Where Can I Get Low Quantites of the Breeds I Want?

[BongeDundee]

Hi,
I'm looking to add onto my tiny flock, and I have several breeds I want to try. However, most breeders only sell in large quantities. Are there any online sites that will let me pick and choose one of each breed until I have the minimum amount of chicks that can be shipped? If not, I will just get some of the standard breeds from my local farm store.
Thanks.

 

[akaruby]

My pet chicken and Meyer hatchery tends to have lower minimums. But, with it being December in a couple weeks Meyers minimum is 15. Ideal only has a price minimum, but they may be sold out for the season

 

[donrae]

If you're putting in a small order with a hatchery, be sure to check if they add extra birds for warmth. Ideal often does this, and you'll wind up with a bunch of cockerels you don't want or need. You just need to communicate with the hatchery, most have pretty good customer service. You'll often pay a small batch charge or something like that for ordering less than 5 of each breed.

something else to keep in mind is to order a larger amount and sell them, either as chicks or after they're off the heat (around 6 weeks). I've done that in the past, I just order rare or unusual breeds and don't have any problem selling them.

You can also talk to your feed store and see if they'll let you piggyback an order with them. My local Grange is willing to do that in the spring, I can order whatever the hatchery has available and they'll ship it with the feed store chicks, and I pick them up from the feed store. The chicks do better cause they stay warm with so many others, and I don't have to hassle with the post office.

 

[Ridgerunner]

In addition to what others said (or maybe repeating some)

Check on the New Jersey thread in the ”Where am I? Where are you!” section of this forum. You might find someone local that has what you want or someone that will split an order.

If your county fair has a chicken show, find out who runs that chicken show. They may know some nearby people that can help you.

If you are looking for show quality chickens, determine your breed and look up the national breeders club for that specific breed. They often list people selling those chicks. Maybe someone is near you. They won’t be cheap but they will be nice.

If your local feed store has a bulletin board see if they will let you post an ad for what you want.

If you can find a hatchery within driving distance, see if you can pick up a small special order instead of ordering through the mail. I don’t know of any in New Jersey but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any.

Go to a chicken show near you and chat with people. Somebody might be able to help you.

One of the issues with practically all of these is that you may have problems getting females if you get young chicks. You may need to look for point of lay pullets, somewhere around 16 weeks or older.

Good luck!

 

[dheltzel]

What breeds are you looking for? Perhaps you can find local breeders of those breeds and pick them up directly.