Do hatcheries "sell out" of chicks ealry?

[hopefulpeeps]

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.

That's a good idea!! I wonder how easy it is to sell them?

 

[Adorkable]

I think Atwoods farm store also sells em!

 

[hopefulpeeps]

I went to TSC today and they had buff orpington and brown leghorn pullets, so cute! I asked if they had a schedule on when they get chicks in, but the lady said they didn't know. Ugh!

I'm thinking of just ordering in the next coupla weeks for May sometime. I can't decide what I want though!!!

If I got six I was thinking of getting... 1 EE, 1 Speckled Sussex, 1 Buff orp, 1 Culombian Wyandotte, 1 white rock, 1 australorpe.

I was thinking of just picking 3 and then ordering two of each, but I just can't narrow it down that much. I have two boys that I thought would enjoy the EE, plus the buff orp and australorpe are supposed to be good with kids. I tried to pick ones that are "supposed" to be more calm and quiet and that give alot of eggs. Plus my hubby looked at the meyer catalog and he apparently likes white chickens, so I tried to accomodate him with 2 white ones. Oh, decisions!

 

[aggiemae]

It seems they do run out of popular breeds quickly.

Interestingly I had a hard time finding a Wellsummer last spring but this year it seems that the chocolate brown egg layers are plentiful.

See if your feed store has pre-orders. We picked up our pre ordered hatchery chicks on "chick day" just a few hours after they got (air) shipped and they had been watered and warmed up faster than they would have if we had them shipped thru the post office. It was about 15 minutes between arriving to the feed store and leaving with our six chicks.

PS If it's a long trip I suggest you bring one of those warmed up gel pads wrapped in a towel to put in your chick box to keep them cozy on the ride home.

 

[aggiemae]

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!

If you are only getting three your chances of getting hens is pretty good. If you are going to get them at the feed store, learn the markings that will help you pick hens before you go.

 

[hopefulpeeps]

I'm thinking of getting 6 now and then if I get a rooster or two I'll still have my 4... TSC had a special order pamphlet that I snagged but it said the minimum order was 15....