Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

Wow - $1? When I ordered just two years ago from them it was only 40c per bird. The vaccination is for Marek's and my understanding is they inject the egg prior to hatch. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've since ordered from other hatcheries, got birds at the local feed store, got them locally AND hatched my own. None of the rest were vaccinated and they've all done just fine.

 

[ByN8ureHomstead]

Quote:
I code html and aspx for a living. I caught myself ending sentences with a > instead of . all the time.

 

[suburbchic]

Welcome Hawkeye95!

I found Backyard chicken people to be great and so informative. I haven't been posting much but read quite alot.
My DH and boys worked all of last summer to convert our old storage shed into our chicken coop. I have to agree with chicken danz you can never have enough room.

We had 13 hens and roo until today. I found one of the Barred rock hens laying dead on the ground next to the coop. She didn't show any signs as to why, all I can think is maybe the last few days of heat and high humidity. They have the coop and shade outside with two waterers. I even put a iced two liter bottle out after reading about them keeping the girls happy from the heat but if anyone has some insight that would be great.

 

[chicken danz]

She might have been egg bound, or possibly had another internal problem that didn't manifest itself until it got so hot. Some chickens just don't live all that long.

 

[chicken danz]

Quote:
There are two kinds of vaccines. they are given to the chick within two hours of hatching. There is one for Coccidiosis and one for Merek's disease. Mereks is unnecessary unless you are bringing in older birds from bigger poultry farms. You don't need a vaccine for Coccidiosis. Either feed medicated chicken feed or be prepared to buy antibiotics and yogurt to treat them if they come down with it.
Be sure to look at the shipping costs for ordering from My Pet Chicken. The cost per chick is pretty high and the shipping is super high. Just a warning. I'd do some test orders from different sites and see which came out the least expensive.
When you get ready for your chicks try placing an add in the Farm and Garden section on Craiglist first and see if any locals have what you want. I guarantee you if you wait until Sept or so you will be able to buy some cheap birds. Lots of people don't want to over winter them.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Okay, I did a test order with MyPetChicken and they are quite expensive! They are charging $35.95 on shipping alone, and on average $3.50 a chick. Hhmm... And then, I was reading on another thread that two people who recently bought from them, had most of their chicks die. They were wondering if it was shipping stress or something else. It worries me that I could spend that kind of money and then lose them. Is there another Hatchery that sells chickens at a smaller minimum? I only want 8-10 chicks. NO way could I handle more and I just don't want a large coop. (or care for that many birds) BTW- the hatcherys that have the 25 min, also are selling their chicks for a little over a $1. So VERY reasonable- even if you did pay quite a bit on shipping.

suburbchic- so sorry about your hen! I have a baby turkey right now, and I'm not doing anything special with him- no ice, nothing. He's just hanging out under the deck in a temporary chicken wire pen for now. I worry all the time that I'm not doing enough for him. I can't wait to get him friends.
Chicken Danz- thank you for the disease run-down. So much to learn! Geez!! But I'm glad to know it's not necessary. I'll be sure to get medicated feed when I get my babies. Maybe preempt any problems? Think that would be a good idea? I'm already armed with the antibiotic and the electrolytes. I like being prepared.. and I figure my turkey might need it suddenly. After reading lots of various postings on here... it's made me a bit nervous about keeping chickens healthy!!

Side note--- I was out gardening this morning and watering and let my turkey out of his pen, and he followed me all around the yard. He found all kind of tiny grasshoppers and even a huge caterpillar! So cute! He had the happiest chirp sound, like he was proud of himself. Oh- and here's an odd thing; I was petting him and kind of sorting out his feathers from his fluff, and there are a couple of feathers coming in on his back that look like they have stripes on them??? He's totally snow white... is he changing colors?

 

[JulieNKC]

Quote:
Ideal has a $20 minimum order, no minimum on the number of chicks as long as you buy $20 worth. I was going to order from them, but ended up getting my chicks from craigslist and feed stores.

 

[Fat Daddy]

In this kinda heat, Id be really concerned about shipping chicks... seems like dehydration, pasty butt , heat stress would be a factor. Maybe I just worry too much. Good luck how ever ya go. Bill

 

[Ivywoods]

I agree. I wouldn't want to risk shipping chicks or large birds right now. The heat and humidity can be awful. I would wait till closer to fall to order. Most breeders refuse to ship right now.

If you want to get chicks before that, I would try to buy them locally. There's a lot of people who hatch chicks and many are ready to start thinning their flocks. Even if you had to drive a ways to pick them up I think it would be worth it. Heck, I've got quite a few chicks I would sell, but I realize this would be farther than you would probably want to drive.

Keep looking. I'm sure you will find some. If you have a pretty good idea of what you want, you could even post an ad on Craigslist in the farm and garden section or the "wanted" section.

Good luck.

 

[Hawkeye95]

That would probably be about right, anyway. I won't have my coop built before late August- or September, I'm guessing. Maybe even later! I already checked with a couple of hatchery's and the breeds I'm wanting won't be available until Fall. Which would be perfect timing. When it gets closer, I'll be sure to check CraigsList, too. I found a guy near me last week that sells orpingtons, and he wanted $5 a chick. I wasn't so sure, so I held off. But I guess I'd be saving shipping and stress. I'm really interested in these: Barred Plymouth Rock, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex and White Crested Back Polish<---used to raise them for 4-H. But I better simmer down for now on chicks, and concentrate on the coop. I definitely get over eager.

Thanks for all the advice! I don't want to kill chicks in the heat.