Newbie..from FL...Hello

[Scrambled Egg]

Howdee!!!

 

[Urbanchickens]

Hi there and welcome! I'm kinda new here myself (I'm mainly a lurker). If you don't mind traveling a bit, I know the feed store in High Springs currently has chicks. Bill's Feed in Trenton usually carries chicks too but I don't know when they come in stock. Also Alachua Farm and Lumber had chicks last year too but sold out fairly quickly. Call around. You'll find some.

Good luck!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Hi & welcome I'm in Ocala so your really close. Sparr building supply in Sparr has had chicks this week. You might want to call and see if they still have them and make a run over. They have RIR, EE's & some ducks Good Luck

 

[halo]

I think theres also a Sparr right there in Williston, so you may be closer to chicks than you think!

 

[FLFarmGirl]

Wow, lots of info, hello to everyone that posted. My son has been looking into getting some chickens for eggs and pets for a few years now. His cousins got them first and he used to go down there and visit theirs. Recently his great granny got some once again and so he has the bug so bad. He has been patient, though from reading here he could of gotten chickens long before we moved to the 40 acre farm. I thought our other house on a half acre was too small for animals other than dogs. But I see lots of people keep chickens on smaller pieces of land. One of our neighbors had chickens and goats. We loved to hear them in the morning. So for us this is no by the seat of our pants deal. We take pet ownership serious. I had called Sparr in Williston and they were down to just a couple chicks, Tractor Supply had no chicks a few weeks ago when we were there, then got them in and sold out and they reordered and hopefully they will come in anyday. She said I would have to come as soon as I called because the demand is so high. I guess part of it is Easter but I think alot of it is the economy. Not that it is cheaper to grow your own but I think lots of folks think that. So hopefully we will find them there by saturday. I forgot about HighSprings and Trenton. Worst case I will call them too. Definately want RIR and maybe a couple Dominiques since that is what his great granny is raising and they are great birds. Can't believe so many people were so close to me. Well I will take pics and post when we get the chicks. Off to get their new home all ready and cozy.

When will the chicks go outside into a safe coop and run? The neighbors chicks are out with the moms but I notice alot go missing. Probably due to the pair of hawks that live on the farm here. Thanks again!!!!

 

[seismic wonder2]

Welcome to "Casa de Pollo Loco!"

I'm sure you know from reading all these posts and other discussions that baby chicks are more than just fuzzy and cute.
They require lots of attention and close monitoring to make sure they don't get too cold or too hot etc. and to protect them from other pets you may have.
Make sure you have all the equipment set up and ready to go with a stable temp and humidity and food/water at the ready BEFORE ordering the chicks.

Even though many have done it (including myself) a cardboard box and a reading lamp shouldn't be considered proper housing for chicks. Please invest in a proper brooder with temperature control for your new babies! Once you are hooked (like the rest of us) you WILL use it again....trust me.

I hatched a batch of quail. Qutest little buggars on the planet and lost them all to improper brooding equipment (the box/light). I was racked with guilt and depressed for weeks. Don't let it happen to you, start with the right stuff.