Best place to buy chicks?

[greytsox]

Hi everyone,
I'm VERY new to this whole raising chickens and want to make sure we do the right thing. We are in the process of building the coop and want to get the approx 4-5 chicks. My question is where is the best place to buy chicks? We do that a TSC close by that has Golden Comets, Columbia Rocks and RI reds, the Golden Comets are the only ones that are hens other than the assorted pullets. My other big concern is that I will be feeding the Chicks Organic feed, how do I know if the chicks I buy from TSC have been vaccinated or given medication? I've noticed a few different places they suggest feeding a Medicated starter feed? Is that really necessary? Does anyone else on here have any experience with raising organic chickens for eggs?

Thanks for your help.!

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

I'd recommend getting chicks from a local breeder if you can. You might find someone through BYC, or someplace like craigslist.

Most chicks from TSC are not vaccinated, so yes, they should be fed medicated feed. You can go without it, but you may loose all of your birds to an outbreak of coccidiosis.

I don't keep my birds strictly organic, but try not to feed them any unnecessary chemicals, either. However, you can't get eggs from a dead bird! You only need to keep them on the medicated food for 8-10 weeks. There should be plenty of time for the medicine to completely leave their system before the produce eggs. I don't know if that would qualify as completely organic, though...

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

local is best, but you do not need med. feed, unless you are lax in keeping your brooder clean and/or it is to hot. i personaly have not used med feed in over 5 years and have had no problems with cocci. you birds get cocci eating to much of their own poop.

 

[greytsox]

Thanks for the info. I think I will try without the medicated food and try keeping them extra clean.
I have a farm near me that makes and sells certified organic feed for $18 for 50 #'s. I will see if they know any farmers that are selling chicks.

Thanks again.

 

[ShaggysGirl]

I started my stock with chicks from cackle hatchery. I have ordered from them 4 times and always very happy with them. I get them vaccinated for Mareks an I give medicated feed as coccidiosis is in most soil and once you put them out on the ground they may contract it if they haven't built up a immunity to it.
The hatchery are tested for many diseases so I knew my birds were clean. Now we are starting to breed our own birds from those we started with.
If you can find some locally that is good be sure to check them out good so you know you are getting good healthy birds. Also when adding to your flock you'll want to keep any new birds separate for 30 days to be sure you aren't introducing any new diseases.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

this is the how cocci affects chickens:



General Life Cycle of Coccidia

Stages of coccidia in chickens appear both within the host as well as outside. The developmental stages in the chicken give rise to a microscopic egg (called an oocyst) that is passed out in the droppings.

Under proper conditions of temperature and moisture, the oocyst develops within one to two days to form a sporulated oocyst, which is capable of infecting other chickens. At this stage, the oocyst contains eight bodies (called sporozoites), each of which is capable of entering a cell in the chicken's intestine after the oocyst is eaten.

When sporozoites enter the cells, they divide many times producing either a few or many offspring (merozoites). Each merozoite, in turn, may enter another intestinal cell. This cycle may be repeated several times. Because of this cyclic multiplication, large numbers of intestinal cells are destroyed.

Eventually, the cycle stops and sex cells (male and female) are produced. The male fertilizes the female to produce an oocyst, which ruptures from the intestinal cell and passes in the droppings. Thousands of oocysts may be passed in the droppings of an infected chicken; therefore, poultry raised in crowded or unsanitary conditions are at great risk of becoming infected.


How do Birds Become Infected?

Normally, most birds pass small numbers of oocysts in their droppings without apparent ill effects. Coccidiosis becomes important as a disease when animals live, or are reared, under conditions that permit the build-up of infective oocysts in the environment. The intensive rearing of domestic chickens may provide these conditions.

Young chickens pick up the infection from contaminated premises Wet areas around water fountains are a source of infection.

Oocysts remain viable in litter for many months. . Oocysts are killed by freezing, extreme dryness and high temperatures.

How do Coccidia Harm Chickens?

Several factors influence the severity of infection. Some of these include the following:

The number of oocysts eaten. Generally, an increase in the number of oocysts eaten is accompanied by an increase in the severity of the disease.
Strain of coccidia. Different strains of a species may vary in pathogenicity.
Environmental factors affecting the survival of the oocysts.
Site of development within the host. Coccidia that develop superficially are less pathogenic than those that develop deeper.
Age of the bird. Young birds are generally more susceptible than older ones.
Nutritional status of the host. Poorly fed birds are more susceptible.
Coccidiosis in chickens is generally classified as either intestinal or cecal. Most serious cases of intestinal coccidiosis are caused by E. necatrix. Cecal coccidiosis is due to E. tenella.
Coccidiosis occurs most frequently in young birds. Old birds are generally immune as a result of prior infection. Severe damage to the ceca and small intestine accompany the development of the coccidia.
Coccidiosis generally occurs more frequently during warmer (May to September) than colder months (October to April) of the year. .

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

Quote:
cocci is in poop, the only way it is in the soil is if you had birds on it for years. a hatchery can not test for it it is in every bird it is not really a disease it is a 'bug' that lives in every chicken

 

[ChickyLaura]

I too would rather buy locally. But I did buy some great RIR chicks at TSC last year that lay huge eggs on an almost daily basis. Those birds are friendly, curious, and not an aggressive bone in their body. I can't tell you how much I love those birds!

Good luck with your new endeavor!

 

[HorseFeathers]

Local breeders are better, but sites like MyPetChicken.com have been great for us. Many feed stores also offer orders of chicks (we love our Blue Seal stores).

 

[janieschicks]

Most hatcheries will not send fewer than 15 chicks but cackle has a small order program where you can get 5 0r 10 chicks. They also vaccinate for Merrick and it is very reasonable.
I got 10 silkies a few weeks back, very nice and healthy, shipped well with a heating pad. I do not use medicated feed. If they did happen to get sick I think the feed would not work, it would be like us staying on antibiotics, you build up an immunity to it after a while. I have had chickens for 2 years, never had a problem. You will have to do some research and make you own decision. good luck and enjoy!