Hey there, new to this site

[BenderFarms]

Hi,

I am new to this site and my family is planning on getting chickens next spring.

Does anybody have any tips and suggestions for ordering baby chicks online? Sites you recommend.

I normally would never buy a pet online but I hear that with chickens it's a pretty common practice.

Thanks!
Crystal

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Crystal, and . Happy you joined us. Yes, chickens through the mail is quite common - and the only way to go unless you hatch your own, go to a farm & ranch store that sells chicks, or live near a breeder or hatchery. Here's a link to some breeders and hatcheries.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16/chicken-breeders-hatcheries
I have had great success with accurate sexing and nearly 100% survival with Murray McMurray out of Iowa, Cackle Hatchery from Missouri, and Ideal Poultry in Texas. There are no doubt hatcheries in California or a surrounding state.
As you have until spring before you get your birds, I'd recommend reading up in the Learning Center here https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
Do so and you will be well prepared when the chicks arrive. Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

 

[BlueJuniper]

I got my chicks through my pet chicken. The site says that it is uncommon to have any losses, but last winter a friend ordered her girls when the wether was cold and many of them died due to the weather, so I would not recommend ordering them during those cold days.

I ordered mine on June 20th and every single one came happy and healthy, exactly on the expected day.
It's really common to get chicks through the mail, and I even recommend it. There are hatcheries I know of other than my pet chicken; Greenfire farms, Cackle hatchery, Meyer hatchery and a couple others.

Just something I learned, is that they don't ship them with food or water because when the chicks hatch that have a yolk sack still attached to their breast/stomach (sorry I don't know which) and they can live on the sack for 3-4 days. But make sure that when you get them you immedeitly give them access to fresh water, food and a 95 degree temperature.

I am also new to BYC, and the short time I have been on I love it! Hope you also find it useful.

 

[QueenMisha]

Welcome to BYC. It's great to have you!

Yes, with chickens it is quite common to mail order chicks so you can be sure to get the exact breeds and sexes you want. Personally, I would recommend Cackle Hatchery. Out of the thousand or so hatchery birds I've worked with from four or five different hatcheries, Cackle's are always my favorites. Big, healthy, and relatively true to breed standards given that they are hatchery stock. My biggest complaint about them so far has been that their Naked Necks are kind of boring colors. Seriously, that's it. A++ birds.

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard chickens.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[BenderFarms]

Greetings from Kansas, Crystal, and . Happy you joined us. Yes, chickens through the mail is quite common - and the only way to go unless you hatch your own, go to a farm & ranch store that sells chicks, or live near a breeder or hatchery. Here's a link to some breeders and hatcheries.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16/chicken-breeders-hatcheries
I have had great success with accurate sexing and nearly 100% survival with Murray McMurray out of Iowa, Cackle Hatchery from Missouri, and Ideal Poultry in Texas. There are no doubt hatcheries in California or a surrounding state.
As you have until spring before you get your birds, I'd recommend reading up in the Learning Center here https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
Do so and you will be well prepared when the chicks arrive. Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

 

[BenderFarms]

Greetings from Kansas, Crystal, and . Happy you joined us. Yes, chickens through the mail is quite common - and the only way to go unless you hatch your own, go to a farm & ranch store that sells chicks, or live near a breeder or hatchery. Here's a link to some breeders and hatcheries.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16/chicken-breeders-hatcheries
I have had great success with accurate sexing and nearly 100% survival with Murray McMurray out of Iowa, Cackle Hatchery from Missouri, and Ideal Poultry in Texas. There are no doubt hatcheries in California or a surrounding state.
As you have until spring before you get your birds, I'd recommend reading up in the Learning Center here https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
Do so and you will be well prepared when the chicks arrive. Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

Hey Kansas! Wow, thank you so much for all the information! I'll check out your links as well. Thank you so much for your help!