Not sure what everyone does with extra chicks

[HeatherLynn]

I want to put in an order for more hens this year. I want some more ee's and maybe a couple speckled sussex. The problem is the whole 25 minimum. What do you guys do with the extras. Honestly I have 11 layers right now and they do a pretty good job providing eggs. If I double that number I will have enough to provide us, my parents, my sister and a nephew with eggs. I don't really need 25 hens. I guess I could order some cheap roos to eat but the hubby is wanting to avoid roo's this year. The meat is great but the kids are horrible about getting attatched to them. I don't know how I feel about selling the extras. I had every intention that once a chick came here they do not leave. I have the room for them all but thats alot of extra eggs. I don't sell my extras so I don't ever have to worry about regulation.

So what do you guys do.

 

[teach1rusl]

You can order from a place that does small orders, or you can try to find someone to split an order with you...maybe from the Kentucky thread????

 

[Karrie13]

What about ordering from My Pet Chicken? They have lower limits but do cost a little more. Maybe you could find someone in your area that would split an order with you?

I just hatch my own now and the extra roos go to freezer camp.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

Our local feed mill takes poultry orders and pools them to make the minimum. I also posted an ad on Craigslist last time I ordered and I split an order with someone who lives near me. I ordered Blue Laced Red wyandottes as my extras once and listed them on Craigslist before they even came. I had three relpies the first day. Someone came and got them the day they were delivered.

 

[Alabama ee]

As someone mentioned, http://www.mypetchicken.com does small orders. Also, http://www.meyerhatchery.com/ does. However, they charge a lot more for small orders. Another one is http://www.ideal-poultry.com/ . I found their cost to be a lot lower. With Ideal there is a $25.00 minimum vs 25 birds. I have not used them , but I think I will the next time I order. The $25.00 is about 10 birds.

 

[HeatherLynn]

I am shooting for a dozen and the cost is a good bit more that way unfortunately. I would just get what I can from feed store but I only get males when I buy from ours. Literally all males.

I check with my pet chicken and its going to cost roughly 20 more for about half the number of chicks. I think I might try to find a partner in crime to split with or I guess maybe sell extras. Any ideas on what breeds of hens I will find homes for easier?

 

[heather112588]

Any luck with finding a local breeder? it will save you a fortune! try craigslist.

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

Quote:
It's usually pretty easy to find homes for Easter Eggers if you need to round out your order. People love the blue/green eggs, and the chicks are super cute with their little cheeks.

 

[tennesseeckn]

As for what sells best, I think it varies by area. For some reason, everyone I talk to here in my area wants Silver Laced Wyandottes for "pet" chickens. The people who are buying for eggs will go with Sex Links. That's helps a whole lot, huh?

 

[startingover]

Get them and when the Poultry Swaps start up again you can sell them there - or try Craigslist. You are about an hour and half from me - a little farther than I like to drive - but I would take them.