Impossible to Buy A Hen!

[Kanthaka]

When my barred rock died suddenly I was left with one lone hen. Finding a companion for her has been like locating the holy grail. Some of the hatcheries sell point of lay hens but charge exorbitant shipping costs. None of the few local farmers I know are willing to sell adult hens. (of course I have had tons of offers for free roosters but live in an urban area) I called the local 4 H poultry group and they rudely told me that they do not sell birds, do not refer anyone who calls them to local farmers whether they have chickens for sale or not and do not want to discuss anything further with me unless I have a child interested in joining. The only poultry swap in my area was shut down two years ago. I am stumped. I feel so sad for my lonely hen. Any ideas?

 

[OutInTheStiks]

Craigslist? Post an ad in the WTB section on BYC?

 

[HEChicken]

I'd also put an ad on Craigslist explaining in detail what you want and why. Where are you located? If you are by chance anywhere near me, I could let you have one of mine. You could also look for the thread pertaining to your area in the "Where am I? Where are you?" forum and you might find someone local to you. Or put an ad in the auction section of the buy/sell/trade area of BYC.

 

[flockof4]

craig's list. under the farm and garden section. lots of hens for sale.

 

[phoenixbantam]

it is so hard to find hens!

i went to the south florida fair where poultry were being exhibited and i put "want to buy" tags with my phone number on maybe 40 hens... no response from anyone. you would think that even if they didn't want to sell that particular chicken that they might have some other ones at home for sale? 3 months later i did get one call from one of the hen's owner, a girl in 4-h who sold me her 1st place blue splash silky for $30. i was surprised at how difficult it was to find anyone selling hens.

my other hen i got off craigslist... i gave up on trying to find hens and ended up just buying eggs online and hatching them myself

i think craigslist would be a good place to look though.

 

[NYREDS]

Come to my house-I'll seel you the one I caught eating an egg yesterday.

 

[CheepSunglasses]

Wish you were close to me (VA). I have one that everyone seems to love to pick on and I'd be happy to find her a better home.

 

[Missy821]

I found a man giving away his entire flock on bestfarmbuys.com! I posted an ad there seeking hens of a few specific breeds that were about a year-old, and a man answered who was transitioning to a commercial egg-laying operation and getting rid of his heritage breeds. He simply gave me his eight speckled sussex hens, one speckled sussex rooster, and a khaki duck. He was incredibly sweet, and he wouldn't even take any money for them, so I baked him a cake.

 

[onthespot]

where are you located?

 

[cobrien]

local animal shelters sometimes have them