Creating a new flock

[Skipcurt]

So I'm new to the hobby and my brain is constantly thinking of things chicken right now. It's mostly around the design of my coop but the one real worry I have is getting the birds. It's going to be a small setup and the birds that I would like to have are (1) Barred Rock, (1) Speckled Sussex and then (1 or 2) Easter Eggers or Rhode Island Reds for a total of 4 birds.
So how do I plan to find and get these all at the same time or at least within a week so I can raise them in a brooder. I would like to start sometime in March and I am located in North GA.

I'm also going to post this same message over in the Yo Georgians thread.

Skip

 

[N F C]

There are different ways people get their birds...some will find a local breeder, some will place an order with an online hatchery (for example, MyPetChicken will do small mail orders), some use CraigsList (not my favorite due to a bad experience). There's also a buy-sell-trade forum here on BYC. Some people also go to auctions.

It would be good to check out all the possibilities open to you to see what works best in your situation.

 

[Skipcurt]

There are different ways people get their birds...some will find a local breeder, some will place an order with an online hatchery (for example, MyPetChicken will do small mail orders), some use CraigsList (not my favorite due to a bad experience). There's also a buy-sell-trade forum here on BYC. Some people also go to auctions.

It would be good to check out all the possibilities open to you to see what works best in your situation.

I've been checking all those possibilities except for the auctions. When I went to one of the online hatcheries and picked my birds it was $65 for the 4 birds. That price included a small order fee and shipping fee as well as the price of each bird. I thought it to be a bit steep for 4 chicks but I do understand why.

 

[N F C]

I've been checking all those possibilities except for the auctions. When I went to one of the online hatcheries and picked my birds it was $65 for the 4 birds. That price included a small order fee and shipping fee as well as the price of each bird. I thought it to be a bit steep for 4 chicks but I do understand why.

Something that works for people is to get a larger order than what they really want and splitting the order with a friend (or selling off the extras). You could well get a break on the price by ordering more than what you want for yourself.

 

[igorsMistress]

Feed stores typically have chicks in Spring. Granted you're stuck with whatever they have, but they may have what you want.

 

[Folly's place]

Getting 'random source' birds, as from an auction or craigslist, is tricky, because of the very real risk of bringing in diseases. Obviously sick birds can be avoided, but healthy appearing birds can be a disaster. Marek's disease is almost forever, if you bring it to your property!
I get Marek's disease vaccinated chicks from good hatcheries, or raise my own. Biosecurity matters!
Check with people on the GA thread, and see if you can combine a chick order with one or more other folks. I'm doing that this year again myself.
If you can have more than four birds where you live, get more!
How about the local feed stores? Ours have chicks in spring, although limited breeds are offered, and sometimes more cockerels appear than should.
Can you drive to a hatchery and pick up your chick order? See what's fairly close.
Hatchery RIRs, and red sex-links in general, have been difficult feather-pecking wretches in my flock, and others too. SS are delightful! EEs are essential, and have you considered Australorps or Wyandottes? THERE ARE SO MANY CHOICES!!!
Mary

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Sex links, RIR, Barred Rock are very typical at your local feed store in spring. Contact one and see what they are ordering. If you want EE's they may attach a few to the order they get if they are not already ordering them. Visit or call around and see what you can find. They'll be making their orders soon for March chick days so don't dawdle. Getting chicks from feed stores is around 3-4 dollars a chick.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree, checking your local TSC may be a good option for you - ask your local store when they will be having "chick days" I'm sure a lot depends on your location (GA), since your weather is a bit warmer, they may start earlier, but usually it's around April here in WNC.

Also if you want to order from a hatchery - Meyer Hatchery does let you order a little as 3 chicks starting in April. Shipping is still going to get you, but I don't believe there is a "small order fee" like some hatcheries have. I've ordered all my birds from them, so far I have been happy.

You mention that you will have a small set-up, how small If you have some photos, that would be great. I will tell you, go as big as you can on your set-up and make plans for future expansion (yes, that will come if you keep chickens for any length of time).

I do recommend that you have your coop/run all set-up before you get your chicks - they not only grow up fast, but being in GA, you should also be able to brood directly in your coop depending on how everything is set-up. Use a Mama Heating Pad system - this works great. Bonus is chicks are already growing up at home and no worries about getting them settled from brooder to coop. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

Just my thoughts. Hope all goes well for you.

 

[eggciting eggs]

I've been checking all those possibilities except for the auctions. When I went to one of the online hatcheries and picked my birds it was $65 for the 4 birds. That price included a small order fee and shipping fee as well as the price of each bird. I thought it to be a bit steep for 4 chicks but I do understand why.

I got 12 chicks for that price at a local hatchery, personally I like going in that direction because usually you get to pick out your chicks and there is no shipping fee or anything like that.

 

[Skipcurt]

Sex links, RIR, Barred Rock are very typical at your local feed store in spring. Contact one and see what they are ordering. If you want EE's they may attach a few to the order they get if they are not already ordering them. Visit or call around and see what you can find. They'll be making their orders soon for March chick days so don't dawdle. Getting chicks from feed stores is around 3-4 dollars a chick.

That's a great idea. I didn't know you could put in an order. I was just at TSC last week and met a very nice chicken lady employee that was very helpful. I'll check with her.
Thanks!

Also if you want to order from a hatchery - Meyer Hatchery does let you order a little as 3 chicks starting in April. Shipping is still going to get you, but I don't believe there is a "small order fee" like some hatcheries have. I've ordered all my birds from them, so far I have been happy.

You mention that you will have a small set-up, how small If you have some photos, that would be great. I will tell you, go as big as you can on your set-up and make plans for future expansion (yes, that will come if you keep chickens for any length of time).

I do recommend that you have your coop/run all set-up before you get your chicks - they not only grow up fast, but being in GA, you should also be able to brood directly in your coop depending on how everything is set-up. Use a Mama Heating Pad system - this works great. Bonus is chicks are already growing up at home and no worries about getting them settled from brooder to coop. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

Just my thoughts. Hope all goes well for you.

I will also check out the Meyer Hatchery.
My small setup only means small flock. I'm only planning to have 4 birds as I don't want to be overrun with eggs. My coop isn't built yet but I am actively planning and designing it. My plan is to build a 6x12 coop/run that will completed before or slightly after chick arrival. It will have an elevated 4x6 hen house with 1 egg hutch with 2 or 3 rooms. Very similar to the "American Coop" by Carolina Coops.

Thanks for the replies!