Oh My God..........Not Yet!!!!!

[Bogbilly]

I ordered my birds in January for the first of April. 24 Barred Rock 2 day old pullets with 2 cockerels. I have been slowly getting ready for them. I got a call 2 days ago and was told my supplier had my chickens and wanted me to pick them up. I thought it was an error and explained to the guy that I wanted them in April. He basically said now or never. My coop was under 2 feet of snow and not nearly ready for new birds. I worked for a day and a half to get a temporary brooder set up. That being completed I went to pick up my new ladies. I got to the breeders and found not 2 day old birds but 4 week old barred rocks. Not impressed but thought about it and decided I would take them...at the same price as babies...., and let him absorb the feed costs! I made a mental note to not use this guy again.
After getting the birds into the brooder I started looking them over and I believe I got 9 cockerels and 17 pullets. Now the task of getting there permanent digs ready. will post picks soon.

 

[rachlore]

Im happy you got your chickens but I'm sorry that you had to experience the drama of early chicks. Anyways...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

The loss of holding lil' fluff balls aside that's a great deal!

 

[Fred's Hens]

If these birds are truly standard bred, as in SOP bred stock, you got a GREAT deal.

Many breeders, especially those on the smaller side, cannot deal with specificity, but must go with the flow. He might have explained that better when you placed your order though.

 

[Fred's Hens]

BTW, we need photos!!!

On some other forums, that expression is humorously stated, as in, "Photos, or it never happened."

 

[Janiecoke]

Nope, It looks like this should be your last deal with this person. Sexing is within the first 24 hours by feathers. Sorry and hope it all works out.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Sexing Barred Rocks is dead easy at 5 weeks.

The cockerels will sport reddish junior starter wattles and pink combs, while the pullets will sprout no wattles and their combs will remain yellowish.

The cockerels feather in brightly while the pullets will be darker and the look is more spotty, cuckoo. Easy.




Above, are SOP Heritage, Ringlet Barred Rocks.




These are hatchery grade Barred Rocks.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Oh wow! I don't know what I'd do if my chicks came early. We currently have 6 inches of snow on the ground, and I don't have shavings, chick starter, or a heat lamp yet! Lol

Can we see some pictures of the chicks you got??

 

[Bogbilly]

Here are a few pics of my birds. There in a temp brooder right now. digging out the coop.

 

[JesseK]

Look at those cute little tail feathers!