I would like some advice on ordering baby chicks

mypetchicken.com allows for small orders, but they're sold out for the year and will not start shipping chicks again until next February.

The reason the hatcheries want you to buy the larger quantity is because of warmth during shipping. The more babies in the box, the warmer the chicks stay and are more likely to arrive hail and live.

If there is a feed store near where you live, usually they'll have chicks for sale during the spring.

 

I ordered from mypetchicken. I ordered three chicks and they sent two more of the same kind I ordered for warmth. The warming pad they ship with the chicks is $25 - Pricey but worth it I think.

 

Hi Dawn!

I ordered more than I needed, and then looked on Craigslist for people looking for chickens. I found a nice local family who took the extras off my hands. I didn't ask for any money for them, but you could post an ad on Craigslist and offer them for sale, or for trade if there's other stuff you need.

 

Maybe you can find someone close to you, that wants to go in with you on the order!?? If I was closer.....no, I cant..LOL...but I would! LOL Oh DH would not like that...but.....he doesnt feed and care for them...but he builds the coops...OH THE DELIMA!!

 

I got 2 roosters in my all girl order from mypetchicken.
Good luck giving them away....LOL....i have a hard time doing it. I got 3 splash silkie roosters that are so beautiful....i cant keep them all and hate to give them away

 

Quote:I'm going to be facing the same dilema this spring. I only want 6-8 female chicks. I do have a friend who wants to go in on an order with me but she only wants a few for herself. She may know someone else who is interested in going but she tells me she's had problems before sorting out which chicks are which if different breeds are ordered. I'm leaning toward Meyer's or mypetchicken but I do worry about the rooster issue. I can't have one here. We're only on 3/4 of an acre and the neighbors won't put up with it!

 

Look at Ideal Hatchery . I love them, they are great. I have had 100% accuracy with sexing. I have ordered over 50 chicks from them and I have never lost one from shipping. You can order 8, they may send some warmers (little roos) but you can find homes for them.

 

Quote:In the past few weeks, I've gone through the same stress as you are, so here's a for starters.
I've decided to order from Ideal. I've heard lots of good things about them from people here on the forum. I plan to order 12 brahma female chicks, 4 of each: dark, light, and buff and an additional roo, thinking I'll do him in buff. Shhhhhhh....the SO thinks I'm only gonna order a "few" chickens, which in his mind is 3 or 4. and yes, I am obsessive compulsive and there has to be a nice, even number and the same amount of each color.
I'm not really sure what they are going to charge me extra to assure warmth and safety for the chicks, but I'm willing to pay it. If, as suggested they throw in extra roos, I will find homes for em, even though I don't like to think about some of those homes being in stew pots.
A hint about offering animals free online or in print though. I've always heard that it's better to ask a nomimal amount for animals you are trying to give away, even just a few dollars. People are less likely to mistreat or discard a creature that they've actually had to pay money for as opposed to getting for nothing.