Montana

[Bantambird]

Once the days shorten, you may not get eggs from your younger females if they haven't started laying yet. My pullets, if they haven't started by now, often won't until the day's start getting longer again ( spring) both my chickens and turkeys are mostly shut down right now, except for a handful of pullets that started laying a few months ago. The old hens molt out this time of year, and won't start again sometimes until spring or until I provide artificial light if I must get them producing eggs(breeding season starts in February for me so I can have chicks by March. March pullets will start laying before winter, usually.)

 

[wamtazlady]

For those of you who have already started thinking about what chicks you might want for next year, Murray McMurray Hatchery is now taking orders for next year.

 

[shiningbright1983]

Helena Montana here. First time chicken owner and have had my girls since October first. We bought a preexisting flock of 22 hens and 1 roo from some locals that were moving

 

[Bantambird]

Good luck! Don't be afraid to ask any questions!

 

[wamtazlady]

Helena Montana here. First time chicken owner and have had my girls since October first. We bought a preexisting flock of 22 hens and 1 roo from some locals that were moving

Wow, you are starting out big!!! Congratulations on your new flock.

 

[BigSkyBird]

Helena Montana here. First time chicken owner and have had my girls since October first. We bought a preexisting flock of 22 hens and 1 roo from some locals that were moving

Welcome to chickens! I’m in Helena, too, and in my first year of raising chickens. We have 7 pullets hatched in April, 4 of which have started laying.

 

[kaylee's poultry place]

Hi I am from mt also!
I live in Froid mt
five and a half hour drive to Billings.

 

[Toshirauma]

Hello! I’m in Bozeman! I don’t have any chickens yet but I’m about to place my first order! I’d like 6-10 pullets and I want to try out a few different breeds (Easter Eggers, Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Red, and Barred Rock). I’m worried about ordering from a far away hatchery. Are there any hatcheries near Montana that might ship day old chicks in the spring?

Any suggestions would be great!

 

[wamtazlady]

I never found a hatchery close by. However, I have used Murray McMurray hatchery with good success. Have another batch of 25 chicks coming the first week of Mar. The one thing I will do when the time gets closer is call the hatchery and pay the $2.50 for a heat pack so the chicks will stay warm. Last time I got chicks from them all 25 were alive when I received them. Two died the first night but the rest did great. MM refunded me the cost of those 2 chicks.

The chicks have always gotten to me within 48 hours of them being shipped. The yoke the chicks absorb lasts them 72 hours. When problems do occur it's usually the fault of the post office. My post office has always called me at about 6 am to tell me the chicks arrived. Then I drive there to pick them up.

Was just rereading your post. MM wouldn't work for you. Until Apr 1 they have a 25 chick minimum and after that a 15 chick minimum. That makes sure there are enough chicks to stay warm. Some hatcheries include "packing peanuts" which are male chicks added to make sure the chicks you ordered stay warm. That's okay if you would like to process them as they get older. Not okay if you can't or don't want cockerels.

 

[Toshirauma]

Thanks for the advice! I was looking into Cackle Hatchery as an alternative to getting chicks from a Montana Farm. Has anyone used them before? Also, I know Murdoch’s carries baby chicks but I don’t know if they carry sexed chicks. Does anyone have experience with them?

Thanks!