First Time Flock Builder

[wrathsfarm]

Just curious if you're in Michigan why you picked Murry in Iowa over Meyer Hatchery in Ohio? Assuming you're getting these shipped as chicks? The USPS has been having some struggles lately.

Mt. Healthy is in Ohio also.
I've read good reviews on both hatcheries but have only ordered from Meyers and had a good experience with them but I also didn't ship, I picked mine up.

 

[AGeese]

Now there is a local option I have an aquintance with in Michigan at https://blackfeatherfarm.net/shop/ though these girls might not have the color the OP might be looking for.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Now there is a local option I have an aquintance with in Michigan at https://blackfeatherfarm.net/shop/ though these girls might not have the color the OP might be looking for.

I came super close to getting a breeding trio of Svart Honas from Alexa this past Spring but opted to stick with my Marans breeding than trying to learn 2 SOP (Standard of Perfection) and genetics involved.

She has beautiful birds.

 

[AGeese]

I came super close to getting a breeding trio of Svart Honas from Alexa this past Spring but opted to stick with my Marans breeding than trying to learn 2 SOP (Standard of Perfection) and genetics involved.

She has beautiful birds.

Yep and she's super cool, very patient. If she wasn't so far I would have gotten some from her. I opted out of the hatching eggs.

 

[TheUrbanUndertaking]

I did a quick search for Michigan TSC and Blain's to see what hatcheries they use.

I found that Blain's uses Cackle and TSC uses Hoover's. This may not be correct so it's best to call YOUR local feed stores and ask.

With that being said, you can then peruse their hatchery catalogs and place the order thru whichever feed store to have shipped in with their delivery to the store.

This way your not limited to just what they had shipped on that date but your getting what you'd like.

Even if you needed to get all your breeds from both TSC and Blain's if you time the deliveries within a few days the chicks would still integrate at days old. But most feed stores all get their chicks in on the same day of the week and as far as I know you can order as few as you'd like.

Hope this helps.

Holy cow that is SO helpful! I never would have thought that was a possibility! Thank you so much for looking into that, it definitely opens up possibilities and makes for a more strategic flock.

 

[TheUrbanUndertaking]

Just curious if you're in Michigan why you picked Murry in Iowa over Meyer Hatchery in Ohio? Assuming you're getting these shipped as chicks? The USPS has been having some struggles lately.

I had actually originally planned to go with Meyer and drive there and back. After doing a bit more research, the drive is about 4 hours, and it was recommended that chicks not be in a car for more than three. Given the alternative is shipping via mail, I don't think that the car ride would be that detrimental (open to advice if that doesn't sound correct, though). Murray McMurray is about 7-8 hours away, so that one would have to be shipped.

At one point, Meyer didn't have the ship dates I was hoping for with my selected breeds, but it looks like now I could get all of them just a couple weeks past my original desired date.

I was also a bit leery about all of the substitution questions at check out that weren't included by Murray McMurray. Given how specific I am about the flock, I didn't want a surprise with a different breed at the end, but also not sure how common it is to get a substitution. The forums I had been searching on gave a slight edge to Murray McMurray, but again, both sounded like perfectly fine options.

Thank you for the reminder that Meyer is still a very viable (perhaps preferred) option!

 

[TheUrbanUndertaking]

Mt. Healthy is in Ohio also.
I've read good reviews on both hatcheries but have only ordered from Meyers and had a good experience with them but I also didn't ship, I picked mine up.

That's good to know!

 

[TheUrbanUndertaking]

Now there is a local option I have an aquintance with in Michigan at https://blackfeatherfarm.net/shop/ though these girls might not have the color the OP might be looking for.

That's a fantastic resource, thank you!

 

[wrathsfarm]

I had actually originally planned to go with Meyer and drive there and back. After doing a bit more research, the drive is about 4 hours, and it was recommended that chicks not be in a car for more than three. Given the alternative is shipping via mail, I don't think that the car ride would be that detrimental (open to advice if that doesn't sound correct, though). Murray McMurray is about 7-8 hours away, so that one would have to be shipped.

At one point, Meyer didn't have the ship dates I was hoping for with my selected breeds, but it looks like now I could get all of them just a couple weeks past my original desired date.

I was also a bit leery about all of the substitution questions at check out that weren't included by Murray McMurray. Given how specific I am about the flock, I didn't want a surprise with a different breed at the end, but also not sure how common it is to get a substitution. The forums I had been searching on gave a slight edge to Murray McMurray, but again, both sounded like perfectly fine options.

Thank you for the reminder that Meyer is still a very viable (perhaps preferred) option!

We made the drive to pick my Marans.
I would much prefer having that precious cargo in our hands during shipping than strangers who might not take the care.

We kept the heat on, had them up front with us and limited the windows being open to just the back if we needed to.
Maybe overkill, as this was in April 2021 so weather wasn't bad, but all 5 were alive and well when we arrived home.

I still have all 5 and have added more... A lot more. #chickenmath

Pics, because this thread needs pics.

 

[TheUrbanUndertaking]

We made the drive to pick my Marans.
I would much prefer having that precious cargo in our hands during shipping than strangers who might not take the care.

We kept the heat on, had them up front with us and limited the windows being open to just the back if we needed to.
Maybe overkill, as this was in April 2021 so weather wasn't bad, but all 5 were alive and well when we arrived home.

I still have all 5 and have added more... A lot more. #chickenmath

Pics, because this thread needs pics.View attachment 4019147View attachment 4019148View attachment 4019149

That makes me feel much better, I would definitely prefer to make the drive myself, too! After a bit more looking around it seems like a 4 hour ride wouldn't be too bad for them, either.

And yes to the pictures! No post is complete without them!

This whole thread has been so helpful, already some great updates made to the plan and I so appreciate it!