Best place to buy starter pullets online? Meyer Hatchery?

[kraftykrow]

As I stated in a previous post on gender questions, (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/i-really-hope-these-barred-rocks-are-girls.1305681) I've been having reeeeally bad luck trying to get female barred rocks. Many have suggested ordering starter pullets so their sex can be pretty much guaranteed and I won't have to go through raising chickens again and they can go straight out. Anyone want to suggest some? I have been looking at Meyer because the shipping cost is vastly lower than others since they are not super far away from me (but too far to drive to). Please share your experiences! Thanks!

 

[KendalHausmann]

Although I haven't used them personally, I've heard good things about Murray McMurray
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html They are in Iowa, but the started pullets ship from Texas. Its definitely expensive.

 

[kraftykrow]

Although I haven't used them personally, I've heard good things about Murray McMurray
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html They are in Iowa, but the started pullets ship from Texas. Its definitely expensive.

I noticed when I checked the cost.

Meyer is about half the price, but I want healthy birds.

 

[kraftykrow]

Dang! Going with Meyer means I wouldn't get them til June! I guess it's between Murray and Cackle now. THey're the same price on both.

EDIT: Went with Murray's.

 

[Acre4Me]

You could save on shipping if there was a place near to you to pick up.

Have you checked NPIP listings for your state?
http://www.poultryimprovement.org/statesContent.cfm

For example, Ohio has 36 pages of NPIP listings.

But, CA only has 8 pages of listings - so, it would be less likely to have an NPIP chicken breeder or hatchery close to you in CA, but very likely in OH!

Getting started pullets is less common than chicks, but you only need a few. Since NPIP is voluntary (although I think required to ship out of state), you will at least be contacting a breeder or hatchery that has had to jump through a few bureaucratic and health testing hoops to sell chicks.

We sold some younger pullets at a livestock auction, so this is another avenue. Of course, you are buying from unkown individuals. Our impression from the auction were that some people make some extra money from selling chickens, and the stock the day we went seemed healthy overall - but, I'm sure it varies. We just goggled "livestock auction near me" to find it.

Good Luck!