Ordering Chickies - how many?

[chickfiend]

So, I have decided that I want to have 3 backyard chickens - 2 Orpingtons (possibly Australorps) and a Silkie. I live in the city, with a decent sized backyard but with neighbors in very close proximity.. I was talking to my dad the other day and mentioned that I was going to order chickens and he said to get a couple for him as well. Sure, no probs. But when I told him my plan of having 3 chicks, he said "Well, you better order 6 then because a few of them a bound to die" - Um. What?! Im gonna be taking care of these little guys around the clock. Do I really need to order double what I want? Im not sure what I would do with all of these little guys if they do survive.. pretty sure my neighbors would shoot me if I had 20 chickens squawkin around all day.

 

[tomarcs]

Check to see if the hatchery ships extras for warm/DOA's. I just had my chicks shipped out three weeks ago: ordered 25 and they shipped 30. In the first 12 hours I lost two chicks - both seemed to be failure to thrive (eat/drink/open eyes). Two days later I awoke to two more having passed. However, since then there's been no losses. My goal is have +/- dozen laying hens, but I ordered straight-run so I'm not certain how many will turn out to be actual layers. Plus, 25 was the minimum shipment for bantam's.

Would I have ordered less if they were all pullets and no minimum order? Probably yes. In that case, I probably would have ordered 15-20. This isn't quite double what'd I'd want to keep, but you should take into account that not all may survive. Best of luck with your chicken wrangling adventure!!

 

[Varglet]

If you check with nearby feed stores that get baby chicks, you might be able to order just a few chicks that you want. The feed store I get my chicks from lets me order just a few at a time, or as many as I want, and the hatchery just sends them to the feed store with the rest of the chicks. None of the chicks I have gotten this way have died, and I don't have to deal with 25+ minimum orders.

 

[chickfiend]

I found a site that allows you to order a minimum of 5 chicks - I had planned to order 10, so my dad can have some and I can have some.. I just didnt want to spend $36 for 3 female silkies when I really only want one. I know it may not seem like alot to spend to some people, but eh.. its kind of alot to spend if the only reason Im purchasing them is because Im expecting some to die. I will definately stop by Tractor Supply tomorrow and see if they could order specific breeds. I chose those two because or their friendly, docile nature. Didnt want to end up with grumpy chicks that attack the kids.

 

[The Robot Chick]

I found a site that allows you to order a minimum of 5 chicks - I had planned to order 10, so my dad can have some and I can have some.. I just didnt want to spend $36 for 3 female silkies when I really only want one. I know it may not seem like alot to spend to some people, but eh.. its kind of alot to spend if the only reason Im purchasing them is because Im expecting some to die.

I will definately stop by Tractor Supply tomorrow and see if they could order specific breeds. I chose those two because or their friendly, docile nature. Didnt want to end up with grumpy chicks that attack the kids.

$36 for silkies
I went to murdochs and they were 3.99 each murdochs ordered them from Murray Mcmurray Hatchery

 

[donrae]

I prefer to get my chicks from the feed store. That way they're a few days old already and the weaker ones have already died off, so I'm picking from the hardier birds from the start.

If you're going to TSC or a similar store, do some research first. Spend some time on a site like McMurray hatchery, looking at pictures of baby chicks. That will give you a good idea what the breeds you want should look like. We have tons of folks getting mislabeled birds from TSC and the like, cause they have no idea what a specific breed should look like.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

We had a great experience buying from our local feed store too. All were very healthy and you can buy as little as one at a time. I wouldn't be too worried that your chickens will peck your children. Idk. We have a mixed flock of Barred Rocks, buff Orpington, brown leghorn and Rhode Island Red. Non of them are mean to my children. They are held daily. I am partial to the buff Orpington though...