Ever hear of a Rhode Island Rock?

[RAREROO]

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Yeah most hatcheries require a min order of 25 chicks, I think Cackle only requires 15 and they have nice quality birds for a hatchery. There are some hatcheries that let you get as few as 3 chicks but they have to be shipped differently and those shipping prices are crazy for 3 little chicks that may not make it. If you only want a few and want to get them from a hatchery then maybe just mainly get the few that you want and be sure to get a few more than that incase that are any that die, and then fill the rest of the order with the cheapest roosters that the hatchery offers, the min orders are for body heat during shipping BTW, so like I said, I have gotten the main birds that I wanted and filled the rest of the order with cheap cockerels and then you can find someone to sale or give those extra roos too. I grow off chickens to sale anyway so I always grew mine off, but you should be able to find someone to take them young, or just order a bunch of pullets.

 

[elite8]

Try mypetchicken.com. They don't make you buy as many from what I heard. With most breeds it is difficult to tell the difference between male and female at a young age. Those called 'sexlinks' are where you can tell the difference. Totally different colors etc. Also, there is a 50/50 chance of getting males vs. females so if you order 6 chicks 3 of them might be males.

 

[hallerlake]

If you order straight run or as hatched, the odds are 50/50 for females vs males. Sexing is 90% accurate. If you order sexed females, there is a10% chance of getting males. The odds aren't always right on, of course. You could get more or fewer roos than the odds indicate. Ordering sex links is the only way to be 100% sure of getting only females.

 

[lemurchaser]

Feed stores will have chicks in the spring and you can get as many/few as you want. You wouldn't want to get too few from a hatchery in the mail or its too cold for them (so the hatchery will throw in extra males). You might be able to split an order with some one, maybe this farmer will want to put in an order in the spring.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

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If you look at the feathers just in front of their tail feathers you will see feathers that are pointy and hang down from the center of their backs that IS A ROO that is one way to be able to tell and being all 3 of these have saddle feathers yep you got all roos still.

What you wanna look for is the birds that you don't buy from a guy who says yeo they are all hens and then gives you roos.
Look around or better yet get your money back from him and got to a hatchery or feed store if all you want is eggs raise them from chicks this way you know what goes into them and you will know they are healthy and loved so they will give you eggs that are good and good for you as well

Good Luck to you

 

[sevenbabychicks]

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I ordered 8 pullets from mypetchicken.com; one died and one started crowing this week. They offer a 90% sexing guarantee, but even with the slip-ups you'd get a better than 50:50 sex ratio. MPC also has a nice selection of breeds and very good customer service.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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Depending on where you live, some feedstores have chicks in the fall, as well. A feedstore may be willing to special order birds for you and fill out the rest of the shipment with birds that they want, if you cannot find someone to split the order.

You can also try to find a local poultry club and ask them for people who might have birds for sale. If there are any poultry shows in your area, they usually have sale birds.

 

[LaurenM23]

Sorry about your luck...it sorta happened to me too, way back when. If you use this time for research, you can narrow in on specific breeds or types that interest you. If you are after layers, some breeds are certainly better than others. General temperament or the way they handle your particular living arrangment might also be key concerns (i.e. some do better in confinement, others really should be free range). Once you have a clear picture of what you want, there are always those of us crazies out there hatching all season long (see the Hatcher's Anonymous thread we've got going)! Someone is bound to have eggs for you to hatch or chicks to sell you, specific to your needs! Good luck!