I am just getting started. I have talked about getting chickens for a year or so now. We have the site fenced still need to fill in a couple low spots and build a coop. Have plans and lumber just waiting for a warm up. February in Michigan is cold. Read all about breeds and know what kind I would like. Looking for advice on when to have chicks shipped and who to order from. I am not looking for a huge flock. I want to start kinda small 10 to 15 chicks. Also good advice for a beginer.
I order my birds in February or March and have them delivered toward the middle or end of April. A lot of hatcheries have a 25 chick minimum order. Try looking at Ideal Poultry, I think they have a minimum dollar amount instead of the minimum number of chicks. Also look at My Pet Chicken. When you figure out what you want, order them - sometimes some of the rarer breeds sell out. Also, try looking at your local feed store. Sometimes they sell chicks. Good luck!
build to suit more chickens than you are planning on, people always end up with more than they started out with.
Best advise i could give you is to sit back and read as much as you can. It's amazing how much you can learn just reading answers to others questions. Good Luck and Welcome to BYC.. O Yea and rule #1 is post pics asap..lol
I farmed in Southern Michigan and the local rule was to take the "frost free" date (usually around May 1st) and then subtract 6 weeks. That would make your order delivery date in late March and when the chicks were ready to come out of the brooder, it will be warm enough for them.
Quote:I used the frost free date thing very helpful. I placed and order and chicks should ship April15 the e-mail said.
