New Minimum Size For Purchases From Hatcheries?

[gsim]

I cannot find a proper category for this, so here goes. Am wondering if anyone knows if minimum order size from various hatcheries may be changing ?

I do know that many cities are now allowing small flocks of layers, usually between 6 and 8. I have a flock now numbering 19 that is 2 1/2 yrs old. Likely they are near the age of eligibility for 'freezer camp'.

Thought we would order around 12 this time, and am wondering if anyone knows if hatcheries are adapting to the new surge of urban backyard chicken owners now allowed by law in so many cities? Seemed that min order has always been 24 from most hatcheries.

Gerry

 

[danischi24]

There are a few hatcheries such as My Pet Chicken that ship orders as small as 3 chicks. You pay more on shipping though. Most hatcheries have a buy less option & you just pay more.

 

[groundpecker]

When it comes to buying chicks, you should always buy a few more than what you want when they are mature. Some may die and you could always sell, give away, or eat the extras.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Meyers Hatchery fills small orders as well.

 

[SC-ChickMom]

Ideal has a $25 minimum not a chicken number minimum.

 

[gsim]

Thanks, Fred's Hens,

Will keep them in mind. I bought my present flock from Meyers, spring '09. They seemed to be a good outfit to deal with. I have done no checking yet, but I thought it might be an interesting topic, what with the explosion of cities now allowing chickens in small numbers.

Truth is, we are likely to keep others around and just add a half dozen this coming spring. Nearly half of them are pets now anyway. If we go out there and sit in camping chairs, pretty soon we will each have 3 or 4 sitting in our laps or on our shoulders or the arms of our chairs.

Then again, we now only get around 6 eggs a day from them, but they are molting too.

Gerry

Fred's Hens :

Meyers Hatchery fills small orders as well.​

 

[WoodlandWoman]

The only ones I know of are those already mentioned, Ideal, Meyers and My Pet Chicken.

 

[conny63malies]

My pet chicken is NOT a hatchery. MEyer drop ships a lot of what you order from MPC.