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Barnyard Buddies:  Hatcheries...  |
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MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 11:03:13 AM
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Hello! I am getting sooo excited for next spring so I can order some chicks :) But it just occurred to me that I have no idea where to start. Is just going to your local farm supply store the best bet? Or are there certain hatcheries for certain parts of the country? Not sure how most people go about obtaining their little fuzzballs....
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More
Farmgirl Sister #154 |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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MissWhit
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Whitney
Maine
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 12:05:01 PM
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great website thanks!! Can you get chicks anytime of year? Or just spring?
"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." Thomas More
Farmgirl Sister #154 |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 1:17:37 PM
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| I second McMurry's that is where I ordered mine through and their customer service was excellente! If you go to their website it will tell what and when they are available. I received my order in August of last year and my chickies did just fine. |
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 2:59:13 PM
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I order through MacMurrays too..and have had great success with them. I have ordered as late as Sept..but I know they usually don't start shipping until like March. Some breeds or assortments are available more of the year than others.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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LauraH
True Blue Farmgirl
305 Posts
Laura
North Creek
New York
USA
305 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 4:19:10 PM
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I always order thru McMurrays with great results! We have ordered chickens and turkeys, every time every one has survived!
Good Luck!
Laura
http://cottagekids-laura.blogspot.com |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2008 : 10:24:56 PM
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Ugh! I orderd from Cackle Hatchery this year. HUGE mistake!!! They did not give me any indication that they even GOT my online order (no tracking number, no confirmation e-mail--- NOTHING!!!) After a few months went by, I assumed they didn't get my order after all and just let it go.
Well, I was checking my bank account on-line one day and noticed the charge from the hatchery. I DID receive a note a few days later saying when the birds (4 goslings and 6 ducklings) would arrive. They DID arrive on the designated day, but one of the Goslings was dead. (and VEEERY S-T-I-N-K-Y!!!!!) Even the Postmaster was surprised that the gosling didn't make it (and smelled so terrible) since the shipping label indicated that the birds had actually been sent the DAY BEFORE! (and it WASN'T even hot that week!!) A note inside the shipping box stated that if there were any loses then the POST OFFICE would reimburse me--- the Postmaster said "UH-UH!! That's not OUR responsibility." I just let the matter go since I found out that the hatchery is near impossible to contact. (sigh...)
Anyway, just be careful who you do business with. Murray Mcmurray is definitely one of the better hatcheries-- though you WILL pay more for the birds--- BUT, they sell exactly what they advertise (I've gotten some GORGEOUS birds from them over the years) and I learned a VERY valuable lesson this year--- You get what you PAY for!!! I tried to be cheap, and a poor little goose had to pay for it!!! Oh, and you want to order early so you get the breeds you want before they are sold out. ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2901 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2901 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2008 : 09:07:21 AM
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| I did not order my chicks, since I only wanted 6, I went to a hatchery here in the Cinci area, Mt Healthy Hatcheries. I know they advertise & ship all over, but of course you have the 25 chick minimum. For anyone considering, I can personally attest to the pristine clinical cleanliness of the area where there chicks are stored. It was immaculate. I peeked in there while wating for my 6 hens. Also they package in a VERY sturdy box with a sturdy lid. I have heard horror stories of some chicks arriving with damaged lids etc. I know they have a website, & I am no chicken expert, but they have a pretty decent selection, maybe not anything exotic though. |
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Shari
Beryl
UT
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2008 : 10:05:40 AM
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Our "hatchery of choice" is Welp Hatchery. We ordered from them last year and have successfully raised 100% of the birds we got. Our postmaster commented they were the healthiest chicks they'd seen come through their Post Office.
This next spring, we'll be ordering again. We're doubling the size of our coop and will have room for a couple dozen Cornish Cross meat birds as well as a couple dozen pullet chicks for egg layer replacement.
Shari Thomas
Got lambs? Got fleece? We do, and you can too! Check our our new "Fleece For Sale" page. |
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deeredawn
True Blue Farmgirl
2306 Posts
Dawn
Cordova
TN
USA
2306 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2008 : 5:31:29 PM
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try meyerhatchery.com. We own our own parent stock and are bio-secure-which means no cooties. Murray McMurray is good, but had a terrible outbreak of virus and it wiped out most of their stock this year, dont know how "safe" it is at this point. I pack hatches every Monday and we guarantee 100% live-ability in transit. Check us out.
harvest farm & market web site coming soon |
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Barnyard Buddies: Hatcheries... |
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Hatcheries...
