1 Week Old Chicks

I got 5 eggs yesterday!  Of course, I think one of the eggs is from the day before because I found it buried in the nesting box, and it looks like a Wyandotte egg.  I have two Wyandottes, and three Wyandotte eggs.  But it was still nice to say I got five eggs yesterday.  :)



Here they are!  One week old and still holding strong.

Salmon Faverolles

Jersey Giants

Mottled Houdan

Welsummer

Easter Egger

Buff Orpington

Olive Egger

New Chick Pics

So the additions today are as follows:  2 Salmon Faverolle pullets, 2 Welsummer pullets, 3 Easter Egger pullets (accidently sent one with Erin, so missing it in pictures), 1 Olive Egger pullet, and 1 Buff Orpington pullet.

Brooder set-up

The Eggers

The Olive Egger

The Easter Eggers (remember, one's missing)

Salmon Faverolles

The Buff Orpington

The Welsummers

Deliveries Received!

McMurray chicks were delivered yesterday with a total of 30 chicks.  Meyer chicks were delivered today with a total of 26 chicks.  

About a couple of weeks ago, I called McMurray to add two more pullets to my order.  No hassles, and the people were pleasant.  I really enjoy speaking with the customer service reps.  When it was time for the shipment McMurray sent text notifications and a confirmation e-mail to make sure I was aware the order was on its way.  We (my friend who ordered with me and I) knew to expect the order when it was delivered, though I had a little trouble with USPS, but nothing devastatingly horrible.  Out of the 30 chicks shipped, one arrived DOA.  A Speckled Sussex (SS).  Within the next few hours we lost the rare exotic chick (which happened to be a Golden Laced Polish) and another SS died.  The next morning, my friend called me and said two more SS had died, and then later this afternoon another pair of SS were very sick and soon to parish.  We ordered several breeds, and we aren't exactly sure why only the SS are dying at this point.  All of the ones in my care are doing exceptionally well, so I really don't know what is going on.  There was no heating pack, but they seemed to be able to huddle together for warmth.  I called McMurray about the dead chicks, and the woman on the other end was very polite, apologized  for the misfortune, and reimbursed us.  I have not called about the recent SS deaths, but I am waiting for tomorrow to give them a call and get it all over with at once.  Between my cousin and my friend, there were 12 Barred Rocks (BR) ordered, and we ended up getting an extra BR Pullet.  

Remember when I called Meyer and requested the OEs be marked?  They were not.  Didn't really expect them to be after the attitude of the woman who spoke to me.  We did get a free EE pullet, but since I got an extra chick through McMurray, it's kind of normal and no special treatment.  I don't think I was charged for the Buff Orpingtons I added when I called, which was nice of the Hatchery.  When the order was shipped, I did not get any notifications saying the order was shipped, though I checked regularly for the tracking information.  It was shipped via 2-day shipping which I expected, but it came in a day early.  It was literally over-nighted!    The chicks had a heated pack, and all were alive and happy when I picked them up at the PO.  I didn't like how loosely the lid was placed.  I personally didn't have any problems, but one side could bend enough a hand could fit through or a chick could jump out if the box was leaned over at the right angle.  I personally didn't have any missing chicks, but it could happen.  When it comes to shipping and the safety of the chicks, Meyer wins by a mile. 

I would order from both again, though I will wait on warmer weather to order from McMurray.  The next order I make through Meyer, I will be sure not to mix any EEs or OEs because I couldn't tell them apart.  I hope I can get some pictures taken of the chicks 

eBay Hatching Eggs

I had two bids up.  One was for Ameraucana + Lavender Orpington mix.  I was outbid at the last minute.  Poot...  But just before I was outbid, I won a different Ameraucana batch.  The bid was for 6+ Chestnut/Wheaten Ameraucana eggs.  All were delivered without any being crushed.  I have them setting right now in a carton until tomorrow afternoon.  After about 24 hours has elapsed, the eggs will be transferred to the incubator.  I have the incubator set up so I can keep the temp and humidity constant.

Anyway, after I received the eggs, I had five blue-green eggs, a green egg, and a pink egg.  Yes, a pink egg.  Guess what.  Ameraucanas ONLY LAY BLUE EGGS!  This means these eggs are not purebred Ameraucanas.  I sent a message to the seller and asked about the "pink" egg, and they assured me they were indeed pure Ameraucanas that often lay light brown eggs.  The Ameraucanas did come from a hatchery though.  AHA!  I think to myself.  That explains it all.  What a lot of people don't know is, when a hatchery sells Ameraucanas, they are actually selling Easter Eggers.  An Easter Egger is a chicken that has a blue egg-layer somewhere in its pedigree, but it is mixed with something else, which gives the probability of laying a brown or olive egg.  I wasn't mad at getting EE eggs in the mail because I love EEs.  I even have some ordered from Meyer Hatchery along with an Olive Egger (OE).  The whole thing is an experiment anyway just to see if it is justifiable to order any more through the mail, and the eggs themselves where cheap.  I gave them my opinion (giving them the benefit of the doubt) that they should state in their description the eggs are not purebred Ameraucanas, or say the parents were from a hatchery to save them any head ache in the future.  They ignored me, of course, which tells me they know good and well what they are selling.  I still gave them a good review, but I made sure to make a comment the eggs were not pure because they lay pink eggs.  It was hard to decide which picture was best so I chose them all.

McMurray Order Recieved!

It was a long weekend, knowing that these chicks would be here today. I started getting worried Saturday evening because there wasn't another update.  I was really worried this morning because I had to call them at 8:30 a.m. trying to figure out where the order was.  Apparently, USPS didn't update the travel record.  The only reason it marks it as delivered was because the bar code has to be scanned at pick-up.  UGH!  Thanks USPS...  I don't blame McMurray for USPS.  We have 30 chicks total ordered between my cousin and my friend (and of course me).  12 Speckled Sussex, 12 Black Stars (+1 free extra), 2 Black Jersey Giants, 2 Mottled Houdans, and a free Rare Exotic Chick (hatchery choice turned out to be a Golden Laced Polish).  Of the 30 chicks, 3 died (2 Speckled Sussex and the Polish).  It happens.

Here is where the review comes in.  One plus is I received a text message and an e-mail stating the order has been shipped.  McMurray Hatchery (like many hatcheries) guarantees live arrival.  I called customer service regarding the three dead chicks and they reimbursed us for the lost chicks, even the free exotic, asked about the other chicks, and even commented on my laughing 11 month old child.  I enjoyed speaking to the representative.  She was very friendly.  I would very much enjoy ordering from them again, and even look forward to it.  

I am debating on making another order later this year for about three Golden Polish pullets.  I love my Labelle so much, I was looking forward to another when I saw the one included.  Well, bummer.  Of course that wouldn't be the only thing to order, which is where the contemplation comes in.

Here are the pictures to accompany the post.  You know I never play with chicks without taking pictures.  HAHA!  Of course, I have 8 chicks in my house, but I only took pictures of mine.  The 2 Houdan pullets and the 2 Black Jersey Giant pullets. 

(Jersey Giants)

(Mottled Houdans)

Shipments #1 & #2

As of right now, the McMurray Hatchery is coming in.  I received a text this morning saying they have been shipped via 2 day express.  They will be delivered on Monday, YAY!  I only have four chicks in that order.  Two Houdan pullets and two Black Jersey Giant pullets.   I also have 6+ Chestnut / Wheaten Ameraucana eggs coming in either Tuesday or Wednesday.  I bought an Incubator last week and a hygrometer.  Tomorrow I'm plugging it in to make sure I get the humidity right and consistant.  The excitement is starting to bubble.