Do hatcheries "sell out" of chicks ealry?

[hopefulpeeps]

I want to get about 4-5 chicks from Meyer Hatchery in the spring/summer IF I can get a coup and run built before then. I don't want to order now and later not be ready. I'd like it to happen this year, but it might not. I've noticed looking at their website though, that alot of the dates they'll have chicks are no longer available. This worried me that if I can get them this year, they'll have run out or I'll have to get chicks in the fall, which I'd rather not. What has been your experience? Breeds I'm thinking of are Australorp, Orpington, Sussex, Wyandotte..

The Blue Orpingtons look cool, but it says none available at this time and to check back, wonder if they'll get any this year?

Also if you do order early, do they charge you right away or not until they ship?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

There are lots of hatcheries and breeders. Depending on breed, chicks are available most of the year. Not to worry.

 

[hopefulpeeps]

Meyer is the only one I've found so far that will send me less than 6.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Have you checked with your local feed store or TSC? Sometimes, they publish their chick day breed schedule. If you knew a local TSC or feed store was going to be having Orps on April 15th, it would be very cheap to pick them up that way. Just a suggestion. Our local TSC published this breed sales date on the website. I'd still confirm with local store managers though.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My Pet Chicken, among others sell small numbers.
You probably have breeders close by that will sell small numbers and you can pick them up.
Another option is that many feed stores and chains like Tractor Supply, Farm and Home and Orscheln's sometimes carry chicks well into the summer.

 

[hopefulpeeps]

mypetchicken gave me a 6 chick minimum. We have TSC, I wonder if they try to sex them like the hatcheries will? I have a feeling breeders don't and I've got my fingers crossed for no roos, lol!

Sorry, I know I'm being difficult...

I'll probably just have to wait and see... I saw on Meyers website that you can defer payment until two weeks before, so I could try that if they're selling out too fast. Then if I have to cancel, I'll just pay their fee.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

TSC and feed stores buy from hatcheries so they are usually sexed unless they're meat birds.
Even sexed chicks can give you a boy or 2 or 3 or.....

 

[hopefulpeeps]

TSC and feed stores buy from hatcheries so they are usually sexed unless they're meat birds.
Even sexed chicks can give you a boy or 2 or 3 or.....

Hopefully that won't be my luck, I'd hate to end up with 3 roos and 1 hen... I couldn't only keep the hen!

 

[hopefulpeeps]

I'll have to look into TSC though. I'll try to run by there sometime and see if they have a schedule on when they'll get different breeds and if they've been vent sexed or not... It didn't say online...

 

[EweSheep]

To avoid confusion, misplacing/sold to another customer at a store/disappointments, order thru the hatchery first.

Many times hatcheries would have it listed but sometimes with exceptions, like Ideal hatchery, you can order 15 chicks. It would be best to get two of each or three of each breed in case one or two dies en route or when growing up before laying. Then you raise them up, sell them as layers when they are around three to four months old.