Sources for chicks

[MrIC]

We're planning on getting 6-10 chicks next year. I've pretty much picked the breeds, but Im curious about where to get them. There's the feedback stores, of course, but since im looking for specific breeds, I may have to look elsewhere. I've checked out the mail order hatcheries like Cackle and Hoover for years. Are places like that a good idea? Should I hunt down breeders of the varieties we want? I know chickens aren't the same thing as dogs, but part of me can't help but thinking of a puppy mill when I look into the big hatcheries. Are their chickens poorly bred or cared for?

 

[nuthatched]

It's the opposite in chickens.

If you want good, healthy birds pick a hatchery.
Mt Healthy, Cackle hatchery, Meyers, McMurray are all good hatcheries, hoovers has low quality birds.
They aren't puppy mills and you'll receive good birds that are not likely to carry disease as with other sources.

Most "breeders" are a joke, with diseased birds but if you want a breeder with show quality birds, find a breeders club or show club and look for a directory for actual, professional breeders.