LJack, don't buy out of the "straight run" bin of chicks if you want pullets. Only buy out of the "pullet" bin for females. Yeah, you'll pay a bit more, but it's worth it. Also, unless you are going to be buying a lot of birds, or want something in particular, I'd stick with buying your chicks locally. We have several options here-- we have
TSC, Atwoods, and Orschelns-- there might be one or two more places (we have chicks at the CoOp, etc...). So living in Lawrence with KC, Topeka, etc all around you, I'm sure you can find many more places that sell chicks. Just be sure not to buy straight run. I bought my chicks from a hatchery-- Meyers Hatchery. They have a very good accidental roo ratio and good ratings. They are not a 'go between' and you will pay less with Meyer's than with MyPetChicken or any of the other go betweens. Meyer's Hatchery has a 3 chick minimum. However, the shipping is what will kill you. It's just not worth buying only 3! Shipping is about $60. That is going to be the going rate for ANY live animal. I paid $55 to have some young adult birds shipped a few months back and because they were single boxes (not the large box) they were cheaper than sending a chick box-- which is a bit bigger, hence the bigger shipping fee. Anyway, unless you are willing to pay that kind of money -- and yes, sometimes it's worth it (I did), then look locally.
Tweety, great names! All of my chicks were named after I saw them and fit their personality. When Zorro, Yoda and Zelda showed up--- for some reason Zorro looked really suave and smooth and that spurred on the other accompanying names for his girls. Yoda and Zelda are little ninjas! Seriously! They are great hold, but at first, they were like all feet and ninja kicks. ha! Do you already have an incubator??
Rittert, YAY on being able to change your siggy! So exciting that you have OEGB's! Btw... I think you switched the letters around in OE. I think those things are soooo adorable! I hope you can cough up some pictures for us!
Ivy- FUNNY names! I love Donkey and Piper. Totally fits what happened to them. ha!
Renee-- I hope those pullets show up quick! And if not, I hope someone in the PO system has enough brains to open the darned box and give them water and some fruit or food or something! I am with you-- I would be livid. This is totally unacceptable. You would think that LIVE ANIMALS (hello!?!?!) would be treated better and handled quicker, and with more care. This is just beyond what I would have ever expected.
Danz, I hope everyone over there is doing okay this morning.