“I have had a backyard flock for a few years now and am learning more and more as I go. I really wanted to buy chicks from local breeders and hatcheries, but it's difficult to find the more unusual breeds and also difficult to find someone who will sex baby chicks. So due to this and some miscommunication with locals, and despite my reluctance to deal with shipping live animals, I broke down and reluctantly ordered chicks online through MPC.
I ordered 1 EE Frizzle, 1 Austra White, 1 Blue Copper Marans, 1 Red Star, and 1 Super Blue to add to my small backyard flock. I was anxious that they would arrive dead or unhealthy. The shipment tracking did a good job of updating me when they'd been packed and shipped, and I believe the chicks were inside of their package for less than 36 hours total, despite being shipped across multiple states. My local post office knew in advance that they were coming, and called me the minute they arrived.
They arrived happy and healthy. I was delighted with their condition and the quality of the container and way that they were safely shipped. They are now a month old and are thriving. It's still a bit too early to tell, but they all give early evidence of being sexed correctly as female. I will not officially add them to the existing flock for another couple of months, but there have already been moments when they've been allowed to free-range side-by-side with the adults and there's already signs of acceptance from the adult chickens.
So I'm now a believer! As much as I enjoy supporting locals, this is just too good of an alternative choice in terms of being able to find interesting breeds, being able to order them as female only, and in terms of the quality and health of the birds that arrived. The next time I need to replace chickens to my flock, I will be ordering from MPC.
5 stars; very happy!”
“Born April 17/19 - So far they have been very healthy and get along with all of the other 60 10-week-old chickens of different breeds. I would say durable chickens.”
Thank you for taking the time for providing your review of the Austra Whites! These beautiful babies are birds! My Pet Chicken looks forward to helping you in the future!
“She's about 10 weeks now and so far, so good. She comes running when she sees me and will jump on my lap/shoulders. I had to get rid of a mis-sexed rooster, and I predict that she will take over as the gentle head of the pecking order. She's absolutely beautiful and does well with the other four pullets.”
“We received several healthy chicks from MPC about 18 months ago (February 2020). The ordering and shipping process was smooth and the customer service was outstanding (I contacted them with several questions)! Our Austra-White is beautiful and friendly. She only has a couple small flecks of grey/black, so she resembles a Leghorn, but with a fuller build and smaller comb. She began laying at 21 weeks and gave us 6 medium/large eggs/week (50-59 grams) for her first year of laying (slowing down a bit through our Michigan winter) and is now averaging 4-5 eggs/week. Her eggs are, in my opinion, the prettiest of all our hens. They are perfectly shaped and have a creamy, ivory coloring. She did go broody once this spring and was very difficult to break (it took 4 days!). However, less than two weeks later she resumed laying.”
“I almost didn‚Äôt get my first pick, the Austra White, but a last minute hatch secured her. She was my most tame chick, hopping willingly into my hand for a lift and a cuddle. As a Pullet she‚Äôs still super sociable, interested, always watching me and coming over to see what‚Äôs up. I adore her!”
