Trying to locate some pullets or chicks

[coolcanoechic]

I am a newbie here, so please forgive me if you have heard this question before.
Here is my situation.
My brother who lives around the block from me just started to raise some NH Reds this spring. They just started laying eggs a couple of months ago. He offered me a few and I thought about it for a while and decided to accept. I now had to build a coop and run. I am practically finished now with just a door and window to finish up.
Last night a weasel got into his coop and killed every one of his birds. I just got home from helping him to clean up the crime scene. It was a very sad day today.

I am now trying to figure out where I am going to get 3 hens or even chicks at this time of year. There does not seem to be anything available right now. Do I have to wait til spring to find just 3 birds? I live in Southern New Hampshire. If there is anyone out there who can help me, I would be most grateful. I need to find someone to sell me either chicks or pullets or even full grown hens. I'm going to try Craigs list next, but I'm afraid that probably won't turn up anything in this neck of the woods.

Thanks everyone. This is the best site for info ever!

Nancy

 

[aoxa]

Seems like there are a lot of birds up for offer on sites like craigs list or kijiji. People want to get rid of their birds before the winter. I would suggest putting out a wanted ad. Or even look on here for people in your area.

Very sorry for your loss

 

[Kevin565]

I'm so sorry for your loss

. I have to say craigslist hand down. You can search for ads or you can post your ad for a certain age or breed. Winter is the perfect time to get a good deal. With feed prices so high many people are cutting back on their flocks. You can defiantly snag a good deal.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A few other ideas besides Craigslist, which is probably my number one suggestion too.

Try posting in the New Hampshire thread on this forum. Maybe someone there can help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=357963&p=1

Call your county extension agent, in the phone book under county government.

Talk to people at the feed store. They might know of some or they might let you put up a notice inn the bulletin board.

Contact someone in this group. They might be able to help you.
http://www.newhampshirepoultryfanciers.com/

 

[ChicKat]

Quote:
Hi Nancy,

Remember that here on the forum there is a "for sale" section, and look there as well. One of the ways you can sort it is by location.

Second, Craig's list is an option...... be a little wary--and make sure that the chickens you get are quality.

You may also try an internet search, sometimes it is surprising what may be closer to you than you think......

If there is a specific breed that you are interested in, then perhaps you could Google that breed association, and some of them have a list of breeders. The lists will tell what they have available, and their contact information.

Last spring, I was kind of in your shoes....looking for the chickens I wanted. One of my ideas was to go to a location where they had a sign out "eggs for sale" and ask the seller if they would part with any of their hens. My interest was in egg layers, and I didn't have facilities to raise the chicks (or probably the patience)---- You can also get birds from some hatcheries that are grown if you look carefully--trouble is the shipping for grown birds is something like $100.

Most of all, don't get discouraged, it may take a while, but you will be able to find just what you want sooner or later.....

 

[Fred's Hens]

http://nh.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=hens&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=


Just a quick look on Craigs NH shows a number of interesting possibilities. Use caution and be wise, and you'll be just fine.

 

[coolcanoechic]

I just chatted with someone selling black leghorns? on Craigs list. He has 6 month old females for sale. Does this sound ok? I am not familiar with this breed, but from what I have been reading, leghorns seem to be good egg layers. He is in the next town over from me. He said he is selling a few because his flock has grown too big. I am certainly not looking for hens to eat given the space I have....just eggs for DH and I.
He also said they free range. I do not plan to do this until they know where their new home is and also only when supervised.....too many nasty predators around here. Will they stand confinement well?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Leghorns are terrific layers, if a wee bit flighty. They'd be OK. White egg, if that matters. Smaller bird.

 

[coolcanoechic]

The owner said something about keeping even numbers. Is there something to that, that I have not seen or read about on this site? Curious. Would four of them be comfortable in a coop that has 18 sq ft of space and a run that is 30 sq ft of space with limited free range opportunities?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Nah, he's doing chicken math, mostly.

However, birds of a feather, flock together. Each breed does indeed like to have at least one other, of it's kind, in the flock. Just my observation over the years.