any tips for a first time buyer? UPDATED PICS

[firechicken]

Hi all, I am going to go look at some chickens that a guy has for sale(found him in local farmers and consumers bulletin) and was wanting tips and or precautions i might need to know about before going.

I am very excited about getting my first few chickens and don't want to rush into a bad deal. So any info you guys can give would be very appreciated. Thanks,
Trevor

P.S. I live in GA so if there are any folks out there that are looking to sell some pullets let me know.

I would trust some of ya'll before I would anyone else!

 

[silkiechicken]

Well, check under their feathers for crawlies like mites and lice. Look around the place to see how it is upkept, like food, water, etc. Then check faces and feet for general appearance. Then, beware of red combs on birds under 3 months old... Most likley those are roos!

Oh and if you are getting chicks, make sure they are not meat birds like Cornish x's!

 

[V Chic Chick]

Make sure that their eyes look the same, as if they don't it can be a sign of them having had infectious bronchitis as chicks, and this will tend to make them sickly for the rest of their lives.

Make sure that any chicks / growers are kept away from the rest of the flock, as they need different food.

Make sure that they aren't too fat / thin

Don't worry *too* much about how tame they are, especially if they are young - this can always be rectified with patience & treats

And finally, don't be afraid to walk away!

 

[firechicken]

Thanks for the tips, I'll be going this afternoon to look at them and I will keep ya'll updated.

Hopefully I will have my first little flock today.

 

[blue90292]

if you dont have any other chickens, then you don't need this, but as you add on to the flock, be sure to have a quarantine place where you can put your new bought chickens AWAY from the ones you already have just in case the new bought ones are carrying some kind of disease that you cant see right away.

oh, and make sure they don't have snotty beaks.

 

[rosyposyosy]

make sure that they arent TOO old. you would like one that is a fresh layer or so. at least i would.... no roos. unless you want roos. do a little research on breeds, hendersons chicken breed chart would do the trick - actually you should print that out and bring it with you that would be very very handy. (just google henderson's chicken breed chart) good luck and i hope you keep us updated!

 

[chickbea]

A good place to look for parasites is right around the vent, and under the wings. While you are back there looking at the vent, be sure that it is healthy and moist. That is a good indicator of a younger hen that is laying well.
Ask how old they are, when they moulted last, what food he's had them on, and what breed or mix they are. I'd also ask if they were born on his land or if he brought them in.
Have fun with your new girls!

 

[firechicken]

Rosy, I have been doing nothing BUT studying breeds for about two weeks now.

And I have become chicken obsessed before I have even gotten any!! lol
The guy I talked to said that what he was selling have not started laying yet, but he didn't mention how old exactly they are. So I am a little scared of getting a rooster.

And also he said some were pure bred and some are mixed breeds. I don't mind getting mixed breeds because some are very pretty, but I want to have mostly brown egg layers and I don't know how the whole egg color trait gets passed down into mixed breeds. ( or if this guy even knows what chicks came from what parents)

I have lots of concerns, but they are my first chickens and probably won't be the last, so I am mostly concerned about their health and not breed.

Thanks again for all the info! And keep it coming.

 

[V Chic Chick]

I forgot to mention, put your ear to their back, and listen. Reject if you can hear any gurgling etc, as this can be a sign of respiratory illness.

Also check the legs for lifted up scales, which would mean they had scaly leg mite.

 

[firechicken]

That deal fell through. I was supposed to meet the guy at his dads house to look at the pullets. Well the guy wasn't there when I got there and his dad told me he sold the last ones this morning.

He said to come back in three weeks and he would have some more.

I don't wanna wait that long! So I was pouting like my 5 year old the whole way home.

But I think everything will work out in the end. I called another lady not too far from me and she has some Buff orp and white giant pullets. She seemed much more organized over the phone, knew exactly what she had how many and how much.
The other guys son didn't seem to know too much of anything.

So I am going to try again tomorrow. My plan is to come home with 2 b.o.'s and 1 or 2 white giants.

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