i got this batch from a hatchery in ohio called healthy chicks and more (healthychicksandmore.com)
it was my first time ordering chickens and id heard horror stories about how its NORMAL for chicks to not make it, always order 5 more than you want because youll loose some in shipping, chicks on the back of a mail truck for days at a time, and chicks that arrive super weak if allive, most not knowing how to eat or drink at first...
so i was prepared for some sadness and realy must say was pleasently suprised, they got here over night (shipped weds arrived thurs morning!). i did open the box expecting losses, but none, they were all peeping and cheeping. got them home and checked each ones for sighns of shipping stress and illness, pasty butt, dull eyes ect...but not a single one had nay issues, clean butts, bright eyes and nice sized, no tiny scrawny little chicks here, compared to the chicks we saw in tractor supply on weds when we whent to pick up supplies these guys look much more "filled out" not realy bigger, but definatly much chunkier. and as i put them into the brooder box they almost imediatly started pecking at the food and water...something stressed chicks dont nessicarily do.
i checked them frequently the first few days, each time expecting to find one dead...but nope, each one running round, sleeping or eating/drinking happily...
so once we found the 1/2 of the first batch whod been pre-promised i placed a second order yesterday with the same hatchery...im realy impresed with these guys, and glad i took the chance on then because i couldnt find any reveiws of them either so i was taking a chance in my mind.
check out backyardchickens.com