Help settle an argument about price of baby chicks...

[whasittoya]

Hi BYC community, I'm new and I have a question for you,
my dad and I are having a debate about the price of chicks.
I know this probably varies by region (I'm in California where everything seems expensive) but I think $4.00/chick for Ameraucana and barred rock chicks is not crazy- my dad remembers getting chicks for free in the old days and thinks this is outrageous. Am I crazy?
Thanks,
Maggie

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

That doesnt sound unreasonable, are you sure the Ameraucaunas aren't EEs though?

 

[whasittoya]

I'm going to see them this weekend- but they were touted as Ameraucana's in the ad.

 

[gryeyes]

Well, I'm in California and 3-day old chicks at feed stores (pullets) generally run about $2.25 to $2.75, depending upon the breed.

From breeders, $4.00 is a good price for a chick, particularly if it's a little bit further along, say, 3 to 8 weeks old.

 

[whasittoya]

Awesome, thank you so much for the info.

 

[Duramaxgirl]

I thinks its a good price from a breeder, but I wouldn't pay that much for a hatchery chick.

 

[GardeNerd]

I live in the urban part of Southern California. $3 is average for a hatchery chick around me.

The feed store prices around me:
Midway City Feed= $2. This is the cheapest I have seen.
Blacksmith's Corner= Bantams $12.95, $4.99 Barred Rock, RIR, Leghorn. Varied higher prices for other large breeds.
Kruse's Feed = $3.25
Pomona Feed and Fuel = $3 (what I paid for a Buff Orpington chick 2 years ago.)

 

[classicsredone]

Quote:
I don't think $4.00 is out there. If you factor in the shipping and any taxes on hatchery orders, you can easily go over $4.00 per chick. I'd actually rather pay $4.00 from a trusted breeder than a big hatchery any day.

 

[bywaterdog]

Tell your dad "A Penney for your thoughts used to be fine, but it's 2011, and now it will cost a dime." I'm sure that everything used to be cheaper, $4.00 for a chick is reasonable depending on it's age and condition. I sell EE chicks 1- 4weeks $5.00, 5-10 weeks $7.00 after that $10.00.

 

[elizabethbinary]

$7.50 a chick here. >_<