Here’s a listing of free hatchery catalogs/links for ordering your spring chicks. Springtime is definitely the best time of year to get new chicks, and for us getting them in early May is probably optimal. Here’s how to Raise Baby or Day-Old Chicks.
Many breeders and hatcheries have sold out of birds early in recent years, so now is the time to get chicks on order if you want to be sure of getting your picks. I was trying to compare options from several hatcheries but couldn’t find a condensed listing of them, so I came up with this one for easy reference.
These are all larger, reliable hatcheries that also have catalogs you can request or view on-line; but, this isn’t a listing of breeders.
It depends on what you want the chickens for to determine whether to get chicks from a hatchery or breeder. If I want Golden Buffs or Red Comets for egg production, I would consider getting them from a hatchery; however, if I wanted show-quality heritage Buckeyes, I would get them from a breeder who specializes in Buckeyes.
I’ve included the location of the hatchery in the descriptions below because all other things being equal, I’d rather order my chicks from nearer rather than farther – or, better yet, Meyer hatchery is close enough I can pick up from them. Some places are already beginning to have limited quantities of chicks, so it’s time to get orders in!
Free Chicken Hatchery Catalogs/Links
Cackle Hatchery – Cackle bills themselves as “We are a 3rd generation family-owned and operated hatchery offering over 185 varieties of poultry shipped directly from our facility here in Missouri. It’s our mission to enhance your life by providing you with quality poultry For Showing, For Meat, For Enjoyment, For Eggs or For Pets. We specialize in hatching purebred poultry and shipping day old chicks right to your local post office Since 1936.”
They are located in Lebanon, Missouri.
McMurray Hatchery– McMurray says this “For over 95 years, Murray McMurray Hatchery has been supplying the small farmer, rural egg producer and chicken enthusiast with a wide variety of day-old baby chicks, pullets, ducklings and much more. If you have been thinking that it might be fun to dabble in the world of backyard chickens this is the place. We have a full line of different breeds of poultry and chickens to satisfy chicken lovers of every age.” They offer a free color catalog which has photos of the breeds offered.
They’re located in Webster City, Iowa.
Meyer Hatchery – Meyer advertises “America’s Premier Poultry Source! We pride ourselves on selection, quality, and customer service. We want to service all your needs and we understand that a large majority of our customers only want to buy a few chicks of multiple breeds. We are happy to accommodate any size order and allow you to mix and match multiple breeds of the same poultry type to meet our minimum order requirements for safe shipping.” They offer a free color catalog (which has photos of the chicken breeds being offered and also includes general information).
They are located in Polk, Ohio so we’ve picked up birds from this source.
Stromberg’s – Stromberg’s says “We have been proudly supplying America with the finest chicks, adult birds, hatching eggs and a full range of supplies for raising chickens, waterfowl and gamebirds for four generations.”
They offer a free color catalog and are located in Pine River, Minnesota.
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