The feed stores get their chicks from the same hatcheries that everyone else does. Just ask them and they should be able to tell you where they order from.
I buy from the local co-op simply because it costs a little less that way. They buy large numbers and get price breaks and such and...
If anyone lives near Medford, Oregon be sure and check out Shastina Millworks for cheap hive ware.
They have a 'scratch and dent' pile that locals can buy from. I get deep hive bodies for 5-6 bucks each and they had a great price on a no frills bee jacket for 25 bucks last time I was there...
The one with the cross leg may have had a severe case of spraddle leg, a common problem in chicks that can be treated if taken care of quickly.
Do a search on this forum and you will find details on what spraddle leg is and how to treat it. May help you in the future.
Put mine out at 4 weeks with a lamp on in the pen in case they got chilly. No problems at all. They roam around during the day and pile up under the light at night. Had a couple days where the low temp hit 33-35 degrees and they did fine.
After nearly 8 weeks of waiting I finally have the worms changing into.....well, whatever it is they change into before they become beetles.
Was beginning to wonder if I bought some of the sterile worms, but I guess they were waiting for the warmer weather to hit. :)
Ended up putting them back in with the others. They would not roost with the grown ups and were trying to sleep on the ground, so I gathered them up and put them back with the rest of the chicks.
Will put them out during the day for a few more days and see how they do before I leave them...
They are being chickens. They will flap at each other, bump chests, and chase after one another if one has a treat (or something that looks like it might be a treat) and wants to keep it for itself.
Just sit back and enjoy their antics. They are curious creatures and fun to watch. I have...
They are getting pretty cramped in their pen, so I took 6 of them out and put them in with our adult pair this afternoon. After a few minutes of pecking order from the grown ups, they all settled down and quickly dug themselves a nice hole in the ground to rest in. Was fun watching them learn...
Just pray they never introduce a hen or two to that group of roos.
If they think they may fight a little right now, put a hen in with them and it will be an all out war.
Found this earlier today. A few years old, but full of information and such about using tractors for meat birds.
http://ucanr.edu/sites/placernevadasmallfarms/files/102985.pdf
For those who have ordered this I have a quick question.
What was your ratio of pullets to cockerels? Just curious if the chicks were mainly roosters or if you had a pretty even mixture.
"Farms are so dirty, I would not eat anything that came from a place like that."
I try not to laugh when I hear people say that. Where then, does the meat you get at the store come from?
Growing up I learned to fight back. If a rooster started to get mean, get mean back at him and teach him who is in charge. I often would catch a rooster in mid-jump as he came at me and toss him across the yard or give them a swift kick into the fence when they charged me. Some learned very...
Mine are just over 2 weeks and I have moved them to an outside brooder. I covered some of the wire with cardboard to keep the drafts down and have the heat lamp on them. They seem to be doing fine. I was a bit worried this morning as it is about 30 degrees outside, but the chicks are huddled...
You can use any light bulb you have around the house for a temporary heat source till you can get out and buy a higher wattage one. Something is better than nothing. You can always lower the lamp if using a lower wattage bulb to increase the warmth if they need it. Chicks are tougher than...