Hi, I just picked up more than 60 chicks from Performance Poultry, which is in Carrying Place between Brighton and Belleville. Probably around 90 minutes from you. Check out their website -- they have lots of great varieties of chicks. Ours are all healthy & vigorous.
The only problem is they are very popular and sell out quickly. They started taking orders in March and may not have much of a selection left.
I don't know much about the fancy breeds. We chose our breeds based on winter hardiness and egg laying abilities. Combs & wattles can freeze in winter so you will have to keep them inside or sheltered from the elements. Our hens continued to lay well all winter long -- I think it must be because they had a huge window that let in lots of light.
We ordered our first batch of birds last year from a feed store -- they were hatchery chicks -- Red Sex Link -- and while they have been very heatlhy and excellent laying hens, I wouldn't get them again. They were all debeaked, which I think is cruel. Some of them look absolutely mutilated and have trouble closing their beaks and pecking at food. That hampers their ability to forage on pasture. They can't eat fruits & vegetales unless I mash or grate them. They have a real disadvantage compared to non-debeaked birds. The hatchery I got the chicks from also vaccinates all their birds automatically. You will have to decide if you want your chickens vaccinated or not. I don't know what your feed store has available but the hatchery ours bought from only carried the basic factory-type breeds and a few others.
Anyway, good luck! You will really enjoy watching your flock grow, whatever type of chickens you decide to get. And you'll never be able to eat store-bought eggs again...
