs, or hatch your own chicks, I'd opt for just pullets, and unless you intend to keep more than your family in eggs, you will only need 6 to 12 chickens, depending upon your personal comsumption. Good Luck!

Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), March 07, 2000.

Brad, you wrote "you will only need 6 to 12 chickens, depending upon your personal comsumption". I'd add - and that of your local predators. You're right, of course, when things go right, but spares are sometimes a good idea. If you get too many eggs, you can economise on dog, cat or even pig food.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), March 07, 2000.

I have way to many chickens for us and just ordered more ,the city relatives think there gettig gold when they get fresh eggs.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 07, 2000.

I don't know what part of the country you are from but up here in Wisconsin it makes a difference on the time of year. Even if they can ship them in 1 day, the travel is sometimes pretty hard on day old chicks in too cold of weather. They'll get dropped either at the feed-mill or at the local post office. Both of which put them right at the front door, exposing them to the drafts. Plus, they don't put them under any heat lamps, so we try to get there the moment the chicks arrive.

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), March 08, 2000.

I have ordered from Murray McMurray and was pleased with their service. They sent extra chicks with the order and was accurate on the ones that I ordered "sexed". One time I lost some chicks soon after their arrival and they promptly issued me a refund or credit, my option. Good luck!

-- Marci (ajourend@libby.org), March 08, 2000.

We just had a delivery of chicks that took 3 days to arrive. 16 of the 20 turkeys died within three days. All the leghorns died too. We were told by the hatchery (Belt) that only one airline is now transporting live chicks (Delta, I think), so the time it will take to get to your house depends on how far you are from one of their destinations. In our case the chicks were trucked from northern KY to AR !!! We've had good experience in previous years, and the hatchery was more than willing to reimburse us for the loss, but we probably won't do mail order again. David and Kim

-- David C (fleece@eritter.net), March 08, 2000.

Thanks for all of you who provided this great help!!!

I am in north Alabama, for those of you who asked. I will check with the feed stores near here but I just think I might get a better quality chick if I order them.

I know the minimum order is 25 but I figure I may loose some.

Any extra eggs will go to family members and my editors at the newspaper I write for (I've been an investigative reporter/photographer for 20 years but have a home office.)

Thanks again! Any more info will be much appreciated!!!!

-- Suzy Lowry Geno (slgt@yahoo.com), March 09, 2000.

We always use Murray Mcmurray. We have had greatest success with their white rocks. Ordered 25 pullets last year. All reached laying stage & are doing real well. Just ordered 25 Cockrels & will keep the 2 fastest growers for Roosters & eat the rest. We will then hatch the fertile eggs from this mating for replacements as needed, both for layers & freezer.Good luck!

-- Okie-Dokie (www.tommycflinstone@aol.com), March 12, 2000.

Hi Suzy- I've had very good luck with Mcmurray Hatchery. To help get the chicks off to a good start, I notify my local post office ahead of time that they'll be getting a package for me thats making noise. After the look of horror leaves their faces, I tell them it's an order of chicks. I leave my phone number with them, and they call me as soon as the chicks arrive. I then pick them up IMMEDIATELY, and get them home and under the lights with plenty of fresh, room temperature water. I've never had a dead arrival from McMurray yet. And, their selection is incredible. I've also ordered from my local feed store and have had good results in the past. However, their supplier has changed owners, and the quality seems to be going down, so it looks like McMurray will be getting my order again this year. Good Luck with your chicks. DAN

-- Dan (dshaske@excel.net), March 14, 2000.

We always order from Murray McMurray. Haven't had any problems.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), March 14, 2000.

This was a good thread to read. I wrote down some of the suppliers, too, although we've had excellent results with McMurray also. And we find their stock quite a bit "cheeper" than the others. We're just about to order 25 more New Hampshire Red pullets. They lay huge, dark brown eggs. Very good impression for selling.

Ally

-- Ally (Like2Read@bigfoot.com), March 18, 2000.

Just had to cast my vote for Murray McMurray, too. I've dealt with several poultry companies over the years. McMurray has been the best. They stand behind what they sell and I've never had any problems with their birds. Good luck to you.

-- kim (barkinbarnyard@rrv.net), July 21, 2000.

McMurray is one of the most expensive! Most hatcheries won't ship in the summer or winter, since it's a sure death for the chicks. There's quite a few who will ship less than 25, but most prefer that number so the chicks will keep each other warm. And I wonder how much longer they'll ship at all. The airlines want to quit that service. And the ARCults aren't helping. I've had success with Privett Hatchery in New Mexico.

I have a large list of hatcheries that I'd be happy to send if you'd like.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), July 22, 2000.